Continued....
*First Draft*

Five minutes goes by before Drew finally straightens back up, obvious tear tracks on his cheeks and his face weary and tired. He wipes at his face as we walk up to him, and he seems to shrink up at our approach, as if expecting the worse.

Saige wordlessly sits down next to him, reaching over to intertwine her hand with his.

Is this a bad time to say aww?

"We should probably go home now." I hesitantly tell them, still unsure what to make of Drew's reaction, and Saige immediately looks up at me with wide eyes. "No! Can't we stay a little longer?" She pleads. "I promise I'll hold somebody's hand the whole time!" She stares up at me with wide, bright blue eyes.

No. Be strong Nicki. Don't get sucked up.....

"Ugh, Okay." I relent. "But only if Drew agrees." I quickly add, glancing over at him. Saige immediately leans up against him, peering up with that same innocent look on her face I caved on.

I don't know though. After the whole 'losing Saige' thing, plus whatever...that was with Drew, I'm kinda beat.

He seems completely apposed to the idea of staying. But his tired face brightens slightly at Saige's begging, telling me she's got everyone under her thumb, and he swallows thickly before replying.

"Okay," He says just barely above a whisper, giving her a timid smile. Saige giggles, standing up before pulling Drew up as well. He avoids my eyes, scrunching his shoulder together at his neck as he starts to fiddle with his bracelets on his left wrist.

And it looks like we're back to awkward.

*Time Skip*

I pluck a handful of the fluffy pink cotton candy off from the white stick Saige is currently holding, gazing up at the corn dog stand.

Maybe we should've gotten the cotton candy after lunch?

"Three corndogs, please." I tell the man over the counter, who's wearing a ridiculous yellow and white striped cap and a matching apron. He nods, ringing up the total before looking back down at me. I hand him up the correct sum of money, feeling my stomach rumble for something more than just sugar.

It's been a really long and stressful day. And it's only 1:30 P.M.

He takes the cash, then disappears a minute before returning with three white trays each containing their own corn dogs. I take them as he holds them down to me, giving him one final smile before walking away.

I walk back over to Saige, and a once again moody, Drew. He stubbornly crosses his arms, looking away from me as I hold one out to him. Saige eagerly takes hers, squirting a drizzle of ketchup, provided by the seller, over it from the table setup next to the trailer.

I give Drew a exasperated look. "Come on. I know you must be hungry by now." I wave the paper container in front of him. "You're not a vegetarian, right?" His frown deepens. "No..." I cut him off with a wave of my hand. "Then there shouldn't be a problem." I eye him, daring him to challenge me.

What? If Nadine catches wind I didn't feed, or at least attempt to feed him, I'll be paying for it.

"I already told you I didn't want anything," He reminds me, as if I needed reminded, unfolding his arms from his chest. No more is he the kid who was crying no more than a couple hours ago. Now he's back to his usual snappy and grumpy self.

It's about gotten me to the end of my rope.

He's also refused to go on any of the rides Saige and I went on. Resorting to standing on the sidelines with a tense air about him as we have all the fun. I mean, maybe I shouldn't blame him after what happened earlier. He may not feel like doing anything.

But something tells me what happened earlier isn't the reason for his lack of excitement or participation.

I growl in the back of my throat. "Just eat, like, half of it." I shove it into his chest, surprising even me. I'm not usually one to get mad easily. I feel a flash of guilt run through my chest at the sudden hurtful look in his eyes. But I stuff it down, forcing myself to look adult-like and responsible.

Because losing a ten year-old earlier was real responsible there.

He begrudgingly takes it, and I pull my arm back, turning to walk over to the fold-up table with the ketchup and mustard. I douse my corn dog with probably a little too much mustard and ketchup, immediately biting into it like some uncivilized hooligan.

He can just continue to be a prick. See if I care.

Though, the longer I stand here, the more I begin to realize I actually do care. Oh gee, what if he hates me even more now? What if I just ruined any last hope of rekindling our long lost friendship?

I'm so stupid.

I turn back to Drew, an apology on the tip of my tongue. Only I stop short as I spot the halfway eaten corndog sitting on his container. I move my eyes up to his. "Well, I was going to apologize and tell you to just throw that away. But..." I pause. "That works too." I give him a hesitant smile. "Sorry I was being a grouch." I mumble, looking away.

I'm ashamed, okay?

  He lowers the corndog down to waist level. "It's okay." He utters, shifting his weight as he repeatedly looks from the corndog to me. Almost like he's more upset at the food than he is at me.

