A/N: I would just like to thank Mimi1239 for reviewing the last chapter. Thanks for being sweet and supportive. I would also like to thank Guest for reviewing as well...reviews are always welcome! And you will find out all your questions in this chapter! I started watching Girl Meets World again and it's not bad...it has it's moments where it's corny and cheesy but it doesn't suck . Just wanted to throw that out there and ask if any of you have seen it? Here's chapter seven...there's five chapters left for now.

I'm telling you how much I need and bleed for,

Your every move and waking sound.

In my time

I'll wrap a wire around your heart and your mind.

You're mine forever now

Who wouldn't be the one you love and live for

Who wouldn't stand inside your love and die for...

-Smashing Pumpkins, "Stand Inside Your Love"

Over the next two days the Lawrence's household felt strained between Pru and Mrs. Lawrence. Pru kept her face blank and barely spoke to her aunt. Mr. Lawrence was aware of what happened when his wife came to bed later that night after Pru found the letter, leaving Topanga the last to know. Topanga also noticed a change in Pru's behavior, her room at the top of the house held the stuffy smell along with stomped out cigarettes laying on the floor. When Topanga started yelling off how Pru could get lung cancer and other health risks she received the flames that Pru spit out at her. Pru even went as far as shoving the girl out of her room and slamming the door in Topanga's face which made Topanga demand to know what was going on. Her father had no problem filling his daughter on what the issue was; much to his wife's dismay. Mr. Lawrence thought it was better to be honest with his children (He considered Pru like one of his own) than to lie to them. The man liked to be keep things peaceful in his household opposed to his wife who was not afraid to speak her mind no matter what the consequences would be. After hearing the news pertaining to Topanga's uncle she let Pru have her space before trying to talk to her about the situation.

Even though the sixteen year old tried to downplay what she really felt, Topanga could see how everything began to take it's toll on her. It started to show on her face, leaving dark circles underneath her eyes. When Topanga offered to get Shawn to talk to her about her father Topanga noticed a wave of darkness spread over her cousin's eyes. That was enough for Topanga to figure out that something went down with Shawn and her and if Pru wouldn't tell her she knew who would.

Two days was all that it took.

Two days for Pru to mentally and emotionally prepare herself for her meet with her father. She didn't bother informing her aunt on her whereabouts but she however noted that she would call Topanga or Uncle Jed as soon as she spotted a payphone. It wasn't that hard for her to sneak out of the house, actually she didn't really sneak out of the house. She played the, 'I'm not feeling well so I'm going to stay to home and there's nothing you can do to make me go' card with the Lawrence'. The night before Pru had a knapsack ready to go and auntie Rhiannon was the last to leave the house the next morning. She waited at least thirty minutes since her aunt tended to forget things and rush back home. So instead of "sneaking" out she exited out the front door with her knapsack against her back, she walked all the way to Chubbies for a quick breakfast before setting out for a walk to the gas station. Pru entered the station causally walking down the aisles in search of snacks. Pru had it all figured out she bargained with Chubby's nephew to give her a ride to New York City which roughly took an hour from PA. With her arms full of snacks she dumped the goods onto the counter ignoring the look the man behind the counter gave her. She was told by many boys at school that she looked like a "model" and that she should think about becoming one since she lived in New York for some time. They also told her that she shouldn't eat so much because it'll ruin her slim figure. Let's just say the girl couldn't get her fist down the boy's throat fast enough. Pru thought it was a load of crap and just guys talking game thinking they would get to make-out with her as if she would let that happen. Yeah she was pretty tall if you considered 5'5 or 5'7 tall (The last time she went to the doctor he would go back and forth between those two measurements so Pru was not exactly sure how tall she really was).

Pru chewed on her bottom lip eyeing the cigs in the case behind the store owner. The man took his time scanning each item before shoving them in a plastic bag, "11.65" He stated the total.

The dark haired teen dug into her jean pockets handing him the exact amount before eyeing the pack of cigarettes once more. She was sure to run out out soon with how many she's smoked over the pass couple of days. The man took the money from the sixteen year old expecting her to walk out of the store but when he closed the register to still see her standing there with her eyes on nothing but the glass case, that's when he became cautious.

"You have I.D.? You get the pack."

Pru blinked adjusting her eyes to the man before her, "What?"

