A/N: First off, I want to thank each, and every one of you. Because without you, this book wouldn't have come as far, as it has.
Thank you so much, for putting up with me (':
I hope you get as emotional as me, haha.
So without further ado, the final chapter!
~You Are The Only Exception: {Teacher/Student Relationship}~
Chapter 38
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I saw white light from behind my eyelids. I fluttered my eyes, only to groan from the bright lights above. Stupid fluorescents. "Ugh." I groaned, yet again. Why can't they put fifty watts bulbs, or have a light dimmer, or even better, just shut them off.
Wait. Where the hell am I?
I suddenly heard shuffling to my right, and instantly shot my eyes open. I groaned from the bright lights, once again. I looked to the my right, to see my Mom setting down some sort of food on the table next to her.
"Mom." I whispered with my groggy voice.
She whipped around, a grin broke out on her face. "Michelle, you're awake!" Tears now filling her eyes.
I almost bolted up, but I knew that would only make me dizzy. One of my hands instantly went to my stomach. "The baby." I whispered.
"Doing fine." She smiled.
I smiled back, and caught a whiff of the food she brought, causing my stomach to growl silently. Good thing she didn't hear, because knowing her, she would be shoving food, and whatever she got to drink, down my throat. I also noticed I was wearing one of those hospital gowns. No wonder I could feel a slight breeze on my back. I pulled the blanket that the nurses probably gave me while I was sleeping, up to my chest.
She walked towards me, hovering over the gurney. "How long have I've been sleeping?" My voice weak, I'm so thirsty.
"Uh, a few hours?" She told me, not sure.
"A few hours?" I cocked one of my eyebrows.
"Yeah." She nodded, and pushed my hair away from my face.
I inwardly sighed. "So, what are you doing here?" I laughed slightly.
"Well, Miles called me, and I came straight over here, as fast as I could." She seemed proud.
"Really?" I cocked one of my eyebrows.
She gasped, faking hurt. "Did you really think I wouldn't come?" She moved back towards the food she had brought.
I shrugged, as I inclined the back of the gurney to the most comfortable sitting position for me. "Work?"
"I was off." She pursed her lips, and rolled the mobile table over, so it was hovering over my lap.
"Really? Off?" She hardly gets off. It was rare.
"Yeah, I decided I finally needed a well deserved break." She smirked slightly. "Also, when the baby comes I know I'm definitely taking vacation. I wouldn't miss that for the world." Excitement laced through his voice.
"I can't wait." I smiled at her, then stared down at my stomach. I rubbed small circles into my stomach.
"I know you can't. Your face lights up like a Christmas tree every time you have an ultrasound." She chuckled, trying to cover it, but she failed. Epically, and soon we were both laughing.
"What is it?" I stared at the white to-go box in front of me. It smelled awfully familiar. Raising my right arm, I reached to open it, but stopped once I saw something stuck to my arm. An IV needle was put in the side of the inside of my arm, and my IV bag was almost finished.
"Oh, It's almost done, I'll go get a nurse, and you eat." She hurried towards the door, and looked over her shoulder to me, as one of her hands rested on the door handle. "I'm so glad you're okay, Michelle. Mommy loves you so much." She smiled, one of her bright smiles, showing teeth and all.
I couldn't help but smile back. "I love you too mom." I grinned as she left, leaving me to pig out on the food she got me.
I opened the box of food, and couldn't help but let out a small squeal. I imagined hearing a choir in the background singing "Hallelujah" in my head, and a small spotlight shining down on my Chinese food.
I love Chinese food. Especially beef and broccoli, with fried rice, an egg roll, and a fortune cookie inside the bag, along with plastic utensils. And this is why I loved my Mom. She always remembers what kind of food I love the most. I saw the drink off to the side, and grabbed it, and took a sip. I groaned in happiness. Cherry dr pepper. Just what I needed.
I opened the package that contained the fork, and knife inside, along with the pepper, and salt. I grabbed my fork quickly, and stabbed a piece of beef.
"Oh, you are awake." My mouth was open, the piece of beef almost touching my lips. I cursed inwardly at the bad timing the nurse had. "Oh, I'm sorry sweetie." The young looking nurse told me.
"It's fine." I smiled at her, and placed my fork with the piece of beef still on it, back to the Styrofoam plate.
