Thank you to Alexandria M, corbettluv, jessica619, and justkimmy for reviewing :)

A/N: This chapter is inspired by the song 'I don't Feel Like Loving You Today' by Gretchen Wilson and 'Stay' by Florida Georia Line. The same song has also been sung/performed by Black Stone Cherry.

It has been three weeks since I left and came back to New York. It's been a bit tough, but I've been able to handle it so far. It's becoming harder and harder though to be here. Things are expensive and I'll run out of money if I stay any longer. I've seen plenty of familiar places and they bought back memories. Some of them were good and happy memories while others weren't so great.

Going back to the library to talk to my friend, Vanessa, I blinked a few times as I read the email that she had sent me. One email was with all of the assignments for that day for school, while the other was telling me about what's going on in school, outside of class. In the second email, she told me about how Dean missed me and how he wanted me to come back. It was the first time since I left in where she was the first one to bring him up instead of me.

Vanessa had told me that Dean was beginning to start up on his old patterns again since I had left. He was coming late to class and was starting to be absent all together, or cut classes. Vanessa also added that she didn't see Dean at the testing site when it was time for them to take their SATs. He had registered for the exam and never came. Not even if he was late, he didn't show up at all. A part of me hoped that he was okay and the other part of me wondered why he was going on a downhill spiral. Dean was doing so good and now he's not okay.

"So you're leaving next week?" Asked a woman that I've known since right before I left.

I had walked into her salon half an hour ago and kept busy by cleaning up and talking to customers.

"Yeah, if nothing happens between now and then to make me leave any earlier." I responded. The woman's name is Brittney and she was a blonde woman who was born and raised in Manhattan. She was a licensed cosmotologist and owned her own beauty salon in the city. Her had a small bedroom with a bathroom and a small fridge and microwave in the top floor of the salon and it overlooked the entire shop. She had allowed me to stay there when she saw that I was back and said that I could stay for as long as needed.

"You need to get back to school, Leah." She said as I helped her clean up. "Missing so many days isn't good. It could prevent you from graduating on time with your class."

I sighed. "I know. That's why I'm going back next week instead of waiting until next semester to go back."

We stayed quiet for a while. "Are you willing to let him go?"

I looked at her. "Willing to let who go?"

"That guy in your heart." Brittney replied. "You think I don't hear that song that you're constantly having on replay and don't tell me that it's your favorite song, because even I don't replay that kind of a song as much as you do. Even if it really is my favorite."

Not having anything to say, I stayed quiet for a while before responding. "I don't want to let him go. But what if he really doesn't want me?"

"Then it wasn't meant to be." She simply replied. "But what if he does? Don't spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if'. There's a reason why the two of you crossed paths. There's always a reason, it's just figuring out what that is that makes it a bit difficult sometimes. Go back to Cincinatti and talk to him. You can't avoid that boy forever, Leah."

I nodded, taking in what she was saying. She had a point and I couldn't agree more with what she told me. I still had one question in mind though.

"Brittney?" I asked and watched her turn around to face me. "How do you know you're in love?"

She smiled at me. "It's different for everyone so I'm not sure if I can give you an exact answer as to how you know. But what I can tell you is that when it happens...you'll know."

O.O

I walked through the school hallways absent mindedly as another week went by without Leah. I've been trying to get myself back on track, but it's been hard. I didn't have her to motivate me to keep going like she always did.

At first, it started out as me trying to impress Leah once I saw how smart she is. But then it became into my doing better because I was motivated to do better. She gave me a reason to do good in school and something to look forward to everyday. When I would ahve given up, Leah was right there by my side encouraging me to keep going. There were times when she didn't even have to say anything for me to keep myself together. Her smile and presence alone was enough to do the trick.

I walked into Ms. Richard's office today and sat down in across from her after closing the door.

"How are you feeling today, Mr. Ambrose?" She asked.

I scratched the beard that was now growing on my face. "I don't know. It's been a rough couple of weeks for me."

"What's going on, Dean?" The guidence counselor asked. "You were doing so well and now your teachers are concerned that you're getting back into your old ways. Is everything okay?"

I hesitated to say anything for worry that she would say that it was something silly like people always told me when they asked what was wrong. I didn't want her to know that it was mainly because of a girl either.

"I've been having some problems at home, is all." I replied. I looked down, not wanting to see her reaction.

"Do you need any assistance?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Thanks, but I think I could handle it."

Ms. Ricahrds sighed and nodded. "I see you submitted your college application but that you didn't show up for your SATs."

"I submitted my application?" I asked her, almost confused. I don't remember ever submitting them. In fact, I never did.

"It shows that you did." She told me. "Unless there was a mistake."

I thought for a moment and cleared my throat. "I think I may have submitted it and probably just forgot that I did. I'll check to make sure."

After a few more minutes, I walked out and saw Roman closing his locker when I turned the corner. Walking up to him, I leaned against the lockers and looked around after greeting him.

"So I was thinking, just now, that my college application is missing." I told him. "I haven't seen it in almost a month and I don't remember where I put it. Ms. Richards just told me that I submitted them, but I don't remember ever doing that. Is that why I can't find them because I don't believe that I ever gave it in to begin with."

