"Jenna, this is it."

We stood together in the bathroom of the dingy convenient store preparing for our final living moments on this planet. Taking her hand in my own, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about how the skin of her hand was harder than before. But in a different time, under different circumstances, I could remember that her hands were silky and soft – free of the calloused bruises and wounds.

The growling from the infected behind the door should have sent chills of terror up my spine, but instead I turned to Jenna and smiled. In in a moment that should have been filled with panic and dismay, my hand had instinctively sought out hers... something about that was spiritual to me. There is no other feeling that can compare to the comfort and security I felt with her hand in mine. Staring into her eyes, I studied the beauty that gleamed from those brown orbs. If this was really the end for me, I was grateful that I had someone to accompany me to whatever afterlife may lie ahead. As I stared down at Jenna reflecting on our final moments, I was interrupted by the darting movement of her eyes towards a tiny window covered with cardboard.

"Collin, look!" Jenna yelled out, quickly releasing her hand from mine and moving to stand atop the toilet. Her movements were frantic as she tried to reach the cardboard and she did struggle at first, but it only took a few seconds before she had ripped off flimsy piece of brown paper. Suddenly glass fragments collided with the linoleum tiles at my feet - with a crowbar she had created our escape route. Still, the window pane was too high for Jenna to reach. I watched as she attempted to lift herself up without any success.

"It's too high up. You go first; you might be able to reach it." Jenna looked down at me and spoke with the defeat evident in her voice.

We stared at each other for a few seconds and I couldn't help but analyze the meaning behind her actions. Was she really willing to sacrifice her own chance at survival to insure that I made it safely? In the end it didn't matter, because in that moment I was more interested in saving Jenna's life than my own. I could give Jenna a boost and try to climb over by myself. Although, I wasn't certain that I had sufficient strength to heave myself through and over the windowpane all by myself.

Fuck it. She needed someone to boost her up, and if I make it too, I guess that'll be unexpected extra.

"No I'll help you." My words were firm, leaving no room for hesitation from Jenna. I placed my arms securely around her legs, carefully catapulting her through the broken window pane.

I'd be lying if I said the sound of the wooden door giving way to a horde of starving infected failed to startle me. It must of frightened Jenna too, because she paused while she was halfway through the window to glance at the door that was crumbling to pieces.

"Give me your hand!" Jenna yelled, holding out her hand to me. The infected were so close that I could smell the foul odor emanating from their breath. Grabbing on to her hand, I jumped towards the top of the wall as she pulled her dangling body through the window.

We manage to clear the window and make it through, but we both impact heavily with the concrete on the other side. I lay still on the ground for a few seconds, stunned and breathless. The throbbing discomfort in my shoulder gives way to very sharp pains, but the agony is not unbearable. When I turn over to see Jenna, I see that she was not so lucky – the fall had left her unconscious on the ground.

"Jenna! Jenna!" Panicking, I quickly roll over and shake her. "Jenna, wake up!" But to no avail, she was seemingly comatose. Was she just unconscious? Was she dead? I racked my brain for recollections from health class. Placing my head against her chest, I listened and felt for her breathe. Fortunately her chest was still vacillating and her pulse was strong. I sat there for a moment, unsure what to do. I was hesitant to perform CPR or move her if she was seriously hurt internally. "Please wake up." I spoke quietly, placing my hand gently atop her head. As I stared down at her and wallowed in my lack of a plan of action, her eye lids fluttered open. "Jenna!"

"My… head… really… hurts…" She spoke slowly, obviously disorientated.

"You're going to be okay." My words were soft, trying to remain calm for her sake.

"Let's… go…" She spoke slowly again, trying to move herself slightly.

"No, don't move." I stopped her. Putting my arms beneath her, I lifted Jenna up into my arms as gently as I was able to and walked cautiously towards my car. She fell unconscious once again when she was within my embrace. Once I had her safely fastened into the passenger seat, I began driving without any real destination in mind. We passed abandoned store after abandoned store, but I was still unsure of where we should go. The sun was going to disappear soon and the infected were more accustomed to the shield of nightfall. When we reached an abandoned parking garage, I decided that this was probably a pretty safe location to sleep. Pulling up to the top floor, I put the truck in park and made sure the doors were locked. With Jenna sound asleep, I took off my jacket and placed it over her. Then I grabbed my shot gun and tried to settle in comfortably in my seat.

Staring at Jenna, I contemplated on my journey so far through this apocalypse. When it had all began, I was sure I could make it this far – I wasn't surprised to still be one of the few survivors. But Jenna Hamilton a survivor? Not to say that my encounter with her at our former school wasn't a pleasant surprise, but I just wasn't certain that she possessed the necessary ruthlessness and other essential characteristics that were considered survival skills.

Still, I was a survivor, and I could care for her, and I could save her. Maybe we could establish a survivor colony together. Maybe we could discover a cure for infection together. Maybe we could save the world together. Maybe we could fall in love and live happily ever after. I couldn't stop my wondering thoughts and I was truly frightened. Not of dying, or the infected, but terrified of failing this wonderful girl who had suddenly appeared in my life again.

Turning my gaze away from Jenna, I focused on the last sliver of sun before it disappeared.

The darkness engulfed the sky quickly. We were all alone, for now.

Author's Note: What did you think of the random Collin POV? Did you enjoy it? Hate it? Want to see more of it or never want to read a chapter from his perspective again? Leave a review and let me know what you think. On that note, I feel as if readers are taking a sort of hiatus from the Awkward fandom - which is normal since the show isn't returning until Fall (I know you're just as excited as I am for the New Jenna!). I might put this story on hold for awhile until the new season starts. Your thoughts? Should I take a break or continue on? As always - reviews are welcome and very much appreciated!