"Let me just check your vitals real quick, and I'll leave you to eat." I nodded, and smiled trying to keep calm, and not yell at her.
She smiled at me, and pulled the something out to check my temperature with. It looked like a wand. She moved the tip across my forehead, it made a quick beep, and she smiled while nodded, writing whatever it said down. I'm guessing it was good?
"Okay, can you put this on for me." She held the pulse rating clap, for your fingers in her hand. I pointed my index finger towards her, and she happily clapped it on gently. She stared at the monitor to her right, and I saw my pulse ranging from 98 to 114, and in-between.
She nodded yet again, and jotted it down also. "Okay, so the IV bag's almost finished, so I'm going to take the needle out, okay?"
"Yeah." I nodded numbly. I knew it's going to hurt.
"Okay." She grabbed some things from the drawers, that were in the cabinets next to the gurney, and soon returned to me.
She detached the IV line from the needle. She then grabbed some package, and torn it open revealing some gauze, and pressed it against where the needle pierced my skin.
"Ready?" She looked up at me, waiting for my reply.
I swallowed, and nodded.
"Alright, on three, okay?" I once again nodded. "One, two, three." She pulled, and I winced from the slight pain, and stinging. She quickly pressed the gauze over the puncture. "Can you hold this for me sweetie?"
I groaned inwardly. How gross. "Yeah." I mumbled, as my fingers took the place of hers, pressing down slightly.
I glanced up to see her grabbing some brown wrap. She cut a good length of the wrap. "Okay, can you hold your arm up please." I did as I was told, and she began wrapping.
The wrap went around my arm three times, before it ended.
"Not too tight?"
"Uh," I bended my arm slightly. " no. It's good."
She sighed with relief. "Okay, good." she smiled. "Let me go get the doctor, and you'll be discharged shortly." Grabbing her clipboard, she left the room.
Yes. I smiled, and grabbed my fork again, this time shoving the beef in my mouth, before someone could stop me. I ignored the pain in my arm for now, I was just to damn hungry.
I chewed happily, but slowed once I hear voice outside my door.
"You go in first." One voice whispered quickly.
"Dude, just go in." Another voice said.
I heard a grunt, as I stabbed another beef, and put it in my mouth. "Stop pushing, man!"
"Just go inside." The second voice said annoyed.
"Why don't you go in first?" The first voice questioned.
"Because..." the second voice trailed off.
"See!" The first voice accused. "You're scared too!"
I smiled at the two of them. Miles, and Riley. My two favorite boys. I took a long sip of my drink so my voice wasn't scratchy, and so that the drink could quench my very dry mouth.
I heard the door open, and in came Riley dressed in a black v-neck t-shirt, and a pair of dark blue jeans. "Hey." he said warily, as if I was going to do something. I let out a small chuckled when I saw he was hiding behind the door.
"I'm not going to hit you, you know." I snorted slightly.
He laughed sheepishly at his defense. "Had to make sure." He mumbled to himself, but soon regained his composure. He quickly made his way towards me, and held me in a gripping hug.
I tensed at first, but soon relaxed in his arms.
"What's with the hug?" I laughed softly in his ear.
I looked towards the door watching as Miles kept his gaze locked to the white tiled floor.
"I so sorry, Michelle." He squeezed me tighter. "I really am, please don't hate me." He rubbed his cheek against mine.
I couldn't help but laugh at that. "I don't hate you." I whispered, as I hugged him back finally.
His tense shoulders immediately relaxed. "You have no idea how happy I am right now." He whispered back. He finally released me, and grinned down at me. "You make me the happiest soon-to-be uncle alive!" He puffed his chest out slightly, and I, including Miles, couldn't help but laugh at how funny he looked.
I turned my attention to Miles who was wearing a dark red v-neck shirt, and dark faded blue jeans. "Miles, come here." I opened my arms, and he seemed shocked, but soon enough walked over, and hugged me.
"I'm sorry." He whispered in my ear.
"It's fine." I laughed.
"No, I mean, I really am fucking sorry." He whispered again, and wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my neck, like Riley had.
"It's really fine..." I trailed off. "Actually, no, it's not. I'll slap both of you so hard your teeth will bleed, if you two ever do something like that to me again."
Miles chuckled, released me, and stepped back. "Gotcha." The both gave me a small salute.
