Even though I was in shorts and flip-flops, I decided to run. I ran as far as my feet would take me, out the hotel, onto the sidewalk, all the way to downtown Baltimore. Luckily, there weren't that many people walking around to see me partially dressed with tears still streaming down my face.

I tried not to think. If I started thinking, I would think about Jack, or Alex and Zack. Then the pain would only be worse. I had been walking for about an hour when I stopped at the local coffee shop.

The place was warm inside, and it made me feel better about wearing shorts while walking around Baltimore. I sat at the counter and looked around. There were only three people in the shop, and none of them were showing any attention to me.

"Can I get you anything?" the women asked from behind the counter.

I turned to her and said, "Can you get me a glass of water?"

The women gasped. "Sweetie, are you alright?" she must have noticed my puffy face that was still wet with tears.

"Problems." was the only thing I could think of. The women walked back into another room and immediately came out with my water.

"I'm a good listener."

Though I didn't know the women, I told her everything. She was right, she was a remarkable listener. She made me open up and spill everything that had happened.

"And you're sure that this, Alex, and this, Zack, like you back?" she asked.

"Positive. Alex kissed me."

"And Zack?"

"No, but we had a... moment." my mind flashed to the night by the hot tub.

"But what about Jack?" she asked, truly interested.

"When I saw him with that girl, I just, I couldn't handle it. It could've been something, it was most likely nothing. But after hearing about my mom, I just..." I trailed off. The pain of opening up hit me hard. The wound of losing my mother was still fresh and stung like a bee.

"What do I do?" I asked desperately.

The women thought for a moment. "Sweetie, advice is what we ask for when we know the answer, but wish we didn't."

Her words took me off guard. What if she was right? Who, deep down in my gut, did I truly belong with? Somewhere inside of me, I knew the answer.

"Thank you." I said. She had turned over a new leaf in my bucket full of problems.

All I could do at this point was walk back to the hotel. My dorm was too far away to walk, and all I had was the room key. It didn't take that long to get back, but getting into the hotel was hard enough. I was afraid. Afraid to see Alex, Zack, and Jack especially.

I took my time getting to the room, I needed to think of something.

I finally swung open the door to the room. But it was silent. The kitchen was empty, same with the living room. But when I walked into the bedroom, I was happily surprised.

Rian was sitting, all by himself, most likely waiting for me.

"Grace!" he shrieked, jumping up and hugging me like a bear, "Where have you been? You scared us to death!" I hadn't realized that I was crying again. It must had been that I never stopped crying.

"I was soul-searching," I said as he released me, "where are the guys?"

"They are out looking for you. They have been ever since you left."

"I'm guessing Alex told you what happened." I said condescendingly.

"Yeah, Grace I'm so sorry about that." he said as he pulled me into another bear hug.

"Rian? I have a problem." I said.

"Yes?" he asked, confused and possibly terrified.

"I think I'm falling for Alex and Zack too." I said, my voice feeble and pained.

"Uh-oh." was all he could say.

"But the lady said this quote from a 1940s feminist and..." I babbled. I started mumbling things, and just exploded with a sob, "I can''t do this anymore!" I cried.

I was sobbing and most likely ruining Rian's shirt when the door flew open. I only glimpsed in that direction and saw three figures in the doorway. Acting on instinct, I ran to the bedroom, pulled Rian along with me, and locked the door behind me.

"What are you doing?" Rian asked, stunned.

"I'm not ready to talk to them, and I don't want to be alone." I whispered, still sobbing.

"Grace... does Jack know?" before I could answer, loud, angry noises were coming from the other side of the door.

I buried my face in my hands. What had I done now?

"I think he does now." I whispered into my hands. Anxiety was beginning to weaken and destroy my body. The tears came harder, and faster.

"Are they fighting, Rian? Rian?" but Rian wasn't there. I was alone. Again. I guessed he had gone out into the living room to straighten things out.

Faintly, I could here things like, 'I was with her first' and 'She cares about me more'. Rian's voice, was very distinct though.

"There is a girl in there who just lost her mother! Now will you guys shut the hell up and grow up a little!?" Rian's voice seemed to work as he yelled at his friends. They were silent immediately, "Now would you please not kill each other for just a second?" Rian reappeared in the room and looked at me with sincere eyes.

"Are you ready to talk to them, Grace?" I hadn't thought about it, but I was pretty sure I wasn't.

"Rian? Can you take me to my dorm?" Rian seemed confused, but agreed anyways.

"OK guys, she is not ready to talk so I am taking her home. If you could please not kill each other when I am gone, it would be much appreciated." Rian said as he walked me out the door. I stared at my feet the entire time, seeing as making eye contact with any of them would make me want to shrivel up into nothing. Too late.