Chapter 18- Run AwayWith September

"Thanks for driving me back Dakota," Dana said.

Dakota nodded, "Thank Logan, I don't usually do favors for him, but he had an idea, and I liked it…"

Dana stared back at Dakota confused, "What?"

Dakota reached in his pocket and pulled out a note, "He wanted me to give this to you."

Dana's mouth dropped open. She took the letter from Dakota and quickly started to read.

Dana,

No, I haven't changed my mind, but I wanted you to come with me. After all I NEED someone to argue with, or else I'm going to fall asleep at the wheel. Traveling to Mexico, is a long boring trip, and I need company…not just any company, but yours. God, that sounded so retarded. If you don't want to come then fine, I'll get by on my own…living in a bungalow, not going to school, and just chilling…I could take care of you. But if you don't want to come, don't do me any favors. If you want to come with me then meet me by Starcross Point overlooking the Pacific, at midnight. I'll be waiting for you, and if you stand me up…then bye, I enjoyed our fights, that temper of yours, and even more, I enjoyed the time we spent together. Hope you meet me…but if you don't then FINE…talking in circles, gotta go. Love you…I guess. LOGAN

Dana smiled. "He wants me to go with him."

"With us,"

"You're going?"

Dakota nodded, "Hell yeah, he had my car."

Dana looked down. "I can't go, my parents pay to much for me to attend PCA to just drop out, and besides a life on the run would never work."

Dakota took the note.

"No, I want that."

"Logan told me to take it back, he said something about sabotage, or looking weak or something."

"I wouldn't sabotage him, especially if he was never coming back, I would keep that note, and…"

Dakota looked down at his watch, "I have to go, before my uncle sends me off on his private jet." He smirked, "New York…the chics aren't nearly as hot as the California girls,"

Dana grabbed Dakota's arm, "Wait a second."

"Are you having second thoughts?"

Dana sighed, "Let me just write him something, really quick."

"But I…"

"No, you can wait two minutes Dammit!"

Dakota stepped back, "Okay, now I see that temper he was talking about,"

"And don't forget it." Dana snapped. She opened the door, and then quickly turned on the light. "If you're hungry help yourself to some snacks or drinks…whatever, I'm going to be really quick."

Dakota looked around at the pictures of Zoey, and Nicole…and some occasional pictures of the three roommates together.

"I don't want to ear your roomies food," Dakota said.

Dana rolled her eyes as she grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, "I thought you were a rebel."

"Yeah, but you're roommates are HOT,"

Dana ignored him as she worked on scribbling down her thoughts to Logan.

"The blonde is cute…is she a virgin?"

"Yeah," Dana said impatiently.

"Sweet,"

Dana scoffed. "Shh, for a second."

Dear Logan,

I can't believe your leaving. Did you even think this through? I want to go with you, but unlike some people (CoughyouCoughyou) I am not rich, if I was to runaway with you, then I could risk getting kicked out of PCA. My mom spent too much money to send me here, and if I'm going to lose all of that, I need a real reason too…In my head running away with you could be a fairy tale or a nightmare. I don't think there is any guy that I like more than you, but at times I don't think I have ever hated anyone as much. But no matter what I do love you Logan, and I could only wish that you would stay…Life wouldn't be the same here at PCA without you…after all we are about to start SENIOR YEAR! Do you really want to miss out on prom, and Graduation and…most of those events take place second semester, even if you went to New York…I would wait for you, only if you were NICE to me Reese, but I had it all planned out. Your cousin is lurking behind me, and I am about to punch him in his face, no matter how cute…

Wait she wanted Logan to stay, and that last comment wouldn't help. Dana erased her last comment, and instead scribbled that she was going to punch Dakota in the face, and left it at that.

Stay Logan. Because if you go, this may be the last time I get to see you, and coming from an almost unemotional person, that would break my heart. I need to Argue with you, fight you, and then when you're being Good, have you there to kiss, and hold, and…ughh, I sound like Zoey…but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I LOVE you…so stay Logan, DON"T MAKE ME DRAG YOU BY YOUR COLLAR BACK HERE, AND THEN CHAIN YOU IN MY CLOSET, FEEDING YOU ONCE A DAY. But in all seriousness, if you leave I will miss you…forever, a little dramatic, but it's true.

