Everything finally felt as if it were falling perfectly into place. I was in control of my powers and at long last, everything I was working for was starting to pay off. The band was thriving, and people had even begun to recognize me throughout the city—not to mention the upcoming festival. My sister and I had been getting along better than ever, spending more time together and listening to my band's music (which she confessed to being a huge fan of).

Something amusing to note was that Nicole and Kate had finally convinced Bridgette to get her hair done, though she didn't do anything too drastic. She kept her natural colour for the most part—brown with blonde highlights—and simply dyed the tips a dark red colour. I had to say, the look suited her.

All in all, things were good. I was good.

But of course, something had to go wrong. And it did, for when I arrived at school the morning following that late-night trip to the park, I saw someone walking toward the building who I'd hoped I would never see again.

Vanessa Jones used to be a student at this school before she transferred out three years ago with no explanation. It was two weeks after the death of my parents that she left, in fact. But in those last two weeks and in the rest of the time leading up to her departure, she made my life hell.

She was far worse than Leanne and Nancy combined. They, at least, didn't resort to physical bullying unless provoked enough and even then, it was easy to deal with since neither of them was very physically threatening. Vanessa, on the other hand, was and I had always been intimidated by her.

I didn't go into the school. Instead, I retreated as fast as I could to the tree my friends and I sat under every day. I knew she wouldn't follow me; she hadn't even seen me when I arrived. I didn't want her to find me. I began to hyperventilate a little. I pulled my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them and wrapping my arms around my legs, willing myself to breathe.

A moment later, I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Josh there. "Hey," I said softly, my voice sounding a bit like I hadn't used it in a while.

"The bell's going to ring soon. You okay?" he asked, taking a seat next to me. The look on his face showed his concern.

"She's back," was all I could say in reply, because that's when the tears started to fall and I began to tremble. Josh immediately pulled me into a hug, understanding why I was so distraught. He knew my history with her. Hell, they all did and had even gone through a lot of that shit with me. "I'm sorry," I mumbled into his shoulder, "It's just—I can't—"

"I know," Josh told me softly, "I remember how she treated you and the rest of us, Alex. You don't have to apologize. Not to me, and not to any of us. Okay?"

It was as he said those words that I noticed everyone else had appeared, too. They must have sensed something was wrong. That or they'd seen Vanessa and knew where I'd be. Maybe even both.

"Hey, guys," I lifted my head from Josh's shoulder to look at them properly. "How did you...?"

"Bridge and I saw her in the hallway talking to Cassidy," answered Destiny, "and she tried to start something with Lana, asking where you were and stuff. Lana wouldn't tell her."

Lana pointed to her left eye, which was swollen and bruised. "She did that."

"I'm so sorry, Lana." I truly felt horrible, seeing what she had already done.

"Hey, you heard Josh. And were you the one who punched me?" Lana asked me firmly. I shook my head. "That's right. Vanessa did. You have nothing to be sorry for."

"Thanks," I replied, my voice still shaky. I checked my watch. "You guys should go. You don't want to be late for class."

"That goes for you too, Alex," insisted Jessie, "We're here if she tries anything, don't worry."

I slowly nodded and Josh helped me to my feet. Nicole came forward to give me a reassuring hug before we all made our way to our classes. I was extremely grateful to see that my period one class was Vanessa-free, however the same couldn't be said for my spare.

As I was reaching the point in The Outsiders where Ponyboy and Johnny were arriving in Windrixville and looking for the abandoned church, Vanessa spotted me sitting on one of the library's comfortable couches. "There, you are, Carmen. How long have you been hiding from me?"

I couldn't bring myself to meet her intimidating gaze. "I wasn't hiding," I muttered.

"Oh, really? Prove it, then, and look me in the eyes, you little coward," she hissed, forcing my chin upward so that I had no choice. Her chocolate brown eyes were full of fire, and suddenly the reminder of what she'd done three years ago hit me like a freight train.

Despite only being in the ninth grade at the time, she'd been dating a boy in twelfth grade who already had his driver's license. She'd been drinking heavily with him as they were driving around and they ran a red light just as my parents had been making their way across the street.

From what I knew, they'd immediately gotten out of his car and fled the scene before anyone could see exactly who they were. But of course, someone had seen it anyway and she'd been caught two weeks later—hence her leaving the school.

She and her boyfriend were the cause of my parents' deaths and she felt absolutely no remorse for it. I didn't even understand why she was still allowed to come back here, but then again my knowledge of the justice system was a bit limited.