The man looked at her as if she were a bit slow, "If you have I.D. you buy. I can't sell to minors, you have no I.D. you leave."

Pru scowled at the man snatching the bag from the counter then unzipped her bag, shoving the plastic bag into her bigger bag. She didn't bother to say anything else to the man although by the man denying her from buying, she wanted them more. It just something about someone telling her "No" or that she couldn't do something pushed her to prove them wrong. Pru paused outside of the store trying to calm herself feeling the urge to go back in there and get what was rightfully hers. She could feel the owner's eyes on her and could see from the corner of her eye that he was waiting for her to do something. Pru stepped over to the side to lean against the building to calm herself. Running her fingertips through her dark hair she breathed glancing around wondering where Chubby's nephew could possibly be. Fishing around in her jean pockets she walked over to the closest payphone dialing the number she memorized last night, the phone rung at least five times before she heard a raspy voice.

"Yeah?"

Pru raised an eyebrow, "When are you coming to get me?"

The background was extremely loud Pru didn't know if Chubby's nephew was at Chubby's, at a bar, or some party but one thing she knew was that the guy was not here.

"Who is this?!"

With a glare Pru stared at the payphone that she removed from her ear before placing it back, "Thanks for bursting my eardrum meathead! This is PJ, you promised you'd give me a ride on your bike to NYC?!"

A sound of breaking glass in the background did not confirm where Chubby's nephew remained, "Ohhhh...PJ! How are ya?"

Pru scowled, "I'd be better if I was on my way to NYC. Don't tell me you forgot about me?"

That's one thing everyone knew, the guy tended to get amnesia sometimes. No one knew if it was a medical condition or not but he really sucked at remembering things, Pru had no idea why she even trusted this guy to bring her anywhere. Maybe it was because she was desperate to see her dad, she called the building last night to let them know that she would be on her way. Pru had no idea what she would say to her dad, she figured she would just allow him to do the talking like he usually does.

"I...uh...I'm at the bar with a couple of fellas. I promised to help the guys with something important, you can't catch a ride from your godparents or something?"

Pru rolled her eyes knowing where this would go, "Don't you think I would catch a ride with them if I could? So I guess you're not coming, good luck with whatever it is you're doing...and oh thanks for nothing."

She slammed the phone onto the hook, crossed her arms sighing at how crappy this day was turning out. Her plan sounded just about right in her head but it was her own fault trying to get Chubby's nephew in on her plan. Pru turned just in time to see a guy standing at 6 ft something, bronzed hair gelled back, slightly thick facial hair, piercing blue eyes, and a cigarette attached to his lips watching her. Pru gave her a weird glance and began walking pass him, the guy grabbed onto her forearm causing Pru's heart to jump just a bit.

"Look I have a pocket knife and a lighter so if you don't let go of me...I'm not responsible for what happens to your face." Pru took a chance to stare up into his eyes.

The man looked to be in his late twenties smirking down at the young girl, he hollowed his cheeks as he took in the smoke but did not remove his grip on Pru. Pru kept her eyes on him, having a father in the mob taught her a few things. Never show fear no matter how scared you are. Pru narrowed her eyes, "Alright...you want me to scream bloody murder after I'm done with you? That's your choice."

Before Pru could place her unheld arm into her back pocket he let go of her. Pru but some distance between the two waiting for the strange man to say something, and was not expecting what would come out of his mouth.

"I heard about your little problem and I wanted to offer my services," There was something in his accent...southern? He sounded like he was from the Midwest or something and it didn't help that he was not a bad looking guy, but he was no Kurt Cobain or River Phoenix.

Pru glared at him, "What you're telling me is that you were minding my business?"

The man dipped his head hiding his smile as he stroked his beard. Weird.

"Not particularly. You're not the only one on this planet that needs to use a phone."

Pru turned her eyes into slits and fanned the eccentric man away, "Whatever. Go use the phone then, I clearly don't need it anymore."

He glanced over his shoulder to see someone else on it and shrugged his shoulders, "I could tell, you look like you wanted to break the poor telephone."

Pru crossed her arms, "Someone pissed me off."

"I take it that you get upset often." He tossed his finished cigarette to the ground before stepping on it.

Pru was not doing this. She squared her shoulders, "You don't know me. I don't even know why I wasted my time chatting with a complete stranger when I have other things to worry about, so I hope you have a nice day and that you don't stalk me or anything."