Roman stayed quiet for a few moments before responding. "I may have given it in for you."

I looked at him and nodded. "Why didn't you tell me? Roman, you knew I was looking for it all this time and you didn't tell me why I couldn't find it. You didn't even ask if it was okay for you to give it in for me."

"Because I knew you'd say no." Roman replied. "Ever since Leah left, you've been a mess and you aren't you anymore. You think you would have submitted those applications on your own and before the deadline, after she left, Dean?"

I said nothing, knowing that he was right but I tried to play it off. "What does this have to do with Leah?"

"It has everything to do with Leah!" Roman exclaimed. "For once, you had someone at your side making you happy. With Leah, you were the Dean that I met all those years ago. The Dean that I became friends with in the first place. She was the one person that was great for you because she understood you and your situation a lot better than the majority, if not all of the people that are in this school. Leah bought out the best in you and that sparkle was put back into your eyes. Instead of sitting there being depressed about Leah not being here, you should be out there going after her so that she can come back!"

"And what it I can't make her come back?" I asked. "I'm not trying to make up excuses, but what if Leah wants nothing to do with me? You don't realize how hard it is for me to get close to someone for fear of getting hurt, Roman. I feel like loving her every single day and I can't help but think about what it she doesn't feel like loving me."

Roman just shook his head and looked away as he turned around. "I was going to tell you today at lunch, that I found out early this morning, from Vanessa where in New York Leah is."

It caught my attention, but I couldn't bother to look at my best friend.

"If you still care about wanting Leah to come back, then she's in Manhattan staying with a lady that she knows." Roman added. "She said that Leah told her that she'd be coming back within a week or so. But if I was you, Dean...I wouldn't wait until then."

O.O

I was in the Bronx visint S.t Raymonds Cemetary, to see my father. Before he died, everything was right. It was perfect and I was the happiest that I ever was. He was the only guy that ever loved me as much as he did. I spent more time with him than I ever did with my own mother. I was his little girl and he did anything and everything for me.

"I miss you." I whispered softly. "Why did you have to go?"

I knew that nothing could have been done about what had happened, but it still hurt after all these years. I was without my best friend. My protector.

One day, around the time of my birthday, my dad didn't come pick me up. I thought that it was because he had to work late, which he had to do sometimes. It meant more money for us and even though I understand now, why he did it, it made me sad at the age of 5 to know that I would have to wait until dinner time to see him.

Dad didn't come home that night. The next morning, I found out that he had passed away from a car accident with a drunk driver. His injuries were too severe and he died at the hospital. It's why I stopped celebrating my birthday. Our birthdays were one day apart and he died the day before mine.

"It's been horrible since you left, Dad." I continued. "Mom doesn't want me and her new husband only wants me for sex. She thinks that I'm trying to take him away from her and I'm not. I don't even like him, Dad and she doesn't believe me. It's obvious that she doesn't because she allowed him to kick me out and she hasn't looked for me since as far as I'm converned. He's nothing like you. I just wish everything was the way that it was before you left. Everybody was happy when you were around and you were the best dad I ever had."

I allowed the silence to fill the air as I thought to myself and began to cry. "Please give me a sign that everything will be okay. Daddy, please help me. I need you."

...

Going back to Brittney's salon, I just wanted to be alone. I didn't want to be bothered by anybody and I just wanted to read my books after taking a hot shower. After all of the tears that I cried yesterday when I saw my dad, I didn't think that I had any tears left inside of me. I was tired out and didn't have tolerance for a lot of things today.

When I got back to the salon a little over an hour later, I helped Brittney clean up a bit before going up to my little room for the night. I took a hot shower and when I came out, I heard some talking coming from downstairs. When I looked, I couldn't see anyone but still heard the voices.

"Please, I need to find her." The guy said. He had on a black hat and a black coat on with jeans and sneakers. It was really chilly today in the city, making it known that winter was on it's way. "She left a few weeks ago and came here to New York. I was told that she may be in the area."

"I've seen her around." Replied Brittney. "Why did you let her go in the first place?"

"Because I was stupid." He replied in a gritty voice. "I got jealous that she had found a guy that she had something in common with. I got jealous that he could give her something that I thought that I wouldn't be able to and that was a guy who had the looks and the grades...the whole package basically. I didn't want to change who I was for her or anybody else, but I want her to be happy with me. I want to be the one who puts a smile on her face everyday and the one to make sure that she's okay and has everything that she wants in life. Leah's my heaven on Earth and I'm tired of being scared of coming after her. She makes me want to change for the better. Leah brings out the best in me and makes me the happiest that I've ever been in my life. I'm here for Leah. Believe me or not, it's up to you. But know that I'm being completely honest with you. I came all the way here from Cincinatti to get her back."

Recognizing the voice, I was surprised. "Dean?"

The guy turned around to show the blue eyes guy standing in front of me. I blinked my eyes a few times and saw that he didn't disappear and change into someone else. It really was Dean standing in front of me three and a half weeks after I left.

"So this is the guy, huh?" Asked Brittney. I gave her a look as my cheeks grew pink. Tears filled my eyes as she left the room to give us privacy.

