After five hours of waiting, four packages of Peeps, three desperate texts to Nicky, two pitying looks from her brother and one giant stomachache, Keeley was ready for bed. She said goodnight and headed upstairs, her spirit dragging behind her.

Walking into her bedroom, she turned up the volume on her phone—just in case he called and she was in the bathroom—and set it on her bed. Tucker jumped up and sniffed it. He flinched slightly, like he smelled sour milk, and then pawed at the screen till it flipped over.

"Tucker," she scolded, snatching the phone and placing it on her desk face down. Barking, he bounded off the bed and rushed over. He attempted to reach it, his front paws scratching against the wood as he stood on his hind legs, but he wasn't tall enough. After one last bark, he dropped to all fours and cocked his head.

"Don't give me that look."

When he continued to stare at her with those big imploring eyes, she rushed to add, "It's nothing personal. I just can't take the chance."

He made a low sound in the back of his throat that sounded an awful lot like disagreement.

"It's not!" she argued. "You'll always be my number one guy, but he's important to me too. I'm expecting a crucial text from him that could make or break my day and I can't have you ruining that. You understand, right?"

His pleading gaze continued to bore into her. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Slapping a hand over her eyes, she said, "Listen buddy, just because I feed you and walk you doesn't mean you're the boss of me. I am not some feeble-minded servant who bows down and does your bidding. In fact, you should be the one bowing down and kissing my feet because let's be honest here...without me, you wouldn't be in such great shape." Hearing a small sound, she raised her other hand in protest. "Deny it all you want, but I know how much you enjoy being fawned over by all those pretty girls at the dog park. I see you prancing around with your ears perked and your tail held high."

Not hearing anything, she spread her fingers and peeked out. Tucker was sitting precariously on her desk chair with his butt hanging out off the edge and his neck straining as he attempted to get the phone.

"Tucker," she cried, rushing over to help him before he fell off. "What has gotten into you?" As she set him down, she noticed a faint glow reflecting off the desk surrounding her phone. Frowning, she went to grab it when she heard a distant, but familiar voice.  

"Heellloooo....? Anyone there? I want to hear more about this dog park. Are we talking real girls or dogs?"

Horrified, she grabbed the phone and answered, "Talon?"

"Glad to know I'm not easily forgettable. Although with Tucker being such a stud, maybe I am."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were there."

"That was abundantly clear."

A slow realization dawned. "How long were you listening? Did you hear...?"

"That you have a propensity to ramble to your number one guy who also happens to be a dog? Yes. I heard. Every word."

Mortified, she slid to the ground. Quickly, she pieced together how it happened. Instead of turning up the volume, she must have silenced it and when she moved it to the desk, her finger accidently accepted the call. No wonder Tucker was barking. He must have heard Talon's voice.

"You do know he's a dog, right?"

"What?" she asked absently. Her mind was too busy recalling everything she said in the ten minutes. Her head dropped to her knees when she remembered her "crucial text" remark. Tucker wandered over and nudged her arm with his nose. Lifting her head, she glared at him. "This is your fault. Why didn't you tell me?" she hissed, putting an arm around the Labrador. He licked her ear and she said, "Alright, I forgive you. You know I can't stay mad at you for long."

"Never mind," Talon told her. "I think I already know the answer."

Her forehead wrinkled. "What are you talking about?"

A soft chuckle floated over the line and the tension in her body eased. It had been so long since she heard him laugh she almost forgot what it sounded like. A small smile flirted with the ends of her lips as she said, "You got my picture."

"I did."

She waited for him to continue, but he didn't say anything more. Seconds passed by and her smile slowly started to fade as the silence grew awkward. Heart pounding, she forced herself to say, "And what did you think?"

He ignored the slight quiver in her voice, which she was thankful for, but what he did in its stead was ten times worse.

"Keeley..." he said, and then let out a long, heartbreaking sigh. "I can't meet you Saturday. I have plans."

