A little over a week later, on a Monday morning, when Aaron got up for school, Jess got up with him. �What are you doing up?� Aaron asked when she sat next to him at the table.

�I want to go.�

�Are you sure? I mean, are you ready?�

�I don�t want to fail. I want to graduate next spring.�

�Eat your breakfast,� Aaron smiled at her.

�Thank you Aaron.� Jess hugged him and poured a bowl of cereal.

�Eat all of it.� Aaron laughed nudging her.

They sat in silence; the munching and chewing deafening until Aaron suddenly turned to Jess and spoke. �Why don�t you talk to anyone else?�

Jess turned to him startled.

�Why just me? What makes me better than your mother� or brother? Why do you keep quiet when I know you want to scream at the top of your lungs?�

There was a long pause then Jess turned to him and whispered, �People don�t ask questions when they don�t expect an answer.�

Aaron turned away from her in shame, �I�m sorry.�

�Aaron if you don�t leave soon you�ll be late for school.� Mom walked into the kitchen followed by Dad.

�Okay, um, Jess is coming with me.� Aaron lifted his bag off the floor and onto his shoulder not even looking up.

�Okay.� They hugged Jess and she gently kissed her parent�s cheeks.

Once they were in the car and on their way Jess turned to Aaron. �I talk to you because� you saved me and all I have to do is see you and I feel safe. I�m not scared of everything when you�re around. I don�t know why but that�s how it is. I don�t try to hurt anyone, and I�m sorry that I do but this isn�t easy for me.�

�I know it�s not Jess, but it�s not easy for your parents either. I�ve heard them talking� you�re their baby Jess. They feel like you don�t love them anymore.�

�But I do Aaron. I�ve always loved them, and I always will.�

�I know you do. My point is that you�ve got to show THEM. They need that reassurance. It�s not the same coming from me.�

�Why did he have to ruin my life? What did I do to deserve it?�

�Jess it wasn�t your fault.�

�Yes it was. I should�ve listened to you from the beginning.�

�Jess��

�No Aaron! You were right! You were right the whole time and I was too blind to see it! I should�ve seen it coming! I should�ve known not to go alone.�

Aaron calmly pulled the car to the side of the road and turned to Jess. �Are you ready to talk?�

Jess leaned over and wrapped her arms around Aaron, her tears soaking his shirt. �Yes.