"Yay, it is up." My mom said over the phone as I stared sadly at the forest that I claimed as mine. My cat rolling on the dust ground, the hot sun shinning on me so warmly.

"You did an amazing job in some places." I smiled sadly. "You really made it better, good job, oh that place always made me sad, the paint colors. I did miss the chicken's in a coop that does not seem to be there anymore, it was next to the green house."

I looked over and peered at the broken greenhouse I did my hardest to clean up. I could see in the land around it there was grass but a tiny spot was coming in patchy. "So they will contact me and I will send them to you to take a look, I am so excited."

"Mom." She kept going on about what we could do with this money, mostly me going to school and getting a real job. "Mom." I spoke again.

"Ya?"

"Why do you hate it here, why do you want so badly to sell this place?"

"Why don't you?" She seemed defensive. "Look the people suck, they know everything about you without you saying a word, they know every business, you are labeled a person and there is no getting out of it."

She was starting to get angry.

"It can break your heart." She made a noise. "It is only an old outdated farm. Are you going to clear it, plant it, deal with loads of animals alone? The way that town want's you to be some kind of personal farmer for crap money and you watch people you care about leave you behind when they are done with you and you can not escape them."

I was stunned, I could hear the pain in her voice making me stare at the ground even sadder.

"I have to go, sorry, I love you." And she hung up, my hand dropped as the ding of her letting the call go faded. I don't know what happened but I guess I can understand.

I stood up to take a long hot shower and get dressed and hit up my possible last Friday night in the town.

Can't believe it has been three weeks, I have been here so long already, I will stay until it sells. Get to know this amazing place come summer, that would open up so much to me I can't do in the city. Who knows could be a while or it could be soon.

Be friends with these people for a little longer, a chance I will see Sabastian one day in the city makes me happy. They feel more real then anyone I have hung out with in sometime.

I still need a moment with Abigail, I hope I can break down that wall before I leave. Maybe I will go early and try and have a moment with her, she is so cool. I want to be closer.

Pulling into the parking spot there was a wide yellow SUV with kayak's on the roof. I eyed it over slightly in love. There is strangers in town, how cool. I tossed my key's in my hand and slid them into my pocket as I headed to the square.

I saw two men and one women talking to Abigail in the square with no one else around.

I need to try a kayak. Yawning I walked towards them curious, maybe they are staying here for a while.

"What is this hair?" The women spoke. "Country hick, I bet you screw your brother." My head snapped up as I glared to the back of the blonde girls hair, the two men chuckling.

"Oh shut up, your voice sounds like a train horn, so annoying." Abigail said back with a sneer.

I walked up beside them as she gave a look to the men who stood there looking at Abigail like she was trash, her eye's making fun of her. "Honey." Her snide tone pissed me off.

I slid next to her with a fake smile. "Hi there." Cutting the women off who glared at me and looked me over. "Please just leave her alone and do what ever it is your here for."

"No they can just leave, I wont let them use the store." Abigail snarled. They looked at her like, how are you going to stop that. Sharing a cocky look with one of the men who stood behind the queen bitch.

"Just leave." I stepped forward to her standing up for the short girl next to me.

"I am not afraid of some trailer trash hicks that don't know the difference between their boyfriend and cousin." She laughed at me crossing her arms.

"These loser's..." Abi started and the women swung at her.

I kind of moved gripping her wrist right before it hit Abi while Abi jumped backwards shocked. I pulled on her arm making the random bitch stumble forward as I tripped her and she landed on her face before I let her go twisting her arm a little.

Time was slow for a second as everyone was shocked. It did not surprise me about these men when one moved to hit me. I almost dodged his punch but he hit my shoulder, I hit back right in the nose. He gripped his nose stumbling backwards and a little blood came out.

The last came at me as the girl was standing up and Abigail was frozen in her spot.

I ducked and he missed, I got him square in the chest with all my strength. I moved close as he stepped back and I tripped him. He landed on his knees before I uppercutted his face and he fell over but getting back on his feet fast.

The other man came at me again. "You slut." I dodged again but he was slower then me. This time I was pissed and jabbed in the throat. I may be fighting dirty but I don't like to fight and I mostly leaned self defense for big damage to get away from creepy men.

They all got up and stared at me ready to jump me all together when they froze, looked scared and ran away to their car yelling threats. I looked down on Abigail holding her face in my hand making sure she was not hurt as she stared back at me with big eye's.

Then we paused and looked behind us at the same time where Sabastian, Sam, Shane and Alex stood there look tough and angry as they all stared at that group of people.