"I do too," she rushed to explain. "I have work that night because I'm covering for Nicky, but I hoped we could meet before and—"

"You're working that night?" he quickly interjected. There was something in his voice she couldn't identify. Disbelief maybe?

"I am," she answered.

"Oh. I had heard..."

"Heard what?" she quickly asked.

"Never mind. It doesn't matter anyway. I'm going to be busy all day. I can't see you," he stated firmly.

"Okay. I understand," she said, desperately trying to get a firm grip on her emotions. Not wanting to give up without a fight, she rallied herself and suggested, "What about sometime this week after school? We could get a bite to eat."

"I have football practice."

"But..." He always found time to be with her before when he had practice.

"My dad's been coming down hard on me," he explained, somewhat apologetically. "I don't have time for much of anything anymore."

It wasn't just her; he didn't have time for anyone. She grasped onto that sentiment like it was her last breath. "What about next Saturday?"

"I, uh...well...."

His stuttering raised a red flag in her mind, but she pushed forward. She wasn't going to back down. If he could suck up his pride and apologize to Claire, she could sucks up hers and beg for a chance to talk. "Do you have a game that day? I could come watch and then we could talk afterwards."

Static filled the air.

"Talon?" she prodded.

He waited a long time before admitting, "Next Saturday is our Homecoming Dance."

Her eyes closed. "Oh."

"It wouldn't really be a great time to talk."

Any hope she had of them reconciling quickly plummeted to the ground. She knew she shouldn't, but something inside drove her to ask, "A-Are you going?"

"I was planning on it."

It took all her strength to fight back the sob that was lodged in her throat. He was going.

And not with her.

The knowledge that he moved on already pierced her heart. Perhaps it wasn't fair to feel hurt since they were broken up, but to go out with someone that quickly? It was unfathomable. The idea of someone else holding her, touching her, kissing her, seemed abhorrent. That right belonged to Talon, and Talon alone. The fact that he didn't feel the same way crushed her.

No.

It demolished her.

She lost him and now someone else would have the right to hold him, touch him, and kisshim. She would be the one he called when he became frustrated with his father and needed someone to vent to, not Keeley. She would be the one he sent silly text messages to with Peeps, not Keeley. She would be the he held in his arms and declared that he liked her, not Keeley.

Jealousy simmered in her veins.

"Who are you going with?" she blurted out. Her eyes widened in horror that she'd even ask that question. "Scratch that. I don't want to know. I don't ever want to know."

Because if she did, she would be tempted to go and scratch that girl's eyes out and that was not the type of person she was. She wasn't violent or angry, but something about Talon dating another girl brought out the Hulk in her.

"Keeley..."

"I should go."

"Keeley, it's not like that."

"It's fine. I—" Her voice cracked. Swallowing, she attempted to lie again, but her lips wouldn't move.

"My date with Amber is—"

The mention of her was enough to jolt Keeley into action. Her head snapped back as the fuse on her temper ignited. With a voice as sharp as a razor, she said, "I don't want to hear about her. I already told you that." Taking a deep breath, she willed herself to calm down. She needed to get off this phone before she said something she would regret. "You're obviously busy with your life so I'm going to let you go. Thanks for calling me back. Bye."

She hung up before he could respond. However, five seconds later she received a text.

Seriously?! You're mad at me? Let me remind you who's the one who ended this relationship and if you're having a hard time remembering, let me give you a clue: It wasn't me. –T

Yes, I ended things, but how could you date someone so soon after we broke up? Were your feelings that superficial that you could get over me so quickly? Didn't I mean anything to you? –Keeley

You meant everything to me, but I'm tired of standing in the trenches of our relationship, fighting to stay alive, while you roll over and give up. –T

Why do you think I texted you in the first place? I'm trying! –Keeley

So all of a sudden we're back on and everything is magically supposed to be hunky dory and smelling roses? Life doesn't work like that. –T

No, it doesn't. We still have a lot to discuss and get through, but at least it's a start. –Keeley

When he didn't respond, she sent him another text.

