++++Means Nothing in Death++++

I fell asleep in Warren Peace's room.

You wonder how I know? I woke up to red, black, and white. Even his desk is black. He actually has a desk. With papers on it.

I only saw this from a distance, though. I was in a big comfy bed, in black and red sheets. That's how I knew I wasn't in my own room. Nothing in my room is red. The only red thing I associate myself with is blood and cherries. Mmm... Maraschino goodness.

But I'm tucked into a big comfy red sheet and confused. Oh, wait, I cried. I always sleep after I cry. Well, probably not when I was a baby, but since I was six. And three quarters.

Where's Warren?

Just as if it was a ditzy television show, Warren walked in donning the same ensemble as before, only with a wifebeater. The clothing, not an abusive husband. His hair was tied back, a big surprise, and I noticed a flame tattooed on each of his wrists and thought 'cool'. Oh great, I was attracted to him and his bad ass.

Not that I've been looking at his ass, of course.

"Um... hi." Sound familiar, anyone? That's my favorite line for awkward conversations.

"Do you always sleep after you pour your bodyweight in tears on unsuspecting teens?"

"Oh, you knew it was coming." I glared at him quickly, "And I don't weight that much!"

"Right." He smirked.

Eh? Curse you! Stupid fricking macho man isn't scared of the intimidating female! I'm glaring.

"Emily, you're not scary." Was this the first time he's ever called me by my actual name? Kudos to me!

Wait.

Oh, crap.

"Hey, what time is it?" I asked hurriedly, looking around and missing the round clock three times until Warren answered.

"It's eight. You completely slept through my shift." Oh, he works. Cool.

"I've been asleep in your bed for four and a half hours?"

"Three and a half." He corrected. He must be getting a kick outta this, "Did you have a nice nap?"

Mocking? It was too much.

"My male parental figure must be so worried." I gushed, hopping out of his unmade bed and brushing down my waving hair, straightening out my clothes. My tanktop always gets messed up when I sleep, I hope I wasn't flashing him. That would be embarrassing. Even more than I already am, "I mean, I just said I was going to visit a friends house real quick, he must either think that I've been kidnapped or you and me went to funky town." He chuckled and I froze.

Warren Peace chuckled.

"Warren.. Did you just laugh?" I think he's scared of my smile.

"No." He said automatically.

"Really?" I inched closer to him, preparing to hug him. I mean, he broke the physical boundary first, unless I did on the first day of school when I punched him.

"Really. Must have been a hallucination on your part."

"Warren, you laughed. You giggled. You're a blooming graceful flower child who laughs and frolicks among the grass naked," Ugh, now I'm seeing him shirtless again... with extremely toned legs.. and other things. Ew, "with the rest of us, singing careless melodies and laughing."

"You're still crazy."

"Did you expect any different?"

"Hug me and I'll flame you."

"That might work on others who aren't invincible when it comes to fire, hon, but I'm hugging you."

He groaned.

"Mark, I'm am so sorry it took so long."

The balding man turned his wheelchair to face me and raised a wise eyebrow.

"This house you went to," I nodded, motioning for him to go on, "Was it a boy or a girl?"

Now, should I lie so he'd just think it was girl talk, or tell the truth and have him accuse me of being deflowered with the horizontal mambo? That would be embarrassing, defending my virginity like that.

"His name is Warren Peace, and no sexual intimacy was conducted during the duration of my stay." I rolled my eyes for good measure.

"Peace, huh?" He frowned and I rolled my eyes again.

"Oh please, you're thinking of his father, aren't you?"

"Honey, I just want what's best for you. I'm not sure if hanging out with the son of a convict is in your best interests."

"Mark." I put my hands on my hips and prepared for a good healthy rant, "Yes, Warren Peace is the son of Baron Battle, but Warren Peace wasn't the one who committed those crimes. It was Baron Battle who burned down part of the city, not Warren Peace. Warren Peace is not Baron Battle, and never will be. He's just a boy with gloves that I want to steal, okay? Don't tell me that's not in my best interests. I need those gloves." And his six pack. Argh, bad thoughts. Must.. not... be.. perverted. Already.. have.. date... to homecoming.

"Fine, but I don't want him to be causing any trouble. No crying yourself to sleep again."

I turned my head away and he realized his mistake.

"Honey,"

"It's okay, Mark." I smiled an unbelievably fake smile and tugged on my sleeves, "I'm just gonna start on my homework. Be down in a few."

Author's Note: When is the author finally going to explain the depression? Did she already explain it? She'll have to recheck the storyline...