an: :DDDDD last. chapter. whut whut? disclaimed, as usual. :)

Four years later

Massie Block stared long and hard at the glass tombstone that Chris Plovert had inherited. She breathed the air, thick and moist, and felt the aura of depression around her. It had been four years; four years since that day that she had discovered everything. Chris had plotted a diabolical plan to hurt everyone she loved. He had successfully hurt Connor, Antoinette, and emotionally killed her.

But, she could admit, she was getting better. Even if it had left her feeling depressed and suicidal, Massie was strong. She knew what she was doing. She knew where she was going.

She closed her eyes again, and opened them, the tombstone still there. She remembered Chris as the boy who first asked her out, with his confidence bubbling over, his smile catching her off guard. She remembered him as the boy who took her hand the first time the electricity went off in Olivia Ryan's Sweet 16 party. She remembered him as the boy who took her heart, held it carefully, and then carelessly tossed it around as if it were an indestructible toy.

But Massie was no Wonder Woman, and she wasn't someone easily healed.

"Good-bye Chris," she murmured. Because even if he had hurt her, even if he had done all of that to her, Chris was still someone she'd remember.

"Are you ready now, sweetie?" Derrick asked, wrapping an arm around her.

Massie tore her eyes away from the sight upon her and smiled up at Derrick. His hair was tousled from the wind and his eyes, although the weather was cold and dark, were shining warmly. She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm ready."

They turned away from the remains of Chris Plovert and began walking towards Kristen and Josh, who were, of course, flirtatiously making fun of each other and Cam and Nikki, who were staring up at one of the older trees in the bunch, of it's twists and turns and it's flaky trunk. Cam linked his fingers with Nikki's and they turned towards everyone, subtly whispering things from the corners of their mouths.

Derrick chuckled and shouted, "Hey, come on, lovebirds, let's get a move on. If we want to get back to Dartmouth, we'll need to hurry, eh?" He tightened his arm around Massie and kissed the top of her head. "How're you feeling now?"

Massie yawned and shrugged, digging her face into his side. "I'm fine," she mumbled, her voice muffled. "Just really sleepy. And, I guess, I could do without Dartmouth for a couple of days." She tried a smile and closed her eyes.

Derrick grinned and lifted his girlfriend into his arms, glad to finally have her to himself. He nodded over at Kristen and Josh who were both making kissy faces at him and Derrick rolled his eyes, but chuckled. After the incident, Derrick had been hospitalized for a week. But luckily, it was Massie who had helped him to get better. He had to spend a couple of months wearing a cast, though, so he wasn't able to write with his right arm.

The six of them headed towards Cam's black Outlander. Derrick turned around, catching a glimpse of the tombstone. He wrinkled his nose and adjusted Massie on his arms. He looked down at her and smiled. There she was, finally, in his arms, with him. He didn't need to stare at her longingly from afar; he didn't need to strain to hear her conversations, wondering about what she was discussing; he didn't need to ask around where she was without seeming like a stalker. Derrick Harrington was in total bliss. Derrick Harrington was in love.

Massie's eyelids fluttered open, and then shut. She narrowed her eyes to a slit, keeping them like that so she could stay in his arms. She tried her hardest not to smile at the boy she fell in love with. It started out as a friendship; barely even. It progressed to hair-pulling, biting, shoving, name-calling, everything that little kids could conjure. And then, it was there, everyone knew it. It was the inevitable. One of them fell for the other; it was only a matter of time before the other fell, too. She knew that Derrick, no matter what happened, was always going to be watching over her. She knew that he was always going to be there for her, that he was always going to keep his promises to her.

He had promised her that he would come back; and he came back, and he stayed. Because Derrick Harrington would always be the one for Massie Block.

an: okay, i know most of you were expecting a better ending, but, seriously, for some odd reason, i don't know how to... end a story. i mean, yeah, i know how to, but for some reason, i always make it seem as if it's... all... bleck. so, i'm sorry if this ending didn't match up to your expectations. :/

to everyone who kept up with this story, even after my HUGE put-off during the summer. :P to everyone who gave me the best reviews, to those who flamed me, to those who reminded me over and over and over to update, thankyouthankyouthankyou. each and every one of you are amazing. this is my first REAL completed story [unless you count falling like cigarette ashes, then this is my second :P ]

today, where i live, it is the 23rd. and one exact year from today, i posted this story, and today, i finish it. :) it was an amazing journey to get to here, guys. :)

for the last time, review?

i love you all,

ericka :)