AN: Sorry it's been so long, guys! I've been drawing a bunch, and this chapter was just sitting in my files, halfway done, so decided to finish it. I hope you guys like it!

Oh, and is it just me or are Bella and Zendaya growing apart? It breaks my little shipper heart, because they're not as touchy and neither are Rocky and Cece. Which reminds me. I hate Tristian Klier, Logan, and James. They're perfect together! Grr.

Bright light breaks the darkness.
Ba-dum.
Someone's holding my eyes open.
Ba-dum.
I attempt to blink and rub my eyes.
Ba-dum.
My knuckles knock small fingers off of my face.
Ba-dum.
It's Flynn.
Ba-dum.
He's talking.
Ba-dum.
At least I think he is.
Ba-dum.
I can see his mouth moving.
Ba-dum.
As I focus on my ears, I sink into the partial deafness I've been in.
Ba-dum.
It's better than what I could hear 5 seconds ago.
Ba-dum.
Which is nothing.
Ba-dum.
Now I can hear him.
Ba-dum.
"Rocky, get up, you have ten minutes to get to the train!" he's saying.
Ba-dum.
I jolt up, a squeaky "What?" bursting from my lips.
Ba-dum.
"Spring break is over. It's Monday, and you have to get to school," he explains slowly, like I'm a little kid.
Ba-dum.
I nod and sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Okay, um, thanks, Flynn," I say hesitantly.
Ba-dum.
He looks surprised.
Ba-dum.
Why?
Ba-dum.
Oh.
Ba-dum.
I talked.
Ba-dum.
I'm talking.
Ba-dum.
I swing my legs over the edge of the bed while he searches me.
Ba-dum.
"Well, I have to get ready," I push.
Ba-dum.
He takes the hint.
Ba-dum.
"Oh, all right, well, bye, Rocky," he says, not as confident as usual.
Ba-dum.
I watch as he leaves.
Ba-dum.
School. Focus, Rocky.
Ba-dum.
Right.
Ba-dum.
I stand up and rush to get ready, brushing my teeth, throwing my hair into a ponytail and throwing on a light layer of makeup.
Ba-dum.
I have to keep up appearances.
Ba-dum.
I don't know how I'll make it.
Ba-dum.
I have to.
Ba-dum.
I yank on long red jeans.
Ba-dum.
At least I'm wearing waterproof mascara.
Ba-dum.
A white tank top emblazoned with the British flag.
Ba-dum.
Her favorite country.
Ba-dum.
A sparkly blue belt winds through the loops.
Ba-dum.
The one I got her for her last birthday.
Ba-dum.
A bright aqua half-shirt with a red heart.
Ba-dum.
It's soft, like her hair.
Ba-dum.
White socks and blue combat boots.
Ba-dum.
Those were mine.
Ba-dum.
I hurry to toss on some matching jewelry, grab my bag, and rush out the door.
Ba-dum.
I barely make it to the train on time.
Ba-dum.
And as I sit there, I feel around in my bag.
Ba-dum.
There's an apple and a granola bar in a separate paper bag.
Ba-dum.
I smile.
Ba-dum.
Georgia's looking out for me.
Ba-dum.
Like I'm her daughter.
Ba-dum.
Because she doesn't have one anymore.
Ba-dum.
I bite my lip.
Ba-dum.
What am I gonna tell our teachers?
Ba-dum.
Aw man, Mr. Polk really likes her now.
Ba-dum.
How am I gonna tell him?
Ba-dum.
Wait, Cece's mom would have had to call the school.
Ba-dum.
That's awful.
Ba-dum.
Calling the school to tell them your daughter wouldn't be showing up because she can't.
Ba-dum.
Because she's dead.
Ba-dum.
I absently rip into the apple.
Ba-dum.
The red skin reminds me of the red patch under my red jeans.
Ba-dum.
Cece's red jeans.
Ba-dum.
The color of fresh blood.
Ba-dum.
Fresh blood turns dark when it's left alone.
Ba-dum.
Pooling out of your best friend.
Ba-dum.
Who was left in a dumpster while you searched.
Ba-dum.
And she's dead now.
Ba-dum.
Focus.
Ba-dum.
Eat your apple.
Ba-dum.
I take another bite.
Ba-dum.
I eat my apple in silence.
Ba-dum.
At least mental silence.
Ba-dum.
Mostly.
Ba-dum.
Granola bar now, Rocky.
Ba-dum.
Your stop is next.
Ba-dum.
Focus on that.
Ba-dum.
Focus on the food.
Ba-dum.
Whatever you do, don't focus on her.
Ba-dum.
I move like a robot.
Ba-dum.
Open, bite, chew, swallow, repeat steps 2-4 until granola bar is gone. Train stops, grab bag, exit train.
Ba-dum.
I hope the rest of the day isn't like this.
Ba-dum.
When I walk in the door, I know it won't be close.
Ba-dum.
And it makes me wish I could be a robot.
Ba-dum.
The looks thrown my way don't help.
Ba-dum.
The notes that fall out when I open my locker almost break me.
Ba-dum.
I have to stay strong.
Ba-dum.
But I can't.
Ba-dum.
There's an empty spot to my left as I pull my books out of my locker.
Ba-dum.
Keep it together.
Ba-dum.
Ignore the ripping sensation in your chest.
Ba-dum.
Breathe.
Ba-dum.
I blink and shut my locker.
Ba-dum.
First period starts in five.
Ba-dum.
I quietly make my way to Spanish.
Ba-dum.
I have a project due today.
Ba-dum.
Being me, of course it's done to perfection.
Ba-dum.
I did it before she – no, Rocky, no.
Ba-dum.
It's too late.