I grabbed my fork again, and shoveled some rice onto it, and shoved it in my mouth. "So, how do you feel?" Riley asked.
"Uh, good." I swallowed. "Why?"
"Just asking, just asking." He smiled.
"Do you get out today?" Miles added.
"I do!" I said excitedly. "After the doctor discharges me." I nodded.
"Hello, sweetie I'm back." I looked at the door to see my Mom standing there with a brown teddy bear, and a box of chocolates. She was smirking also. What did she do?
"Mom." I gave her the what-do-you-know look.
"What?" She said playing innocent.
"What's with those?" I pointed to the box of chocolates, and teddy bear.
"Oh, I didn't buy these." I turned to look at Riley, who was grinning, and Miles, who was blushing. Does he still have a crush on me? Or was he the one that bought me the teddy bear. I inwardly smiled, I didn't want to cause him anymore discomfort.
Riley jumped up from the chair he was sitting on. "I bought the chocolate!" He grabbed the box from my mom, and shoved it under the moveable table, and onto my lap. He had a sheepishly look on his face. "I opened them though."
I laughed loudly. "Seriously?"
"I couldn't help it. The pictures on the box looked so delicious. I just ate..." He scrunched his nose up, as he started to remember. "Like three." He shrugged, and avoided eye contact with me.
I stared up at him, and a smirk was playing on my lips.
"Okay, more like six." he mumbled. "I wanted to make sure they were good." He grinned, and started back towards his chair. "And I couldn't stop." I heard him say under his breath.
"I heard that." I whispered loudly so he could hear me.
"Sorry." He grinned, and rubbed the back of his neck.
So, that means... I lifted my gaze from the chocolate box from my lap, back to my half eaten food. One thing about Chinese food was, it filled me up quickly. I looked to the side slightly to see the teddy bear, sitting on the table. I smiled, and grabbed it, and hugged it against my chest.
"I bought it for you, and the baby." I looked up to see Miles standing next to the gurney like bed, where Riley once was.
I couldn't help but gape at him. He thought of the baby also. "Thank you so much." I whispered, and smiled up at him.
He smiled back, and went back to his seat next to Riley. I looked back down at the bear. It might have just been a simple brown bear to some people, with a yellow bow around his neck. But to me this was the first gift my baby had gotten, and it meant the world to me. I smiled, and clutched it to my chest with one arm, as my other started feeding me again.
The door opened suddenly after a few minutes. And in walked in a middle aged man, wearing scrubs. "Hello, Michelle."
"Hi." I smiled, and closed my take out box. My mom quickly grabbed it, and threw it in the closest trash can.
"So, everything looks good, with you, and the baby." He nodded, as he stared down at the clip board he was carrying. "How do you feel?"
"Good." I smiled, causing him to smile back.
"Well, it looks like you just fainted, and were dehydrated, that's why you had the IV." He gestured to the bandage on my arm. "But, it looks like you can change, and you'll be all set to leave." He smiled again, and stuck his hand towards me.
"Sounds good." I laughed, and shook his hand.
"Nice meeting you." I nodded, as he shook hands with everyone in the room, and shortly left.
"Alright, I have some clothes for you to change into." My mom grabbed a bag off the floor, and set in on my lap, taking my chocolates away from me.
"Thanks mom." I looked inside, and I could tell already she picked a dress.
"Alright boys, time for her to change, and for use to leave." My mom shooed them out, along with herself.
I reached inside the Hollister tote, my mom had brought, and pulled out a beautiful beige dress, with tiny polka dots all over it. It showed off some chest, but not too much.
I slipped off the hospital gown quickly, and pulled the dress over my head. Perfect fit. Makes me wonder if my mom bought me a bigger size. I looked down at my stomach to see it sticking out slightly from all the food I ate. I rubbed my stomach, and smiled.
I looked back inside the bag to see a light grey sweater. Just what I needed, since it was slightly chilly already. I slipped on the black sandals that were also in the bag.
Man, my mom thought of everything didn't she. I looked back inside to see a brush at the very bottom. I brushed my lengthy hair, until all of the tangles were out, and only my natural curls were left.
"Are you done yet?" I heard Riley voice, come through the small crack he made with the door.
"Yeah, y'all can come back in."
Soon all three came back into the room. "Aw, you look lovely." My mom clapped her hands together once, and smiled.
