The morning broke warm and bright fitting for the mood Michelle had. She peaked through the wooden slats of the blinds that covered her windows to see a beautiful spring day beginning to dawn. Suddenly the world looked different to her. For the first time in months the dark haze that encircled her had magically lifted. It was as if the ideas filling her mind with regards to her Psychology project had rejuvenated her weary soul.

She dressed quickly anxious to get to school and discuss her ideas with Ms. Roberts. It was a long shot but she hoped that her teacher could see her way clear to giving her and Hunter some time away from class to get those personal takes from some of the kids CONNECTION VILLAGE.

"Morning Daddy, Aunt Meta," Michelle said breezing past the pair as they sat at the table in the breakfast nook.

"I see your mood has improved," her father remarked, "You seemed to be a bit distressed last night. You and Parker have an argument?"

Her father's words were like a flash of lighting that brought instantly a summer storm to her mood. He had known for some time now that she and Parker we no longer a couple. He had just chosen to artfully ignore those things he didn't want to see. He had been doing that for so long now Michelle couldn't even remember a time when she and he had a truthful conversation.

"No, I wasn't talking to Parker. It was Hunter. If you hadn't noticed she neglected to show up here last night," Michelle sighed not wanting to have this conversation again, "So needless to say I was a bit upset."

"Well I am certainly glad to hear that it didn't have anything to do with Parker. He's such a nice young man. Not to mention that he comes from an excellent family. Don't you think so, Meta?"

Aunt Meta looked from her nephew to her great niece. The expression on Michelle's face told her she should intervene but she thought better of it. Meta knew in her heart that for these two to come to terms with one another they needed to do it on their own.

"How many times do I have to tell you that Parker and I aren't dating anymore. It just wasn't working." Michelle opted for the simple version to their break-up. She expected the complicated version to be more then her father could handle if he believed it at all.

"That's a shame Michelle. He's exactly the kind of young man I would like to see date my only daughter. He comes from an outstanding family; Harvard bound, most certainly plenty of job opportunities after college. Sweetie, take my advice you can't find a man better then Parker Simms. Might I suggest you find a way to make it work?"

Michelle fought the urge to roll her eyes. If he only knew the boy behind the façade she thought to herself.

"Daddy, I'm gonna take the car to school today, well actually for the next few days," she remarked breezing past her father's very pointed suggestion.

"Can't I interest you in a newer car?" he questioned.

"Nope," she stated firmly, "I like mom's old car. Besides most of the time I walk anywhere I need to go."

"But……."

"NO DAD!" she reiterated.

Maureen Bauer's black Fiat was the one and only thing that Michelle had left that belonged to her mother. After her mother's death, it was if her father wanted to forget that he had even had a wife. Ed Bauer cleared away her clothes, pictures, anything that was even remotely connected to Maureen.

It was Michelle who had begged him to let her hold on to the car even though she was years from driving. After many arguments and torrents of tears on Michelle's part he relented and let her keep it. Since then though he had tried to now avail to persuade Michelle into getting a new one. Yet she wouldn't hear of it.

"Bye Aunt Meta," Michelle said grabbing her lunch and leaving before her father could say anything more.

"Kids today, I'll never figure them out Meta, never," Ed Bauer said picking up The Wall Street Journal again.

"Ed, let me just say this. Michelle has a good head on her shoulders. I think you should trust her to make her own good choices."

Meta looked her nephew directly in the eye and by his blank expression knew he hadn't heard a word she said.

Much to Michelle's amazement, Hunter was exactly where she asked her to be.

"Now look who's late," Hunter teased tapping the face of her watch, "Hey what's with the car? You never drive and why didn't you come and pick me up?" Hunter fired her rapid succession of questions.

"One at a time please," Michelle laughed, "I brought the car because I intend on using it to go check out the place I told you about last night."

"The one in Clayton?" again there was the note of disgust in Hunter's voice.

"Yeah. I was hoping that during class Ms. Roberts might excuse us so that we could go check the place out." Michelle was so caught up in her own idea that she completely missed the look of horror Hunter wore on her face, "I am really hoping that she will agree to the idea."

