I just want to say thank you to my beta reader Bella Danvers. Without her this story wouldn't make much sense. I also want to thank those of you who have reviewed it really means a lot to me.

If you want to know what Murphy's Fall Fest dress looks like, it's up in my profile.

The song for this chapter is Missile, by IAMX.-Link in my profile

I hope you enjoy this chapter, there are plenty more to come!

Chapter 8

The Fall Fest

I woke up to find that my cheeks and pillow were damp. What little sleep I did get was turbulent at best. My sleep was filled with dreams of Tyler and the look on his face as I turned my back on him. I was reminded of our good times, then just as quickly and intensely as they came, they were violently snatched away.

I dropped my body back on to my slightly uncomfortable dorm mattress, longing for some kind of comfort.

Keira walked through the door, having just taken a shower. She already had a sneer on her face, and it took all of my will power not to get up and lay her out.

"You look like you just got your face smashed in by a paddle," she said in the sneering tone that only she can perfect.

"I'm aware of that, thank you very much," I informed her, making sure my tone said, 'Go away.'

"But seriously, what happened with you and Tyler last night?" She seemed less hostile, but I knew that was just an act. She wanted me to spill my guts in a moment of vulnerability so she could be the first to know and the first to inform everyone of what had happened.

"Nothing," I said in a monotone, "Absolutely nothing." She left me alone after that, knowing that I wasn't about to have a heart to heart with her.

This whole situation would be so much easier if there wasn't the eerie pang of regret constantly pounding at the back of my skull. I did the right thing, so these feelings should go away, shouldn't they?

I got out of my bed at the last possible second, quickly pulled on the first uniform that my hands found, and headed out the door, almost forgetting my bag.

It was almost a repeat of yesterday. I was almost late to my first class. I walked up the stairs and sat in my usual seat next to Caleb. I was surprised when he didn't look at me. I was hurt at first, and then I remembered it was what I had asked for. I sunk down into my seat and tuned out the teacher. The droning in the background unfortunately wasn't enough to quiet my thoughts. I was once again swept into memories of happiness, that as far I was concerned, never even existed.

I tapped my pencil against my note book, hearing the hollow thunk of the eraser. I was trying to will myself to stop thinking, but it was impossible. All I could think about was Tyler, and was eating me alive. I don't think I could sit next to him next period without crying, throwing up, or running away.

I glanced at Caleb. His jaw was set tight and he looked like he was concentrating very hard on what the teacher was saying. I knew that he wasn't thinking of me, but I was kind of hoping he was. It was hard to go from being loved by so many people, to having them ignore you. It hurt, even though it was my own doing.

The bell rang and I got out of my seat slowly. Sarah sent me a sympathetic smile on her way out of the classroom. I wanted to do something in response, but I was immobile. I couldn't bring my body to do anything, except the practiced motions of putting my things away like a useless automaton.

I slouched over to my next class not caring if I looked pathetic. My looks weren't my top concern right then. I stood outside the door of my history class, willing myself to take the step over the threshold. 'If I see his face, and don't die, I'll be okay,'I told myself. I stepped into the room and looked up to where he sat. Our eyes locked for an instant, and in that instant I saw everything. He wanted me, and it broke my heart. I didn't die, although I wanted to. I broke the contact and made my way to my usual seat. There was no getting out of it; I was stuck there for an hour.

I kept my head down over my notebook, doodling furiously, trying to keep from looking at him. I could feel his eyes on me and that made me uncomfortable. I could feel myself physically shaking.

It surprised me when a piece of paper suddenly appeared in my line of vision.

'Why won't you look at me?'

I didn't want to answer him, but I had to. I had to tell him how it was.

'I told you yesterday to leave me alone. I meant it. It's for the best.'

I slid the paper back to him, not expecting a response. I was surprised again when the paper came back with a new note scrawled on it.

'You know you didn't mean that. I could tell you were lying. You know that you can't lie to me.'

I couldn't believe I was writing back, but it was the tenacity in me. I needed to prove my point.

'Please don't make this any harder than it already is. Please I'm begging you to leave me alone.'

I folded the paper in finality, still trying not to look at him. This would be so much easier if he hated me for what I did.

'If it's hard then it's wrong. Please, you don't have to do this.'

'I do have to do this. You need to let me go…Please.'

I was desperate now. He was torturing me without even knowing it. He was trying to give me a life, but instead he was taking my life away.

'No. I'm not giving up on you.'

