Rain pounded on the window, reminding Fin constantly of how heavy her heart felt. She clutched the now unfolded piece of paper in her fingers, her hands shaking. Fin had read the letter over and over, still unbelieving what she was seeing.

Dear Fin,

I know you are probably worried about me. I wanted to tell you, I really did. I just couldn't.

I knew that since I wasn't here this morning you probably would've been worried. I mean,

who wouldn't have been worried. Sorry, too self-centered? I just wanted to tell you that I

will see you again soon, just wait for it. Oh, and if Alex asks you to go somewhere, go. I

don't care what he has done to you, just please, please, go with him.

Love,

Reef

The writing was scratchy and sloppy. It was definetely Reef's handwriting but it seemed rushed, it was almost as if Reef was in a hurry. Fin read her digital watch, it was 10:00 PM, she needed to get some sleep for her early shift the next morning.

Fin lifted up the covers and got into her bed.

It was going to be a long night.

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Rude Awakening

Noodle kept pounding and pounding on the window. Harder and harder until he saw Fin's head lift up.

She has a serious case of bedhead, Noddle thought.

Fin lazily turned toward the window, the window of which her best friend was hanging from. At first she could care less. Then again, she was half awake. Her eyes widened suddenly, not in anger, but in fear.

"Noodle!" she cried. Fin jumped out of bed and ran towards the window, desparate to help her friend.

Noodle was in no stress, his light brown hair being carelessly blown in the wind. His off, gray eyes were as bored and calm as the expression on his face.

Fin threw open the window and strained to lift pudgy Noodle through. Noodle yawned and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"Hey wazzup Fin?" he said.

"WAZZUP! You almost fell from a two story window! You could have died!"

"I was in no danger at all."

"Then how were you staying on my ledge?" Fin asked frantically, desparate for an answer.

Noodle's eyes suddenly widened.

Oh great Fin thought he's going to get all crazy.

What I have never told you dear readers is that Noodle is sometimes normal, but sometimes people say things that trigger something. Something in his messed up brain causes him to go crazy.

Noodle suddenly dropped to the floor, banging his fists on the ground. Then he went into a wild screaming fit. Fin blocked her ears to his wild shrieks. Noodle's face was redder than ever. Fin waited out the screaming.

It took about ten full minutes. Which seems a lot longer when you're listening to Noodle scream. Fin waited and waited. She had gone through this with Noodle before.

Fin then slowly slid her hands off her ears and grabbed Noodle. Noodle's screaming slowed. Became quieter and quieter. Then stopped. He stared up at Fin.

Fin got up and strode calmly away from Noodle. She sat on the bed and patted next to her. Signaling Noodle to sit next her.

Noodle got up and walked over to the bed, face red with embarrassment and from the strain of screaming.

"Now Noodle, I asked you a question. How were you staying on my window ledge?"

Noodle crossed his arms and nodded his head. "Leviation my dear Shirley." he said in an Indian accent.

Fin rolled her eyes and pointed to the door. "Out. You're not even allowed to be in here."

Noodle frowned and trudged to the door.

Fin looked around her room then sighed. She grabbed her toothpaste, toothbrush and uniform off of her nightstand and stood up. The old springs in the bed creaked and whined.

Just as she disappeared out the door, the letter with the R on it fell from her arms. The door clciked shut and the letter lay there, for anyone to see.

Fin approached the hotel and just as she was about to enter someone grabbed her in a tight hug. Fin fought to get a glance at the person hugging her. No matter what, this stranger wouldn't let go. After as while, his grip loosened and Fin caught a glance of him.

Alex smiled but his smile quickly faded when he saw the anger in her face.

"Fin what's wro-" Alex's question was cut off by Fin screaming at him.

"Get away from me, you creep!"

Alex's eyes suddenly widened. "I can't believe them." Alex said distantly.

"Who? What?" Fin asked.

"My brother."

"What did he do?"

"He locked me up and said he would scare you. He found out that I had been spending time with you and went after you, pretending to be me."

At first Fin didn't believe him, then she looked back at the encunter. The person she had talked to did seem taller and more muscular then Alex. Also, Alex had lighter hair.

"I'm sorry that happened Fin. You must've been so scared." Alex grabbed her in another hug.

Maybe he's not such a bad guy.. Fin thought.

Alex let go. His mouth spread into a wide grin.

"And," he said, "I'm finally going to tell you the surprise."

Fin had almost forgot, Alex had been keeping a surprise gift for her.

"I got," he continued, "Milky Cyprus tickets!" Alex's grin got even wider.

Fin smiled back. "Thanks Alex." she said.

Emma, Broseph, and Lo gawked from their hiding place in the bushes. They knew spying was wrong, but it was still fun.

Fin thanked Alex again and walked into Surfer's Paradise.

She never had told Alex about her hatred for MIlky Cyprus.