Prettyinpinkgal: Hey! I'm sorry for the typos and for not updating as much as I should. I either get writer's block, I'm working on my other stories, or my limit of time on the computer makes me unable to write too much. Not to mention schoolwork and how I'm going to be moving soon. But I'll try to update more frequently. I'm really sorry about taking so long :( And in response to Ashley-Paige's review, no, that's not wrong, cuz I kind of dislike her myself, and I created her! lol But it's kind of fun writing about characters I don't like, so I'm okay with her being in the story:) Also, in the movie, Winnie is portrayed as about 17, while in the book, she's 10. Thanks everyone for your encouragement! 71 reviews! Woot!

Disclaimer: I do not own "Tuck Everlasting."

FOSTER EVERLASTING

CHAPTER SIX: AN UNEXPECTED FRIEND

Jesse watched as Winnie ran into the depths of the woods. He wanted to call out like the others, he truly did, but what could he say to her? "Oh, I'm sorry Winnie. I know you decided to have eternal life to be with me, but I already love someone else. Move on and find someone else." Riiight.

But Jesse felt still cared about Winnie, although not in a romantic sort of way. It's strange how life works. It wasn't that long ago that he'd hoped she'd come back and live with him forever. He had Natasha, and then Winnie showed up. His old dream had been fulfilled, but he loved Natasha now.

After getting many looks from his family and fiance (Natasha knew about love, so she felt truly sorry for Winnie, especially since Winnie tried acting so kind to her), he said, "I'm going to look for her." And off he went.

It was night by the time Jesse thought about giving up. He'd looked for her for hours. Perhaps she'd gone to town. But no; it had only been thirty years. Surely someone would recognize her. She had to be in the woods.

He looked around some more, then tripped over a branch. Man, am I clumsy! Suddenly, he noticed the branch stirring, which was really a leg, Jesse realized.

"Winnie?" he asked. Slowly, the girl sat up and rubbed her eyes. He could barely make her out in the darkness, but he still couldn't help but gaze at her faint beauty. His heart skipped a beat. Wait a second! he shouted in his mind, shaking all romantic thoughts for the girl out of his head. You love Natasha! Don't look at other women!

Winnie was finally awake enough to tell where she was and who he was. She said coldly, "oh, it's you." That simple phrase felt like a knife stabbed Jesse in the stomach.

He sighed. "Winnie, please come with me," he pleaded. "Let's go back to the house..."

Winnie cut him off. "I wouldn't want to intrude. Besides, Natasha may get the wrong idea."

"Come on, Winnie! Natasha's worried about you too. She'll understand. And besides, you don't really have anywhere to go," he said matter-of-factly.

Winnie glared at him through the darkness. "Don't remind me."

Jesse frowned. "Don't blame me. You're the one who drank the water!"

"You're the one who suggested it!" Winnie shot back.

"Well, it's not like I expected you to drink it!" Jesse shouted. They were both alike; both were extremely stubborn.

"Well, excuse me for falling for you!" she shouted. Suddenly, she got quiet. "Jesse," she started, "was there a time, no matter how short it was, that you loved me?"

Jesse didn't know how to answer. Was what he felt back then really love? Was what he felt for Natasha really love? After a long silence, he replied, "Maybe."

"Oh. Okay." The two were silent again, forgetting completely about their small argument. Suddenly, Winnie sneezed. "So even people like us can get sick," she said with a small chuckle.

Jesse smiled. "Yeah. How about you stay in our house?" he asked, bringing up the suggestion once again.

There was a brief pause. "Alright. Just until I find another place to stay," she said. Jesse helped her to her feet, and they held hands as he guided her back to the cottage.

Winnie wasn't sure how this was going to work out. How long could she stand seeing Natasha and Jesse together? How long could she bear seeing the Tucks having another girl in their life, leaving Winnie as an outsider?

Winnie Foster wasn't sure. All she knew was that she had to get another place to stay. And fast.

That night, Natasha and Winnie stayed in the same room. Despite the couple of coughs that came from Winnie, the girls were silent.

Winnie had mixed emotions about Natasha. She seemed nice enough, and perhaps they'd even get to be friends--if Winnie stayed in the house long enough, that is. But then again, Natasha was also Jesse's fiance. Winnie just couldn't ignore that fact.

"Um...Winifred? Are you awake?" Natasha asked quietly.

"Yes. And please, call me Winnie," the other girl replied. They didn't once glance at each other.

"Alright. Is it alright if I ask you a question, Winnie?"

Curious, Winnie replied, "Of course. What is it?"

"I wanted to hear how you met the Tucks. I mean, if you want to tell me. I'll understand if..."

Winnie stopped her and smiled. At least Natasha was being considerate. "It's alright. I don't mind telling you. I was ten at the time, and my family owned these woods."

"You're father and mother must have been very wealthy!" Natasha whispered.

Winnie nodded, but realized Natasha might not have been able to see her gesture. So she said, "Yes, they were. They were good people for the most part, but they kept me so confined in that house, I felt like a dog in a cage. So, I decided to run away." Blissful memories came pouring back to Winnie. She smiled and closed her eyes, reliving each event. "I came to the woods, where I saw Jesse drinking the magic water. He tried telling me that it was poisonous, but I told him that if it was poisonous, he wouldn't be drinking it..."

She explained the events that occured after, and when she finished, she felt like some of her sorrow had disappeared. Natasha was quiet.

Finally, Natasha said, "I see." Then," ...You really love Jesse, don't you?"

The question surprised Winnie, but answered with a small blush, "Yes, I do. To be honest, I'm jealous of you. You really are lucky." Winnie sighed, then quickly said, "Oh, but don't worry! I'm not going to try and get between you and Jesse, trust me! I love Jesse, but I'd never do anything that despicable!"

Natasha giggled. "Don't worry; I trust you." After pausing, she said, "Winnie?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry." Before Winnie could say anything, Natasha had fallen asleep.

She looked up at the ceiling. Me, too.

Prettyinpinkgal: I'm starting to not dislike Natasha (the horror!) I know, this chapter was even shorter than the last chapter, but I thought it'd be a good place to stop. Besides, any update's better than nothing, right? Please review! And thank you all for your support!