I am SO sorry for not updating in forever! D: On the bright side, a preview/snippet/passage from my new story comes as a prize with this chapter! :D

Oh, just so I don't confuse you all, at first Nate's and Alex's POVs are at different times. Nate is stuck in Friday was Alex has moved onto Saturday. But they'll be all caught up again.

But since I'm feeling mean, the doctor doesn't get a name. Mwuah ha ha.

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Nate's POV

At first the words just went through my head without registering. "It should take Nate's hand about a year to heal." Woah, hold on. A year?!

"A y-year?" I squeaked out. "As in, a full 12 months?" The doctor nodded. "On my sixteenth birthday, I'm going to have a cast on my freaking hand?!"

"Nate, do not talk to an adult like that! Is it his fault that you decided to punch our wall?!" My mom scolded me. I sighed and crossed my arms. Ouch, never mind, that hurts my hand.

"Well...let's get it wrapped, shall we?" My parents followed the doctor out of the room and with another sigh I hopped off the table. Alex is never going to believe... I stopped that thought. Trying to not think about what happened earlier, I walked into a room, feeling more like I was walking into a trap.

Alex's ;;

The Next Day

I ended up sleeping over Mitchie's house last night. It felt like we hadn't just talked and hung out in a long time. Not shocking at all, we mostly talked about Shane and Nate.

It's almost unreal how much drama we go through, yet we're only teenagers. Then again, what teenager doesn't go through some drama? Ugh, all this serious talk really makes my head hurt. That is why I'm in my tree. Yes, I am now claiming it mine because my brothers probably forgot that it's even here by now. I'm sitting on one of the higher branches so that nobody can find me up here.

Brrr.

I should have left my phone in my room.

Shane

I understand if ur still mad at me, but I have to tell u something.

I pulled my cold hands out of my sleeves to type an answer. Gosh it's freezing out.

What do u have to say?

I put my hands back into the warmth of my hoodie sleeves and waited for an answer.

Are u home?

I debated whether or not I should lie to him. Yeah, I think I will.

Nope.

I smiled, satisfied, and put my phone on silent. Another shiver went up my back. Who knew November was so...cold? Winter doesn't even technically start until December. Stupid mother nature.

"Alex." Ugh. If Shane seriously walked over here just to see if I was lying then he is going to get his ass kicked. I looked down but saw no almost-black hair, nor a sports jacket. (Which he tends to wear a lot...I have to admit, they are quite comfortable. And I'm off topic.) "Alex!" It came again. What am I doing, hearing things?!

"Yes...?" I said back, my voice making it sound more like question.

"Alex, it's me Justin. I'm in your room!" I looked down at my window and sure enough, Justin's head was sticking out of my window. Quickly climbing down the branches, I was at my window in an instant.

"Justin, what are you doing?! Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Wow, since when was I the one scolding Justin? Usually it was the other way around. I climbed through my window.

"Hey, it's not like I'm 100 percent crippled." He smiled. "I just wanted to let you know Shane called. He said it's extremely important." I groaned and dropped onto my bed.

"What is wrong with that boy? I already told him I wasn't home."

"Hmm...well whatever it was he wanted to tell just you, because he asked how I was doing and that was it, he hung up after I answered him. 'Oh, that's good. Bye Justin.'" He sat down next to me.

"Well nobody really wants to talk to you." I mumbled. Justin shot me a look. "Kidding." I smiled and was going to playfully push or punch him, but I didn't even lift my arm after I looked at him. He just looked so...vulnerable. "Hey, go back to your room. You need all the rest you can get."

"Fine, mother." He joked. I helped him up and after he insisted he could get back to his room by himself, I sat thinking on my bed. Now I'm too lazy to go back outside. I thought with a sigh. Slipping on a pair of Converse, I decided to go visit my dear...friend....Shane.

Nate's ;;

"Does it hurt at all honey?" My mom asked me for probably the fifth time since I got my stupid cast on.

"No, mom. And once I get home I'll take some Advil or something just in case." I faked a smile in the mirror in the front of the car for her to see. She bought it,-or I think she did-, and continued back to looking out the window.

To be honest it felt like my arm was suddenly claustrophobic. I don't even think it's a possible for a body part to be claustrophobic, but that's beside the point. The cast is navy, mostly because that was the first color I saw and I really wanted to just get out of there. It went a little more than half way on my forearm, so at least I can still bend my arm. Suddenly I wondered what time it was, so naturally I reached into my pocket to fish out my phone but came back empty-handed. I'm guessing I left my phone at home.