"Rocky, do you really have to work on that now?" The groan came from above me, where Cece was sprawled on her bed. "Yes, Cece, it's due next Monday," I explained, and I heard her groan again, the sound of ruffling sheets accompanying it this time. Red hair tickled my shoulder as her head dangled over the edge, focusing on my pen as it danced across the yellow paper. "But it's so boring!" she complained, drawing out the last word. I sighed and lay my project aside. "Well, what do you wanna do?" I asked, turning to look at her. She stared into the distance for a second, thinking, before she replied. "I dunno." I let out a breath and roll my eyes, picking up my project. "But not this," she tacked on quickly. I groaned again and she pulled herself back up, only to drop down next to me. "Well, I need to finish this." I told her, and her forehead plowed into my shoulder. "But it's three in the morning!" she mumbled. My legs flattened, and I sighed. "I guess you're right. It wouldn't kill me to take a break." Her head shot up. "So we can go to bed?" Her face was hopeful and bright, but traces of the long night showed. "Fine, we'll go to bed." I reluctantly agreed, and she bounced onto the bed with a little squeak. I chuckled internally and packed everything up, listening as little complaints issued from the bed.
"Rocky, hurry up!"
"Really? You're organizing your pencils?
"Do you have to have so many folders?
"Rocky, you're taking forever!"
"I'm tired!"
"Could your computer shut down any slower?"
"Why didn't I get blacklights?"
"Aww, those shorts are cute! Maybe you could get them in bed?"
Then, finally, she broke me.
"Rocky!" she pouted. I groaned and shoved my binder in my bag. "Okay, okay, I'm coming!" I snapped, crawling into bed beside her. I felt her roll over, and her back pressed against mine. "Oh, and Rocky?" she murmured. "Hm?" I asked, shutting my eyes and burrowing deeper into the sheets. "Can you turn off the lamp?" I sighed, and I felt her freeze. "Love you, Rocky!" Her voice was higher than usual, nervous. I reached over and tapped the zebra lamp. The light went out, and I felt her press against my back, her hands on my shoulder. "You're cold, aren't you?" It almost wasn't a question. "Yep." Her answer came quickly. "Look, Cece, I'll go grab an extra blanket for you." Her hands clenched on my shoulder. "No, don't leave! You're warm." Her last words were mumbled as she buried her head in her arms. I sighed, patting her hand and shutting my eyes.

