Hi guys! Thanks for reading, and I just want to let y'all know that my new book Finding Me has been posted! If you want to read a teen fiction novel please go check it out :).

Point out any mistakes :)

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~{Chapter 22}~

A year. It has been a year since I talked to Matt or even watched any of his interviews. I still watch his performances because I support him in what he does, no matter how far off he is from the right path. He might not care about me, but I still care about him.

Life has continued. Beth is happier than ever with Sam, and even Josh seems to be happy. He has managed to become friends with Beth and Sam. Though, it still might be slightly awkward between them, but they seem to be enjoying the new found friendship.

I went through James' second anniversary, but it was much easier than last time. I did not get to visit his grave, but I did manage to find a way to honor him. I said yes to singing at a special event in South Hart for families who have lost loved ones in the military.

Singing has always been more of a hobby, and I stopped singing when I went to New York City, but I figured I needed to honor the families who have been through what I have have been through.

My branch is also going extremely well. I have edited and published more books than I thought possible. We have even begun expansion because of how busy it is and how large it has become. I am able to say God has blessed me beyond what I thought was possible.

So, as I look at myself in my bathroom mirror, I can truly say I am happy and blessed to be where I am. Despite my worries, I have become a new person who is able to take on the world and the things life throws at me because I know God is by my side.

I curl my now dark brown hair and listen to the music my phone is playing. When I finish curling it, I run my fingers through it to loosen the curls. I put on my makeup and walk out of the bathroom to get dressed.

I pull out one of my newer outfits and put it on. The outfit consists of a black pencil skirt with a matching blazer, and a deep blue blouse. When I finish, I go downstairs and eat breakfast before heading to the office.

I get to the office and am bombarded by things I have to do. I get busy with my work, and time flies by. Before I know it, it is time for my lunch break.

I am eating my salad when my cellphone rings. "Hello?"

"Kate Garner, I never thought I would ever hear your voice again," Mr. Parker's voice says to me.

I laugh. "Hello. How have you been?"

"I've been alright. What about you? I haven't talked to my favorite editor and publisher in how long? Oh, don't tell anyone I said that."

I laugh. "A little over a year, and I won't. I've been doing fine. Just work and other things."

He sighs. "I've been thinking about coming to South Hart for a vacation with my wife. We can't stay in this bustling city for too long without going crazy, but I don't know if we have the time."

"That's quite understandable," I reply.

"I may bring my son if we do indeed come. I think he needs a break. You know, he's blown up in the last year, and I can't say it's exceptionally good for him. I know he's a grown man, but he's been acting quite childish lately."

My face falls at the mention of Matt, but I try to cheerfully say, "I'm sure he's fine."

"Have you talked to him recently?"

I sigh. "Mr. Parker, no, I haven't. We haven't talked to each other in about a year."

Mr. Parker makes a "tsk" sound and says, "Just as I thought. Well, I just wanted to check up on you. I'll talk to you later."

He hangs up, and I set the phone down with a sigh. I go back to working and do not stop until Beth comes in and forces me to shut my computer down and close all of the open folders and files on my desk.

"You need to get out. Come with Sam and me tonight to Bark. We're meeting up with Josh, and I think it would be good for you. There's no use moping about Matt anymore," she says as though she is extremely annoyed with me.

I roll my eyes at her. "Beth, I love you but no. I'm not even moping about him. I just don't feel like it. Plus, I have to get ready for the Family Military Honoring event."

"You've already practiced way too much. Plus, it's still about a week away. Please come. Those two imbeciles always drive me insane. Please just come, even if it's just for a few minutes," she begs.

I sigh and give in. "Fine. I'm going for a few minutes, but I'm not changing."

"Whatever. Let's go!"

I follow her out of the office and get into my own car while she gets into hers. I drive behind her all the way to Bark and to the bar where the whole town seems to be. Unlike South Hart, Bark is party central.

I walk past the disgusting scenes happening outside the bar and inside where I find myself inside a remotely calm bar. Outside was way worse. The people inside seem like they are not intoxicated in the least. Then again, it is pretty early in the evening.

Beth leads me to where Sam and Josh are sitting. I sit down next to Josh and across from Beth. Both the guys greet me before Sam leans over and kisses Beth. It is a long kiss.

I scrunch up at my nose and groan along with Josh. We both throw small paper balls at them, making them stop. They laugh.

I am about to say something when I see Matt on the screen of one of the TVs. I stare at the screen. Beth turns to see what I am staring at, and she gives the guys a knowing look. I turn my attention to the TV and watch as he talks to the hosts about his life and such.

"Well, recent reports have come out about Harper. What is your response?" the interviewer asks him.

