A part of Rosemary was practically gone. A very large part. Burned down with everything else that had belonged to her in that little apartment. She gave her heart and soul to the place that she once called home. Now that it was gone, her heart and soul burned down with it through that large storm of fire. A dull, aching pain had spread inside her. It was like a blade had been plunged in her chest. Then pulled out. Then pushed back in. Out. In. Repeatedly. Continuously. Ruthlessly. Such pain. Of heartbreak and depression.

A lit cigarette had caused the fire. Someone had dropped it (Ok, I saw this in a movie, so... yeah). Who in their right minds would ever think to smoke in a freaking apartment building? Rosemary mentally cursed. She didn't give a damn if whoever dropped the cancer stick felt terrible about it, or if it was an accident. They had taken her home away, accident or not.

"Now what?" Carol said numbly.

She, Russell, and Rosemary were at Russell's home in the quiet living room. Quiet. Just what Rosemary needed after listening to everyone's screams and cries as they watched the apartment burn to smithereens.

"We don't have a home," Rosemary croaked.

"We could find another apartment," Carol suggested rather hopelessly.

"It won't be the same," Rosemary groaned.

"I could... call my parents," Carol shrugged. "They wouldn't mind us staying there for awhile."

"Or," Russell piped up, "you could stay here."

"Babe, don't even go there," Rosemary said firmly.

"Well, why not?" Russell demanded. "I'm not gonna leave you two living on the streets."

"We're not gonna," Rosemary rolled her eyes.

"No, I'm not gonna let you wander around until you find a place to stay," Russell said. "It's not happening. Besides..." A sad, forced smile crept up to his lips. "We were planning on living together sometime, right?"

Rosemary sighed. "I guess," she mumbled. "But, Carol..." She turned to her best friend.

"My parents are just a phone call away," Carol smiled. "And I don't want to undermine your love life, so..."

"You never did," Rosemary knitted her eyebrows together.

"Just being here changes you two's lives," Carol said gently. "And I don't mean that in a good way either. Rose, I'll be fine. Trust me."

Rosemary hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Rose, honey, let's be honest," Carol smirked. "When have I not been sure of anything?"

"Good point," Rosemary weakly chuckled.

The clock behind them ticked endlessly and softly. The birds outside sang their beautiful melodies. The grass rustled and danced to the rhythm of the gentle wind. The tap in the kitchen forced out a few droplets of water, causing them to fall to the sink and make a small splat. The steady breaths that blew out of the three's noses came out evenly. And then silence. Clock ticking. Birds singing. Grass dancing. Water dripping. Steady breathing. More Silence. Ticking. Singing. Dancing. Dripping. Breathing. Silence. The pattern continued for several minutes.

"So it's just you and I, eh?" Russell said quietly.

Rosemary slowly nodded. "That's right."

She peered up at him, her eyes locking with his. A lopsided grin lit up his face.

"Love you," he winked.

"Love you too," Rosemary murmured.

She just didn't know if she really meant that.

***

"I talked to Dad," Rosemary informed Davy one afternoon at the clothes shop.

"And?" Davy prompted.

Rosemary nervously sucked on her lower lip. The memory of her and her father's conversation the other night was still vivid in her mind. She was dreading this moment.

"You're really not gonna like this," she said nervously.

"Rosy," Davy whined. "Just tell me!"

"Alright, ok!" Rosemary almost smiled.

She lost herself staring into those gorgeous, warm brown orbs of Davy's. God, how does he do it? She sucked in a large breath. Surely, Davy would understand, for he was a very understanding person himself.

"Well... your dad and mine never really..." Rosemary stumbled over her words. Davy nodded, urging her to continue. "Um... they never saw eye to eye," she finished.

"What d'you mean?" Davy said quickly.

"Their parents - our grandparents - were sort of... opposites," Rosemary said, choosing her words carefully. "My dad's family was sort of wealthy."

"Dad's family wasn't," Davy realized.

"Exactly," Rosemary said.

"So what happened?" Davy questioned.

Rosemary sighed heavily. "Dad has a tendency in judging people for their money," she said miserably.

Davy blinked, surprised. "You're joking, right?"

"I wish," Rosemary said gloomily. "I've seen it happen, too. He's always relying on money so he could have a big following."

"Oh," Davy said silently. "So did your dad...?"

"He always picked on your dad," Rosemary responded. "It doesn't sound bad, I know, but it was... bad. It quickly turned to bullying."

"Oh, sweet Jesus," Davy groaned. "What a history." After a short pause, he asked, "So what does your dad think? About you and me, I mean."

"He isn't thrilled," Rosemary sighed. "Well, that's an understatement. He was kind of angry with me. But he said he wouldn't stop me."

"Well, that's a plus," Davy forced on a small smile.

"What about you?" Rosemary asked.

"Dad's stubborn," Davy replied. "He went berserk on me after you left. Won't let me see you or anything."

"So how're you here?" Rosemary raised her eyebrows. "Did you tell him you were meeting with Cam or something?"

Davy's eyes widened. "That," he said quietly, "would've made a lot more sense."

"What?" Rosemary leaned in. "What'd you say?"

"Er..." Davy blushed. "I told him I left to... well, that doesn't matter!" He coughed uncomfortably.

"Ok then," Rosemary snorted.

"Not the point," Davy said seriously.

"Right," Rosemary nodded. "Look, you can't lie to your dad like that again. We have to figure something out."

"Like what?"

"The truth, maybe?"

"Rosy, he'll just push me farther away from you," Davy said.

"So we'll talk to him," Rosemary replied. "Davy, I can't stand you seeing me without your father's approval. I know you aren't comfortable with it either."

"You know me well," Davy sighed. "You're right. But... what if he won't let me see you?"

A small spike of fear hit Rosemary. "I... I don't know."

Davy stared at Mike, his throat tightening, enabling him to speak. All he could do was open and close his mouth wordlessly, his mind going blank for a split second. Shaking his head, he forced the words out of his mouth.

"Where'd you hear that name?" he demanded.

"From you," Mike responded.

"What? When?"

"When you woke up the other night. You know, when you couldn't sleep."

Well, shit.

"So?" Micky prompted. "Who is she?"

"She's no one," Davy muttered.

Micky, Peter, and Mike exchanged glances, then shook their heads. Davy watched them anxiously.

"No, I don't buy it," Mike said.

"Oh, for God's sake," Davy sighed.

"Davy," Peter spoke up. "We can't force you to tell us, I know. But we're your friends. You could tell us anything."

Always the sensitive one, Peter was. Caring. Shy as well. And what an affect it had on Davy. He sank onto the couch and gestured for his friends to do the same.

"Prepare yourselves for a long story," he said as the other three sat next to him.

"We have time," Mike grinned.

Davy weakly smiled. "Well... there was a girl I once knew. Her name's Rosemary..."

Sorry if the flashbacks are boring, but they're important. I don't think it'll keep up for much longer, so no worries! :)