This is not a new chapter, but please read this message to the end before ignoring it. I'm not sure who of my readers are active and who isn't, so I decided this was the best method for getting the message out there. My debut novel, Never Forget, is available to read, rate, and comment on SwoonReads (for details on links and everything, check my profile). The story will be available until the middle of June 2014, and if they happen to select mine for publication, I intend to donate a portion of the advance and future royalties to yellow ribbon, an organization dedicated to preventing youth suicide. Never Forget is possibly the darkest story I've ever written (and you probably know I like writing dark stuff), but unlike what you've seen in my fanfiction, I added a paranormal twist to it.

Here is the summary:

Every action has consequences; Ash Daniels learns this lesson the hard way when his best friend, Abby, pulls the trigger that takes her life. Guilt-ridden, Ash is haunted by her memory. He's determined to make every action count by doing what should've been done while she was alive.
At her funeral, a spirit gives Ash a chance to change everything he wishes had been different. He has three opportunities. Each one is different, but each new decision wields new consequences that he never predicted, including ones that could cost him his own life.
With the chance to bring Abby back at stake, Ash is prepared to take on any obstacle. Nothing is promised when messing with fate, but one thing is certain: this is a journey he'll never forget.

It's a love story. And, if you read and remember many of my stories, you might see a few recycled ideas pop up (ex. bullying). It would mean so much to me for you guys to read it and give me your thoughts. And, just so this isn't all just an announcement, I picked a part to give you a taste of what you can expect.

Never Forget Chapter 3, scenes 1

I couldn't sleep. Every time I tried, I saw Abby pull the trigger again.

Around two, I gave up and got out of bed. Heading down the hall, I passed the kitchen and living room, stopping at the end. Abby's room.

The door creaked when I opened it. Inside, I could feel Abby's presence. Her spirit lived here, and that comforted me. After turning on the light, I closed the door and lay down on the floor, next to the blood stains, where I held her for the last time.

When I closed my eyes, I didn't see her pull the trigger. Instead, I heard the sweet sound of her laughter. I pictured her smile. Wherever she was now, I hoped she was happy.

At some point I dozed off, but it couldn't have been for long. I was awake by six.

Down the hall, I found Carla in the kitchen. I expected her to be desolate and upset, but that wasn't in her nature. Just like Abby, she put her own feelings aside to take care of everyone else. If she was upset, she wasn't going to show it in front of me.

"Morning, Ash." She didn't sound like her usually cheery self, but expecting that would be idiotic. Across the kitchen, the coffee pot was warming up. Abby and her father used to drink coffee, but I never knew Carla to be a big fan of it.

"Morning. How are you holding up?" I took a seat at the kitchen table and a wave of memories clouded my mind. I used to spend days at a time here when I was younger. Carla and Abby's dad were like my second set of parents, which was fitting since they were my godparents.

She sighed. "As well as could be expected. How about you?"

"Same." I rubbed the back of my neck, my nerves just now waking up. "There's something I want to talk to you about, when you have time."

"Let me finish making breakfast, then we can talk."

I glanced around but found no other presence. A wave of unease washed over me. "Where's John?"

"I made him go to work. I told him I wanted some one-on-one time with you, before . . . "

I nodded, signaling she didn't need to say any more.

A few minutes later, Carla and I sat across from each other with plates of bacon and eggs, although I wasn't in the mood to eat. Still, I ate out of courtesy of my host, and because it would prolong the conversation that awaited us. Staring at the eggs, I was reminded of the last time I had seen an egg in this kitchen. Abby got the bright idea to give me a cooking lesson that ended with food all over the kitchen and all over us. If not for the current circumstances, I would've laughed at the memory. Instead, I fought back tears.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

I ate my last bite and met her gaze. "Abby said in her note that she loved me. In what way?"

"Which way do you think?"

Last night, I did my best to deny it, but the evidence was there. The suicide note and the drawing were all I needed to see that she was in love with me. "I never deserved her love, let alone for her to be in love with me."