He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. "It's to not say anything about it. Next question, please."

The rest of the interview is him giving short answers, making the interview slightly awkward. Soon, it is over, and I turn my attention back to my friends. They are all staring at me.

"What?" I ask, looking at each of their faces.

Beth raises her eyebrow. "You stared at the TV like there was no tomorrow."

I roll my eyes and stand up to leave. "I have to get going but it was great to see all of y'all. I'll see you tomorrow, Beth."

They all nod at me, and I turn to leave. I quickly walk to my car and drive back home. When I get to my house, I go to my home office and sit down in my desk chair. I turn the small TV on and listen while I work on some extra things on my computer.

The past year has been like this. I finish work at my office and then do more work when I get home. Sure, I am happy, but I am also worried about Matt. I can not bear to see him turning into this person who is only concerned about fame and fortune.

He never kept his promise. He never came back even though he has had multiple hits. He has not even contacted me. He is different. His personality and even physical appearance is different from the Matt I saw a little over a year ago.

I pay attention to details, and I see things most people do not bother to look at. Whenever he is performing, I see beyond the energetic performances. I see the tiredness behind his eyes. The interview I saw of him at the bar was a hard interview for him. He looked tired, but he also had a look as though he was lost and did not know what to do.

The "crush" I had on him a year ago is still there, but it is on a different Matt. It is on the Matt I remember when I went to New York City. It is not on the Matt who dates Harper. It is not on the Matt who I have to pray for every day because of the fear I carry for him. It is not on the Matt who I have to worry about every day.

I pray I will eventually be able to stop worrying, but seeing him at the interview was even more worrying.

I sigh and stop typing on my computer. I stare at my cellphone and think about calling him. Then again, what would I say to him? What would he say? I almost pick up the phone, but I quickly go back to my work.

I check my email, and I see an email from one of my authors. I answer the email and find myself having an even later work night than I though I would. By the time I finish with the author, it is almost eleven. I sigh and shut down my computer.

I turn off my lights as I walk upstairs to my room. When I get into the room, I immediately change and get ready for bed. I finish getting ready and find myself sitting on my window seat. I look out the window and stare at the full moon.

My thoughts drift back to Matt and even James. This has happened often in the last year. Whenever I have time to myself, my thoughts drift to them both. For Matt, I wonder if he is going to be okay. For James, I wonder what it would be like if he was here. I then remember that I have to trust God.

I remember that I can not look in the past and what could have been with James, but I have to look forward. I also remember that I can only pray for Matt and trust that he will be taken care of.

I find myself staring at my phone once again. I am tempted more than ever to pick it up and call Matt. All of a sudden, it rings.

I jump at the sound, and I snap out of my reverie. I look and see a number I do not recognize. I slide the accept button.

"Hello?" I say.

"Yes, is this that little book editor, Kate Garner?" an annoyingly high pitched woman's voice asks.

"Um, yes? Do I know you?" I say, puzzled.

"I haven't actually met you, but I'm afraid I've heard of you. Don't ask why I'm calling. I just need you to listen to me," she demands.

I roll my eyes. "Now, why would I do what a random stranger tells me to do? Give me one good reason and tell me your name in the process."

She laughs bitterly. "If you care about Matthew Parker you'll listen. Look, I haven't been exceptionally kind to him, but I care if he starts doing things he shouldn't."

"How do you know Matthew Parker, and why should I believe anything you say? How did you get my number?" I demand.

She sighs like I am boring her to death. "Someone's feisty. Look, I happen to know Matt pretty well, and I saw you on his contact list the other day. Are you going to listen to me or not?"

"Look, I haven't talked to Matt in over a year, and he has made no move to talk to me. I don't think there is anything you can tell me," I tell her.

She sighs. "He's changed and not for the better, but I assume you already know that. Look, I'm doing this call for him and only him. I changed him, and I'm not happy about it. I used him, and I realize how wrong I was to do so. He needs a friend right now, and it can't be me. It needs to be you. Call or text him. I know he'll want to talk to you. He needs to talk to you. From what he used to tell me, you are pretty special."

My mouth drops at her words. "You make it sound like he's about to die. Please tell me what happened and why you think he'll want to talk to me."

"It isn't my place to tell you. I screwed him over, and I need to make it right. He has no true friends in this city he has called home for the last year. The only true friends he seems to have are in that little town you live in. He sees that, but he's been blinded. Just contact him. Please do it for him. Promise me," she says with desperation in her voice.

I find myself nodding, so I say, "I will."

"Thank you. I have to go, but I thank you even though I don't particularly like you."

Before she hangs up, I ask, "Who are you?"

She sighs again. "Harper Wilson."