"It takes away a lot of the thrill of killing yourself when people are looking for you and you're disappointing them, because it is a lot of fun when you're out there killing yourself."

―Anthony Kiedis,Scar Tissue

That quote was one that Whitney had read when flipping through a generic type music magazine, which was a hack job trying to copy Rolling Stones. That quote was the same quote that inspired her to tell her dad about a way to rid the world of the burdensome Danny Desai. Afterall, the boy seemed to be a non stop disappointment to all around him with the exception of Jo Masterson. Whitney chuckled at the gullible little puppy dog, who Danny could make jump to his every whim.

Sadly, although that fact was true, it was Danny who seemed to be bogged down with having to please Jo even if it was an artificial or dishonest way of pleasing her. He feigned interest as he felt Jo served better as an unwanted girlfriend than his unwanted loneliness served him. At least someone was happy in Danny's life was his thought despite his misery.

The misery and feigning to be happy with his existence was even more pallable when faced with even a glimpse of Lacey Porter. Therefore, when his breath came out huskily when he greeted Lacey, Whitney and Jo took note.

Lacey's smile displayed on her face as she happily greeted Danny. Lacey always knew how to build up her walls so no one could see inside. She had seen Jo's and Danny's hands being held together before Danny jerked away from Jo. Lacey supposed it was to save her feelings and not to throw their relationship in her face. Lacey couldn't be more wrong.

The only feeling Danny was feeling lately about Jo's and his relationship was shame. Due to trying to force a romantic relationship, Danny was beginning to see the real Jo. He no longer adored her or thought she was wonderful as he did in the past. It was much easier seeing Jo that way when she felt like his sibling. That feeling was dissipating as well as the need to be Jo's friend. With the new found romance came a newfound resentment towards Jo from Danny.

Lacey's next movement caught the three by surprise. Lacey threw her arms around Jo in a friendly embrace.

"Are you okay?" Lacey's voice was laced with concern for Jo. After all, the girl had a knife to her throat not long ago. Not to ignore the fact that the affair between Vikram and Tess had came out during the confrontation about Charlie. Lacey had experienced having parents with a strained marriage. Lacey pushed Jo back still holding to her shoulders. "I've tried to call but you're probably not feeling up to talking."

"Danny and I have been busy lately." Despite Lacey being a genuine friend showing concern, Jo wanted it known with no uncertain terms that Danny belonged to her. It was then that Jo took Danny's hand back into hers not caring that Lacey may be hurt. As far as Jo was concerned, Lacey had stolen her property in Danny when they had seen each other. She was reclaiming what she felt rightfully belonged to her. Danny tried to remove his hand but Jo only squeezed it tighter.

Lacey desperately tried not to show her hurt but it was evident for a few seconds as the sadness skittered across her face. "Well, I have a Biology quiz to study for." Lacey swallowed as she rubbed Jo's arm. "I'm glad you're okay, Jo."

With those last words, Lacey gave another weak smile before readjusting her book bag. She then put back up her defensive wall as she walked away. Danny jerked his hand from Jo angrily. He shook his head but quickly sprinted after Lacey before Jo could make another remark.

"Lacey, hold up." Danny called after her. "Lacey." Lacey continued to walk in a hurried pace. Danny watched as she darted around a corner trying to avoid him. He knew he should probably leave her alone. However, Danny hated himself for being the source of Lacey's pain. He was compelled to at least talk to her about the current situation the trio found themselves in.

Danny hurriedly made his way around the corner thinking Lacey would be heading towards the library or another destination. Instead he found her leaning against the brick wall of the building trying to compose herself.

"Lace?" Danny touched her face not expecting to see her wet cheeks. Her walls had crumbled. "It's not…"

"It is." Lacey chuckled despite the tears that she wiped away. "I had said it was always her. It is difficult to face. I'll live, Danny. I promise. I'm a big girl."

"Sometimes, all I know how to do is survive, Lace." Danny wasn't sure if she would understand his words.

He wasn't sure he even understood what he was saying. But deep inside, he was dying each second. Danny stepped closer to Lacey out of a desperate need to feel something besides the numbness that had overtaken his soul. He pressed his body into hers pinning her to the brick wall. Lacey's eyes fluttered up to his as her puzzlement etched on her face. However, she didn't question Danny as she started to. She saw something in Danny that frightened her. The fright wasn't for herself but for him. His eyes looked afraid and lonely. The smirk and sparkle had faded into a dullness that Danny never displayed. His passion and longing still held its place momentarily when his eyes captured hers. Lacey would not take that second of living from Danny as his eyes begged her this allowance of breathing again. Therefore, Lacey yielded to Danny's silent request in spite of the fact this would cause herself more pain. She sacrificed for his moment of desperation.

Danny's body melted against Lacey's as his breathing escalated with his touching of her. There wasn't an inch of the front of their bodies that wasn't touching as Danny pressed against Lacey. His hands touched Lacey's shoulders then slid to capture her hands with his. Their fingers entwined grasping together tightly. He placed his head on her shoulder as Lacey's face went into the crook of Danny's neck. He whispered in a broken voice.

"I'm trying to survive." The cracking of Danny's voice caught Lacey off guard but she remained still against him. "But in order for me to survive, you need to be happy. I can't make you happy. I know this."

Lacey understood exactly what he was saying. With that knowledge came realization, Danny was right. She wasn't happy with him due to all the turmoil and problems that enshrouded their lives. She gripped his hands tighter to hers. She pressed her body tighter to him. His heartbeat could be felt by her even with the layers of clothing separating them.

Her eyes clenched shut as she allowed a moment of weakness of being enraptured by the feeling of Danny Desai holding her to him. They remained there for longer than both should've allowed but it was a desperate moment by them both. The moment turned into necessity as they breathed again forgetting both had been holding their breath.

The ringing of the next period bell was the only thing to break Danny and Lacey out of their ambivalence back into clarity. Danny stepped back allowing Lacey to escape him. He watched as she ran to make her way to her next class. Danny slid down the wall until he sat staring into space. Whitney approached him cautiously.

"I sent your little girlfriend on to class. I told her you needed some time to get your headspace right." Whitney stood over Danny like a predator over its prey. She sighed out as she took a bottle of pills from her purse. She tossed them towards Danny's feet. "If you need for your head to quit hurting or just some relief from all this…" She raised her arm and twirled her hand in the air. "...stuff called life."

Danny peered up at her. "I'm not into drugs, Whitney."

"Of course not, Danny." Whitney's voice softened with a facade of concern. "I have those left over from a bout with depression. It helped."

She walked off leaving Danny alone. Danny took his foot and nudged the pill bottle back and forth with the arch of his foot. He exhaled deeply before rolling the pill bottle as he listened to the rattle of the pills inside. His hand slid slowly to the pill bottle as he grasped it with his thick long fingers. Danny picked up the pill bottle as he stared at it. Twisting the bottle allowing the sun to hit it, Danny watched the capsules bounce around. He stuck the bottle in his pocket of his jacket before allowing his head to lean on his knees. Danny missed the feeling of wanting to live.

"What if I'm so broken I can never do something as basic as feed myself? Do you realize how twisted that is? It amazes me sometimes that humans still exist. We're just animals, after all. And how can an animal get so removed from nature that it loses the instinct to keep itself alive?"

―Amy Reed,Clean .