Chapter 5

Abby woke up, trying to remember why she felt so bad. Then she remembered the events of the night before, and Connor Temple. She felt herself getting angry all over again, she couldn't believe she'd fooled herself into believing there was someone out there who'd want to do something nice for her. Abby forced herself to get out of bed; someone has to get Jack up, she thought to herself.

However, as Abby walked into Jack's room, she saw that he was already up and playing with something in a cardboard box.

"Abby!" Jack cried with joy when he saw her, "Look, Rex is back."

"What?" Abby gasped, "What do you mean Rex is back? How did Rex get back here?"

"Someone brought him back after you went to bed last night." Jack told her gleefully.

"Who?" Abby asked quickly, "Did he say what his name was?" Abby realized she had asked what his name was. She knew who she wanted it to be, even if she couldn't believe he would do it.

"He wouldn't tell me his name," Jack replied, looking thoughtful, "But he said to tell you a kind stranger brought him back. Do you know who it is?"

"Maybe," Abby said slowly, "What did he look like?"

Jack looked confused, "I don't remember that much, I was too happy at getting Rex back to pay attention." Abby tried to hide her disappointment. Suddenly Jack looked up.

"Hat!" he exclaimed, "The guy had a weird hat on." Abby thought about this information. Connor did seem like the type of guy who would wear an odd hat; she'd just have to ask him today at school. Then all of a sudden she realized it couldn't have been Connor who'd brought Rex back, because she'd chewed Connor out through voicemail and told him to never speak to her again. She'd severed all bridges between the pair of them, so why would he go out of his way to find her pet lizard. The realization hit her painfully, followed by a wave of sadness. She'd made one real friend since she'd gotten to her new school, and in a fit of anger over a lizard, she'd run him off. Unfortunately, that left her with the question of who had brought Rex back and how did they know. Even as she tried to come up with other names, only one kept popping back into her head, Connor.

XXXXX

A few blocks away, Connor Temple awoke with a start. He groaned, trying to take stock of his surroundings and remember where he was. Oh yeah, Connor thought glumly, I'm in the woods by the school. Connor knew most people didn't take him for the outdoorsman type, and if he could have his way, he wouldn't be; but given the choice between going home last night or sleeping in the woods, Connor had no problem sleeping with his back against a tree, covered by his leather jacket. Connor groaned as he stood up, stretching out his back and arms while looking around for his hat.

Instinctively Connor checked his phone, which he'd put on silent after the fifth call from his mother. He saw she'd called another six times and left messages after each call. Connor deleted all of them at once; he wasn't in the mood to deal with her now. Scooping up his hat and placing it on his head, Connor began walking in the direction of his school, hoping no one would notice he was wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

Connor barely made it to school in time, darting into his first class seconds before the bell. He took his seat next to Becker as Mr. Harper began calling roll.

"How'd it go last night?" Becker asked as soon as Connor sat down. "Was she glad to see you, or just the lizard?"

"I didn't see her," Connor admitted quietly, "I gave Rex to her little brother. I don't think she wants to see me anyways, she was pretty clear on that in her message."

"That sucks, mate." Becker said sympathetically. "Hey, um, don't take this the wrong way or anything, but weren't you wearing that yesterday and last night?"

"Wha- no," Connor said, turning bright red, "No, it's just the same jacket and type of jeans, I've changed me shirt, I had a blue one yesterday."

Luckily, Becker seemed to believe him, and he let it go. Mr. Harper had finished taking roll and began lecturing the class immediately on the elements of literature. Connor sat back in his chair, trying to focus on Mr. Harper's words, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Abby. He knew he'd see her today, he just didn't know how he was going to react to her. Should he ask for forgiveness or just let her ignore him completely. Connor contemplated asking Becker for advice, but when he looked over, Becker was slumped back in his seat, his head lolling to one side while he slept. Connor laughed to himself. He'd slept in the woods and he still seemed to have gotten more sleep than Becker had. Connor realized someone needed to take notes, but he didn't have any materials with him. He leaned over casually and took the paper off of the sleeping Becker's desk. I'll let him see the notes later, Connor thought; after all, I do owe him one.

XXXXX

As the day progressed, Abby kept looking for Connor amid the sea of people, but she couldn't find him anywhere. Even if I do find him, she thought dejectedly, what could I possibly say to make up for everything I said to him? She finally decided on simply apologizing and waiting to see his reaction.