I saw the car pull away as they dumped garbage out and drove off.

"I would have run too if I saw you guys." I joked excited, I dropped her face and looked away from them. "Damn that's hot." I said to her quietly and she nodded with a small smile and a chuckle before looking back at Sab so excited.

Sam's face changed to the largest cutest smile and ran at me. "That was fucking amazing." He pulled me into a hug and slightly spun me around. "Girl is a bad ass." I chuckled as they walked to us.

I spotted Shane looking at me in his real clothes. He just stared at me before he walked away. I watched him go for a second, did I want to chase him?

"Adalyn." The jock walked up to me with a cocky head nod. "That was so cool." He smiled at Abigail with a different look. "Way to stand up for yourself." He patted her head and she smiled up at him.

"You okay?" Sab looked down on her

I smiled at the moment between them as Sam was talking about this one move I did he was like, "I was like whoa she is amazing." He wrapped his arm around me and looked at Alex. "Dude we would have destroyed them if needed."

"Oh no doubt bro." He fist bumped him.

We all kind of headed to the bar as Sam kind of dragged me there. I was feeling a little nervous for no reason, I don't know why I slightly wanted to hide in a hole but I ignored it and faked a smile as they chatted.

My shoulder started to hurt, I rubbed it and no one noticed, he hit me hard, imagine if he did not slightly miss me.

Alex hung out with us as we moved to the pool table. "Oh man I never play this." He spoke excited.

"Ya you are like never in here." Abigail said to him.

"Ya, can't drink with my goals." He smiled. "I will be in lights soon, just wait."

Sam gave a face and looked at him. "You better get me free ticket's for the games."

"I will mail you all season ticket's." He laughed back.

I stepped to get drinks for the four of us and I leaned next to Shane. "Thank you." I smiled down on him and he looked at me blankly.

"Ah, I am drunk, if I had to fight I probably would have just fell down." He sipped his drink but I enjoyed his joke making me so ecstatic laughing a little.

"Adalyn." Abigail yelled so loud the whole pretty empty bar looked at me. It was early for some seeing Shane squint like she yelled in his ear, he frowned and looked away.

She ran at me with her phone and showed me a picture of my farm to me. "You posted it and you did not tell me."

I was startled. "You gonna just leave and not tell us." She was more angry then I figured she cared.

"What?" Pam yelled. "Like mother like daughter." She sneered making me look back at her confused. I need to ask Pam about my mom. That bitch knows everyone's business. She told me a few story's that I cared not to know and of people I barely talked to.

"Really, I thought we could be friends." I looked back at her and she really seemed truthful.

I grabbed her hand and turned on a flirt as a joke, my hands holding her's. "I would never leave without telling you, I may just pack you away and take you with me." She rolled her eye's.

"Be serious." She rolled her eye's.

"Ya, but I told myself I will stay until the last moment."

"Then just don't." She said quietly.

"There is reasons." I mumbled the feeling of guilt built in me again.

"What reasons?" She confronted.

"Come on, she does not live here, you knew this." Sabastian stood up for me. "Now get over here and beat Alex or your band from this game."

"Ya I never play." He laughed sipping a soda.

"Come on." She grabbed the drinks and dragged me away a little angry.

I grabbed as much food as I could from Pierre's hating that man from Joja, I looked at some chips and debated. Good or cheep. I spent to much money and I needed to stop until I sell the farm. I was leveling them back and forth.

I spent too much it was stupid and I am putting myself on a budget from here on out.

I heard some whispers and I picked the cheep while grabbing some toilet paper. I peeked out of the Isle as Pierre and Caroline were fighting so quiet. I could not hear them but she pointed in my direction. I stared confused and shocked as I hid and tried to read the lips.

She mouthed that 'she needs to stop buying from here." I almost jumped at Elliott that got so close he hit the side of me, ducking in the same way as me.

"What are you doing here?" I looked around. "How did I not see you." I whispered. "Freaking cat."

"I like to buy here, keep the mom and pop shops open for longer." We watched them fight more and she smacked the counter and walked into the back door where her home was.

Wait, I slid on the floor looking at him sad.

"Did you sleep with him?" He squatted looking at me serious but like he would not judge me.

Fear crossed my face. "No!" I yelled quietly but to loud I shut up and covered my mouth before looking at him confused and shook my head.

"Really?" He tapped his chin. "Then this is drama I don't get." He looked me over with a weird tint in his eye and pulled out his phone starting to write this down. I slowly stood up and shook my head. "Can I use this?" He asked not looking at me.

"Ya." I don't care.

"I wonder why she hate's you. Oh I need to find out."