Love always, the girl you love to hate, the girl you love to love (BETTER BE), and the girl that loves YOU, Dana…

Dana bit her lip as she closed the note. He was going to leave anyways, Logan was going to leave her anyways. Dana placed her hand against her head, and then thought about all the times she had spent with Logan, being locked together countless times, closet dances, skinny dipping in the pool. A tear slid down her cheek, Logan leaving was heartbreaking.

"Are you ready?" Dakota asked.

Dana wiped at a tear, "Don't rush me."

Dakota scowled, "My motorcycle is calling my name…is it calling yours too?"

Dana shook her head, "No, I have way more to lose than Logan, I'm not rich like him, I can't just run away like some spoiled brat, that doesn't care about anyone but himself. I can't just let everyone who cared so much about me…I can't just leave them in the dust and say to hell with them!"

Dakota stepped back, "Woah, hold on…"

"He's such an idiot! I mean does he even care what I think. I wasted all of this time, arguing with him, and loving him all the way, and he can't grow up, and just fight it out with his father to stay here, and stay close to me. Maybe I'm the foolish one, I always said that I Dana Cruz, would not be made a fool of, but look what's happened…I've been made to look like an ass!"

Dakota sat down, "He asked you to go."

"Bullshit! I'm not rich, I can't just run away to Mexico, my parents would send a SWAT team after me, and then kick my ass when they found me, maybe it just wasn't meant for it to be, Let him Go. I was going to give him this note, but NO!"

Dakota watched Dana with widened eyes.

She ripped apart the letter, and then stormed over to the window. "I hate him!" With that she opened the window and then scattered the shredded pieces all over. The wind captured the pieces and then scattered them all over the grass.

"Are you finished yet?" Dakota asked.

Dana crossed her arms, "Just go, tell him I said good luck in Mexico…and I hope that he meets some nice woman down there, that he can marry, and run off into the sunset forever with."

Dakota nodded, "Sure, see ya."

Dana opened her mouth, but then closed it. "Yeah bye,"

He turned around, and glanced at her once more. "Okay, I'll tell Logan what you said."

"Tell him," Dana replied, and then buried her face in her pillow.

"Hey Skye, where are you!" Michael called from the hallway.

"I'm just getting changed, hold on,"

Michael watched as a guy walked by in tights. "There's no way that's comfortable man."

The guy shrugged, "We have to wear this,"

Michael laughed, "Well damn, that is not designed for a guy if you know what I mean…you got to let it breathe…Damn, you won't catch me in tights like those…you see I'm here with my girl."

"You're girl huh," Skyler said coming out of the ladies room in a tank top and some sexy short black shorts.

"Sizzlin," Michael said.

Skyler smiled, "Keep it up, and I'll hunt you down a pair of those tights."

Michael shook his head, "I'll pass, so what kind of dancing are we doing…some dirtay dancing?"

Skyler pushed Michael, "You got the wrong girl boyfriend."

"Boyfriend huh,"

Skyler stopped and then crossed her arms, "I actually wanted to show you the piece I was going to do for the art school first."

"You got some popcorn…and a big gulp drink, because babe, I'm thirsty."

Skyler linked her arm in Michael's and dragged him onto the gym dance floor. "I'll find you a drink after I show you some moves,"

Michael rubbed his hands together, "Okay show me some moves…and then I'll school you,"

Skyler stretched. Her tank top revealed a sneak peak at her firm stomach.

Michael pretended to shield his eyes.

"Look Michael,"

"I'm a lookin! You think I'm crazy?"

"I don't know," Skyler pulled her hair clip off of her wrist and then pulled her long ebony hair up in a messy bun. "I call this the Caribbean Scramble."

Michael nodded, "Bring it on,"

"Are you ready for it?"

"Bring it on sweetheart."

Skyler turned around on her heel, and then held out her arms, as she turned.

Reggae music blasted from the speakers.

Skyler stopped twirling, and then started to shake her hips, while she stared back at Michael…with her sultry chocolate eyes. Even if Michael wanted to look away, he couldn't, because Skyler had all of his attention.

She then dropped down to the floor, and then started to move her body with the beat. With the beat slowed, Skyler did a very flexible back roll, and ended up on her knees. Now she was moving like Shakira, with her arms high above her head, and then shaking her waist. "How am I doing?"

"Let's just say that September is feeling like July."

"Whatever that means,"

"You're HOT girl!" Michael exclaimed.

The Reggae music subtly changed into a soft R&B beat.

