Hey you guys! It's StylishFashionista, and I'm here with another chappie! Yay! My cousin visited, which is why this is a bit late. I had fun though. :) However, I hope you guys enjoy and that it was worth your wait. Anyways, that's all I really have to say, so we're off to reviews!

StoryToBeToldAsOne-I'm going to take that as a compliment, so thank you! XD I know I do. ;) And I'm updating right now!

Lina-Thank you so much! I know, it was really sad. :(

Bonjour10-I'm honestly really happy that Jasmine's moving on. It's the best for her. I'm honestly most interested in the Darrett subplot as well, but Lindy's doesn't seem that bad. (I'm pretty sure you understand why I'm not looking forward too much for the Jogan plot)

Junatina-Thank you so much for all of the reviews!

mace784-Thank you so much!

DreamImpossibleThings-Thank you so much. Your review meant so much to me. :)

*insert disclaimer here*

Early in the next morning, I was starved.

The hotel we were staying at weren't serving breakfast because apparently the supplies weren't there yet, and I really wanted some food. I didn't eat much dinner the day before for obvious reasons. It was the same for Garrett, since he didn't feel like it felt right. But Garrett's dad stuffed himself with the chicken pot pie, so he wasn't as hungry as Garrett and I were. So he decided to allow us go buy some breakfast at close by taverns while he kept sleeping.

And of course we agreed. My stomach was growling, after all!

We walked around in complete silence. It was still a bit awkward, especially since we hadn't really talked since the train. I still needed to apologize, and I knew that. However, the tavern was calling my name, and I was starving for God's sake. I ordered some pancakes while Garrett ordered soft-boiled eggs, and we still sat in silence.

We packed some of my pancakes for later, and then we walked back to the hotel. Garrett had an amazing memory, so we found our way easily. However, while we were walking back, I noticed some stuff I didn't notice when we first came here. Most importantly, the amount of slaves on the street. I had never seen them before, but now that I did, I felt a new sympathy for them. I felt their guilt. I felt their desperation.

I decided to give my pancakes to the last ones I saw: two slaves, one seemed to be my age while the other one seemed to be a bit younger. It was dark, so while I wasn't completely surprised to see them here, I didn't understand why. Wouldn't they be safer inside?

One of them muttered a thank you - the girl who seemed younger than I was - and that made me feel even more guilty. I didn't even know when the last time they ate was. And considering how thin they were, it must've been a long time.

So then I invited them to join us.

After I said that, Garrett looked at me as if I was insane, and I started to second-guess myself. Why did I say that? I knew that we would go to jail if we were caught. However, I did want to help them, and that feeling didn't leave me. Besides, if my dad could get away with it, why couldn't I? Sure I was scared to do it alone, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

The boy who looked my age was the first to react. He shook his head. "No way."

The girl nodded, and Garrett tapped my shoulder. He scolded harshly in a whisper, "Jasmine, what are you thinking? You know I'm against slavery, but I'm too young to go to jail!"

I nodded at that. I agreed with him, but the lingering feeling was still annoying me. I needed to find them someplace. Why were they even here in the first place? I sighed and attempted to save myself by saying, "I mean, to help you guys. It's still pretty dark outside. We need to hide you someplace."

The young girl sighed and said, "Don't worry. We're just tired and taking a break. We'll find somewhere before the sun rises." I finally noticed their evident Southern accents. They were definitely slaves.

But I doubted what she actually said, because the sun would start to rise any second now.

I insisted on helping them, and eventually, Garrett agreed too, saying that if he didn't help, then they would be the ones going to jail. For once, I felt relieved, even though I tried my best not to show it. We were finally on the same side.

It went to the point where they kept resisting that I had to drag them up. The clock was ticking, and since it was summer, the sun would've been up very soon. I wanted to get them to somewhere safe before they would've had to take the risk of getting caught.

