The bell rings and the class starts to pack up their textbooks, worksheets and calculators. I actually say that class went surprisingly well considering I didn't even want to go.

"Mr. Fox? If I could speak to you for a moment?" Teach asks as I'm almost at the door. Great. I stop in my tracks and walk over to his desk.

"Yes sir?" I ask once he looks up to me.

"Good work today in class, I mean it. You've got a smart mind, use it more often alright."

"Thanks" I say and adjust my backpack on my shoulder.

"You can go now Dustin. Thanks for a good class today." With that I give a small smile and nod then leave the room.

The halls are filled with people. I start walking the hall to get to my next class, stoping to talk to a few people. Kinda starting to feel like the old me again. I don't know if that's good or not bit at least I don't feel bad anymore, or maybe the pain is just dulled.

I made it to class jut before the bell rings. On time, bonus of the day! I take my seat just as the teacher starts talking.

"Alright class, nice to see all your shining faces today" she says looking at me for a second longer then everyone else. "If you could all take out you textbooks and well get started."

I look through my bag for my textbook. Then I remember I left it in my locker the millions of years ago I was actually here. I ease my hand and wait for the teacher to see me.

"Yes Dustin?" She asks once she's noticed my tired arm.

"Can I go get my textbook I forgot it in my locker?" I ask her trying to sound honest. Even when I am honest people find it hard to believe.

"Of course Dustin, just don't take too long okay or we'll start without you."

I get up and leave the room starting to walk towards my locker. I round the corner and bump into someone. Catching them before they fall as they trip backwards.

"Sorry I ..." I look to see its Hadley. I quickly help her back in her feet and let go. I missed touching her. I can feel the tingles on my fingertips.

"Don't worry about it." She mumbles and wipes her eye before pushing past me. She walks down the hall and I hear her sniffle. I watch as her face breaks and she turns into the washroom.

Why is she crying? It can't just be because she bumped into me. It looks like she's been crying for a while. I start to walk the direction of my locker but stop mid step. Dam my love for her. I can't jut let her cry alone in the bathroom. I debate texting Jess but I don't want Hadley getting mad that I told someone I saw her crying. That's the last thing I need right now. I turn around and walk towards the girls room.

I knock on the door to be polite, and say "I'm coming in" have to at least warn any other girls in there a male specimen is invading their territory.

I walk in and hear light crying that's somewhat muffled, probably Hadley trying to be quite. I walk over to the stall I hear the crying and gently knock on the door.

"Hadley?" I whisper

"Go away Dustin, this is a girls washroom!" She says filled with fake attitude.

"I know that Hadley but I can tell you're crying. What's wrong?" I ask through the door.

She scoffs before laughing a little "what's right?" She asks back, I can hear the tears in her voice.

"Hadley please open the door." I ask worried.

"Dustin just go away, let me sulk in my sad broken life okay, just let me have that."

I play with the handle of the door trying to get it open. "Hadley please." I beg. She doesn't budge "I'm going to stand her until you leave so you might as well come out now." I say. I hear her shuffle about then the door unlocks. She opens the door and her eyes are red and puffy from tears. Mascara stains line her cheeks. Eyes dull and lost. She wipes at her cheeks trying desperately to rid her face of the tears it holds.

"I know." She sighs,"I'm a mess, no need to laugh, I look stupid."

I shake my head and put my hands on her shoulders. "Hadley you could never look stupid, even if you were dressed up in a clown costume with a pinwheel hat."

She lets out a small laugh, wiping under her eyes with her fingers.

"Now tell me Hadley what is wrong?" I ask. I'm not letting her out of this bathroom until she tells me what's wrong.

"Uh excuse me!" A girl said that just entered the bathroom. "This is the girls room can you get out?" She asks in somewhat disgust.

"Um excuse me it's occupied, find another bathroom." I spit back with just as much attitude.

The girl scoffs. " how bout you two go find another place to hook up? Try the janitors closet."

"Listen.." my words stop from the touch of Hadley's hand on my arm.

"Sorry, he was just looking for me." Hadley smiled. It's crazy how fast she can put on a mask.

We walk out of the bathroom, I make sure to bump the on her side as we leave. What can I say, I'm a little petty right now.

I follow Hadley all the way down the hall. "Well I appreciate you making sure I'm okay, and I am so... see you later." She give me a smile then goes to open the class door. I put my hand in front of the door handle to stop her.

"What was that Hadley?"

"What was what? So I had to cry for a second that doesn't mean I'm messed up or anything." She fires at me.

"Not that, Hadley you went from totally broken to one hundred percent in point two seconds." She looks away from my eyes.

"Yeah because I just has to cry for a second, that's all. I'm fine."

"Look at me and tell me that." She remains silent. "Hadley what is wrong, you can't just pretend you're okay. "

She can't look at me, instead she looks down at her shoes. I can just Carly see her face, a few tears are slipping down her cheeks. She covered her face and just crumbles to the floor. I wrap my arms around her holding her to my chest. To see her like this pains me so much.

"Shhh, Hadley it's okay." I whisper to her.

I feel her shake her head. "It... doesn't feel okay Dustin."

"Hadley, I can't help if you won't tell me what's wrong. Please let me help."

She stay quiet other then her quiet sniffles. "I'm just really stressed right now okay Dustin, that's all."

"Hadley, I know that's not the full story."

She sighs. "I don't want to talk about this here Dustin."

I stand up holding my hand out to her, "okay let's go then."

She takes my hand and stands up. I guide her to the front of the school. Dang it, I don't have my car. "Did you drive today?" She nods her head and takes her keys out of her hoodie pocket. I take them from her and walk us to her car.

We get in and buckle up, I start the engine and drive out of the lot. "Alright Hadley, spill."

She takes a long shaky breath, calming herself down. "It's just there is so much going on right now and I can't handle it."

"What all is happening? Is there a way I can help?"

"Why would you care?" She's giving me attitude right now? Seriously?

"I care about you Hadley, I can't stand you being like this so tell me how I can help."

She says quiet for a long time as I drive around the open roads. "First you break us off, then my dad falls and he broke his leg. He can't work properly or for the hours we need to keep up. Oliver is having trouble with school, and I have to keep up my own grades." She rapid fires.

"Whoa doll slow down, is your dad okay?"

She nods her head before adding more. "But all of a sudden I have to do everything, my dad works when he's up to it, but I've taken on some hours too. Then I have to make sure Oliver is okay. I just can't do it." She cries into her hands. " God I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I ask extremely confused. Why is she sorry, I created the chain reaction.

"For being like this, I'm supposed to to be my dad and brothers rock." She's a mess of tears, sobbing as she speaks and rests her head in her hands.

I pull over to park on the side of the road and look at her. Using my hands to turn her shoulders so she's looking at me.

"You're pretty strong Hadley but you don't have to be stone all the time." I say. "You're allowed to break and crumble sometimes."

I don't know if it helped or hindered the situation, she's doesn't say anything she just keeps crying into her hands. I exit the car and walk over to her side I kinda kneel in front of her after I open her door.

"Hadley, you're allowed to fall to pieces and ask for help, you're allowed to cry. Let someone else be your rock for a minute."

She wipes her eyes that have gone bloodshot from the tears. "Like who, I can't put that on my dad or brother and I've got no real friends."

"You have Jason and Jess and Eric," I start debating if I should say what I want to. "And me, I'll be your rock anytime you need it."

A smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "Always?"

"Always."

"Okay..." she says. "I think I need that now Dustin." I nod my head and just hold her hand, rubbing her palm with my thumb.