Skyler pulled her hair back down. "Now show me your moves Michael,"

"Dance with me,"

Skyler nodded, "Sure,"

Michael got up, and then walked over to her. "I like this song,"

"Me too," Skyler said shaking her head with the beat.

"You're going to get in that school without a doubt."

"Your going to be there at auditions right?"

Michael pulled her hair out of her face, "Without a doubt."

Nicole and Jordan got off of the ferris wheel.

"Do you want some cotton candy or some funnel cake?" Jordan asked.

"Jordy," Nicole said.

"Um…yeah,"

"Just tell me No then."

"I would be a fool if I said No."

Nicole shook her head, "Actually you wouldn't…do you know how many guys have turned me down. I have like a rack of excuses…some said I was too stupid, or too shallow, and just focused on clothes, and make-up, which I can be sometimes, but I like other things like…um…boys."

Jordan smiled, "Those guys missed out on a good thing. And if it counts for anything, I think that you're not stupid, or shallow. Nicole you're beautiful and…" Jordan's cheeks grew red.

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Yeah,"

"But not beautiful enough for you,"

Jordan shook his head, "Are you kidding? I think you're too good for me."

"What!" Nicole exclaimed hitting Jordan in the stomach with the back of her hand.

Jordan pouted, "Ow?"

"Ohh sorry cutie." She rubbed his stomach, "Is that better?"

Jordan looked around embarrassed.

Nicole placed her hand to her cheek, "See that's why guys don't date me."

"I think it would be an honor to date you Nicole,"

Nicole looked down, "You're so sweet, so will you be my boyfriend?"

"I…there has to be a better guy than me, I mean…"

"No there is no other guy that I have ever been attracted to as much as I am to you. Jordan you make me laugh, and even when I know I am saying stupid things, I feel as if it is okay with you. This is a little much, but I really love you, Jordan you can do no wrong in my eyes." Nicole paused and took a breath. "If you want to say No then…"

Jordan sat down. "There are things that you don't know about me, and I don't want to lead you on."

Nicole reached for Jordan's hand. "Are you telling me, that you were leading me on when we kissed on that ferris wheel?"

"No, I wasn't…"

"Then what's the problem, Jordan, I'm sorry I don't want to pressure you…if you want to say No, then just go ahead and…"

"I love you Nicole,"

Nicole's heart skipped a beat.

Jordan looked down and then stroked Nicole's hand with his thumb. "But I…" He looked back up. He couldn't break her heart…and he wasn't. "Nicole…I…I am…"

Nicole leaned forward.

Jordan thought she was going to kiss him again…for being gay…or bi-sexual, whatever…he liked kissing her, so maybe… Jordan closed his eyes, chasing away his thoughts.

Nicole wasn't planning on kissing him again, but he kind of leaned forward to kiss her. Nicole had no objections however.

Jordan pulled back seconds later.

Nicole smiled and then placed her hand against his lips, "I got some of my lip gloss on your lips,"

Jordan licked his lips, "Cherry?"

"Cherry Coke," Nicole corrected. "You can't mess that up."

"I'm sorry…cherry coke tastes good."

Nicole crossed her legs and leaned closer to him, "Or maybe it's my lips…or our lips."

Jordan blushed again, "Nic,"

"Jordy,"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Nicole squealed so loud and high pitched that a woman walking by screamed and then threw her cotton candy into the air.

"Opps, sorry!" Nicole said placing her hand to her mouth.

While Jordan focused on the lady, Nicole basically tackled him to the ground.

"Woah!" He exclaimed.

"I love you, I love you, I love you!" Nicole placed her hands against Jordan's cheeks, and then kissed him again and again.

"I love you too," Jordan said through a laugh.

"I love you more," Nicole squealed. "Hey guess what people!" Nicole screamed.

Some people turned towards her.

"I have a boyfriend!" Nicole stood up and then got on top of a table. "I have a boyfriend!" She started to dance around on the table. "Ohh, Ohh, Ohh la la," Nicole chanted, she then attempted to do Michael Jackson's "Moonwalk".

Jordan smiled embarrassed, "Yep, that's my girl…"

Woah, that sounded really weird coming from his mouth.

"Ladies you want him? Too bad this stud muffin is all miiiiiinnneee…Woah, Woah," Nicole caught her foot on the wooden table, and then she fell sideways into the bushes.

"Nicole!" Jordan exclaimed.