"I have to go." I mumbled ready to buy my shit, they know I am here. I walked to the till and he watched with his hands on his phone as Pierre just acted normal, Elliott was peeking behind the isle but clearly seeable.

I wanted to yell, you suck at hiding.

"Look hi." He spoke to me and I was ready to be told to not come back breaking my heart because I feel the same way as Elliott.

He stared for a moment, a long awkward moment and I waited yelling 'just say it' in my head but he bent down and picked up a small pack.

"I have not seen Marnie and this package has been here for a few day's." I was startled. "I know you live kind of next to her, could you drop this off." He smiled at me, it felt so fake. Does mine look that fake?

"Sure." He nodded and I payed him and I left, I eyed the book boyfriend once more I was shocked when he chased after me leaving the store.

"You need to let me know when you find out." He paused. "You don't need an egg now." He walked back into the store.

I threw my stuff into the truck and leaned unsure what to do. I looked at the box and I was not going that way at all but why not.

I walked right into Marnie's store part and leaned next to the counter in wait, I opened the chocolate bar I just bought and ate it like a pig as I leaned.

Marnie's bedroom just opened and there staring right at me was Lewis buttoning his pants, he froze and stared at me with so much fear. I was a little odded out at what they just did because they reminded me of grandparents before I smiled glad they are together even if she is a lot younger then him.

"I was just" I nodded with my smile. Marnie stepped from behind him and froze too. "I was just." He said again as he pointed, failing to find an excuse.

I still smiled. "I wont tell anyone" They shared a look. "Not sure why you don't want people to know but." I held up the box. "I have this for you." I looked at Marnie.

Lewis left awkwardly with more speed then I thought he had in him.

She looked inside before sliding it back into my hands. "Ah this is for the chickens, ordering online takes so long out here." I looked down confused on why it was now mine.

"What you don't want it?" I asked.

"Oh no dear, Shane deals with the chickens and that is for the chickens." I was still confused. She waved me towards the rest of the home. "I think he is here, saw him like." She looked at me and blushed. "Two hours ago."

I was frozen as she walked off. Cringe on my face, I did not need to to know that about Lewis. But, good for you man.

"Jojamart is closed today." She waved at me and I walked to his room. I knocked and waited and no one. I looked down the hall at a little girl peeking at me. I waved and she waved back before giggling and running away.

"Shane?" I called and knocked again and the door cracked, I peeked in and he was on the floor passed out snoring loudly. I put down the box and squatted next to him looking at all 24 cans of beer surrounded him.

I felt like something was really wrong here.

I patted his face. "Shane?" Should he wake up, its like the middle of the day. I kneeled next to him rubbing his face and hair. "Shane." I spoke a little louder trying to be kind.

"Hey I am getting some cheesecake for you." Marnie yelled.

"Thanks'." I spoke worried, I hovered over him. Marnie walked in and stared down sadly.

"Again." She sighed. His face curled into my hand. "I don't know what to do anymore." She almost cried. "Why does he do this to himself."

I hovered completely on top of him and got annoyed. "Shane!" I smacked him hard.

"What the fuck!" He said as he grabbed his face and rolled around on the ground before he looked up at me over top of him, he kind of just stared for a moment before he looked like he would be sick and I sat up as he did.

He tried to stand up but fell onto his ass not able to get up.

"Shane all you do is mope and drink, what is wrong with you?" Marnie yelled. I froze, her mood just shifted.

"You wouldn't understand." His voice was slurring.

"Then talk to me." She almost yelled, I could still hear the fear as I sat here. "I'm worried." I just watched them talk awkwardly unsure what to do. "Why don't you think about your future, where is your plans?"

"Plan." He darkly laughed, it was so angry I felt it in my gut with worry. "I don't plan to be around long enough for a plan." The little girl screamed from down the hall and Marnie ran out slightly shutting the door to protect the girl from this.

I just stared, he seemed to not look at me. Did that sound the way it sounded. Is that what I think it means.

He fell onto his ass and held his head in his hands.

Unsure what to do I sat on my own ass, no way I could leave right now and I stared at the man I thought to be a friend. "Leave." He did not move and it sounded so pained. I shifted closer on the floor. "Just go." He was almost crying and he does not want me to see. But when he started to panic I needed to make him calm down.

What do I do.

I know touching someone in a panic is not the best idea but I reached out anyway my hand on his leg, I held back throwing myself on him in a large hug. Cuddle with him until he felt a little better.

He did not move for a whole second when I started to rub slightly.