As I read the note the bell rang and I just sat there, staring at it. He wasn't going to give up. A fresh round of tears sprung to my eyes before I had the chance to stop them. I was boiling over. My emotions were pulling me in so many different directions that it was hard to see or do anything else.

I barely made it through French and Physics. Pogue looked upset in French. I couldn't ask him what was wrong, but I had a feeling that he was disappointed… in me. Caleb continued to ignore me in Physics. Everyone ignoring me might have worse than them trying to help me, but I made this bed, and I had to lay in it.

I knew before Physics was over that I wouldn't be able to make it through another period, especially since Tyler was in my next period class. So I made the executive decision to skip Economics.

I went to the library and sat down at a table, blending in with the study hall students. Once I sat down, I continued staring at my notebook. I was startled when someone sat down at my table. I was scared it was one of the Sons, so I was slow to look up. As I lifted my head, I noticed the arrogant smirk of Aaron Abbot. I sighed with relief. I had never been so happy to see the asshole.

"You've been looking lonely these past few days," he stated, taking in the sight of me. I no doubt looked like I had just been pegged by an eighteen wheeler.

"Yeah, well I just don't feel much like talking," I said in a bored tone, hoping he would go away.

"You know, The Fall Fest is this weekend and it looks to me like you don't have a date," he said in an observant tone, that smirk ever present on his face.

"If you're asking me to The Fall Fest, you're wasting you're breath," I shot back

"Well you can't say nobody tried Negative Nancy." With that he started to get up from the table.

I had a sudden flash of a plan. A horrible, but potentially effective plan to get Tyler to leave me alone.

"Wait," I almost shouted, earning me a glare from the librarian.

"Yes?" he answered, still managing to look like the pompous ass that he was.

"I'll go with you," I said with confidence. It was an act. I would pretend to be happy with Aaron so Tyler would hate me. If Tyler hated me, than this whole situation would be easier.

Aaron was a little shocked, but he quickly recovered his cocky stance.

"Wonderful, what color are we wearing?"

I thought for a second before answering.

"Gray," I said. I wasn't much in the mood for colors, especially the color blue.

"You know, even in this state," he eyed me up and down, "you still manage to look ridiculously hot." I rolled my eyes, already sick of him. I hated it when people talked to me like that.

"Don't push your luck."

After school was out, I walked over to the parking lot, and slid into my Audi. I was walking with more confidence now, putting on a show for everyone. I wanted it to look like I had moved on, almost like I was happy.

I decided to skip cross country practice, which was rare for me. Now that I was going to The Fall Fest, I needed a dress, a gray dress. I decided my best bet would be to go to 'the dress warehouse' down in Peabody.

I arrived there and was instantly overwhelmed by all the dresses. This would have been fun if I was with Kate and Sarah and we were looking together. It would have been fun if I was still happy, and I was going with Tyler. Now it just seemed like a chore.

A sales woman approached me when I entered the building.

"Can I help you find what you're looking for today?" she asked pleasantly.

"Yes, I'm looking for a gray dress," I replied, trying to match her kindness, but failing.

"Okay. Are you sure about the color? We could pull some nice greens or blues for you," she suggested.

"No thank you. Grey is the set color." I think she could tell that I was a little cold. I felt bad, but I couldn't help it. It was all I could do not to run away from the store.

"You're a size four?" she asked and I nodded. "Go to the dressing room on the right, and I'll pull all the gray dresses I can find." She walked off towards the racks, and I stepped into the dressing room she had indicated.

There was a huge mirror, and I couldn't help but look at myself. My eyes were bloodshot, making the green color appear vibrant and a little scary. I looked like I hadn't slept in days, which wasn't far from the truth. My hair was wavy and a little matted. My black pea coat made me look like I was going to a funeral. Disgusted, I shrugged it off and let it fall to the floor. The old long sleeved tee shirt that I had changed into after school didn't really help my cause, either. I turned away from the mirror to hide from the damage that I had done to myself. It was all for the best. Sometimes you just have to look out for yourself.

The woman came back with five dresses for me to try. At this point I didn't really care what the dress looked like. I tried the first one that I saw. It was just above my knee in length. It had folded silk for the top that connected into a halter. It had an empire waist, and the rest of the bottom was done up in sequins. I slipped it on and looked in the mirror, trying not to make eye contact with myself.

I opened up the door and let the sales woman see. She looked and tugged at the dress a little.