"I'm okay sweetie." She said through laughter.

Jordan bent down to help Nicole up, but she tugged on his shirt and pulled him down with her.

"You're happy…"

"I've dreamt about being your girlfriend every night, I don't think you even understand…I never like a boy as much as you Jordan, just don't break up with me…because if you want to see a mess, then oh boy lemme tell you, that would be me…crying, hysterical and foolish…but I know you would never, ever break my heart."

Jordan looked down, "Never intentionally,"

Nicole reached for his hand, "Wait until Zoey finds out…Eek! Finally after all this time drooling after my dream guys…I've scooped up the perfect man." Nicole kissed Jordan on the cheek.

"Perfect man?"

Nicole nodded, "Perfect, from those sexy blue eyes of yours to…"

"To what?"

"That body." Nicole giggled, "Let's…"

"Nicole, have you seen Zoey?" Sawyer asked coming from no where.

Nicole helped Jordan up, and then focused her attention on Sawyer.

Sawyer stared at them awkwardly, "Congratulations by the way, but I really need to find Zoey, it's important and she…"

"I saw her with Chase," Jordan said.

Sawyer looked away, "Oh really, she didn't hang with you Nicole?"

Nicole shook her head, "Nope, was she supposed to because Zoey totally didn't fill me in…unless…" Nicole realized that Zoey probably wanted to be with Chase without Sawyer finding out. "I mean she ran into Chase, and they um…they were just talking and…"

"I think I saw them go into this fun house towards the end of the park." Jordan offered.

Nicole stepped on Jordan's foot.

He closed his mouth.

Sawyer noticed so he got a feeling that Zoey didn't want him to find out, but right now that wasn't important. "Thanks Jordan and Nicole," With that Sawyer ran off towards the end attractions.

"Chase!" Zoey screamed.

Chase tried to get up, but it was hard to steady himself when they were trapped in a net full of squishy red balls.

The homeless man jumped down.

"Ahhh!" Zoey screamed. "Chase get up, get up!"

Chase got up and then fell.

The homeless man crawled over to them, his knife still in hand, and a sinister smile stretched across his face. "You're luck has run out."

He raised his knife.

Zoey started to kick around, Chase got up, and then he pulled her up.

"We're stuck, how…"

The homeless man got up, and then tackled Chase and Zoey back down.

Zoey screamed as his arm was held firmly down on her neck. She could smell him, he smelled foul as if he hadn't bathed for days. She couldn't breathe. "Chase!" She tried to choke out.

"There's nothing more I enjoy than torturing," The man growled. He forced himself up.

Zoey frantically tried to throw the red squishy balls off of Chase, so she could at least see his face.

Chase drew in a mouthful of air.

The homeless man raised his knife. "Any last words?"

"Please, you don't even know us, we haven't done anything to you…" Zoey screamed pleadingly.

He bent down and grabbed a fistful of Zoey's hair.

She screamed with tears in her eyes.

"Shut up bitch," He growled.

"Get the hell off of her!" Chase yelled. Something inside of him took over, Chase kicked outwards, he hit the homeless man in his sensitive area.

"Ahh, you little creep!" The man yelled falling down.

Chase forced himself up, "Zoey!"

Zoey weakly forced herself up, "Chase, he's going to…"

Chase looked around frantically, "There is a ladder back up…this must be some kind of trap door."

"You both are going to pay you little brats, I'm going to kill you both and then I'm going to get away clean…"

Chase pushed Zoey towards the ladder. Zoey crawled on and struggled to force herself up. Chase crawled on seconds later. It was hard trying to get back up, while they were handcuffed together.

"No you don't!" The homeless man got up in record time, and then grabbed onto Chase's leg.

Zoey had reached the top and now she was about to climb up to the second floor, using her arm and leg to propel herself up.

The homeless man pulled Chase downwards.

Zoey's arm and hand slipped slightly. She screamed loudly.

The homeless man took his knife and then sliced a little into Chase's leg.

Chase threw his head back and yelled so painfully, that Zoey felt as if she had been the one that had been cut.

Zoey screamed, "Help us! Help us!"

Sawyer called 911, as he ran into the fun house. "Zoey, Zoey, what's going on! Where are you!"

"Sawyer, help, oh mi god Sawyer!" Zoey screamed.