"I have a lot of explaining to do, don't I?" He asked.

Nodding, tears began to run down my face. The pad of his fingers wiped my tears dry as I fell into his arms and took in his scent. His strong arms wrapped around me tightly and held me in them for what felt like eternity until we both pulled back.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him softly.

"I want you to come back, Leah." Dean replied. "Someone knocked some sense into me, to finally come after you. I've been so scared that I've kept myself from doing anything since finding out that you left. I'm sorry for the things that I've said, Leah."

I couldn't find the words to say. "You told me to come back here. It was basically as if you were saying that you didn't want me. Why should I believe that you want me to go back?"

"Because I wouldn't have come all the way over here if I didn't mean it." Said Dean. "I've been through hell since we stopped talking and I've been torn apart since I found out that you left. I need you. I realized that what I did was wrong and I need to make it up to you."

"You broke my heart, by telling me to leave Dean." I told him honestly. A flash of pain went across his eyes. "The only way that I told myself that I would ever come back is if you were the one to tell me yourself that it's what you wanted. But it hurt, Dean. The last few weeks have been the hardest for me because all I wanted was for you to be by my side every single day like you used to be. I just wanted you."

Dean took off his hat, revealing his dirty blonde hair that was messy from wearing the hat. "I'm sorry, Leah. Please give me a chance to make it up to you."

O.O

I was practically begging Leah to give me a chance.

"I can't forget it just like that." She replied.

"I understand." I told her. "But please give me a chance."

Leah said nothing. "Give me a reason."

"Because you're the only one I want." I responded honestly. "And I can't see myself without you right here by me."

"How do I know you won't tell me to leave again?" She asked me quietly.

I looked at her before responding. "Because I can't bear the thought of possibly losing you." I don't think I'll be able to take it. I can barely keep it together now and I don't even know if you'll forgive me."

Leah turned around and walked out of the room. She turned around when she realized that I wasn't following her.

"Are you gonna stay down here?" She asked. "It's more comfortable upstairs."

Turning around before I could answer, she continued to walk and I quickly went after her knowing that I didn't have anywhere else to go in a city that I've never been to in my life. When we got upstairs, there was a bed that was neatly done with dark red covers and sheets as well as red pillow cases. There was a small bathroom and a small fridge and a microwave. Like the ones that you have in a hotel room.

"It's not much, but it's something for the time being." Said Leah.

I put my things down and took my coat off. Leah was quiet towards me and she had every right to be. I wasn't blaming her for it, but it was killing me not hearing her voice.

"We're gonna go in a bit to get something eat." Leah said. "With there being a small television up here as well, I was thinking that we could bring our food back here so that we could watch t.v. I want to take advantage of having a this kind of luxury for as long as we can."

I nodded, agreeing and decided to take a quick shower before going back out after Leah said that it was okay. When I came out, she was already ready with her coat by her side and her sweater on as she watched the news. Her blue eyes looked up at me and it had a softness that I didn't expect to see in them but a softness that I missed seeing.

An hour later...

We had just gotten back about fifteen minutes ago and Leah was busy flipping through the channels to see what interesting was on. With there being nothing, and both of us not being in the mood for news we decided to watch E! for a repeat of an episode.

"Dean?" Leah said quietly. "When are you going back to Cincinatti?"

"The day after tomorrow." I replied.

She stayed quiet for a bit as she began to eat her food. "If you ask me to go with you, I'll go. Please don't leave me here, don't go back without me."

I looked at Leah who was now serious and I could tell by the sound of her voice that she meant what she was saying. "That's why I came here. You really wanna come back with me?"

Leah nodded. "Yeah. I was kinda hoping that you'd come after me. To me, it's a way of saying that you really care. Was it Roman that knocked some sense into you?"

"You heard that, huh?" I asked with a small chuckle when she nodded. "Yeah, it was him. He said some things and it made me realize that even though it's okay to be scared, I can't let that stop me from going after what I want."

"You say you want me..." Leah began to say and stayed quiet.

I waited a while to see if she said were to say anything else. When she didn't, I took the opportunity to say what I had meant.

"I like you, Leah." I told her. "And I like you a lot. You're all I think about and you're all I want. I've never wanted a relationship with anyone before, but with you it's all I want, Leah. You're the first girl that I've admitted my feelings to."

"I thought Dean Ambrose didn't do that." Leah said with a small smile.

Giving her a smile of my own, my eyes lingered on her for a moment. "You're worth it. But when that Brittney lady said that I was the guy...what was she talking about?"

Leah blushed and looked away momentarily. "I might have made it obvious that I had a guy in my mind the entire time here. Besides, I have a picture of you and me by the bed. She may have seen it when she came up here one day to see if I was okay."

"So you've been thinking about me also?" I asked.

She blushed even more. "I just so happen to like you, too. That's why I care so much about what you said. It's why I care so much about anything that you say to and about me. It's because of that, that I've missed you so much more than I thought I would."

A/N: Will Leah stick to her answer and go back with Dean? How will Dean make it up to Leah for what he did/said to her? Do you think Roman had a right to submitt Dean's college applications without telling him anything about it until he was confronted about it?