Neither of us is perfect. We both messed up in our relationship. Even you have to admit that much. –Keeley

....if I must. –T

The begrudged answer made her smile. It was quintessential Talon Harrington.

So let's do something about it. I am right here, Talon. Willing to work side by side. Let's fix our relationship...together. –Keeley

She lay down on her back and stared up at the ceiling as she waited for his response. What would she do it he rejected her offer? Accept it and move on?

A fist clenched around her heart at the thought. Living without Talon seemed unthinkable. He brought so much laughter, so much light into her life. When she was with him she felt they were the center of the universe and everyone else circled around them. The best part was that it wasn't just him or her that had the effect; it was the combination of them together. They created an energy that was special to them, and them alone.

Her phone lit up with a message and she bolted upright into a sitting position.  

This was it.

The moment of truth.

She glanced down at the seemingly innocent phone. How could such a small thing be so frightening? Her heartbeat was going haywire just looking at it. Body taut with nerves, she picked it up.

Heart in her hands, she read:

I don't know if I can. I'm sorry. –T

A wave of thudding pain slammed into her chest, physically pushing her back onto the floor. Gasping for air, she closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on everything but the sound of her heart shattering. However, it wasn't any use. Not when there was a single thread of thought running through her mind.

I lost him.

I lost him.

I lost him.

A constant mantra that tore into her. The pain unbearable; the heartbreak pure agony. So she did the only thing she could do. She shut down her emotions and became numb.

****

"What do you think?" Nicky asked, spinning in front of the mirror. The ends of her yellow dress twirled around her feet, showing off a pair of silver high heels. It matched the silver beads sewn onto the straps of the chiffon gown. 

"You look like a million bucks," Keeley answered honestly.

"You're gorgeous," her mother agreed, her eyes shining with tears. "Your father would have been so proud."

Nicky glanced back, her long silver earrings skimming her shoulders as she gave her mom a sad smile. "I wish he could have been here."

Her mother pulled Nicky into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "Me too, sweetie. But I know he's looking down on us, watching us and keeping us safe."

Feeling a mother/daughter moment, Keeley quietly slipped out of the room and walked out of the house and into the backyard. An old wooden playground stood in the corner. She climbed into the highest section and sat on the edge with her feet daggling. Leaning back on her hands, she tipped her head toward the sky and exhaled softly.

It was hard not to think of Talon, especially in moments when she was all by herself and had nothing to do. That's when her mask of happiness faded away and her true feelings came out. The only person she let genuinely see her like that was Nicky. She even hid it from Zach, knowing he would rush out and try to defend her honor. Most days, she kept busy. Resorting to finishing extra credit assignments and even offering to do her brother's chores for him. However, the constant pretending was wearing her down. She just wanted to be...happy.

"There you are."

Keeley looked down to see Nicky struggling to walk across the lawn with her dress hiked up to her knees and her heels sinking into the grass. "You shouldn't be out here."

"You're out here."

Keeley gave her a small smile. "That simple, huh?"

Nicky carefully climbed the ladder with Keeley clutching her arms just in case she fell. Finally, she made it to the top. "You know, it's not too late to cancel. We can still rock out to karaoke," she suggested, settling in a spot beside Keeley.

"Ben's going to be here in thirty minutes. There's no way you can cancel. Besides, your mom would be furious, especially after that huge fight you two had."

Her mother wanted Joe, her boyfriend, and his two kids to be there when Ben picked her up, but Nicky was adamant they not be present. She was resistant to the idea of the two families merging and was trying everything in her power to stop it from happening. From where Keeley stood, no amount of protest was going to stop it. Marriage was inevitable. She saw how Joe looked at Nicky's mother and vice versa. It was the same way her parents looked at each other.