"I'm not."

"What?" Michelle was finally forced to snap back to reality as it was.

"I certainly don't want to spend anytime at that place."

"It will be good for the paper. We really could use the personal stuff I am hoping to get there."

"You can get it without me."

"Hunter," Michelle said frustrated with her friend once again.

"Whatever, that old battle axe of a teacher isn't going to let us out of her class. So there's nothing to worry about really," Hunter quipped knowing she had Michelle over a barrel.

"Hunter, she's a good teacher. What's your problem?"

"Well between this stupid project and all the demands of the drama production my nerves are shot!"

Michelle suppressed a giggle that was forming in the back of her throat. To hear Hunter talk a person would have thought she had the weight of the world on her shoulders and not just the life of a mere high school junior.

"What's so funny?" she spat.

"Nothing. So do you want to hear about CONNECTION VILLAGE or not?"

"Yeah sure." Hunter waved her hand nonchalantly as if to give Michelle the right to continue.

"It's mainly a volunteer organization. It's been set up in Clayton to help the local youth. They deal with addicts, alcoholics and battered kids on a daily basis."

Hunter's ears perked up at these words. As much as she didn't want to step foot in Clayton the idea of it all intrigued her.

"They keep records of all the cases that have gone through there. I figured maybe they would let us look at them. I think we could get some really good stuff for our paper. I was even hoping the we could talk to some of the kids that might be there while we are."

"No way!"

"I will do it myself then," Michelle did little to hide the irritation in her voice.

"Be my guest."

"Hunter…….." Michelle started but stopped short. Fighting with Hunter was like fighting with her father. In some ways their personalities were one in the same, "So are you going with me or not?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"You know Hunter do whatever you want. I don't really care anymore. I just know that I have to do this." The conviction in Michelle's voice mirrored the same tone she had heard many times in her mother and father's frequent arguments.

"Let's just wait and see what Roberts thinks of this brilliant idea of yours. Then we will talk."

"I'm going to talk to her fourth period about it. And if she doesn't go for it," Michelle hesitated knowing what response her next words would illicit, "Then we will just have to do it on our own time."

Hunter rolled her eyes and stomped her feet in true temper tantrum form, "I will not give up anymore of what little free time I have left for this crazy idea of yours. Am I making myself clear?"

"Crystal," Michelle bit her tongue before she started round two of a fight she most certainly wasn't about to win.

Michelle knocked lightly on the door frame leading to the Psychology room, "Ms. Roberts?" she questioned, "I'm not disturbing you am I?"

"Of course not Michelle," she remarked looking up from the stack of papers she was grading, "What can I do for you?"

"It's about our project. This is going to sound like kind of an unorthodox request but what would you think about giving Hunter and I some time away from class to gather some research?"

"Away from class?" Ms. Roberts arched her brow with the words.

"Yes. You see we decided on the topic of battered youth. And also a sub-report on the after effect of the abuse."

"Sounds interesting. Tell me more."

"Well I found this agency called CONNECTION VILLAGE…………."

"Yes I think I have heard of it. It has a very good reputation. What does it have to do with your request for time away from class?"

"Well," Michelle hesitated thinking that maybe this time Hunter and her attitude just might be right, "I was kind of hoping to be able to go there during class today and maybe tomorrow. I was thinking that I might be able to get a lot of personal experiences that I wish to incorporate into the paper."

Ms. Roberts sat silent for a moment mulling over the idea that Michelle presented her with, "If this was any other student then you, I would say no without a moments hesitation, but……"

"Yes?" Michelle held her breath.

"I know how much Psychology and the area of Social Work interests you. And actually some real life experience might be just what you need. It certainly would give you a much better perspective of the subject you are talking about. More so then anything that you could dig up at the library. You and Hunter are excused from class today and tomorrow."

"Oh thank you," Michelle rushed forward and hugged the middle aged woman before even realizing she was doing it, "I'm…I'm sorry," she stammered.

