Author's Note: Sorry for the delay.

A Friend in Need

SEPTEMBER, 10th, 2011

"Now, what were you going to say?"

"The reason was #$#^$&^#!$#&*"

The person's voice sounded like static, but for some reason I was able to understand her, nodding at every word the person said.

The person continued, "I'm sorry...Please forgive me."

I shook my head, "You know I can't help but feel sorry for you...but I can't deny I had always cared about you. I don't know why you would repay me like this. I accept your apology, but this is it. This is goodbye."

"...I understand. But are you sure we can't find a way to fix this?"

"There were so many times YOU could've, but it's too late. But..." I walked up close to the person. "I will give you something to remember me by..."

My eyes popped open, not by the sunlight, but just out of shock.

Was the same dream I had before? What was going on?

[xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

"Hey Rigby, pass me the soda," I said.

"Yep," Rigby passes me a Radi-Cola and I take a quick swig of it, indulging in the relaxation I was in. Rigby and I decided to slack off, for old time's sake. We had to wash the cart, but instead we leaned against the hood and drank our sodas just looking out in the distance.

"So, you decided when you were going to be living with Eileen?" I asked.

"Hmm..." Rigby took a sip of his soda. "Probably a few months: You know, once I get everything together."

"You don't want to have her waiting too long..."

"I know, I know. I wouldn't try her patience like that."

Just as I was looking out at the park, I noticed someone walking by with their head down. They looked sort of familiar.

I squinted my eyes, only to realize it was Lizz, just walking by, wearing slightly brighter clothing. I guess it's better than her sulking inside the coffee shop all day.

"I'll be right back..." I said to Rigby getting off the hood of the cart.

"Where are you going?"

"Going to check on Lizz. I want to talk to her real quick."

"Wait, isn't that the girl who slammed her fist on the table at the coffee shop?"

"Yeah,"

"You sure you want to talk to her? It seems like every time you talk to her, she reacts strangely. You told me before she just walked out on you the first time, then the second time she hits the table and leaves... I'm afraid if you talk to her again, she's going to knock down a tree or something."

"Come on, now you're just exaggerating," I told Rigby.

"Alright, but don't be surprised if she ends up storming off again."

"I'm pretty sure she's a bit better now. I'll be right back." I went toward Lizz to go talk. She raised her head when she must've noticed me from the corner of her eye.

"Oh, hey Mordecai."

"Hey," I said while walking with her.

"Why does it always seem like we're running into each other?"

"Well I work here and I noticed you walking by."

"Oh yeah, you did tell me that didn't you? You're the groundskeeper right?"

"Well yeah, me and my friend Rigby."

"Hmm."

We walked silently for a few minutes, just taking a break from the conversations. I heard her take a deep breath and she began to speak to me.

"Listen, I wanted to...apologize for what a happened a few days ago, at the coffee shop."

It took me a while to understand what she was talking about; probably because it just wasn't on my mind at the moment. "Oh don't sweat it. It was nothing."

She began to grab on to her wrist, "I felt like I embarrassed you when I did that. I shouldn't have snapped like that..."

Man, she really feels bad for this.

"Hey, I'm sure you had you're reasons."

"Maybe..." Her eyes went down slightly. "I have been having mood swings lately. After what happened well...I don't know..."

"..."

"He hurt me...Not physically he just, broke my heart..."

"How?"

She took another breath, "I've known him for ten years, 4 of those years we were a couple. About 2 weeks ago...I found out he wasn't so loyal and I found out he wasn't, in my own house."

"Oh..." I said silently.

Sheesh...

"He was making out with this other girl, thinking I wouldn't be home so early..."

"..."

"He had been seeing her for...I don't know how long, but that doesn't matter. He cheated on me. He never really cared. I never felt so betrayed and humiliated in my life."

I was speechless the entire time she was telling me. No wonder why she was the way she was now. I felt so bad for her. No one deserves something like that to happen to them.

"This isn't the first time this has happened though," she continued. "I mean I've been betrayed by other friends, by I just pushed those back. With him...he was one of my closest friends and for that to happen...it really knocks down your self-esteem. I got a huge reality check after that happened: It seems like everyone just wants to hurt me. I mean sure I have friends who have supported me through this, but I still feel...so sick inside of what happened. It's like no matter what people say to cheer my up, I still feel depressed As if I don't have any one to support me."

I had to say something after what she had said.

"I sort of relate to what you're going through, but you can't go around thinking everyone wants to hurt you. There are people out there that don't want to hurt you," I said.

"Who then?" Lizz asked.

It took me a moment to respond and what I said truly came from a special place.

"I wouldn't..."

She stopped in her tracks and looked me in the eyes, taken back by what I said. She then smiled at me and said slightly sarcastically, "So what are you going to say now, that you love me or something?"

She completely caught me off guard by asking that.

"N-no I mean...like...look, I wouldn't want to hurt you, I want to help you through this."

I know that must've sounded sort of harsh. It's not that I don't love her. I do, but just as a friend type way. I really care about her... and just want her to get through this.

Or maybe I do love her in another way...

No, I'm not going through the whole "falling in love with a girl early on" thing we all know how that turned out...

I swear I truly do hate my inner thoughts. It seems like they're just fucking with me.

She crossed her arms, still smiling at me which made me feel warm inside. I couldn't help but just look into her eyes, as she was looking into mine: Both of us just standing there in completely silence.

Until my walkie-talkie came on.

"Mordecai? Mordecai!" It sounded like Benson.

"Oh, hold on real quick," I said to Lizz. I answered Benson, "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you? You and Rigby were supposed to be cleaning the cart. Get back here right now, and finish up or you and Rigby will be in serious trouble.

Surprised he didn't say, "Or you're fired!"

"Okay Benson, I'll be there in a sec."

"Was that your boss?" Lizz asked.

"Yeah, I gotta get back to work. But hey, we'll talk some other time right?"

"I guess, you know if I feel like talking."

"Yeah, I understand. I'll see you around."

"Same to you," she walked away, while I ran back to the house. Thinking of the conversation Lizz and I had. I felt as though it made us a little bit closer and ended pretty calmly.

Looks like I proved Rigby wrong: No trees or anything of the sort got knocked down.

Only two more chapters left! They will be coming in sometime in the middle of June, since testing at my school will start at the beginning of the month.