"I guess you're right," Nicky replied. She glanced at Keeley, giving her a measuring look, before darting away. "Although, I'm glad we had that fight. It was good for us. It got a lot of our feelings out in the open." She swung her feet back and forth, the silver glinting in the light. Nicky seemed to be working up to something so Keeley remained silent, waiting for her to say what was on her mind.

After a few minutes, Nicky cleared her throat. "You know, it's not good for you to keep everything bottled up."

"I'm not."

"You haven't told your parents that you and Talon broke up," she pointed out.

"I don't want to see their looks of pity. Plus, if I tell them they'll ask me a ton of questions and I have no desire to rehash what happened with Talon."

"Then what about your brother?"

Keeley tilted her chin down and gave Nicky a look.

Nicky held up her hands. "You're right. Stupid idea. We don't have enough money to bail him out of jail."

"I told you, isn't that enough?"

"I'm worried. You're like a robot right now. You act and say all the right things, but the spark in your eye is gone."

"I'm trying to hold myself together. I thought you understood that."

"I do, but this is way beyond holding yourself together. Have you even cried yet?"

Clutching the end of the wooden platform, Keeley leaned forward. She hung her head and admitted, "I'm afraid if I start, I won't be able to stop."

"You need to get it out, Keeley. Cry, yell, scream...do something, because holding it in like this is only hurting you. You can't ignore reality. The sooner you face it, the sooner you'll be able to be happy again."

"Like your happiness with Joe?"

"Hey, I never claimed to take my own advice. That's what I have you for."

Keeley's lips twitched. "You don't take my advice either."

"I will when I hear one I actually like."

Keeley burst out laughing. The melodic sound warm and bright. "I don't think that's the way it works."

Nicky's eyes danced as she bumped Keeley's shoulder with her own. "See? You can laugh. The world didn't end."

A renewed sense of hope entered Keeley as well as a healthy dose of affection for her best friend. She sent her a smile, a real smile, one full of happiness and unwavering loyalty. "Come on," she said, climbing down. She held out her hand and helped Nicky navigate through the tricky pitfalls of heels and ladders. "Let's get your hair curled before Ben arrives."

"We never got around to asking Gavin about Riley," Nicky reminded as they headed inside.

It was Keeley's fault. She didn't want any reminder of Talon so she avoided Gavin like the plague. She had a feeling he knew too because he was making less trips to her locker than normal. "Well, take pictures of her tonight and send them to me when you get the chance."

"Are you going to work right after this?"

"Yeah, Shawn called and asked me to come in early. He also warned me that Van most likely wouldn't show up to his shift tonight."

Nicky scowled. "Why would he tell you that? And why would he keep him on as an employee?"

"I don't know. The conversation was...weird. I got the feeling that Van forced Shawn to schedule him tonight and Shawn was against the idea, but he did it anyway." He also asked her to keep on eye on Van and report if he was saying or doing anything strange. She told Shawn she wasn't comfortable spying on Van, but he begged her to do it, specifically stressing that it would only be for tonight.

"I give up trying to understand that whole situation," Nicky said, shaking her head.

"Forget about that." Keeley hooked her arm through Nicky's and focused on her best friend. "Let's concentrate on tonight and all the fun you'll have."

****

The Shack was empty. No customers and no Van. She was so bored she spent the first three hours rearranging the t-shirt rack by size and then by color. When she was finished that and realized she still had another three hours left, she busted out a ruler and began measuring the distance between each hanger, spacing them so they would all be the same width apart.

Neurotic? Yes, but it kept her busy and most importantly, it took her mind off Talon.

The bell above the door chimed and she pasted on a smile. "Welcome to The Shack. How can I—" She turned around and stopped. 

A very drunk and heavily intoxicated Van staggered through the doors. He looked like a disaster and smelled like one too. A bitter stench clung to his shirt, which was inside out and backwards. He wasn't wearing any shoes and his jeans were wet as if he took a dip into the ocean.

