Hey everyone, I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile, but hopefully this will be worth the wait.

Thanks to everyone who's reviewed! I'm glad you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Natalie finally caught her breath and began to trace the mysterious man's steps. She found what looked like his sweater on a bush near the union building. It was a nondescript black hooded sweatshirt, well-worn, with holes in the sleeves. She checked the pockets for anything, a scrap of paper perhaps, something to give her a clue on his identity. They were empty. As she shook out the sweatshirt, a gum wrapper and a map of campus fell out, but that was it. There was nothing else to help her figure out who this guy was. She picked up the map, looking for writing, but it was untouched. The gum wrapper smelled faintly of mint. The sweater itself smelled faintly of motor oil and grease. There was a hint of a man's cologne, but she didn't recognize the scent. There was nothing to identify who this guy was.

Natalie had the sudden yearning to go home. To go back to the place where memories of Keith were still fresh. Where he had walked, and talked, and lived. She called Garrett. "Hello?" he answered after the first ring.

"Hi, this is Natalie."

"Hey, is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, something's come up. I just can't come hang out tonight."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said, trying not to be annoyed. "I'm sorry, something's come up."

"Okay, well, I guess I'll talk to you later," Garrett said, his voice confused.

"All right, bye," she said, hanging up rather abruptly. She didn't feel like explaining herself right at the moment. In fact, she wasn't even going to let Crystal know her plans. Natalie rushed to her room and threw some clothes into a bag. She grabbed enough toiletries for the night and shoved her textbooks into her bag. Thankfully, her classes didn't start until 10 on Monday. Not very much time. Just enough time to go home. She didn't know what she was looking for, but maybe, this would help her find it. She tossed her things into the car, buckled up, and began to drive. The hot sun shone in her eyes, so she slipped on her sunglasses. The miles passed quickly, and Natalie mulled over the past few days again. Garrett was a nice guy, but there were some things about him that just bothered her. And Crystal. Natalie enjoyed hanging out with her friend, but lately she had been overstepping the lines. All this intentional setting up with Garrett was driving her crazy. Why was Crystal trying so hard to get her to date him anyways? She didn't want to rush into anything. Especially not after what had happened in the past few years. And now, that guy. Why was he following her? Who was he? There was something about him that she couldn't quite understand. She could still see his profile in the shadows, taunting her. He couldn't be a ghost. The sweatshirt proved that this guy was a real, living, breathing person. She looked at the sweater, folded carefully on the seat beside her. Her cell phone rang, and she reluctantly answered. "Hello?"

"Hey." It was Crystal. She sounded hesitant.

"Hi," Natalie said. She shifted the phone on her shoulder.

"Listen," Crystal paused. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

"I'm so glad you feel that way," Natalie answered sharply. She didn't feel that charitable today. Especially today.

"Hey, Nat, I'm sorry. I really am." She actually sounded contrite. Natalie felt bad for her attitude.

"All right, I forgive you. I'm just not having a good day. And this whole situation with Garrett is making my life complicated."

"I'm sorry about pushing you towards him. He really is a nice guy."

"I know, I just don't think he's for me."

"Okay, so I won't do it again. Promise."

"Thanks," Natalie said. She felt a bit better knowing that her friend was now on her side. "I'm sorry for biting your head off."

"Now that we're not on the outs, want to hang out tonight? Then you'll have an excuse not to see Garrett."

"I can't tonight."

"Well how about tomorrow?"
"I'm kinda busy right now."

"Nat, what's going on?"

"I'm driving."

"Driving? Where are you going?"

"I'm going home."

"Home? Now? Why?"

"You sound like an owl," Natalie laughed. She didn't really feel like explaining her actions, but knew that Crystal wouldn't let up until she did.

"Come on," Crystal coaxed.

"I just wanted to go home," she said. "I don't really have a reason."

"You can't fool me that easily."

"You won't believe me."

"Try me."

"I felt like going home. It's where Keith is."

"You're right. I don't understand. Do you really think that going home is going to help? It's only going to make things worse. Trying to live in the past is going to ruin the future."

"I don't know what I'm thinking anymore. I just want to go home and be where he was."

"Okay, Natalie. I don't understand what you're doing, but be careful, okay?"

"I'll be fine. I'll call you tomorrow."

"All right. Later." Natalie hung up the phone, turned it off, and threw it on the seat. She concentrated on the road, not bothering to turn on the music, but instead chose to remain in silence. The miles passed slowly. She wished that she wasn't going home. That she didn't feel the need to go home. But there was a deep longing inside. She wanted to see Keith. She wished that he was still there with her. That maybe, somehow, she could turn the clock back and relive their last days together. She wished a lot of things lately. Why couldn't she just let him go? Was she just afraid of being alone? If she finally let the past remain, that she would move on with out him. Maybe everything she had felt for him was nothing. And she would be alone. Maybe that was it. She was afraid of being alone. But was she actually capable of conjuring up a figment of him, just so she wouldn't be alone? Her thoughts were all mixed up in her head. Natalie was thinking so hard, her attention was not on the road. A small rabbit began hopping across the rural highway, and she had to swerve to miss him. She was forced to pull the wheel hard to the right to avoid the unsuspecting rodent. Her heart leaped into her throat. She could feel her pulse racing. Her hands were shaking, so she pulled over at a small gas station that was on the right. The convenience store looked dingy and shady, the overhead lights flickering.