Sawyer dropped his phone. He couldn't see it in the dark, clowns smiled back at him, with sick expressions, and fun house mirrors altered his size and shape. "Zoey!" Sawyer screamed again.

"I got you good didn't I, you little bastard!" The homeless man grabbed Chase by his bloody leg, and then yanked him downwards.

Chase fell, and Zoey lost her grip. They both fell.

"My leg!" Chase yelled.

Zoey fell closest to the homeless man.

He grabbed her up by the shoulders.

Tears stained her face…how could something as simple as searching a fun house…turn into a fight for their lives. Her cheeks were soaked with tears, and her hair was wild, covering her face, and strands were in her mouth, as she struggled to breathe.

"You see darling, when you become as desperate as me, it doesn't matter who you hurt…after all even if I am caught, at least in jail they'll feed me…"

"We didn't do anything to…"

The homeless man shook Zoey violently.

"Shut up dumb b…"

Chase attacked the man again. He tackled him down, Zoey was flipped around as they all fell.

The homeless man started to thrash around with his knife.

Zoey shielded her face, he cut her hand, and she felt warm blood start to trickle down. "Heeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllpppppppppppppppppppp!"

Dana sat down on her bed. So Logan was leaving. She reached for her pillow, and then looked around, empty and lost. If only she hadn't ripped that note, and if only she had given it to him. Tears started to fall down Dana's cheeks again.

"Cruz, stop being such a damn crybaby!" Dana glanced at the alarm clock next to Zoey's bed. It was 11:30, Starcross Point was a fifteen minute walk from the campus.

Without thinking Dana jumped up. She had to at least say good bye to him.

Rain started to fall outside.

Dana cursed her luck…but the rain wasn't going to stop her. She threw open her closet, and then pulled out a PCA hoodie. After grabbing her keys, Dana locked the door behind her, and ran towards the stairs.

Taking the stairs three steps at a time, Dana pushed people out of her way. "Move, I have an emergency! Get out of my way, God you people walk slow!"

Dana opened the doors. The rain was falling so hard, she couldn't see anything. She was officially crazy. Dana pulled her hood over her head, and then ran out, she ran across the street.

A car screeched to a halt in front of her.

"What the hell are you trying to do knock me over!" She screamed.

The door opened, and Logan peeked his head out, "Dana!"

Dana's mouth dropped open, "Logan!"

"I'm giving you one last chance, come with me!"

A car beeped loudly behind him.

"Go the hell around!" Logan yelled.

Dana smiled, "Logan…"

"I'll take care of you…I promise, if you come with me."

(Hey guys, thanks for the reviews!)

Mrs. Logan Reese- Lol, Nat, what am I going to do with you? You know if Logan left…Dana would have to tag along. And no, Nicole doesn't know about Logan…love you too kiddo.

Ludaverse- I have appreciated all of your reviews, I hope your mom doesn't cut off the internet, because how do you survive without it? I updated before Tuesday for you, and thanks again Ashley.

Mellerties- Sawyer is going to Louisiana with Zoey and Chase, it was just a coincidence that the hurricane happened…a tragic coincidence, because I had planned on them going to Louisiana all summer long. Meadow does have an STD…not one of the worst, but still gross enough. O.C. this week!

Rica- Perfect goody, goody hooch…lol, I'm sorry about Mike, but believe me he does have a storyline, and he will get the attention he deserves, it's just this story has so many characters, I have to alternate between storylines. Cassidy is a new kid with a secret…and also someone to balance out Meadow. Thank you for the compliment. Much love rica.

Zxxbsmsgirl- Hey Marina! Malcolm informed Dakota's parents and they liked the idea. I choose Mexico because it is closer to California, and I don't know about Meadow and Cassidy dating…but you never know. Lots of love and cookies right back to ya!

Classic Rock n Roll Fan- Thanks man! You're right about Cassidy…but he's not a bad guy, just what he did was. Nicole doesn't know about Jordan…and don't commit suicide…lol, I think everyone…and myself included enjoys your "Die MeadHo Die" stories…btw…did you notice she wasn't in it today? E-mail me with your idea whenever, and you rock.

(Kezza7, MidnightPrincess15, Kristen, A Sinner Has A Prayer, Evilangel16, Hersheys-Kisses, Bam roudney hawk, and Pink Positivee, you'll are awesome, thanks for reviewing!)

I will be busy this week, so I'll try updating on Saturday…or whenever I have some more downtime. Peace.