In any case, instead of leaving me alone to mourn and having a shred of human decency, she mocked and tormented me mercilessly about what she had done, driving me even further into a state of depression. She also, as mentioned previously, took pleasure in physically bullying me as well, which was why after she left I became strong enough to deal with Leanne and her group.

But I still didn't think I could overcome Vanessa, not for a second.

"I see your memory still works," Vanessa continued, "and I promise you, I'm not finished with you, Alex. Not even close."

"I see you've met our new friend," Leanne interjected, appearing from behind her, "Tell me, Carmen, what do you think of her so far?" she asked sarcastically, a smirk plastered on her heavily made up face.

"She's scared of me," Vanessa said when I couldn't bring myself to say anything, "Just as she's always been, because she knows what I did to her beloved parents all that time ago. Don't you?"

I still said nothing. I was shaking again, though this time it wasn't just fear. It was anger, too.

"Say something, dammit," she snapped.

Alright, screw my fear of her.

"To hell with you," I finally willed myself to say, finally having had enough and my fury building as I continued, "You have no idea what it's like to lose the two people who matter most to you, and then to have one of the people responsible for their deaths reminding you every single fucking day that they're gone. It's the worst pain I've ever felt, Vanessa! So forgive me if I have no interest in speaking to you after everything you've put me through. And not just me either—you've included my friends in all of this shit when they've done nothing to you! You're worse than Leanne!" I had to take a moment to breathe before continuing my rant, "I want nothing more to do with you, Vanessa Jones, and I want you gone. Stay the hell away from me or I swear to God, I will return to you all of the pain you gave me. Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?"

Beside her, Leanne had a strange look on her face. She looked sympathetic, something I had never seen in her, and she looked like she wanted to step in. But she didn't.

"Look at that," Vanessa said, "It's impressive—you've grown a backbone since I've been away. That should make things more fun, no?"

"Fuck off, Vanessa," I growled, "Go be a bitch elsewhere for once."

"Fine. But we're not done."

"I think we are," I said menacingly, and she finally had the sense to walk away. Leanne suddenly stepped forward and, before I could say anything angrily to her, she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Look," she said hesitantly. She took a seat beside me and continued, "I know I'm a bitch to you all the time, and I know we don't get along whatsoever, but...there are certain lines that even I refuse to cross. Making fun of someone for losing their parents is maybe the biggest line I've ever drawn because..." I could actually see her fighting back tears of her own. "because I know what that's like, Alex. I lost a mom. And I know it's even harder for you since you lost them both, but still, it's horrible to go through and I would never wish that kind of thing on anyone. And I would certainly never go as far as to hurt someone even worse if I knew they'd already felt it."

"Leanne..." I started. This was a strange side of Leanne that I had never seen before. It proved she was human, like the rest of us.

Leanne shook her head. "No, Alex, let me finish. Please. I have a confession to make: I'm the one who called Vanessa and convinced her to come back here. After I got pissed about you dodging that punch I tried to throw, I wanted to find some way to get revenge. I couldn't fight you myself, so I figured I'd find someone who could. I didn't realize that this was what she'd been doing to you, I thought...I thought she was more like me. If I'd have known...I'm so sorry, Alex."

For a moment, I was too stunned to try speaking again. Part of me was furious that she was the one who made Vanessa come back into my life, but the thing calming me down was that she hadn't known. And that she understood my pain. "If anything, Leanne...this is the most human I've ever seen you. And I do forgive you for dragging her ass back here, although I'm really far from thrilled about it. I don't...I don't know that we have a shot at being friends since, well, we don't like each other and all. But maybe we could start being a bit more civil, at least?"

"I'll be honest, the main reason I pick on you is that it's kind of fun," she admitted, "until one of us starts trying to knock out the other, of course. I prefer the verbal back-and-forth stuff as long as it doesn't go far enough for one of us to cross a line."

I had to laugh at that. "Really? You actually get a kick out of that?"

"Yeah," said Leanne, not a trace of insincerity in her voice or expression.

"Let's just try to keep it at that, then. No more physical shit," I said, "From either of us. Deal?"

Leanne nodded In agreement. "That sounds fair, I think. And on top of that, I will do you a favour—if Vanessa ever tries to start shit with you about your parents and I happen to be there, I'll help shut her up. OK?"

"That would be really good of you, Leanne," I smiled at her, "thank you."

She then left.