"Yeah, you look cute." Riley smirked.
"Thanks, haha." I said uncomfortably, I hate attention.
I looked at Miles waiting for him to add his comment, but he just mouthed 'cute', and smirked just like Riley. "Oh, where's Everett? How's he doing?" I asked suddenly.
"Oh, right." My mom tapped his chin, with one of his fingers. "They took the bullet out, it was a clean shot, and patched him up, so he's fine now."
"Did you see him?" I tilted my head to the side.
"Yeah, all of us did." Miles stated.
"Oh, okay, well I guess it's my turn." I grabbed my teddy bear off the bed, and held it.
"You sure?" Riley asked, as if I was going to change my mind.
"Yeah, do you guys not want me too?" I pursed my lips.
"No, we're just making sure you want to." Miles scratched the back of his head sheepishly, and nudged Riley in his side.
"Yeah, so let's get going." Riley added quickly.
I grabbed my chocolates, and headed for the door, which Riley held for me. I walked out into the hall and wait for Miles, and my mom to come outside.
"Okay, so was it down this way?" My mom pointed down one way of the hall, thinking to herself.
"Yeah, and then I think it was a left." Miles mumbled.
I followed them down the hall, and we soon reached a waiting room. "Okay, so his room is down this hall, " my mom pointed down the hall. " and on the small whiteboards they have up, " I looked, on the closest door, and sure enough there was a whiteboard. " just look for Thompson, and there he is." my mom finished happily.
"Okay." I laughed, and handed her my bear, and chocolate.
"See you soon." My mom kissed my cheeks, and went to sit next to Miles, and Riley in the waiting room.
I took a deep breath, and turned and started down the hall. I made sure to look at the whiteboards. Garza; said the first one. Stevenson: the second one. Anthony: said the third one.
This went on for some time, I almost gave up. I bumped my shoulder with someone else.
"I'm so sorry." I spun around instantly, making sure the person I bumped, was okay.
"Oh, no it's my fault." A women's voice stated. I looked up to see the most beautiful girl. She had dark brown, almost black hair, that probably went to the middle of her back. Chocolate brown eyes, and her makeup was so perfect, it made me jealous. Her skin was slightly tan, and her waist was so thin, she probably weighed around 110.
I mentally cursed my 135 weight. And I was just going to get bigger.
She was wearing some high waist shorts, and black dressy shirt, with small tiny flowers printed over it.
"You must be Michelle." The girl stared at me with awe.
"Uh, guilty." I rubbed the back of my neck nervously.
"I've heard so much about you from Everett." She stuck her hand out.
"Really?" I laughed, as I took her hand.
"Oh, how rude of me." She smiled, as let go up my hand, and pulled it over her heart. "My names Jaclyn, or Jackie. Whichever you prefer." I made a mentally note of that.
I smiled sheepishly. "You already know my name, otherwise I would have told you."
"I know! I feel like we're sister's or something." She grabbed my arms, and pulled me into a huge embrace.
Woah. Getting a lot of hugs today. I awkwardly patted her back with one of my hands.
She soon released me. "Well, I got to get down to the snack machine. I'll see you later." She waved, and walked down the hall.
I shook my head, and sighed. Who was she anyway?
I continued down the hall until I saw 'Thompson' on a whiteboard. Good, so I'm at the right door. I stood in front of the door, coming this far, I looked back down the hall, I did walk a long way.
I raised my hand to knock on the door, but hesitated, at first. I finally took in a deep breath to calm my nerves, and knocked on the door twice. Two soft times, and kind of hoped that he didn't hear, but of course that didn't happen.
"Come in." A voice said behind the door.
I reached for the handle, and turned it slowly, before pushing it open. Everett was laying on the bed, with one of his arms over his eyes.
What made me even more nervous was that he was shirtless. I groaned inwardly, as he muscular chest, and stomach were exposed. I
noticed his left shoulder was bandages, and a slight red ting already bled through his wrapping.
A nurse is going to have to change his bandages soon, I thought.
His arm was still over his eyes. So, I swallowed, and used my voice to gain his attention. "Everett." My voice small.
He whipped his arm off his face, and snapped his head in my direction. "Michelle?"
"Yeah." I laughed as I rubbed the back of my neck.