I smile, biting into my corndog with renewed vigor. Drew continues to look between his corndog and something else, indecision deep within his green orbs, face tight. I watch him with curiosity, though still watching Saige from the corner of my eye so she doesn't disappear despite her promise not to.

"So, uh." I stop, clearing my throat as I force myself to look back up at him. "You wanna, like, go running again on Saturday?" I question. "I enjoyed not being alone." I quickly add, hiding a grimace.

Now I sound cheesy.

He blinks in surprise for a second, then his face brightens a fraction. Just a fraction. "Sure." He agrees, moving his gaze down to the floor like he's shy or something. I laugh. "Cool. Same time then?" I take another bite, putting a thoughtful expression on my face.

Drew nods, hesitantly picking his corndog back up by the stick. "Great! Maybe Nadine will have some more cinnamon rolls." I hopefully suggest, hoping he gets the hint.

The corner of his mouth quirks up. "Right." He shakes his head before slowly bringing the corndog up to his mouth and taking a bite. He chews like he's expecting it to explode or something, cautious, before swallowing and letting his mouth move in a real smile.

I find myself smiling back, but the dread from earlier continues to haunt me.

What isn't he telling me?

*Time Skip*

I pull up into the driveway, feeling more tired than when I worked double shift. Geez, keeping up with these two, is like, exhausting.

Shifting to 'park' and taking the key out, I pop my door open, stepping out into the cool summer air. Shutting the door, I walk towards the front door, practically dragging my feet.

I hear the perky, yes she's still going, Saige and the despondent Drew behind me, only Drew's footsteps sounding tired like mine. Saige is like a living, breathing, firecracker.

The cotton candy probably didn't help though.

Unlocking the front door, I drag my feet in, holding it open for them to walk through. I close it, turning the lock before following Drew and Saige into the living room. I yawn as I flop down on the loveseat like earlier, curling up to help hold my body warmth in.

"Gah! I'm so sleepy." I mumble into my arm, peeking over at them. Saige sits happily on the sofa, literally bouncing in place. Drew is seated in the same place as earlier, his face drawn with exhaustion and his arms wrapped around his stomach as he stares across the room.

"Saige, this is all your fault. You made me go on like, all the rides." I growl, only to earn a laugh from her instead of the sympathy I wanted. Kids these days. "Seriously. I almost threw up on those tea cups with the way you kept spinning it." I sit up.

I don't miss the way some of the amusement dries from her face and the way Drew's jaw tightens as he looks away.

Huh?

"Sorry," She apologizes, not sounding the least bit like she means it. "I like to spin." She innocently adds, giving me big eyes. "Yeah, well, next time don't do it so much when you're with me." I warn her, leaning back.

She smirks. "Okay." I pop up from my seat, tired of the thick tension that's somehow floating in the atmosphere. "Who likes Looney Tunes?" I question over my shoulder as I walk over to the tv.

"Ooh! Me!" Saige yells, snapping her hand up into the air. Drew stays quiet, tightening his hold on his stomach. I ignore him, sliding the correct disc in the DVD player before walking back to my seat.

"Nadine and Cat should be back in a hour or so. We'll figure out supper then." I tell them, getting myself comfortable. There isn't any disagreement. So I settle back, enjoying the silly, but stupid things, Daffy Duck gets himself into.

I think I must've nodded off, because the next thing I know, the front door is abruptly opened and I'm jumping out of my seat like I was electrocuted. Wide eyes and all as I panic.

Burglar!

But before I can even attempt to grab the large vase sitting next to the sofa to bash some idiot that thinks he can just waltz right in and take what he pleases, Mom's voice rips through my ears and settles the fight instincts that apparently just kicked in.

Oh yeah, I was totally about to go all ninja.

I smile sweetly over at her as she stops in the doorway to the living room, slowly placing the vase back down on the small tabletop like I totally wasn't about to go attack my own mom.

Nah.

She eyes the vase a second before shaking her head at herself. "We're back." She repeats, tapping the wall before making a move to leave. "How were things?" Her gaze flickers back to Drew and Saige, who're still sitting on the sofa.

I calmly clasp my hands together, setting them in front of me. "Good. Real good." I answer, stretching another smile across my face. She looks at me weirdly. "Okay," She slowly says, then she disappears around the corner.

Blowing a breath out, I turn back around. I give Drew and Saige a sheepish smile, shrugging as I walk back over to the loveseat. Saige giggles like it's the funniest thing in the world, while Drew simply looks mildly amused.