"Nothing to be sorry about. Can I ask how did you find out about CONNECTION VILLAGE? I mean it's certainly not on the social register."

"I don't really know actually. I just found a brochure on the place and thought it would make an excellent resource."

"Well good luck to you. I need to go prepare for class now."

"Thanks again, Ms. Roberts."

Michelle stood watching the woman's retreating back and felt her heart sink a little deeper into her chest. All this time she had regarded Ms. Roberts so highly. Up until moments ago Michelle truly believed that this woman understood her and what she wanted from life but that wasn't the case at all. The remark about the social register only proved all the more that Michelle was on her lone path.

Michelle listened as the number she dialed rang through to a human voice, "Yes, can I help you?" the voice asked.

"I would like to speak to the individual in charge of your case files," Michelle answered.

"That would be Malcolm Farrell, but he's out of the office at the moment. I am his assistant, Liza Brooks, maybe I can help you. May I ask why it is you are inquiring about our case files?" Liza was sure that it wasn't near time for their state review.

Michelle proceeded to explain about her Psychology project, the topic and her interest in getting some real life experiences if at all possible. She was please to find Ms. Brooks receptive to the idea.

"When were you thinking of coming down?" she asked.

"Well I was hoping this afternoon and possibly tomorrow if that would be agreeable with your schedule. I just today received permission from my instructor to do this research outside of class. I apologize for such short notice."

"That's not a problem. When you come in just ask for me at that front desk.

"Thank you so much Ms. Brooks. I look forward to seeing you this afternoon," Michelle said placing the receiver in its cradle.

It was then she caught sight of Hunter heading for the psych room.

"Hunter," she called, "Forget class today. Go back and grab your jacket."

"What for?"

"Ms. Roberts gave the okay for us to do that research we talked about earlier," Michelle couldn't disguise the triumphant smile making its way across her face.

"DAMN," Hunter countered under her breath, "I'll be there in a minute."

"Hey where are you running off to?" Thad asked gently reaching for Hunter's arm as she skated passed him.

"To do research for this damn paper," Hunter said disgusted with the idea of where they were really going.

"Well the library is this way and you don't need your jacket."

"Michelle got this idea to do research at some center…village hell I don't know but it's off campus."

"You mean I won't be seeing you in class? You're leaving the building? I have to spend the entire Psychology class without you?" Hunter's icy mood melted quickly under the warm smooth tones of Thad's velvet voice.

"I promise to be back in time for lunch," she cooed, "I'll meet up with you then. I promise."

"Well I guess that will have to do."

Thad appeared genuinely upset by the fact that he wasn't going to get to spend the period with her. So far this relationship was going better then Hunter had hoped for. She and Thad hit it off instantly. She practically floated down the hallway to meet Michelle. Immediately Michelle took notice that Hunter's stern scowl had been replaced by a silly grin.

"What's with you all of the sudden?" she couldn't help asking.

"LOVE…..Michelle it's called LOVE," she gushed.

"What?" Michelle countered in a surprised tone, "You have barely even dated Thad and suddenly you think you are in love with him? And you think I'm the crazy one?"

Why Michelle even questioned her friend was beyond all comprehension. Hunter fell in and out of love so fast most of those around her needed a score card to keep to with her. It was obvious that Hunter had fallen hard for Thad West. It Michelle's hope that she would drop him in the same manner, yet there was a nagging suspicion in the back of her brain telling her this time was different and the thought terrified her.

Thad and Parker had been friends longer then her and Hunter which only served to heighten the facts to Michelle that Thad wasn't all that different from his friend.

"You are crazy," Hunter laughed, "Besides Michelle, Thad Weston," she beamed, "He's something special."

"Yeah he's something special all right," Michelle retorted.

She had her own thoughts as to why Thad Weston was suddenly so interested in Hunter. Too bad none of those thoughts were good. The one that stood out in the front of her mind was that Parker had put him up to it; giving him every opportunity to be close to Michelle again. It didn't matter if she and Hunter didn't always see eye to eye on many things, they came as a package deal and Parker knew that. Michelle was certain his intention was to exploit that fact.