He stood up a little shaky. "Urg." With anger as he kicked a soccer ball but it came back and hit me in the head he just looked at me with so much sadness "I."

"I am fine." I smiled and stood up.

He just turned and leaned on the wall, his fists shut as he pressed them next to his head. I moved forward. If he reacts bad that is alright, I will back off.

I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed into him. when he did not move or tell me to stop I held on tighter laying my head on his smelly back.

We just stayed like that, in silence not moving as I felt him breath slower and slower. I want to make him smile, I needed to help him.

He moved so fast out of my embrace and shuffled off quickly slamming the bathroom door behind him. I heard him lose some alcohol right then. I leaned on the wall and looked down the hall at Marnie that stared back at me, sharing a look of sadness.

I slid down the wall and waited, I heard a few more sniffles and a few more yaks. Not sure how long I waited when he opened the door smelling and looking worse.

"Your still here?" I nodded

"Feel better?" I asked, his skin was pale, he looked sick and weak.

"I never feel good." I just stared up at him. "Leave, I don't want you here." He walked back into his room and I slowly stood up. Marnie shaking her head at me again and walking away. "I know all you have to say, I have heard it, go away."

"Are you sure?" I leaned on his door frame as he flopped into his small twin bed. "I can say that this makes me want to hug you. That I am sure you have heard." I walked closer and sat on his bed next to him and he glared at the floor.

I needed to speak, what do I say? "I did not drink myself away but I did with videogames. I had what I call wow hair. Not showered in weeks, gained weight, do nothing else, feel like shit."

"Before I came here I even forgot what a real friend was like. You are an amazing man, you may not like me, that might be why but I am thankful and I needed a man like you in my life."

I looked at him. "I have not liked a friend more then I like you in years." I pulled his face to me hating the smell patting him kindly.

He stared at me zoned out, not sure what was going on his sleepy eye's. He was just staring. "I like you." He spoke making me feel nervous and like I spoke to much. "I am not sure I follow."

"Ya your right, I sounded weird." I dropped my hand and bounced on his bed a little. "Hey, this is better then mine." I stood up.

He still stared at me lost in his half asleep head. I feel like he was in some other world. He watched me walk away and I grabbed him his box. "Here."

"Your giving me your box?" The way he spoke made me smile, sounded a little dirty.

"Nope that is mine but I am giving you this." I held it out and he opened it. He actually chuckled reaching out but he dropped it. I shut my eye's in pain, he is so sleepy. I think he needs to sleep. He wont remember this I know it.

Honestly a little thankful to that.

I put my face in front of his handing the box to him and smiled kindly before kissing him on the cheek. He moved fast making his lips land on mine but I pulled back shocked feeling like I just took advantage of him. "You did that." I mumbled and stood up.

I pushed him on his back and grabbed his blanket.

"Ah can like here." What did he say? I pulled it over him and spun him on his side covering him. I moved and grabbed a bucket so I asked her and Marnie was back in here helping me in a way she seemed to know off heart.

"This happens about once a week, mostly on the day's he does not work and wakes up to early." I nodded. "I have cleaned so much puke it wont make a difference."

She smiled at me. "He has not had a single friend since he came here, so it is nice to see one but, it's been over a year, the man let's you down when it comes to this or anything that stops him from this." I frowned. "He is amazing with Jaz and the chickens but you wont get what you want from him."

"What do I want?" I felt a little protective of the passed out guy.

"What everyone want's." She walked away seeing me tense. "But try, he will pick beer over you every time, I wish it was different but I am sorry to say he takes after his dad and that is not a man you want to know." She was then gone.

My heart dropped looking at him. What was he like?

I shifted the bucket closer and stared at his face, he opened his eye's and looked at me.

"You wont remember this I can tell." I said softly. "But I hope you have good dreams." I just looked at him sadly and headed out. My heart reaches to him, maybe it knew it was like this for him.

What do I do anyway, I wont be here. I almost wanted to cry as I walked through my yard and saw my cabin and noticed.

I drove there.

I spun around and walked back, the drive home was annoying as I was right there. I came to the road that heads to the open highway, I turned and started to drive.

It was so bright and warm with the windows down and the music playing. I just drove. I found my way to a nearby town.

I did not lie, I have hit on him so many time's, I have been in bad positions, I have been so wasted and the man was nothing but a friend to me. I love the trio and I am sad they are not friends with Shane.

Can I make them friends before I leave?

I craved male friends that were nothing but friends my whole life. But truthfully, with Shane I might not be the pure friend. Sam makes me laugh so hard, he is a great friend. Honestly I should get closer to Sab because I want Abigail to win him if she has not yet.