Garrett and I attempted to make chit-chat, and eventually, they opened up. Their names were Chyna and Cameron, and they were brother and sister. They lost their way from the Underground Railroad due to the almost nonexistent lighting in the night. I told them that they were very brave for doing what they were, but they shrugged it off, stating that they weren't that special and that a lot of slaves from their plantation had successfully escaped up north. They were aiming for Canada, since the Fugitive Slave Act wasn't active in Canada, and I understood that. My dad taught me a lot about those kind of things before he went off to war. No, I told myself. I refuse to sob in public like this.

Good thing I didn't.

I was just looking for a house with the signs that it was part of the Underground Railroad. My dad hung a quilt my mom made on the clothesline which had a house on it, and there were usually lit lanterns outside or in the window for the slaves to see at night. Remembering that, I looked around and hoped I'd find one soon.

Once we looked across the river, I saw the signs and smiled in relief. I told the two to wade through the river quickly, as the sun had started to rise. They thanked me profusely, Chyna hugging me in the process, and while I usually didn't like dirty people touching me, I didn't mind the hug. Honestly, the feeling that I led someone to freedom made my heart swell with happiness. I let myself smile, giddy. Garrett smiled as well, and it was the first time I saw him smile in a while. God I missed that smile so much.

We were walking back when I decided to pick up some more pancakes, since all that walking had really made me pick up an appetite. The thought that I may have not fit in the dress after all of the food today had crossed my mind, but I didn't really care. I could probably trade for some more anyways.

I ordered some more once we got there. Garrett shifted awkwardly as I sighed. I tried to apologize once more. "I'm sorry."

He chuckled, to my surprise, and said, "You do know that I already forgave you, right?"

I stared at him, confused. Oddly enough, I didn't look into his sapphire eyes. "Since when?"

"Since the funeral," he explained. "I know it was hard for you, and I'm sorry. I get it. Watching both of your parents die in one day must've been hard, and I should've been more understanding."

"But you deserved to know," I told him. "I should've told you."

He shook his head at that. "No. From now on, I don't want to pressure you to say anything. I'm really sorry. I just want to know everything about you, Jaz. You mean the world to me, and it hurt. I overreacted."

I finally met his gaze. His eyes were laser beams; it was as if they were looking straight into my soul. It was intense. "You want to know everything about me?"

"From the little things to the big," Garrett admitted, his lazer sharp gaze never wavering.

"Well then," I started, taking a deep breath, "you know how I was homeless? It was because the Confederates set my house on fire. That's the reason why I had to walk around Gettysburg for two weeks, barely holding onto my life, until your dad found me."

Garrett looked guilty. "Jaz, that's horrible. I'm so sorry. I mean, I knew some Confederates were extremists, but I never expected..."

He then started to trail off, and I dismissed it with the wave of a hand. "Don't worry about it. But I want to be a nurse when I grow up, just like my mom was. However, I wouldn't mind being a detective; my parents have told me I'm very good at sleuthing and that I'm very observant. Being a saleswoman wouldn't be that bad as well, especially if it's fashion related. I'm honestly afraid of dalmatians. I can play the cello, but I don't play it often because it gets boring sometimes. I really like to read, and Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Odyssey are my two favorite books. I honestly really like it when people are dressed up for a special occasion. And-"

I froze. I caught myself before I said what I was about to say. I was relieved that I did.

But Garrett just motioned for me to continue. "Keep going, Jaz. What were you about to say?"

I sighed and bit my lip. I dug myself a huge hole that I wouldn't get out of until I admitted it.

"And I love looking into your eyes, your beautiful blue eyes. I love it when you smile. And I still believe that you're cute. You're so fine, and I would have to be an absolute idiot if I thought you were not. Plus, you're the sweetest, most amazing person I've ever met, Garrett. I am so fortunate to have met you."

Okay, I didn't think I'd ever say that in my life. But I found myself blushing in embarrassment and looking down, suddenly thinking that the black flats I got yesterday were very interesting. However, the sound of Garrett's voice forced me to look up.

