A week had passed since Erica had visited Ryder, and still she felt the same.

Guilty, yet confused.

During that week, Dawson had been acting differently and giving off different vibes to the ones he did only two weeks ago. He was being so nice to her, in fact, a little too nice in her opinion.

Though she was willing to give him a chance, after all, she needed a little kindness in her life right now. All of the cold looks and evil glares had been getting to her far more than she cared to admit.

But that wasn't what hurt her the most.

It was Ryder and their last conversation that had hurt her the most. She should have made more of an effort but instead all she could say was goodbye. That was a word that she hated with every fibre of her being.

Goodbye. A word used way too often. Leaving for a short period of time, they say it. Leaving for a long period of time and they say it. On your death bed or losing someone close to you, it is the only word people can say. All she wanted to do was cry.

She couldn't explain it, but Ryder had a strange effect on her. The way she felt towards him was something she had never experienced before in her life.

"Hey... I got you a jello cup." Dawson greeted with a cheerful smile.

"Oh...that wasn't necessary, but thank you." She smiled back and took the cup from his extended hand.

"No problem." He said, taking a seat next to her.

Brushing any previous bad feelings she may have had for him aside, she began to try and focus on seeing the good in him - clearly there was at least a glimmer of it.

"School feels a little less edgy without the presence of that abomination, doesn't it?" He questioned with a straight face.

"Uhh..yeah...well it certainly is quieter. Though I don't think you should be calling him that." She scolded.

"You're right. It is insensitive to what he and Monica shared. I'm sorry." He apologised sweetly.

She gave him a small but friendly smile. After all, he was the only friend that remained. Everyone else had stopped speaking to her the moment they were informed that she had sparked the rumours. She still had no idea where that came from and it was still really offensive that they would accuse her without evidence.

"I don't believe it, you know." Dawson piped up.

Her head snapped up and she locked her eyes on him instantly. It was as though he had read her mind and decided to comment on what she was thinking.

"Hmm?" She hummed questioningly.

"The rumours. I mean, I believe that he killed her but I don't believe that you were the one to start them. You seem too nice to do that." He clarified.

She felt a small sense of relief wash over her when she took in his words. It was almost overwhelming to know that there was at least someone who didn't blame her. It was the first good news she'd had all week.

"I appreciate that. Thank you, Dawson. It means a lot." She responded, then put a spoonful of jello in her mouth.

He nodded in a respectful manner. As much as she hated to admit it, Dawson was kind of starting to grow on her. Though at first he had given a bad impression, he had since proven her initial thoughts wrong.

"Dawson..." She spoke suddenly.

"Yeah?" He questioned curiously.

"I was kinda thinking... tomorrow is Saturday and I was wondering if you would maybe like to try hanging out with me again?" She asked nervously.

"Sure. Sounds perfect." He agreed.

"Great. Maybe twelve lunch time then. Oh, and I'm sorry about last time.... I wasn't feeling my self." She stated.

"It's okay, I understand. Sometimes we all get... a little... weird." He assured.

Something about his tone when he said that seemed a bit off, but Erica pushed the thought to the back burner of her mind. Wanting to start a fresh wasn't easy but everyone deserved a second chance and besides that she felt like she needed to get Ryder out of her head and quite possibly... out of her heart.

*****
Heading home that day, Dawson couldn't be happier. He felt as though he had finally struck gold.

For the past few weeks, he had been aiming to get Erica's attention and now that Ryder was finally out of the way, it would be easier for him to do so.

Everything was coming up roses for him.

There was still more that he had to do in order for her to fully trust him. Though that wouldn't be a problem at all for him - by now he had that whole golden boy persona down to a tee.

As he got through the door of the apartment that he shared with his older brother, he quickly realised that he was home alone once again.

With a sigh, he threw his keys down on the kitchen counter and checked the microwave and oven for any meals, but there was none.

He didn't even have to wonder where his brother was again. It was obvious that he was out with his mates again, robbing another bank to put food on the table and pay the bills. Not that it ever did. All it actually did was end up with yet another court case, another trial and more debt. That's the way it had been since their parents had upped and left.

Another day, another cold meal and another lonely evening. Pouring porridge oats out into a ceramic bowl along with some milk, he shoved it into the microwave and set the timer for a minute and a half, slamming the door shut.

He paced back and forth the kitchen, anxiously waiting for that dreaded knock on the door from the police to tell him that his brother had been arrested. It was inevitable that it would come sooner or later.

Once he heard the ding of the microwave that signaled that the time had ended, he pushed the button down to open it, took the bowl out and pulled a spoon out of the drawer before going to sit down on the couch with it.

Though he barely touched the stuff before placing the bowl down on the coffee table and walked over to the window, and pulled the curtain back to check outside. All he could do was pace the room in anticipation of the knock that he was expecting to hear.

Most people never knew about his home situation. Not the school. Not his classmates, and certainly not Ryder. The only one he had ever let see the truth was Monica... and now she was gone. He had no one to turn to. She had always supported him and never judged him for any of it. She had always told him that whatever happened in the past as a kid was beyond his control.

If only she had known how much that wasn't true. There was a reason why his parents had left them to fend for themselves. Maybe if she had known the she would still be here.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, breaking him out of his train of thought. With a heavy heart and a feeling of dread, he headed over to answer it.

Opening the door, he was confronted by two police officers. One of them, he recognised, was the same from Ryder's arrest in the school cafeteria. The other though, was the one who usually came to inform him of his brother's twisted deeds.

This time though, their expressions were different.

"Can I help you officer?" Dawson questioned.

"Yes Mr Faye, is it okay if we step inside for a moment?" The officer asked.

"Of course." Dawson agreed and led them through to the lounge.

Once there, he sat down on the couch and the two officers stood above him, both still holding grim expressions on their faces.

"Is something wrong?" He asked cautiously.

The one in charge, looked at his partner making eye contact, and then back at Dawson. Swallowing a lump that had risen in his throat, he looked back at the officer.

"Dawson Faye, I'm sorry to have to tell you this but your brother Mr Bruce Faye was fatally injured in a brutal gang shooting tonight." The officer broke the news.

The room started spinning, and it wouldn't slow down. Even though he was sat down, he felt a wave of dizziness hit him.

"G..gang shooting?" He managed to say, although his speech was now slurred.

"Yes. He was involved in a rivalry. Himself and his friends were going up against another rival gang and unfortunately their dispute led to a violent shoot out and your brother paid the price." The officer explained.

But Dawson had already zoned out.