"This one is very nice on you," she said. "It doesn't look like it needs any alterations, either."

"I'll take it," I told her in a monotone. It seemed like my voice was taking on this quality a lot lately.

"Are you sure you don't want to try any others?" she looked at me like I was crazy.

"I'm sure." She knew that I wasn't very excited to be here so she didn't push me. I bet I looked like I would have bitten her head off if she did.

After I changed she took the dress over to the register and rung it up. I handed her my debit card, and she handed me the dress. I thanked her and walked out.

I opened the back door of my car and carelessly tossed the dress in. I got in, and cranked my music up as loud as it would go and peeled out of the parking lot.

I arrived back in Ipswich after the forty minute drive, exhausted and I went straight up to my dorm room. As I was walking up the winding staircase, I ran into the last person I wanted to see.

Tyler was coming down the stairs with his head down. I tried to turn around before he saw me, but it was no use. When he saw me his eyes went wide. I tried to brush past him, but he caught my arm. His touch was electric and I didn't want him to let go.

"Can I please talk to you?" he asked his eyes were pleading.

"I told you in class today that I don't want to talk anymore," I said, void of emotion.

"That's what you said, but I didn't have a say. There are two people in this relationship, and I need you to hear what I have to say," he looked intense. I didn't say anything, and he pulled me into his dorm room. I backed up against the wall and he put his arms on either side of me so I couldn't dodge him.

"This isn't fair," he stated, his face close to mine. "You never asked me how I felt about this. I know you were freaked out, and I also know that this isn't over."

I stared at him for a moment, completely dumb struck. I had no idea what to say. I took a deep breath.

"It's over," I said plainly. He searched my eyes for a moment.

"You believe that but it's not what you want," he said

"Please, don't make this harder than it already is," I pleaded, for what I hoped was the last time.

"If it's so hard than why does it have to be this way? It was so easy to be together, why do you have to do this to yourself? Why do you have to do this to me? I know you have your plan and everything, but is it really yours, or is it what your parents want from you? You don't have to be afraid." His voice was gentle and I closed my eyes, listening to what he was saying.

"It's my plan," I stated. I knew that I had to be firm, and maybe even mean to get it through to him that we were never going to be together. "I've already moved on Tyler. I'm sorry but I'm going to The Fall Fest with Aaron." This was a low blow and I knew it. He looked like I had just slapped him, and I might as well have. He stepped back from me and ran a hand through his hair.

"If that's how you want it then fine. I won't get in your way. I just hope that you figure out what you want before it's too late." He looked at me like he felt sorry for me. It was almost worse than if he hated me.

I walked over to the door and opened it. I looked back at him. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he looked so sad. I was going to apologize, but then I thought better of it. I closed the door quietly behind me.

The tears started falling before I had the chance to reach my room. I passed by a blur of people on my way, not really caring if they saw me.

I burst through the door of my room and landed on my bed. If this was the right thing, why did it feel so bad?

I slithered out of my coat and tossed it on the floor along with my new dress. I curled up in a ball and sobbed. I had never sobbed before in my life. My stomach felt like it was going to come out of my mouth. I felt like I was going to throw up. The only good that came of this was that it was exhausting. I fell into a dreamless sleep around eight o'clock.

The next day I woke up, and felt well rested. It was noon time, which I wasn't too late for me to be waking up on a Saturday. Then I remembered; The Fall Fest was tonight.

All the events of yesterday came flooding back to me. I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but my growling stomach thought otherwise.

I changed my clothes, and then made a much needed trip down to the dinning hall for lunch.

When I got down to the dinning hall I spotted Sarah. She was on her way out. She gave me a little nod and a half smile. I guess the news of what I did to Tyler got to her already. She looked stressed out as well.

"Hey," I said as she walked by.

"Hi," she replied, seeming distracted. That was odd for her.

"Are you okay?" I asked. She looked at me like I was missing something.

"You didn't hear?" she asked. My stomach dropped. What if something had happened to Tyler?

"Hear what?" I replied, slowly

"Kate's in the hospital with some kind of spider bites all over her and she's not conscious and Pogue was in a motorcycle accident and he's in critical condition," she said this very quickly.

"Oh God." Was all I could really say. I couldn't believe it. This seemed so unreal. I wondered if it had to do with the power at all? Tyler said that he would never use it to hurt someone, but he wasn't the only one who had it. What if someone else wanted to Use to cause destruction?