"Don't you think that just possibly he could be using you so that Parker can get to me? I mean seriously we are always together just like they are. It makes sense that Parker thinks the fastest way to me is through you."

"Us being together…..well we can surely remedy that!" Hunter's voice was ice cold. Michelle knew that she had just crossed that imaginary line of no return. "You are on self involved bitch aren't you….." Hunter's eyes blazed with fury, "Do you think the world revolves around you and your love life? Which I might add you don't even have at the moment! I can't believe that you would even dare to suggest that Thad is using me! If you are too blind to see what a good thing you had in Parker Simms well honey that's your problem! Don't drag me and what's happening with Thad into your twisted life!"

Michelle's grip on the steering wheel was so firm that her knuckles were now on the way to turning white. Here she was doing her very best to steer her friend away from the impending disaster she was certain this relationship with Thad was going to be and Hunter had the audacity to call her self absorbed. It was her friend who needed a double take in the mirror. Hunter Wolffe could have been the poster girl for those self absorbed.

"Hunter," Michelle gathered what little self control she possessed, "You don't understand……"

"Oh I understand perfectly. You're just jealous."

"JEALOUS!?!?!" Michelle's voice bounced off the car's interior, "You just don't get it do you? I am trying to tell you things aren't always what they seem. I know you think I'm an idiot for dumping Parker, but I have my reasons. I'm just worried that you're getting into a situation that you might not know how to get out of. Hunter, we have been friends forever. I am just looking out for you. It's just hard for me to believe that some of Parker's charms," she sarcastically said, "haven't rubbed off on Thad. I just don't want to see you get hurt," Michelle's soft caring nature had surfaced again..

"I'M QUITE CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF MYSELF…THANK YOU!!!!" Hunter spat back.

"I didn't imply that you couldn't. Like I said sometimes things aren't always what they seem on the surface. Just be careful. That's all I am saying," Michelle pleaded not wanting her friend to endure the things that she had in the past.

"Let's just say when you have a love life to speak of, then just maybe then we can do this advice thing."

"Fine….I know when to give. Let's just forget we ever had this conversation okay?"

"Fine with me," Hunter said intently starring out the window at the passing scenery.

Michelle fought the urge to scream. Hunter expected all things to go her way and if they didn't look out. She was like a bull in a china shop. Michelle wanted so badly to get through to her friend. She wanted to spare her the anguish that she had come to know so well, but she knew that Hunter would never take her advice. Michelle had been on the wrong side of one too many arguments with Hunter not to know that she wouldn't think twice about hurting anyone who got in her way. And Michelle's status of 'best friend' was no escape from Hunter's abundant wrath.

"Have you heard a word that I have said?" Hunter's bellowing voice startled Michelle.

"What?"

"I asked if you were listening to me."

"Sorry, I was lost in thought."

"About?" Hunter asked even though it didn't matter all that much to her.

"Nothing important really. What were you saying now?" Michelle wasn't about to tell her was she had been thinking about. It wasn't worth the new argument that she knew would ensue because of it.

"I was asking you about this damn place you insisted on dragging me too."

"I pretty much told you everything I know already."

"How on earth did you even find a place like this?"

"A brochure."

"A brochure? What the hell would you be doing with a brochure from some dive in Clayton?" Hunter's blue blood was showing through.

Hunter's ignorance was steadily beginning to grate on Michelle's already frazzled nerves.

"It looked like it was an interesting place that we could use for our project, that's all."

"Yeah if you like associating with all those undesirables." Michelle felt the hairs on the back of her neck bristle, "They make me nervous. Who really knows what they are capable of," Hunter said as though in fear for her life.

"Hunter, they aren't all like that. A lot of it's due to the environment they grew up in." Michelle's voice overflowed with sympathy. At one point she could even hear her mother's own voice echoing in her words.

"I would think that what happened to your mom would have made you a little gun shy." Hunter didn't even stop to think of the irony to her words.