"Caleb," he muttered, lifting a silver flask to his mouth and taking a long gulp. A little, of what Keeley assumed was alcohol, dribbled down his chin but he didn't notice. In fact, she was positive he was so drunk he couldn't even feel it. He reached out, grasping something in the air, and began walking forward but quickly stumbled over his feet and toppled into a display table.

"Van!" She ran over to help him but he slugged off her hands.

"Gerroff me. I'mss fine," he slurred. He attempted to get up, but his wet feet slipped on the linoleum floor and he lurched forward, falling face first into the display again. Slack-jawed, he slumped over the table, his cheek pushed up against a large display box and the flask daggling from his fingers.

Keeley slowly approached him, careful not to make any loud noises or sudden movements. "Who's Caleb?" she asked, wondering if it was a friend he was out drinking with. "Is he here? Did you lose him?"

Raw pain darkened his eyes. "Yesss," he hissed, an overwhelming smell of alcohol permeating the air. "He's not here anymore."

She kneeled beside him. "Do you know where he is? Do you have his number?" Maybe she could call him and ask him to pick Van up.

"Don't you dare touch him!" Van shouted, suddenly becoming enraged. Jabbing a finger into her chest, he yelled, "You're reason he's dead."

Stunned, Keeley sat back on her heels. "What? What do you mean he's dead? Who are you talking about?"

"Don't act like you don't know! You high schoolers are all the same. Actin' innocent and pretending to not know 'nothing. But I know!" He slammed his hand down so hard the table shook. "I know the truth!"

She was starting to get worried now. The rage in his red, blood-shot eyes was no joke.

"My brother is dead 'cuz of you. All of you! Drinking an driving for that stupid ass dance. He should be the one dead, not Caleb!"

"You're talking about the accident last year," Keeley whispered. She had no idea the boy who died in the drinking and driving incident at Homecoming was Van's brother.

"Accident?" Van asked, his chest rising and falling in a rapid pace. "Accident?! He killed my brother. He murdered him. He should be in jail." He struggled to his feet as his body swayed to one side and then another. "But instead he's out enjoyin' life," he threw a hand out, waving the flask around, "having a grand 'ole time."

He lost his balance again and began falling backwards. He threw his hands out, his arms whirling around like a windmill, but it was late. She slammed a hand over her mouth and gasped in horror as he fell back and smacked his head against the floor. The sound so loud it echoed off the walls.

"Van! Van!" she cried, running over. Panicking, she shook his shoulders but he didn't move. Her gut clenched. Trying to remain calm, she held two shaky fingers to his neck and checked for a pulse.

Bump-bump.

Bump-bump.

She nearly cried at the sound. He was alive. Quickly, she ran to her purse in the back room and got her phone. Calling 9-1-1, she told the operator in broken sentences what happened. After being assured EMTs were on the way, Keeley hung up and hovered over Van, her entire body trembling.

Scared and alone, she called her parents, but no one picked up. Wrapping an arm around her stomach, she tried her brother but it went straight to voicemail. Nearly in tears, she hung up without leaving a message and called Nicky. However, Nicky didn't respond either.

Not knowing who else to turn to, she wiped a clammy hand against her jeans and dialed Talon's number. Ignoring the tears running down her face, she lifted the phone to her ear and silently prayed he would pick up.

"Keeley?" he answered in surprise.

Some of the pressure in her chest eased when she heard his voice. "T-T-Talon?"

His voice suddenly changed, becoming more serious and alert. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"I-I...I know y-you're busy and don't w-want to hear from m-me but...." She broke off as the sob she'd been holding off for the past few days finally surfaced.

"It's okay, Keeley," he said in a soft and soothing voice. As she continued to cry, he asked, "Can you tell me what's wrong?"

"S-So much is wrong. I'm at The S-Shack and Van came in a-and...." Her chest tightened. "I'm s-scared, Talon."

"I'll be there in five minutes. Hang tight," he ordered and hung up.

Keeley sank to the ground and wept with relief.