He sat up, and turned so that his feet were hanging off the bed. "How are you?" I sensed some nervousness in his voice.
"Good." I smiled, and walked up so that I was standing about a meter away from him.
He nodded his head, and looked down at the tiled floor.
"What about you?"
"Uh, good." He nodded his head.
"You sure, I mean it looks like it hurts." I mumbled.
"Yeah, I'm fine." he sighed.
What's wrong? "Did I do something." I found myself asking.
His head snapped up, "No, no. Of course not." He reached his good out arm to my, and gently places his hand on my cheek. "You didn't do anything." He whispered.
"Okay, good." I let out a small laugh.
I heard the door open, and Everett dropped his arm instantly. "Hey honey, all they had was dr pepper." I recognized that voice.
I turned to see Jaclyn. Was that her name? I was suppose to make a mentally note of that. I guess it get slipped my head.
After a few seconds I registered what she called him, 'honey'. "Oh, hello again." Jaclyn waved at me, and smiled. She walked passed me, and towards Everett. "I opened it already." Proud-ness laced through her voice.
Everett mumbled under his breath, but I thought I heard a thanks. "Thanks."
He took a long drink, before recapping the top.
"Hey Jackie, could you give us a minute." Everett looked at her, and she nodded.
"Of course." She said as she kissed him lightly on the lips, and what was even harder to wake was that he kissed her back.
I felt my heart lurch.
Is this his high school sweetheart?
As soon as she left the room, I noticed my gaze dropped to the floor. "Michelle."
"Yeah." My voice cracked the tiniest bit.
"I'm sorry." he whispered.
My throat went dry, my heart lurched again, and tears threaten to pool in my eyes. "What?" My voice barely audible.
"I'm sorry. I thought since the six weeks I left you alone, I thought you would move on." He ran a hand, that was from his good arm, through his hair. "But you didn't."
Of, course I didn't, I thought to myself sarcastically. I nodded anyway, acting as if I was okay, and forced a smile on my face. "Is that her?"
He stared at me for awhile, as if waiting for me to break down. "Yes." he whispered.
Again, I nodded. "She's pretty." I laughed slightly trying to lighten the mood.
"Michelle." He tried to reach for me, but I took a step back. My fake smile still on my face. His eyes widened suddenly. "Michelle, please don't cry." He tried to jump down off the bed.
I wasn't going to cry, but my eyes were watering up. "Stop, stupid." I pressed on his chest to make him stay on the gurney, I didn't want him to fall off or something. It was a bad move because he grabbed one of my wrist.
"I'm sorry Michelle. I really am. I should have told you sooner." His warm breath fanning my face.
"It doesn't matter now." I mumbled, as I looked in his eyes. "You're hiding something else." I could tell by the guilty look on his face.
"I..." he trailed off.
"You, what?"
"I asked her..."
I groaned inwardly, I wished he just let it out. "Just spit it out." I snapped.
"I asked her to marry me." He whispered, as his grip tightened on my wrist.
My forehead creased, a pain suddenly hit my heart. "Wha-"
"She said yes." he continued.
My throat tighten, and I felt my legs begin to wobble.
"I thought you wouldn't want to see me again, since I was answering your calls, or messages." He mumbled. "Or that you moved on to someone else." He sighed. "So, I asked her, that day you came to Jason's apartment." He quickly let out. "
I punched his chest softly with the hand he held. "Stop, just stop." A soft, soft sob slipped between my lips. I managed to pulled my wrist away. I couldn't hear anymore. My heart would just throb with hurt, or was it just breaking slowly.
"Michelle, please." He reached for me again, but I moved out of his reach. "I'm sorry."
I reached for the necklace, he gave me, around my neck, and unclasped it. "Here." I thrusted it in front of me, and for him to take.
He stared down at the necklace with wide eyes. "No, I gave that to you-"
"I don't want it anymore." I raised my voice slightly, and my tears spilled over again, and rolled down my cheeks, like mini waterfalls. "Just take it." I thrusted it his way again.
He shook his head. "No, I-"
I chunked it beside him on the gurney, since he clearly wasn't going to take it. "I don't want it anymore." I repeated myself.
I began backing up slowly. He reached for the necklace, and grabbed it. "Michelle," he jumped off the bed, without difficulty. "Don't do this." He held the necklace in his hand.
"Don't do what?" I snapped.