Michelle took a deep breath before gaining the strength to continue, "Hunter, I have to believe that my mom knew what she was doing. I know that she didn't deserve to die but I can't spend the rest of my life throwing blame around like my dad. She loved her job and she was great at it. I hate that she had to die," she sighed heavily, "but I am still so proud to say that she was my mom."

For the first time in a long time Hunter was actually silent. It was as if Michelle had rendered her silent with a long over due point.

"I'm sorry. I forgot just how close you two were. I didn't mean to be so insensitive."

Now Michelle was the one stunned into silence. She took a minute to pinch herself to be sure that she wasn't dreaming. The last thing she expected were the words that passed through Hunter's lips.

"Why don't we just forget it. I like what I like for my own reason and just leave it at that."

"Sure…..I am sorry though."

The remainder of the drive to Clayton was a quiet one. Michelle knew that even though Hunter had apologized, she would never understand where Michelle was truly coming from. She was starting to wonder if she would be fighting this uphill battle no matter who she spoke to. It had to be the same way for her mother. But all Michelle could think of was how much better Maureen handled this constant roller coaster ride. She navigated her way through endless arguments with her husband, the countless stares when they attended charity functions on both sides of the tracks and the general lack of compassion she felt everywhere she turned. Michelle's only hope she handled her destined future with as much grace as Maureen had.

"We're here." Michelle announced as she parked the car.

"Dismal place isn't it?" Hunter remarked.

So much for Hunter's fleeting change of heart Michelle thought. It lasted all of fifteen minutes. Not that Michelle was at all surprised.

"Can I say something before we go in?" Michelle began, "I don't want this to be the start of another fight but try to remember that we're here to gather information from these people. I highly doubt that they'll appreciate our talking down their efforts," Michelle did her best to be as diplomatic as possible.

Hunter mulled over the words before speaking, "You're right. We shouldn't put down those less fortunate than us."

Michelle closed the driver's side door shaking her head at Hunter's flip attitude on life had returned in full force.

"May I help you with something?" the young girl from behind the desk asked. She could tell by the way these two girls were dressed that they wouldn't be in need of any services the center had to offer.

"Yes, I'm Michelle Bauer, I called earlier and spoke with Liza Brooks about doing some research."

"Liza isn't here right now."

"Oh, is there someone else we can speak to?"

"Mr. Farrell's in his office. I'm sure that he can help you. His office is at the end of the hall."

"Thanks, ah I didn't catch your name."

"Stacey."

"Thanks, Stacey," Michelle smiled softly.

"Did you check out her clothes? No taste what so ever," Hunter whispered.

Michelle threw her hands in the air as if to admit defeat. There was no hope of ever reforming her. She would always be exactly what she was, a self centered, stuck up rich girl from the hills of Springfield. Michelle's only hope was that they could get through the next two days without any scenes.

A voice from inside answered Michelle's knock, "Yes, come in."

Michelle opened the door with a squeak, "Mr. Farrell?"

"Yes?" Michelle began relating the telephone conversation she had had with Liza Brooks. "I do remember Liza mentioning something about it to me. I think everything sounds perfectly fine to me. Just remember that we ask you to not use any names you find in the files."

"Certainly. I completely understand. Can we get started?"

"Sure, Stacey will be able to show you to our files in the back room."

"Thank you again, Mr. Farrell."

"Malcolm, please."

"Thank you, Malcolm," she said with a smile.

Michelle was so absorbed in the atmosphere of CONNECTION VILLAGE that she walked square into one of the most handsome guys she had ever seen. He had hair the color of chocolate with eyes to match.

"Excuse me," she said quietly as he pushed his way passed her without so much as an 'I'm sorry'. But Michelle couldn't stop herself from turning and watching him as he headed off in the opposite direction wrench in hand.

"Michelle, you with us?"

"Huh? Yeah what were you saying?" For the first time in months Michelle felt her once still blood coursing through her veins.

"These three filing cabinets have all of our case histories in them. The most recent ones are in the first two drawers."

"Thanks," Michelle offered as her mind was still fixated on the handsome face dancing in her memory.