"Mom," I said sighing. "What time is it?" She peaked into her purse, looking at her phone I presume.

"A quarter after 5." In English, please. Let's see that translates to...5:15. Hmm, that's probably why I'm hungry, it's almost dinner time.

Once we finally arrived at our house, my parents being the overprotective people they are helped me out of the car and into the house. Seriously, it's just my hand...it's not like I went into a coma and woke up 3 years later. As we walked through the door we were extremely surprised to see a certain someone.

"Jason?" I asked with a smile. It felt like my oldest brother had been gone forever, not a couple of weeks.

"Nate, what the hell did you do to the wall?!" He asked while hugging my left side. "I told you that you work out too much." He messed up my hair.

"Hey, watch it." I pushed him away with my left arm.

"Jason, why didn't you tell us you were coming home?" Mom asked while giving him a hug.

"Well I just got here literally two minutes ago and I wanted to surprise you guys, but I think I was the one surprised when I walked in and saw a hole in the wall." He looked over at me. I scratched the back of my neck.

"Well I'll go start dinner. Shane how did the wall turn out?" She looked over along with my dad and I. The floor was clean, and there had been a perfect square cut out around where I had made the hole.

"All I have left is plaster and paint." Shane said proudly. Mom smiled at him then walked into the kitchen with Dad following close behind.

"Oh, Nate, I got something for you." I turned my head in his direction, a tad confused. All he did was reach into his pocket and pull out a small box. Oh shit.

"Jase, that's not a-" "TA DA!" He opened the box and I swear I felt the tiny broken pieces of my heart, break into tinier, microscopic pieces. There, somehow shining in this dark house, was the ring I had picked out for Alex. The emerald stones, indicating her birth month, stood out against the white gold that formed the ring. It was beautiful; she was beautiful.

For a few seconds I stood there just staring at it. Jason looked back at me, confusion written all over his face. What are the odds that he would show up with this, today. Suddenly Shane was talking to him and Jason understood, he put the box away. He looked at me, but before he could take a step near me, tell me how sorry he is...my feet were already carrying, dragging, pulling me up the stairs. In my room I went, and I was sure to lock the door behind me.

Alex's ;;

Here I sat, in the park a few blocks away, waiting for Shane. When I called him we both agreed it would be awkward if we talked in his house, so therefore this became our meeting location. I'm still trying to figure out what could be so important. I swear, I will drop kick that boy if he asks me to go out with him.

I decided to start swinging to pass the time. With my phone placed on the wood chips next to the swing, I started pumping my legs, gaining momentum. After a few minutes I was to the highest point the swing would go without flipping. Trust me, I've done it before, it is not fun. Out of nowhere I leaned back and closed my eyes, pretending I was in space. Of course Na-...neighbors of mine told me how it makes you feel like your aimlessly floating in outer space.

"Alex." My eyes snapped open. I almost forgot I was expecting someone to join me. My body sat up straight and there stood Shane, wearing his new 'I'm-sad-all-the-time' face. My feet dug into the dirt and wood chips underneath me, unfortunately dragging me back down to Earth.

"Hey." I said imperturbably. He simply stood there with his hands shoved into his coat pockets. After a few seconds I spoke again. "You...wanted to talk?"

"Yeah." Shane took a seat on the swing next to me. I kept my eyes up, searching the sky. It looked like the sun was about to set. My heart felt like it dropped in my chest. Nate and I kissed during the sunset...

I miss Nate.

"You probably aren't too sure what I want to talk about, am I right?" I nodded my head. He took this as an okay for him to keep talking. "I know you don't want to hear about him all that much, but Nate

broke his hand." My eyes darted to Shane.

"Don't joke around with me Grey." I practically growled. He shook his head.

"Believe me, I wish I was. But it's true; Nate's hand is broken." How can that even be possible? I just saw him yesterday, did he break it right after I saw him or something?

"How?" I asked. Shane didn't answer right away.

"Punched a wall."

"Why would he do that?" The Nate I know-or knew- usually was pretty good at keeping his temper under control.

"He um..." Shane paused. "He was a little...upset." I gave Shane a 'tell me the flat-out truth even if it hurts' look. "Okay, Alex, he was beyond upset. At first he was sad, then he got really mad, then even more mad, and finally he just...snapped. It was right after you left; but I think you were only partially the reason." Suddenly guilt washed over me. Nate never deserved that. I made a stupid mistake and now Nate is suffering because of it.