She stood up and turned away, grabbing a mug and pouring some coffee. She didn't add anything to it and took a sip. If I remembered right, that was the way Abby's dad used to drink it.

It felt like hours had passed by the time she turned to me. "You were close, practically inseparable when you were little. But, as you got older, the lines between friendship and romance weren't as clear. I don't think you noticed, but she did. I would see you hug her or put your arm around her. Half the time, I don't even think you realized what you were doing, but she did." She took another sip. "I think it caused her some confusion. Your physical closeness really messed with her head."

I thought about all the times I had wrapped my arm around her. How we would lie together on either her bed or mine and watch movies, and how she would sometimes snuggle close to me. Not to mention the look of tenderness and longing in her eyes when I touched her.

How did I not realize it before?

"When did she realize she had feelings for me?"

She rubbed her chin. "Eighth grade. You were dating some girl named Tess, I think. It was easy to tell she was jealous."

"I'm sorry for leading her on. If I knew, I would've been more careful." But, would I really? Or would I have led her on even more?

"Ash, it's not your fault. It was beyond your control. You can't change what's meant to be." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I prayed to God that you returned her feelings, because if not she was going to break, and she did. The second worst feeling is knowing something is wrong with my daughter and having no idea how to fix it. For three years, it's been that way. I tried to get her to hang out with other people and make new friends, but all she wanted was you. Nothing mattered to her as long as you were gone."

I sighed. "I never thought she was going to do this. She always acted so strong."

She sniffled, a faraway look crossing her face. "I hardly ever knew what went on in school. She never told me, especially after her father died. But, I knew every time she cried, it was because of you."

"But I haven't done anything to her in years." How could I have still been making her cry?

She shook her head. "She just wanted you there with her. It didn't take a mind reader to know how much she missed you. You're the only person she ever called her best friend."

Eyes squinted shut, I gripped my hair, a sudden mix of emotions swirling inside me. Anger. Frustration. Resentment. Some I couldn't recognize. "Why would she ever fall in love with me? She should've known she would only get hurt."

"We can't choose who we fall in love with, or when."

"Well, she should've stopped it!" I banged my hand against the table. It hurt, but I didn't care. "If she would've stopped caring or loving me, she would still be here!"

I was shaking, but I didn't know if it was from anger or sadness. She should've known I would break her heart.

Carla walked over to me and grabbed my fists, uncurling them with her fingers. With tears in her eyes, she looked at me, and her words cut through me like a knife. "Abby wasn't a fool. She is the most loving person you will ever meet. I don't care how you feel about her, but you better never take her love for granted."

I sunk back in my seat, and she rested her hands on my shoulders. While I tried to steady my breathing, she continued, "Abby saw the good in you, and that's what she fell in love with. If there's anything you can do to not let her death be for nothing, try to show that goodness more often. Stop worrying about what other people will think and do what you know is right."

I thought about my friends, how they all laughed at her. How they helped Brigit make her life a living hell. No, these weren't my friends. Not anymore. I wouldn't be their puppet. I would no longer be Asher, the boy Abby couldn't stand.

From now on, I would be Ash, Abby's best friend. He would've never made her cry.

I stared at the empty seat between us, imagining Abby was sitting there. She probably would've been ecstatic to see me come to my senses.

Her brown eyes would've twinkled with excitement as I told her the news. I would tell her I was choosing to be Ash, and that I was also choosing her. I would've taken her in my arms and spun her around, and when I put her back on her feet, I would've leaned forward and kissed her.

The image faded, and I was left staring wide-eyed at the empty chair.

What was that?

My heart raced so fast I thought it would burst.

"Ash, what's wrong? Your face just got really red." Carla's voice brought my attention back.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tried to steady my heart, but it didn't work. "Nothing. It's . . . nothing."

And there you have it. If you like what you read, I really hope you'll check it out :) Thanks for your time.