"Well, Jaz, I think you're absolutely stunning. You're breathtakingly gorgeous. So beautiful. Plus you're sweet, funny, and basically the coolest girl I know." He then pauses, before saying, "Don't tell Grace I said that." I laughed at that, and he continued. "I believe it was fate that brought us together under the same roof. However, if it wasn't for that stupid, dumb rule, I would've already made a move on you."

He whispered the last part, and I swore, I was about to die. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. Was this actually happening? Was this just a dream? I reached my arm to pinch myself, but before I could, I heard Garrett say, "Oh, screw rules."

And before I could comprehend, I felt two hands fall on my waist and a pair of lips on mine.

Okay, now I couldn't believe what was actually happening to me.

Once I finally registered what was going on, I scolded myself for being an idiot and kissed him back. Honestly, I was just so shocked. Garrett was kissing me. If I was being honest, I thought that my first kiss would've been painfully awkward and mediocre. But that wasn't happening right now. I felt my body go on fire and there was a tingling feeling that never truly went away. I was loving this moment. I was truly loving it. And I would've loved to keep doing this forever.

However, eventually, our order of pancakes were ready. When we finally released each other, we were automatically greeted by a round of applause.

Once we got back to our hotel, Garrett's dad told us that he already finished packing and that we should leave soon. I gave him the pancakes, and he gobbled them up, only leaving one for Garrett and I to share. However, once he was out of the room, we split it by eating the pancake together. I honestly thought it was pretty romantic.

Garrett's dad eventually came back, though, and we both knew it was time to leave Washington DC. It was a nice visit. I went to my parents funeral, I helped out two slaves, and Garrett and I finally kissed. To say that I was ecstatic was an understatement.

We were checking out of the hotel, and once we exited the building, we were met by an old lady. My grandmother, to be exact. And I didn't know how to react to that.

So instead I just asked, "How did you know where we were staying?"

"I was staying a couple blocks away until I saw you and this young gentleman walking together," she explained, sending a sweet smile to Garrett. "I really wanted to talk to you, especially after seeing you at the funeral."

I nodded, and she continued. "You know, I thought that you were dead as well. I assumed that you were dead along with your mother and father. Words can't even describe how relieved I was when I saw you in the crowd."

I nodded at that. "Nope. Our house was demolished by a fire the Confederates started, but I managed to find shelter thanks to these two lovely men," I said, smiling at Garrett and his dad. They both smiled back. "They saved my life."

"Well, then thank you," she said, smiling at the two. But then she continued. "However, your services will not be needed any longer."

After she said that, I just stared at her. I knew exactly what she meant by that, and I didn't like it.

"But miss, with all due respect," Garrett's dad started, "I feel that Jasmine is very happy with us. She adapted very well, and it feels as if she's part of our family now."

I couldn't nod at that. Even though I agreed with everything that he had just said, I just couldn't show it in front of my grandmother.

"But, sir, with all due respect," my grandmother reiterated, "I believe that Jasmine should stay with me. We are actually related, and besides, I don't want her to intrude on you guys any longer."

"She's not intruding!" Garrett exclaimed. I glanced at him, feeling relieved and thankful that he said that.

"We love her as if she was one of our own," Garrett's dad added, and I tried my best to suppress the incoming blush that was trying to show on my cheeks.

My grandmother sighed and looked at me sternly. "You know what? Fine. Let's have her choose who she wants to live with. I'll be at Gettysburg to bury the ashes at our family cemetery, but," she stopped for a moment, "I hope you make the right decision."

She then left, and all I could think to myself was the predicament I had tangled into my hands.

Well, here's the chapter. I wanted to have a good one for you guys, and even though it's basically 1 in the morning right now, I think it was worth it. In case any of you guys don't know, the Fugitive Slave Act basically states that people in the North need to turn in slaves and that all slaves found will be sent back to their masters. It was very controversial at the time and only sparked the abolitionist movement to grow stronger. Anyways, could I please have 65 reviews? If I could, that would be absolutely amazing!