Natalie let go of her death grip on the steering wheel. She took a few deep breaths and got out of the car to fill up the gas tank. When the pump had clicked off, she replaced the gas cap and went inside to pay. There was only one other man in the store besides the bored-looking clerk reading a magazine at the counter. He was rummaging through the ice cream freezer near the back. Natalie grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler and a pack of gum. She walked to the counter to pay. The other customer stood in front of her, and he was rummaging through his pockets for spare change. "Here," she said, handing him the needed amount. The dimes and nickels fell from her hand to the floor, bouncing around the tile. "Oh, I'm sorry," Natalie said in dismay. She set her purse down and scrambled around for the coins. He helped her gather the loose change.

"Thanks," he said, relieved. "I never have enough money in my pockets."

"You're welcome," she said. He quickly paid the clerk, and Natalie stepped forward.

"Just this for you today?" the clerk asked, his voice monotone and just as bored as his countenance.

"And the amount on Pump 2," she added. He named the amount, and she handed over her credit card. He ran the card and gave her the card and receipt.

"Thanks for coming in," he said.

"Thanks," she replied, trying to smile at him to cheer him up. He only scowled at her in return. The man was waiting by the door for her as she left.

"Hey, thanks again," he said. "You have exactly 9 cents in change."

"Don't worry about it," she smiled at him. Natalie walked back to her car and pulled back on the road again. She adjusted the rearview mirror and winced at the bright light that sparkled off the shiny grill of the car behind her. This time, she decided to turn on the radio. Soon, music filled the lonely spaces of her car, she began to sing along with the oldies music. The hours passed quickly, and soon she began to recognize the landmarks. A house here, a small creek there. She could feel the excitement building. Home was near. Of course, her parents had no idea she was coming. Not that she was going to tell them. In fact, she had no idea how she was going to inform them of her presence. But that was a predicament she could afford to hold off on.

Natalie checked her review mirror again before turning right. She noticed the same blue sedan turn behind her. She frowned. The car had been behind her for the past two hours at least. Natalie felt slightly nervous. Why would someone be following her? Especially here to her hometown. She must be paranoid. Since that guy had started showing up, weird things had been happening. The pennies, the weird man, and now this. Why would anyone want to follow her anyways? It wasn't like her life was very exciting. There was nothing even remotely shady about her. The worst thing she'd ever done was drive too fast or maybe have a little too much to drink. Natalie turned again, heading further into the wooded areas. Once again, the car turned with her. Her palms were getting sweaty. She tried to calm down and think clearly. She zigzagged down a few more streets. Luckily, Natalie knew most of the back roads in the area. After doubling back a couple more times, she checked the mirror again and sighed with relief. The car was no longer following her. She shifted in her seat and massaged her hands. They ached from her gripping the wheel so hard. Natalie looked out the car window, trying to discern her whereabouts. She had driven around in so many circles, she wasn't quite sure where she was.

Natalie got back in the car and drove for another few miles. A familiar road caught her attention. She turned the car down the gravel road and slowed down, absorbing her surroundings. The road ended in a clearing. She turned off the car and got out. The old log was still there, seemingly untouched by the past three years. It appeared that no one else had even set foot in that place since she and Keith had spent many hours there. Natalie walked close to the rock face and stared over the river. She remembered the many times that she had hung out and partied down at the Brick across the river. That was before she met Keith. Before her life had been turned completely upside down. Of course, there was no one down there since it was the middle of the day. But in her own mind, she could almost hear the sounds of kids laughing and talking.

She walked over to the log and sat down. The comforting smell of the wood filled her senses, and she smiled wistfully. "It's been awhile, Keith," she whispered into the silence. "I came back. Just for you." The brisk fall air chilled her, and she realized with some chagrin, that she had not packed a sweatshirt. The only thing left was that nasty sweater in the front seat. There was no way she was going to put that thing on. She rubbed her arms roughly to try to warm up. The sounds of gravel crunching filled her ears. Someone was behind her. Now it all made sense. The car following her was probably Garrett. Crystal had probably called him and told him where she was going. She was going to wring her friend's neck when she got back. "What, so you followed me here?" Natalie called out, not bothering to turn around. "You should just back your car out and go home."

"Hi, Natalie." Her spine tingled at the voice. There was no way. Her heart skipped a beat. She must be hallucinating. That voice was so familiar. One she hadn't heard in a long time and had never expected to hear again. Her mouth was dry, and she tried to swallow over the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat. This couldn't be happening. It was a dream. A dream that she had been hoping for all these years.

"Keith."

Okay, don't kill me over the ending! I just thought it would be a nice way to end it:)