"Don't push me away. Please, I want you in my life-"
"I can't." I whispered, as the tears spilled, and a smile was on my lips. "I can't just be friends with you. I'm sorry." I rubbed the back of my neck nervously.
"Why? Why can't we be friends?" I saw his jaw clench.
"Because,... it'll hurt too much... seeing you with her." I mumbled.
I couldn't tell him about the baby now, he'll just fell like he has to stay with me. I didn't want him to fell stuck. This was for the best, right? Not telling him.
If he broke it off with Jaclyn, then she'll blame me for the rest of her life. And probably torture me, or whatever.
I took a step back, causing him to take a step foreword. "I love-"
"Stop!" I yelled, I cover my ears with my hands. I couldn't heard that sentence again.
"Michelle," I saw his hand, that was holding the necklace, shake.
I dropped my hands, and they fell back to my sides. "I have to go, Everett." I whispered.
Sadness, and sorry, took over his eyes. "No, please." he begged. He noticed I wasn't going to change my mind, and let his gaze fall to the floor. "I love you." He whispered.
I was speechless. What does he expect me to say to that?
After that being said, I quickly made my way towards the door. I pulled it open, and made my way back towards the waiting room my mom, Miles, and Riley.
I saw Jaclyn coming from the waiting room. I had planned to just pass her up, but she grabbed my forearm. "I had no idea you guys use to be serious." she extended the word 'use' a bit too long. "But you can be happy for him now, that he's found me again."
She threw me a smiled, before letting go of my arm, and walking back towards Everett's room.
I took in a deep breath, and shook my head. I was not going to punch her. Just calm down. I started walking down the hall again.
I soon found my way back the room, my mom was the first to ask a question. "Michelle, sweetie, what's wrong?"
I sniffled, "I just want to go home." I smiled, and wiped my cheeks.
I saw Miles, and Riley exchange glances. Riley shrugged his shoulder, and came over to hug me. Miles' jaw was clenched, and I could see the hand he put in the pocket of his jeans turn into a fist.
"Alright, well let's get going everyone." My mom reached inside her purse, and pulled her keys out. "I got to drop you guys off too remember."
I gave my mom a weird look.
"They're car-less." She laughed at them, and started walking down the hall.
"Hey! It's not my fault, it's at home! You know the story anyway!" Riley ran after her.
Well, it's a good thing they told her, saves me the trouble, and frustration.
"We dealed with everything at the police station, and stuff, so you don't have to worry about anything." Miles stared down the hall at Riley.
I turned my head, and saw Miles standing next to me. "Oh, well, good." I smiled, and let out a sigh.
"Come on, before they leave us." Miles chuckled under his breath.
I nodded, and we began down the hall. I looked ahead to see Riley throwing his hands in the air.
I wanted to forget about Everett. All of it. Except one thing will always remind me of him. I rubbed my stomach, and sighed.
As long as I have these two boys in my life, and my Mom. I'll be the happiest girl in the world.
I know they'll do everything to give my baby a happy life.
I laughed inwardly at myself. I guess I wasn't going to get what I wanted after all. I wasn't going to have the most caring boyfriend in the world. Or have the perfect family I wanted.
My baby was going to be fatherless, and that broke my heart even more.
But, at least it'll have a wonderful grandmother, and two crazy uncles.
I hope that I'll be a great mother, to this child. Even though I was extremely excited, I was also very, very nervous.
Pushing away my thoughts, I reached inside my sweater pocket, and found the fortune cookie for earlier. I quickly opened it, as I walked down the halls of the hospital, trailing behind from my Mom, Miles, and Riley.
I cracked opened the cookie, and took out the slip of paper inside, and read it.
"I'd rather be standing outside in the freezing cold with you, than be warm in the arms of someone else."
I stopped right there, in the middle of the hallway. It was one of those quote fortune cookies. I couldn't help but crack a small smile at the saying.
Stupid fortune. I smirked.
I thought back to what Everett last said, and remembered I didn't have anything to say back. Which was a first.
Oh, boy, Everett, I thought to myself.
You left me speechless.
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A/N: So, that was it! (':
I really, really, hoped you loved this, as much as I did!
But that's it, so sit tight for the sequel! (;
Again, thank you guys for reading my story, and coming along the ride with me. Or actually Everett&Michelle's ride (: