A/N: Again, thank you guys so much for the support and amazing comments! I love you all! xx I originally posted chapter 24 with a completely different scenario but wasn't really sure about it. I still got awesome reviews but it didn't seem to be liked as much, as well as it seemed (to me) like it was to much of a jump ahead. Anyways! Hopefully you guys like this version better! Let me know what ya'll think! Thanks so much again! xx

Chapter Twenty Four- Redemption

** THREE WEEKS LATER **

Curdled up in a brown blanket that I was sure hadn't been washed in weeks, I stared at my bedroom wall. Or, really, my mothers bedroom wall. I didn't consider where I was home. And hadn't in years. Home is where the heart is after all, right? My home was in Philadelphia with all of my friends. I missed Topanga, Cory, Tasha, Jason and even Eric. And then of course, Shawn.

I let out another sigh. I had no motivation to do anything. Every morning it had been a battle to get me out of bed and to the school my Mother figured would 'benefit' me best. Most mornings, I was thrown out the door in my pyjamas. But do you think that bothered me? Not a bit. I made it a habit not to go, even if she personally drove me there herself. I'd smile and wave and walk in the opposite direction that second she was out of sight. I made it another habit to talk to no one. I refused to be friend anyone else. More out of feeling like I would be betraying everyone in Philly. And because I felt that if I emotionally attached myself to one more person, just to be ripped away from them, I would break and hit rock bottom. I didn't want that at all. If I didn't have a serious vendetta against my mother before, I for sure did then.

I could hear the slow pour of rain pitter against the window and couldn't help but smile to myself. Sad that the sky could relate to me more than my own blood. That smile however was short lived when my mother came pounding on my door. "Take out the garbage before the rain gets worse. It smells like a dirty restaurant downstairs. Can't you do any of your chores properly?" She yelled through the wood.

I grabbed my blanket and pulled it over my head. "I'm not your live in maid." I shouted back at her. "It's raining out. I'm not going to get wet. So do it yourself!" I knew I was acting like a spoiled brat but I didn't even care. She took everything away from me so I planned to make her life a living hell as long as she made mine such.

"Excuse me?" She attempted to open the door but was stopped by the lock that was built into the knob. "Open this door right now, Sarah!"

I stayed silent and glared at the dark fabric that was in front of me. I couldn't stop praying she would just irrupt in flames and go find a watering hole somewhere to jump in.

"Alright, fine. Have it your way."

And at that, the atmosphere became quiet once more. Hesitantly, I pulled the blanket from my head and looked around, feeling triumphant that I had finally silenced her and made her leave me alone. That was, until my door swung open and a cold blast of water covered me. I let out a loud gasp and blinked furiously. I went from being warm and comfortable to soaking wet and in shock.

My mother stood at my door with an empty, but dripping bucket and a hand on her hip; a proud smile plastered across her glossy red lips. "Now you have no excuse to not go out there and do what you've been asked to. Move it."

I pushed some of my wet hair out of my face and scowled at her. "Fine." Anything to get her out of my sight. I stormed down the stairs, grabbed the two large black garbage bags that drooped to their sides and headed out the door, making sure to slam it as loudly as possible behind me. I stomped my way down the driveway, not caring if I sliced my feet open on stray stones or not. I got to the end and threw them roughly on the curb.

I breathed in and out heavily and then let out a loud scream, followed by a small sob. I hated Pittsburgh. I hated her. I hated my life. Why couldn't I have just been 18 already? Then, she wouldn't have a say in what I did or where I was. I stood there momentarily, staring up at the darkened grey skies, the cold droplets of rain hitting my face beautifully. I felt a brief few seconds of peace. It was nice. I couldn't help but wish right then and there that Peter Pan was real. Neverland sounded incredible right about then.

"Use an umbrella, babe."

I gasped and whirled around. To my astonishment, there was Shawn. As well as Topanga and Eric. Eric was sitting in the drivers seat of a very beat up looking car at the side of the road, Topanaga was in the passenger seat and Shawn? He was walking right up to me, not caring if his perfect hair got wet or not. I let out a squeal and ran right for him, laughing when he caught me mid jump and twirled me. It felt like we were in a cheesy romance movie and that just so happened to be our big scene.

"What are you guys doing here?!" I couldn't conceal my excitement. I hugged him tighter than ever before and did a small dance with my feet.

It was crazy how two weeks of what felt like torture could just vanish within seconds. It just seemed like a bad dream that was finally over.

"Did you really think we wouldn't come see you? I don't care how aunt Val feels about that." Topanga said with a big grin.

I let out a happy giggle, let go of Shawn and then ran to her, hugging her through the window. "You have NO idea how happy I am to see all of you." I then squeezed her tightly once more and ran to Eric's side, practically pulling him out through the window in a devouring hug.

"This cost Shawn weeks and weeks worth of lawn mowing as well as weeks of me saving up from my Dad's store," Eric said, still hugging me. When I pulled away with a frown, he couldn't help but grin at me. "But it was worth it."

I felt stupidly happy. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and hugged him again. "I always knew I liked you for a reason. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

After I was done trapping Eric in my bear hug, my arms returned to crushing Shawn, who of course wasn't far behind. I didn't even notice the rain anymore. All of us laughed and talked for a few minutes before the loud clearing of a throat stopped it. I turned and saw my mother standing at the front door of her house, arms crossed.

"Sarah, come here."

I looked back and fourth between everyone before slowly making my way towards her after Shawn gave me an encouraging nod, as well as smile. What did that evil twit want?

One thing was sure, I wasn't about to let her make them leave when they had driven so far just to see them. True friends go the distance, and them being there was proof enough. I stood several feet away, glancing back towards them before she finally spoke again, sticking her hand in her dress pocket. She pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to me with a weak smile. "Give this back to them. And get inside."

I took a step back. "No." I said sternly. "Those people right there are my friends. They drove for FIVE hours, just to see me. You already took me away from me once. I won't let you do it again." I felt a twinge of tears begin to flood at my eyes. "Please, Mom."

She glanced over at them and then back at me, her hand still out to me. "Sweetheart, you don't understand. I want you to come inside to get your things." She said.

"You're going back to Philadelphia."