At midday, Abby walked into the lunchroom and experienced her first spot of luck, she saw Connor sitting alone with his head down at one of the tables, and next to him was a hat she hadn't seen him wearing before. That has to be the hat, the one Jack saw, she thought excitedly, it was Connor, I knew it. She walked up to where he was sitting and sat down across from him. Connor looked up, and for a moment Abby could've sworn she saw joy flicker across his face, but it was instantly replaced by sadness. They stared at each other for a moment, and then Connor began speaking,

"Look, I know I messed up, I should have been there for-"

"I'm sorry," Abby blurted out, cutting Connor off mid-apology. She couldn't stand to see him like this, he blamed himself. That was what killed her the most, he wasn't mad at her like he should be, he was mad at himself.

"What?" Connor said, confused. "What are you sorry for? You didn't do anything; I was the one who ignored your calls."

"But I blew everything out of proportion; I chewed you out over a lizard." At this, she remembered why she had been looking for Connor in the first place. "And speaking of, thank you so much for finding Rex. How'd you do it?"

"How'd you know it was me?" Connor asked, trying to look innocent.

"Connor, who else would it have been? I didn't call anyone else but you. Besides, Jack said that the person had an odd hat, and here it is."

"Me fedora isn't odd." Connor said defensively, "and yeah, it was me. I got lucky, I knew some Durrans and it was their son. It was just luck." He looked away, embarrassed at Abby's admiration.

"Well, thank you, kind stranger." Abby said with the hint of a smile. She frowned at him suddenly as she realized something.

"Connor," she asked tentatively, "Weren't you wearing those clothes yesterday?"

"No" he replied loudly, "It was a different shirt, yesterday's was blue."

"Connor, I'm a girl." Abby said calmly, "I'd remember if you were wearing a different shirt yesterday, that's the same shirt. Why didn't you change?"

Connor looked down, clearly embarrassed about something, "I slept kinda… rough last night." He said finally.

"What do you mean 'rough'?" Abby asked confused. "Is something wrong at your house?" She was worried he might get mad at her prying, but instead he just sighed.

"No," he replied, "there was just an argument with me mum and I didn't go back home. That's why I kept ignoring your calls."

"Oh" Abby said. Now she felt even worse. Connor had just had a fight with his mum, who he probably loved very much, and then she'd added her hateful message onto his list of problems.

"I'm sorry," she said after a period of silence, "if there's anything I can do for you, just ask, yeah?"

"Alright" Connor said smiling. "There is one thing. Can I borrow a fiver for lunch? I left me money at home, and I didn't have any breakfast."

Abby just laughed at him as she pulled out her wallet. "Get something for me too," she told him, handing him the money. She watched Connor walk off towards the food line with a smile, happy that everything worked out in the end.

XXXXX

At the other end of the room, Cutter and Stephen sat watching the pair.

"Bad luck mate." Cutter said sympathetically, "Looks like Temple got there first."

"It's alright," Stephen replied nonchalantly, "Connor needs someone to care about him. I've got you for that."

Cutter laughed, "I'm just glad I could be here for you." But Cutter's laughs died as Helen Carpenter suddenly sat down next to him.

"Hello Nick. Stephen." she said, looking at the pair of them, "What's the joke?"

Cutter remained silent while Stephen watched him worriedly. Helen looked between the two boys.

"What?" she pouted, "Not even gonna talk to me. That's pretty rude, Nick, even for you."

"Go away," Cutter said firmly, "I told you I want nothing to do with you anymore."

"But I know you didn't mean it." Helen said coyly, "You and I can never stay apart for long, Nick. You know that."

"I think we can, Helen." Cutter replied, "Or at least, I can. Can't you find friends of your own? Why do you have to keep trying to re-enter my life."

"I'm lonely, Nick" Helen said finally, "I'm only human. I just want someone to care for me. And I miss you."

"Well I don't miss you." Cutter said finally as he stood up, "Good bye, Helen." And with that, Cutter walked off. Stephen made to follow him, but Helen grabbed his arm.

"See if you can get him to change his mind." She said simply, staring at Stephen fiercely. "I'd hate for him to find out about our night while he was away."

"You wouldn't," Stephen said, horrified, "You know what that would do to him."

"Yes I do," Helen said, "but I also know what he'll do to you. See if you can't change his mind about me."

"He couldn't put me through any worse torture than I've put myself every day since that night. Good bye Helen." Stephen wrenched his arm free and walked out of the lunchroom, leaving Helen sitting all alone.

AN: Finally! I've been trying to get Helen into a chapter since the beginning. Hope you liked it and please review. Also, coming up: the introduction of Memily. Stay tuned.