"I have to get going," Sarah said, bring me back to reality. I wondered if she knew about the power yet. She looked worried about so much that it was hard to tell. "I'll call you if anything changes."

"Okay. Thank you," I said, touching her hand. She squeezed it, and then set off across the quad.

I grabbed some food and ate it slowly. Kate and Pogue both being hurt was just too much of a coincidence. I knew that this had to do with the power.

As I was thinking about Kate and Pogue, Aaron dropped down into the seat next to me.

"What time do you want me to come by your room?" he said wiggling his eyebrows, implying the wrong thing, but I was too distracted to care.

"Whenever, I really don't care."

"How about six?" he suggested.

"Fine," I replied curtly.

"So I'll see you at six?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said shortly. I knew I was being a bitch but I really didn't care. There were more important things than The Fall Fest right now.

I got up and left the dining hall, walking fast to get up to my room.

Mel was walking in the same direction, and caught up with me. It was just my luck. I didn't want to talk to anyone at all and here was Mel, ready to talk my ear off.

"Did you hear about Kate and Pogue?" she asked.

"Yeah I did," I stated.

"That's something huh? What bad luck," she said annoyingly.

"Yup," I said back. She didn't get the hint that I didn't want to talk.

"I'm not even going to The Fall Fest tonight," she said sadly.

"Really?" I replied, not even trying to sound like I cared.

"Yeah. Chase can't go and I don't want to go by myself, so I'm just going to hang out alone." I wasn't even listening to her. Caleb and Reid passed by us, seemingly in deep conversation. I was trying to hear what they were saying, but with Mel talking my ear off, I couldn't hear a thing.

"I have to go get ready," I told her snippily.

"Okay," she said, not detecting the annoyed undertone of my voice. "Tell me how it goes."

"I will." I forced a smile, which probably looked more like a grimace, and walked away alone.

Something was off here.

I was ready by six and waiting for Aaron. He was an hour late and half drunk as expected.

"You look hot tonight," he stated. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his arm and led him down the stairs.

When we got the ballroom, I scanned the room for the Sons. I saw Reid, Sarah and Tyler over by themselves. There was no Caleb in sight. None of them looked happy, in fact, they all looked stressed, tired and worried. I wanted to talk to them and ask what was going on, but I knew I couldn't.

"Wanna dance?" Aaron asked in slurred speech.

"No thanks," I declined. "I need to go to the bathroom." I needed to get away from Aaron for a while. He wouldn't even notice I was gone.

I wandered around the room for a while. Every few minutes, I would look up to see Reid, Sarah and Tyler in the same spot. They were like that for a long time. Then one time I looked up and they were gone. I was just wondering where they were, and where Caleb was, when Tyler surprised me.

He tapped me on the shoulder, and I spun around fast, surprised to see him. He didn't look too good. He looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep.

"Have you seen Sarah?" he asked worriedly. All the harshness from yesterday seemed to be gone.

"No. The last I saw she was with you." He was making me nervous. People wandered away from each other all the time. If he was this worried it must mean something important. But what did it mean. I was dying to know, but I couldn't ask. I had a feeling it was something bad.

"Maybe she went to the bathroom," I offered weakly.

"No, I already checked."

"Do you need me to help you?" I asked. He shook his head, and continued to search.

I was on edge. What was going on here? I followed him to where Reid was standing, being sure to keep out of their sight.

"Anything?" Reid asked.

"Nothing," Tyler responded.

"Shit!" Reid exclaimed. "That mother fucker probably got her!"

"We don't know that." Tyler said unconvincingly. I could tell he was lying. Who were they talking about?

"If Chase has her, that's just going to make things harder for Caleb," Reid said. He looked at his watch. "He's Ascending in ten minutes. We have to go help him."

"You're right," Tyler said. They looked at each other, and then headed off to Tyler's Hummer. I followed behind them. I had the keys to Aaron's truck. He was drunk and I took them from him, not wanting to end up dead later.

Without missing a beat I was behind the wheel and following Reid and Tyler at a safe distance. All I knew was that Caleb and Sarah were in trouble, and that Chase was the bad guy that I'd known him to be this entire time. If there was something I could do to help, I would do it. Even if it was just a distraction to give them more time, it would be worth it.

I sped up a little, to keep the Hummer in sight. I had a new sense of purpose. I needed to help my friends. I had no idea what I'm getting myself into, and I didn't really care. This felt right, and there was no turning back.

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