"Shane...what have I done?" I whispered. "I-I need to go talk to him." I got up, not really thinking about what I was doing.

"Whoa, Alex, are you sure about that? What are you gonna say to him?" All I could do was nod. I had to set things straight with Nate.

Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was still completely in love with Nate.

Nate's ;;

So far it had been one day since I got home from the hospital. Since I broke my hand. Since I locked myself in my room.

As of now, I could most definitely say that my life sucks. The love of my life broke up with me, I broke my hand, now I can no longer play guitar...yes, my life sucks. And it doesn't help that I had probably the worst dream...or more like nightmare...in my entire life last night.

As of now I was lying on my bed staring up at the ceiling, deciding that it needs to be a different color than white. I suddenly felt my phone vibrate next to me. Sighing, I picked it up and read the name under the new text sign. Shane. I put my phone back down.

Knock knock. I sat up, wondering who was deciding to bother me. Shane had just left the house less than 20 minutes ago, so I don't think he would text me and then bang on my door. Jason still felt bad and didn't want to bother me more. Curious, I got up and went and opened the door. I nearly fainted when I saw the gorgeous face that was behind the door.

Standing in front of me was Alex, with a petrified look on her face.

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OKAY. What are Alex and Nate going to talk about? I know, but you don't. :) Please review

And here comes the extremely exciting part! MY NEW STORY! EEP! :D I'm so excited about it, a few of my friends have read what I have written so far (which is about 12 notebook pages) and they force me to write more. If you have any questions at all, simply ask me. (P.S. I don't have a title yet.)

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Warning: Contains physical abuse.

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"Hailey!" Almost instantly I recognized the voice. He held onto my wrist, (while I mentally screamed in pain), and spun me around.

Even after all these years, that shining smile still dazzled me. "Hey, I've been looking for you." Jason said, still beaming.I couldn't help but let a smile escape from my lips.

"It looks like you found me." Okay, I was flirting with Jason. We do that every once in awhile. We're such good friends, though, we both know it'll stay that way. Or at least, I know that.

"Want me to buy you a water or something? It looks like you got a little hot in that sweatshirt." Damn, he noticed too. I make it so obvious that I'm hiding something.

"Now, Jase, remember my rule." He sighed. "You aren't allowed to buy me anything-"

"Anything except Starbucks. I'm sorry, Hay, you know I'm just worrying about you." His eyes burned intensely into mine.

"I know, I know." Jason started thinking.

"Hey, want to come over today after school? Everyone misses you." I smiled. The Grey's were so caring and friendly I considered them a better family than my own. Biologically, I have no siblings.

"Sure. I just have to leave George a note." That way maybe the evil man won't hurt me for not being home and not telling him. Soon the bell rang, and Jason and I walked to class together.

At about 6:30 I walked into my house carrying my backpack and a few grocery bags. George was passed out on the couch, his arm hanging over the side. Sighing, I entered the kitchen and began preparing him some form of food. Crap. If I use the microwave he might wake up. After waiting five minutes, I flung open the door before the beeps could echo through-out the house. "Ow, hot." My fingers turned red from the sudden heat of the dish. Grabbing a spoon I mixed the microwave ravioli. Hey, I never said I was cooking the guy gourmet food. Suddenly I practically jumped out of my skin when my dad spoke up.

"I got your note." It wasn't a happy or angry voice, more of a bored tone. "Next time call me or something, will ya?" He proceeded to shove me out of the way and grab his home-made dinner.

"I'm going to go shower." I said quietly and snuck upstairs.

Stripping out of my clothes hurt, yet if felt so good to not be trapped my layers of fabric. I stepped into the shower and let the warm water run down my body. My hair turned brown from getting almost instantly soaked. As I began reaching for the shampoo bottle the bathroom door flew open and next the shower curtain.

"Dad!" I yelled, covering my exposed body as best as I could. He completely ignored the fact that I was naked. His eyes were set on my face.

"Are you trying to freaking kill me or something?! I choked on that shit you made me!" His face was red; from choking and screaming.

"I'm sorry, I d-didn't mean t-to-" He cut me off by strangling me with both hands. Barely any air was escaping through my circulatory system. My knees were beginning to go weak.

"This is how I felt five seconds ago!" He screamed, shaking my head. My vision was getting too blurry and the last thing I heard after I hit the ground was the water turn off and the door slam shut.

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Thoughts?