"Joe?" I inched towards the sad boy sitting on the swings. He looked up at me, tears running down his cheek. "Can I sit?" I gestured towards the swing next to him. He nodded slightly, and I moved over next to him. He looked back down at the ground, sniffling. "This is a stupid question but, how are you feeling?" He shrugged, not looking at me. I turned slightly towards him, "Joe, it's just me. You can talk to me." He looked at me, more tears forming in his eyes, "I miss her." I swallowed my own tears and took his hand in mine, feeling her locket strung between his fingers. A yellow camaro pulled up and Louis Daniard got out. He looked at us then continued inside. Joe stood up, still holding my head tightly. I stood up with him, turning to the house. Suddenly his dad burst out the door, dragging Louis along with him. He pulled him to the patrol car and put him in the back. Looking up he noticed us, "I'll be back later, Joe." Joe swallowed hard and gripped my hand even tighter. When the patrol car was out of sight, he turned to me, tears flowing down his cheeks. I let go of his hand long enough to wrap my arms around his neck. He instantly wrapped his around my waist and buried his face in my hair. Looking at the house full of sad, empty expressions, I saw the four other boys at the window. I pulled away from Joe and smiled at him. He smiled back and wiped his face. "The boys are staring." He chuckled some and looked over his shoulder. He waved at the boys in the window then turned back to me, "Should we get back inside?" I nodded, taking his hand again and heading to the house.

May that same year

"Come on guys, let's go." I leaned against my locker, waiting for Martin to clear his out. Cary sat on the floor digging through his bag. "How did you manage a whole year without someone finding out that most of your bag is full of fireworks?" I asked sliding down next to him. He shrugged and looked up at Martin, "You almost ready Smartin?" A group of kids ran by screaming and yelling. "I don't feel so good." Martin grabbed his stomach and leaned into his locker. Cary and I stood up fast, knowing what was about to happen. "Okay, Martin, let's get to the trash can right over there." Before I could step forward Martin barfed all over his locker. Cary burst into a laughing fit and I just sighed, "I'll go find the janitor. Cary take him to the nurse." Once the janitor had cleaned up the mess, Cary and I walked outside. "Tell Joe and Charles, I'll see them at midnight." I yelled over my shoulder running to my brothers beat up car. Cary just waved back and ran off over to the boys.

"How was your last day?" Chris asked as I slid in. I shrugged, tossing my bag in the back, "Okay. I'm glad it's over." Chris drove the car down the road a while before speaking, "Mom and dad are fighting again. I'm staying at Greg's. You got somewhere to go?" I shrugged, "Nah. I'll stay home. It'll be fine." Chris looked at me saddened, "Andy, I don't want you to be around them when they're like that." Rolling my eyes I looked out the window, "I'm not a little girl anymore." Chris patted my leg, making me look at him, "I know you're not. But you're still my little sister." I smiled, "I won't even be there when the fighting gets bad." He pulled into the local seven-eleven, turning off the car, "Why not? Seeking out?" I nodded, "Yep. Gunna help Charles with his movie. We're sneaking out at Midnight to do a train scene." He chuckled and shook his head, "If I was a mature adult I would tell you not to sneak out," He put me in a head lock, "But I'm not, so have fun kiddo. Tell Joe I said hi." I smiled and ripped my head out from under his arm.