The Midwest man (that's what Pru would call him) snorted as she turned to walk away from him. He decided to follow after her and Pru turned around with a glare on her face, "Okay are you looking for a beat down?"

He laughed holding out his hand, "You remind me so much of my little sister. Excuse me for coming off a bit weird or mysterious, I often scare people off. My names Brody and what might your name be miss?"

Pru stared down at his hand for a few seconds before placing her hand in his, his hands were warm and gentle as he placed his other hand on top of hers as they shook hands. She kept strong eye contact with the man although her's were cold, his seemed friendly.

"It's certainly not 'Miss'...call me PJ," She answered before crossing her arms once more.

Brody nodded with a smile on his face, "Nice. I'm going to make you smile today PJ, just you wait. Now I think I can help you with your issue, I'm heading to NYC to visit someone and I wondering if you would like a ride?"

Pru could not believe this was happening. She didn't take handouts from anyone but she was doing this for her father. She was not scared of the Midwest Man - or Brody no longer but that doesn't mean he would not switch up on her. It only took a hour to get to where she needed to go and if she found out that the man turned out to be not what he seemed to be, she knew how to get out of situations like that...she's had so much practice. Trust.

"What do I have to do in return?" Pru asked skeptically.

Brody frowned, "Why would I want you to do anything?"

Pru let out a humorless laugh, "Where I come from people always want something in return."

"And where are you from?"

Pru held her arms out, "PA baby."

Brody waved his finger at her, "I'm not sure this whole town could be summed up like that...perhaps it's the people you've surrounded yourself with? I'm not like them...hope that didn't sound cliché. But the only thing I want out of you is..."

Pru thought she would get off easy but she somehow had her guard up. She knew it was all too good to be true, she just hoped Brody didn't turn out to be a pervert or anything.

"What do you want?"

Brody rested his hands on Pru's shoulders feeling her tense up.

"I want you to smile...you'll get wrinkles if you keep that scowl or glare on your face twenty-four hours a day."

Pru gave him a raised eyebrow and gave him a fake wide smile before dropping back to her original facial expression. "Happy? Now where's your ride?"

Brody still gave her a smile before pointing over to a dark blue pick-up truck waiting by a gas pump. Pru let out a loud sigh before stepping down when a horn and a car zoomed by her, Pru held up her middle finger towards the reckless driver not caring if that didn't make her look like a lady or not. Pru didn't realize that she was ripped back until she looked up to see Brody glaring at the car. Now that was a scary look, Brody let go of her and gave her a smile.

"Some people really shouldn't be on the road," Brody growled holding the passenger door open.

Pru shrugged ignoring his hand to help her into the truck. Brody got into the driver's side and started the car after he ordered Pru to buckle up. Pru waved her hands out sarcastically after she was strapped in, "Wait. Before you pull off...do you have any cigarettes left?"

Brody was not too bad of a guy, he didn't try anything with her. He was the title of a perfect gentleman. He treated Pru like a human being and not cautiously like everyone else seemed to do around her. He was comfortable, after all he did say she reminded him of his younger sister which she found out died a few years back and that's why he was on his way to NYC...to visit her. The girl was in love with the place and wished to live there when she went off to college so Brody suggested getting her buried there. Pru didn't ask how she died considering that it was rude to do so, what she did spill was her mother's death and how that changed her. Of course Pru went through a rebellious stage when she lived with her parents and maybe she was still going through one but it was nothing compared to how she was back then. The fighting, the stealing, the partying, and the ruthless moments. Pru was just cold now, blunt, a bit bitter, nonchalant, and empty but there was only one person that could bring out the best in her.

Brody wished her the best of luck when he dropped her off in the city that never sleeps. He wished he could have brought her to Syacruse where her father was but he had some other business to take care of before he visited his sister's grave. Pru didn't want to wait and just wanted to get the visit with her father over with already so she thanked Brody for doing as much as he could. He bid her farewell saying that, 'If we meet again and If our connection is stronger than ever...then that's how I know that my sister wanted me to meet someone like you.' And that was enough for Pru to give Brody her signature smile where her slight chubby cheeks molded into her eyes. Pru knew she had to be cautious now that she was back in New York, if she ran into other families that were involved in the mob business they would target her now that they considered her father a rat. Pru forgot how hard it was to flag down a taxi and how people tended to jump into the other side but when the third person tried to do so she threatened them which resulted in a large argument. The cab driver just urged the two to ride together or to 'Get the hell outta my cab'. Pru knew she would have the cab by herself since she needed to travel a good four hours while the person beside her only needed to go a few blocks over.

During the whole ride to Syracuse Pru drifted in and out of naps asking the driver if they were close by. When she decided to ask for the fourth time the driver cut her off pulling through the gate, "Don't ask me anymore kid...we're here. That'll be twenty-three dollars and eighty cents."

After paying for the cab Pru had to smoke a cigarette before gaining the nerve to walk into the building. Pru could not explain the vibe the whole building had as she walked down the smelly hallways after a police officer. Pru had to pass a few in-mates who kept their eyes on her, some calling out disturbing things to her and some yelling about how her whole family were 'rats!'. Pru was not there when her father was sentenced, she didn't want to be there, she couldn't even cope for a long time with what her father had done. Pru was immediately sent to foster care since the system took their sweet time to contact any of her remaining family members, she went through some coaching for a bit but she didn't want to talk to anyone. How could she?

"Miss. Jewel?" A sharp voice brought Pru back to reality.

She glanced over at the woman police officer with the jagged scars along her jaw. The woman held the door open waiting for the girl to go in after she handing over practically everything she entered NYC with.

"We have two cops inside and one outside...there's no need to be scared of anything."

Pru glanced over at the lady cop, "I have no fear towards my own father."

And with that being said the sixteen year old walked into what they would call the 'hospital' area of the jail. Behind that curtain would lay her father, behind that curtain she would hear what she's been waiting to hear for five years. A man with a white lab coat appeared in front of her, he offered her a smile.

"Hello? I'm guessing you are Carlo Jewel's daughter?" The man spoke.

Pru nodded, "How'd you know?"

He smiled, what was it with everyone smiling today?

"I can see a bit of him in you...but you look just like you're mother but just by glancing at your stance I can tell that you are related." The doctor answered.

Pru's been told that before, she looked exactly like her mother but she had her father's personality all the way. Pru didn't know what to say to that so the doctor waved her away from the curtain.

"I want to let you know something before you head over there. He's held on for a week because he has one last request...and that was to see you." The doctor tried as he stared down at the girl.

Pru's eyes snapped upwards. Last request? He held on for her? Her aunt probably knew this and continued to lie to her face. One thing Pru couldn't stand were liars and that's exactly what her aunt was. Pru blinked, "What-What you're telling me is...he's not gonna make it?"

The doctor sighed, he hated being the person to deliver bad news but this was his job.

Pru stepped back fanning her hands out, "Give me the bad news I can take it...tell it to me straight."

"He should have died minutes after the stab wound...it's a miracle he's held on this long. That guy may have been given the title as a "rat" but I know the truth and I know you want to know the truth and that's exactly what you're going to get. He's holding on for you."

Pru spent days trying to prepare herself for this but it just felt like that all went out the window. The man that helped create her was still here. He should have been dead a few minutes after he was stabbed. He wanted to see her. To tell her the truth, to make sure she understood. One thing Pru knew about her father was that he never explained himself to anyone and all of this was saying a lot about the man he was. Pru looked up at the doctor who was smiling down at her, she figured he's became good friends with her father over the pass days.

"Thank you," Pru let out taking the strong squeeze on her shoulder.

Pru paused once more from behind the curtain before moving to step around it. There lay her father laying on the bed almost looking lifeless...weak but she knew he was anything but. Carlo Jewel cracked his eyes open and Pru expected her father to be on a ventilator and knew that he was probably was by the way his voice sounded. He ripped the oxygen mask off his face and held his hand out towards his daughter, "Come here mini me."

Pru almost smiled at the nickname, her father started calling her that the second time she mouthed off to him. She was always small in size and based off of her personality everyone would call her lil Carlo. Pru pulled up a chair sitting down beside her dad's bed and hesitated before placing her hands in his. Pru tried to ignore the obvious wheezing her father made from the lack of air.

"Let...me...get...a good look at you," He stated running his hands over her cheeks, "My little girl."

Pru swallowed letting her dad memorize her as best as he could, "You look like crap daddy."

The way she said it sounded off to Pru but to Carlo it meant something. He could see that her guard was slowly- very slowly started to break down as her eyes went all over the wires connected to his body. He wanted to laugh but he knew that would just make things worse, "I see you're still being wise."

Pru gave him a small smile, "Yeah well I learned from the best."

Pru should be upset with her father, she should feel hurt with all that he's put her through. She may not know the whole story just yet but it was still all there, the hurt, the anger, the betrayal, the abandonment, the blame...it was all buried there and she knew it would burst somehow but at this moment in time she was losing him. She was losing the man she thought she knew and still loved and nothing would change that.

Carlo gave his daughter a smile, "I know...we have a lot to talk about and I thank you...for showing...up."

Pru moved to place the oxygen mask over her father's face so he could try to catch his breaths.

"Blame auntie Rhiannon for that...she lied to me about you."

Carlo nodded, his wife's sister never really liked him in the first place and couldn't bring himself to be upset with the woman that had her reasons to dislike him. She was now taking care of his little girl and would continue to do so for as long as she could.

He removed the mask, "I understand."

Pru frowned, "You understand?" It was starting, "I have never met someone so controlling and that's saying something since you're my father."

Carlo squeezed Pru's hand with what little strength he had, "Hush. I am a bad guy, you know that, everyone knows that. I know when you entered this building you were probably considered a rat because of me. I caused all of this, I messed up."

Pru nodded, "You did."

Carlo sighed, "I have to get everything off my chest because we know what my fate is."

"Dad please," Pru pushed herself backwards.

Carlo pulled her towards him, "No you listen to me. I was set up...lost all of our money and knew that people would come not only after me but you guys as well."

Pru knew where this conversation was going but she was not ready to deal with this conversation. She had to hear it whether she wanted to or not.

"We fought about it for days and the only option was to...handle the situation ourselves to end it all."

Pru frowned, "Why-why would you think of doing something like that...did you expect me to do it as well?"

Carlo nodded, "I did...your mother switched her mind at the last minute and I-I was going to make it look like an accident but you came home earlier than I expected."

"So you took matters into your own hands and murdered my mother because of the crap you did? Mom didn't want you involved in this mob stuff, and you wanted to join it just because that was grandpa's life and you knew how that turned out! You taught me to be selfless yet you were the most selfish person I have ever met and now...now I'm the one being selfish as I'm growing up. I worry about myself more than anymore else and sometimes it's okay but not all the time. Dad...you broke this family! When things got too hard you gave up, mom didn't want that but she followed along because she loved you. I loved you and I looked up to you no matter how hard you made life for me. For five years I was left in denial thinking it was all a dream that my own father murdered my mother...and now I find out it had to do with the mob stuff but I feel like it was more than that. So tell me what it was."

Carlo knew that his daughter would question everything and would see through it all. She was a smart mouthed kid but she could also see through anyone's crap. "I thought your mother was having an affair with my boss...he set me up. All that money I worked hard for belonged to him, that money that I thought I owned was used against me...he knew I was a better business worker than him and became jealous...what I didn't know was the problems his father had with mine and he wanted to destroy me for my father's mistakes."

Carlo placed the mask back on his face on his own this time. Pru stared at him. An affair? Her mother was as loyal as could be, she would not hurt her father no matter how many times he's hurt her. That's not the kind of person she was.

"I didn't know what to do...I didn't want to hurt my family but I did it anyway...it was the easy way. I ratted the boss out instead of re-building myself and this is exactly what I deserve. I don't want you to become like me, I don't want you to be a victim to anything or anyone. I want you to get rid of the big black balloon you have that sitting in your chest and start living. I can't apologize for doing what I did to your mother because it won't bring her back, but I can apologize for causing you great pain. I am so sorry. You are my daughter, you were my fresh breath and chance at life...even though this relationship may never be mended...I want you to stop living your days with such darkness. Climb out of the abyss and live."

Pru felt tears at the brim of her eyes, she was so sick of crying, so sick of this.

"How can I live with all of this piled up on top of me? You don't get to tell me to get over something I lived with for years...I don't know if I can ever forgive you daddy. I understand now but I don't know how...how to forgive you. Do you want me to forgive you just so you know that when you died you left this world knowing that you've done everything you thought was right? Just like you've done five years ago?" Pru spoke now standing.

Carlo wheezed as he watched his daughter pace, "You need to let go. How do you expect to get anywhere in life when you hold onto everything I did?! I can see that in you, I was just like that when I was growing up and I don't want that for you. It'll always be on my soul that I betrayed you and my family, that'll never leave. I want to die knowing that I had a conversation with my daughter, leaving her with actual wisdom no matter what. We know how my story ends but yours doesn't have to."

"HOW? Tell me where I can put all of this down? I keep all my problems locked up, is it good for me? No! I don't know where to let all of this go! I don't! I just don't know daddy! I don't know a lot of things, I'm lost and I'm pretty sure I'll be lost when..." A sob escaped Pru's lips, "I don't know how to love because of you. I want to so badly you have no idea but the last person I loved is dead and now I'm losing someone else I used to love."

Carlo waved his arms for Pru to come into his arms. Pru felt like a child again who loved the only man she knew how, she was angry and hurt that she wanted all this time to talk with her father just to lose him. They both know that she'll hold onto what he's done for a long time, since she didn't know how to forgive people. She laid her head on her father's chest as he stroked her hair kissing the top of her head, "I know this is hard. I know forgiveness is hard, I'm sorry for causing you great pain mini me. I'm just happy that I can...can...tell you that I love you and that'll I'll always be proud of you."

When she felt her father stop stroking her hair she popped her head up just in time to hear the machine announce that his heart has stopped. Pru's face began to fill with more tears as she called out to him, "Dad? Daddy!"

There was so much that needed to be said, so much that Pru wanted to know and time that she wanted to spend. She thought visiting him would be different, that it would be filled with nothing but screams and shouts. All Pru felt was her heart sinking into her stomach, she had no parents left. Pru moved to place a kiss to her father's forehead, "I love you...and I-I forgive you." Pru sobbed resting her head on his chest once more.

The doctor and nurses rushed in but all Pru felt was pain, it wanted to be known. The doctor rested his hands on the back of Pru since she screamed at the nurses to let go of her. He encouraged her softly to let go of her father, and she did. She ignored the words the doctor said to her and retrieved her things exiting out of the jail to sit at the back of building. She slid against the building her fist balled up towards her mouth, her body shaking, her eyes red with tears. The girl couldn't catch a break. She didn't know how long she sat there, failing to hide her sobs behind her fist, but she felt like her heart was going to burst right out of her chest. By placing her hand on her chest it didn't help the pain but when she finally stopped crying she smoked three whole cigarettes watching the sky fill with constellations.

"There you are! Are you out of your mind? We spent the entire day looking for you? Did you honestly think that I wouldn't find you?"

It was no shock for Pru to see her aunt standing right in front of her. It was only a matter of time before she would meet her own devil in disguise. Pru looked up at her with red eyes and dark bags underneath them. Pru ignored her aunt taking the last inhale of her cigarette.

"Are you? Are smoking?!" Her aunt questioned with wide eyes.

Pru tossed the the stick onto the ground and pushed herself up, "What does it look like?"

Her aunt's face darker as she stepped towards Pru, "I have had enough of the way you talk to me. Do you have any idea how long it's taken for me to drive up here and get you?"

Pru let out a loud, "That's just like you Auntie Rhiannon you only care about yourself. You only do good things because you think you'll get some award for being a good person. But you're not, you're nothing but a snake in the grass. Lying to your family is never okay. The first thing you do is scream at me as if I'm gonna listen to you. Uncle Jed understands now, he treats me with respect and that's what he gets in return from me. You thought it was best to keep me from my dying father?!"

"He murdered my sister-" The older woman started.

"Don't you think I know that?! I was there to see it happen and you weren't! I was angry at him for such a long time and all he wanted to do was tell me the truth before he died...and I get it. The way he went about it was wrong but regardless that man was still my father, you talk so badly about him and I get that too but don't do that around me. I loved him even after all this time." Pru announced her feelings for once to her aunt, she just hoped she would take it.

Aunt Rhiannon held her head down for a second before speaking, "She was my sister long before she was your mother. I'll never have respect for that man, I did what I thought was best for you. You didn't need to surround yourself with a man like that."

Pru threw her hands in her hair as she looked up at the sky asking for someone to help her.

"You don't get it! You just don't get it! He is dead. My father is dead, and I couldn't tell him that I loved him and forgave him because you kept me from him! Auntie Rhiannon there is no way we can ever have a relationship with the things you say or do because I don't like you. I think you're ugly inside and there's something that's made you that way. My daddy taught me that. There was something inside of him that made him the person he was, and there's something in me that makes me the way I am but I'm trying to get better. I'm trying but I'm not begging for you to understand that I don't like how you treat me."

"How do I treat you, Prudence?" Auntie Rhiannon asked after taking a deep breath.

Pru swallowed, "Like I don't matter. Like I'm just a chore that you always need to tend to. You want to fix me and I don't need anyone to fix me but myself. I want some respect and that's the only way this relationship will ever work. Where did you park the car?"

The woman was speechless, she didn't realize that she seemed to be harsh on the girl. She wanted to take care of her because she was her sister's daughter, that's not the only reason Rhiannon Lawrence should look at it though. Rhiannon was known for speaking her mind and she did not expect her own niece to feel this way towards her. She felt like she failed her sister. The woman pointed in the direction of where the car was parked and went towards the direction of the building and Pru wondered where she was heading but decided to get away from the building herself. As she was walking towards the parking lot she didn't expect Topanga, Cory, and Shawn to be standing outside and in front of the car. Topanga noticed Pru stop in her tracks and looked at the two boys before moving to stand before Pru.

"How are you holding up?" Topanga asked with concern written in her eyes.

Pru gave her a weak smile, "Not good."

Topanga nodded pulling her cousin into her arms, "I am so sorry Pru...and I promise not to yell at you for how big of an idiot you are."

Pru snorted, "Then you wouldn't be yourself if you didn't yell at me."

Topanga pulled back to give her a playful glare before stepping back to see Cory standing beside the two. Cory scratched the back of his head, "I uh...death sucks."

Pru nodded, she figured the group of friends heard the yelling at the back of the building since there was no one else around. "Tell me about it."

Cory placed his hand on Pru's shoulder giving her a small smile as Topanga gave him a slap as they walked back towards the car. Shawn was the last to make his move with his hands dug deep into his pockets. He looked as if he hadn't been sleeping in a few days, Pru looked away from him before glancing back.

"I don't want to fight with Hunter, not after the crap day I've just had." Pru held her hands around her stomach.

Shawn was tempted to run to the back of the building when he heard Topanga's mother screaming at Pru but Topanga and Cory held him back. He hated when people talked down to others, especially Pru. It took him some time to realize that he messed up after Topanga and Mrs. Lawrence basically told him how it looked in a females point of view.

"I didn't come here to fight...I'm a jerk okay? You know how I am and I panicked. After what you wrote to me that night I didn't think that you would feel that way days later so I started dating someone else. It sounds bad and I'm sure it really looked bad...and I'm going to stop before this leads to anything else because you look like you need a Hunter hug." Shawn spoke running a finger against Pru's tear dried cheek.

Pru rested her hand on top of Shawn's hand and gave him a smile, "I sure do...but don't make this a habit."

Shawn smirked and moved his hand from her cheek to the back of her shoulders. Pru pressed her nose into Shawn's shoulder and closed her eyes embracing his scent. Her hands gripped onto the back of Shawn's shirt trying to push herself closer to him as if that were possible. Pru felt like crying feeling the truth of it all, of course the situation with her and Shawn still needed to be fixed but for now she just wanted the pain to go away. Pru needed something good to come for her for once and something about Shawn made her feel like it would come true no matter how terrified she was.

Pru pulled back but not without getting a whiff of something, "Shawn? Why do you smell like a farm animal?"

Shawn chuckled running his hands through his hair, "It's a long story...but his name was Lil Cory."

Pru rolled her eyes and grabbed Shawn's hand throwing his arm over her shoulder (much to his surprise) as they walked over towards the car. She listened carefully to what she missed and as long as it kept her mind off of her father's death then she would be okay.

A/N: Not a lot of Pru/ Shawn in this chapter but I hope you're okay with it. Do you guys get what Pru is trying to do? It'll probably backfire on her in the next chapter. I am going to try my best to update my four other stories before going back to school next week (BOO!) so let me in on what you're thinking for this chapter pretty please? -ALovelyEccentricSoul xXx