I rub my temples.
Ba-dum.
Ugh, another one.
Ba-dum.
I'm exhausted already, and first period hasn't even started.
Ba-dum.
I scratch at my skin.
Ba-dum.
Red marks follow my nails.
Ba-dum.
I need to stop doing this.
Ba-dum.
Stop thinking.
Ba-dum.
That makes me think of her even more.
Ba-dum.
Focus, Rocky, just get your project out.
Ba-dum.
The empty chair beside you was always empty.
Ba-dum.
Yep.
Ba-dum.
Always.
Ba-dum.
Just stop looking.
Ba-dum.
Even my thoughts sound like her.
Ba-dum.
And now, here comes aknife.
Ba-dum.
And he stands awkwardly next to me.
Ba-dum.
"Hey Rocky," James says, shuffling around.
Ba-dum.
I force myself to smile and give him a pained nod.
Ba-dum.
He can't read how fake the curve of my lips is.
Ba-dum.
Or the pain behind it.
Ba-dum.
Cece could.
Ba-dum.
Knock it off, Rocky!
Ba-dum.
"So, uh, where's Cece?" her boyfriend asks.
Ba-dum.
And the knife lands right in my heart.
Ba-dum.
"She, uh, won't be here for a while," I say quietly, focusing on my hands.
Ba-dum.
"When will she be back?" he asks like I should have told him.
Ba-dum.
The knife twists slowly.
Ba-dum.
The rush of pain blinds me.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
I'm on my feet, looking down at the now terrified nerd.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
"She won't be back! She died, okay? She's six feet under and nobody can do anything!"
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
I'm panting.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
From the way people are looking at me, I might as well be breathing fire.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
Maybe I did.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
It wouldn't surprise me.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
I sigh and glance around.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
Everyone's frozen, and they're all looking at me.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
My mouth is still open, and I begin to stammer out an apology before scooping up my bag and walking out of the room.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
And I walk fast.
Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
They can't see me cry.
Ba-dum, ba-dum.
I'm Rocky Blue.
Ba-dum, ba-dum.
I'm tough.
Ba-dum, ba-dum.
I can handle anything.
Ba-dum, ba-dum.
But I think something's changed.
Ba-dum, ba-dum.
Because this Rocky Blue feels broken.

I don't think I've ever described school this way before.
Ba-dum.
But honestly, there's no other way.
Ba-dum.
School was a disaster.
Ba-dum.
My perfect attendance is ruined.
Ba-dum.
Smashed, shattered beyond repair.
Ba-dum.
Ty had to stop me from murdering a kid who had the nerve to insult Cece.
Ba-dum.
Ugh, I hate Drew.
Ba-dum.
Cece had a crush on him before she dated James.
Ba-dum.
An image begins to dawn in the back of my head, and I quickly push it back.
Ba-dum.
I've had enough pain today.
Ba-dum.
That's why I'm ditching tomorrow.
Ba-dum.
I don't know if I can handle another day of this.
Ba-dum.
Cleaning out her locker.
Ba-dum.
All these looks.
Ba-dum.
The gossip.
Ba-dum.
The questions.
Ba-dum.
The silence.
Ba-dum.
I toss another piece of popcorn in my mouth.
Ba-dum.
I feel like I'm splintering into a million pieces.
Ba-dum.
I shove the bowl of popcorn aside.
Ba-dum.
I have to go somewhere.
Ba-dum.
Anywhere.
Ba-dum.
And I know just the place.
Ba-dum.
I snatch my key ring and leave my room.
Ba-dum.
My mom sees the keys and nods at me as I walk into the living room.
Ba-dum.
"Crusty's again?" she asks.
Ba-dum.
I nod.
Ba-dum.
She shrugs and goes back to folding clothes.
Ba-dum.
I hurry to the pizza place, hoping I'll run into Deuce.
Ba-dum.
He'll freak out again if he sees me on the security footage.
Ba-dum.
Now is not the time for a flashback, Rocky.
Ba-dum.
The restaurant's dark when I get there.
Ba-dum.
Fantastic, I get to deal with a spazzy Deuce tomorrow.
Ba-dum.
Well, he gave us keys, what does he expect?
Ba-dum.
I quietly unlock the door and pad downstairs.
Ba-dum.
It looks eerie in the dark.
Ba-dum.
But I don't bother with the lights, just plop into a chair.
Ba-dum.
As my eyes adjust to the lighting, memories pop up.
Ba-dum.
Everywhere I look.
I made a mistake.
Ba-dum.
I shouldn't have come here.
Ba-dum.
I drop my head onto my arms.
Ba-dum.
I can't take it.
Ba-dum.
My gut clenches.
Ba-dum.
I feel like someone's watching me.
Ba-dum.
Someone dark.
Ba-dum.
Time slows down as I turn to look behind me.
Ba-dum.
Usually nobody's there.
Ba-dum.
This time, I lock eyes with a predator.

AN: I know, the whole 'you're warm' bit has been played out, but who cares, it's adorable. The ending's kinda dark, and I'm trying to make the next chapter as dark as the first one. So, what'd you think about this one? Love it? Hate it? I wanna know!

~uni xoxo