I look back over to the living room entrance as a figure stops in it again. "Hey, guys." Nadine greets, her bright, dark brown eyes looking between each of us individually. Saige squeals before jumping up and bounding over to her mom like a reindeer on steroids, quickly embracing her in a hug.

Nadine crouches down to her level. "Hello, Muffin. Did you have a good day?" She questions before placing a kiss down on Saige's head. Saige ecstatically nods. "Yes! We went to the fair and it was awesome!" She says, neglecting the part where she got lost for ten whole minutes.

Eh, who needs to know?

"Oh really?" Nadine's eyes glance up at Drew, who's been watching the interaction, and I catch a message I can't interpret pass between them.

Again with the secrecy.

She looks back down at Saige. "Sounds like fun. You'll have to tell me on the car ride home." She smooths Saige's hair back from her face as they pull away to arms length. "It's time to go." She gives Saige a pointed look.

Saige nods, skipping back to the sofa. She surprises me when she wraps her arms, around my torso in a hug, and I take a moment to return it. "Thanks, Nicki." She smiles up at me before letting go. "You're welcome." I return, feeling a blossom of warmth in my chest.

Saige grabs her backpack, and Drew slowly stands up from his seat, grabbing his backpack with his left hand. He walks back to Nadine with Saige, and he glances back at me. I smile, and for once, he returns it with a small one of his own before he faces frontwards again.

Oh yeah, that warmth just intensified by a tenfold.

Nadine gives Drew a tender smile before wrapping an arm around his torso and pulling him in for a half-hug. He complies for a few seconds before he pulls away, acting extra fidgety as he repeatedly tugs on a certain bracelet on his left wrist, still avoiding eye contact.

Nadine then looks up at me. "Thanks again, Nicki. See you tomorrow." She waves, and I wave back. "No problem." I call back as they disappear around the corner. A few seconds go by before the front door opens and closes.

I flop down on the sofa stomach first, cradling my head in my arms as I close my eyes.

I've really gotta stop watching tv so late at night when I have an early morning.

I crack my right eye open as footsteps approach from behind me. Mom appears in my line of sight as she stops next to my head. She sighs before lowering herself down so she sits perched on the sofa next to me.

"Rough day?" She inquires, placing a hand on my back as she begins to message it. I moan pitifully as she digs into a extra sensitive spot between my shoulder blades. "You could say that." I mutter, repositioning my feet. "I took them out to the fair for the day."

She chuckles. "That was brave. I'm sure they appreciated it though." She laces her words with a sudden tinge of sadness, causing a bugging thought to resurface. "Hey, Mom." I get her attention, and she hums for me to continue. "What's up with Drew?"

Her hand stops over my back, and I crack my eyes open to look at her face. There's a troubled look in her eyes, a crease on her forehead as she stares at my back with pursed lips.

Her hand begins to move again. "Why would you ask that?" She questions, sounding cautious. I shrug, trying to play it off like I don't really care. "Dunno. It's just...he acts a little odd sometimes." I decide on before widening my eyes. "Not that I'm trying to say there's anything wrong with being a little odd." I quickly rush to fix my boo boo. "He's just....different. He wouldn't even ride any of the rides that were there." I blow a breath out, letting my head fall back down on my arms.

Mom stays quiet for a few seconds. "Maybe he just doesn't like carnival rides, dear?" She suggests. "Not everyone does." I frown. "No. I think it's something more." Mom goes quiet, and I can tell she's debating on what to say.

"Honey, of course Drew - all of them, are different than you remember. It's been ten years." She finally says. I shake my head. "Practically everyone else, besides Saige, seems mostly the same to me." I tell her, opening my eyes back up. I feel her hesitate from beside me.

"Well, Drew in particular has had it a little...rough you could say."

My frown deepens. "But what's that supposed to mean?" I whine, pulling myself up into a sitting position, facing Mom. She nibbles her bottom lip, reaching up to brush my hair out of my face.

"It's not for me to say." She says under her breath, causing me to frown at her. "But-" She shakes her head, cutting me off. "If they, or Drew better yet, decides to tell you, than you can know." She pulls me into a hug, growing oddly emotional.

What's up? I hate being out of the loop.

"But until then," she pulls back, doing that thing she's done all throughout my childhood where she pokes my nose with her index finger. "You just continue to do what you've been doing." Her eyes sparkle for a moment, and I grudgingly smile.

"Fine." I relent, pulling away. "But I'm not happy." I cross my arms, looking away like a pouty child.

Mom laughs. "Oh I know."

Geez, the world must hate me or something.

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A/N

*PLEASE VOTE!!*

Maggy