That would be the most platonic friendship.

I love these people, I have not loved people since high school. I just tolerate bitches or creepy guys because I am lonely.

I passed through the new town, driving was normal. Stores on the road, so many scattered on both sides of the road, parking spaces.

I pulled into a parking spot spotting an ice-cream Shoppe and headed in with excitement. Walking out with a large cone I just walked around window shopping at real stores and place's to eat. A dollar store I wondered into for shampoo and razors, socks. Anything I needed, I love dollar stores.

How long did it take me to get here?

Thirty minutes maybe. I got to write this place down.

I came across a clothing store and I walked inside.

I have not gone clothes shopping in what feels in ages. I just looked around excited finding new dresses for summer and some cute shoes. This very farmer overalls that were honestly cute.

"Hey farmer." I looked behind me and there was Emily and Haley. "Damn that is cute." She held it up. "So you." She sneared like it was insulting.

Damn Haley is a bitch. Emily looked over a dress in my cart.

"Oh I could make this." She held it up to her sister.

"Ah give it more color and then make it for me." She smiled at her. "She made the dress she is wearing is it not the cutest." I smiled, it really was. That is a neat skill, another pretty girl with interesting skills.

We kind of looked around together without speaking about it but we kind of hovered around each other to the point we started to show and chat and look.

"Oh, Alex would love me in this." She held up revealing bathing suit. "Get your self one for summer, I spend every day at the beach." She picked out a ugly one piece and threw it at me.

"I also would like to be cute." I spoke back. She laughed like that was new. I looked at it. "Look at the brown and green I would look like a burger."

"With your thighs people might actually think so." Emily scolded her sister and apologized to me. I don't love them, I don't hate them but Haley has style. I was honestly leaving with cute clothes because of her good eye.

Emily asked if I wanted to eat dinner with them while they were out here.

"Some real food, please." I followed them down the block and around the corner to a cute little place.

"So why are you here all alone?" Haley asked, Unsure what the tone meant.

"I was just." I sighed. "I felt drowning in emotion and needed space."

She leaned forward and Emily looked at me and shook her head behind Haley's. "So what boy did that to you?" I peeked at Emily still shaking her head telling me to not say a word to her as she sipped her drink.

"Alex." I leaned forward and Emily spit out her drink.

Haley stood up angry and I laughed waving to make her sit. "I am sorry I thought it would be funny, don't hate me." She sat down pissed but eyed me over.

"His name is Fred." I sighed and Emily smacked her head looking at me. "He was from the city and well I will never see him again."

"Oh how long did you date?" Emily just rubbed her head defeated. This girl must be a horn on information. She is going to talk shit and spread rumors.

I felt like starting one, test the waters. There is a reason my mother said that to me. Maybe I can find out more.

"Ya he was like this huge muscle man and he was in a pretty famous band, I wont say what, it was a secret." Both their eye's got large. "He is so rich but I was nice and did not go crazy with his money." Haley leaned in closer. "I miss his home and his large pool and all the parties."

"Did you meet other bands?" I nodded and bit my lip shyly. Emily was looking at me with this look on her face as I reved up her sister. I think she knows I am lying.

"Oh I think I met him." Emily spoke up making me smile at her. "Oh ya he was in the store that one day a bit back." I nodded and Haley was treating me like royalty. "Oh you should have seen him with his long hair." She waved her hands.

"Oh he owned the coolest car." I spoke back.

"I saw that, he smelled so good." She mumbled.

"I am sad it is over." I sipped my drink and ate a small bread bun.

"I bet." Haley looked away. "Alex will be that kind of man soon."

"I really hope so." I spoke back serious.

After we ate I tossed my stuff in my truck and Emily hung around me. "That was all a lie right?"

"Ya, I know how the gossip works, they already know of fake Fred."

"Fake?" I looked at her and she seemed so trustworthy but so did Leah.

"Ya it was." I looked at her and around, if it get's out I can't trust her. "It was someone else from town." I hopped in the truck. "Don't worry, it was not anything serious and it was not Alex but it would have been gossiped like it was something and it was not, so I let it go."

She stared at me before she gave a kind smile and nodded.

I sighed. "Why I named him Fred I don't know, what a stupid name right?" I asked and laughed and she chuckled placing a hand over her mouth and nodded again, kindness in her eye's. "I did not even tell Abigail this."

She waved me off kindly.

I felt a little rude to Haley, I am kind of in a bad mood.

Maybe if they gossip about me the way they did my mom I might understand and want to leave. I then felt bad, turned up my music and headed to hopefully find my way home without issue