Breaking point

Dylan just nods in response and turns back to his work of sweeping. He knew Ashlee was just trying to be nice... and there really was a part of him that was grateful. He wasn't sure why she tried so hard - he didn't deserve it. But he was grateful anyway.

By the time supper rolled around though, the lights in his bunk would already be out. Quitting barn work early in the day, he'd managed to get some of his school done before crawling into bed. Someone checked on him once - Sparky? Later on, he wouldn't be sure since he'd been half asleep and just mumbled a response. By morning though, it wouldn't matter...

...Dylan had tried to get up three times. The last time, he'd been able to get up and pull on his jeans, but that was it before flopping back down in bed again. Curled up under his blanket, sweat poured down his face and he shook with chills, despite the warm temperature of his bunk. His stomach warned him not to move at all, lest he lose what little there was to lose. He knew if he didn't show up outside soon, someone would come looking for him. It wasn't unusual for him to skip breakfast, but he was supposed to work in the barn, then go check in with Rosetta for his schoolwork.

He pulls his blanket up a little farther and tries to ignore the shooting pain in his skull as he shivers again. He pries his eyes open to glance at the phone on his bedside table. But who would he call anyway? He'd been tempted yesterday to call someone who could help him get over this real quick... but somehow he'd convinced himself not to. He needed to beat this thing, not get in deeper. Now though... now he was in trouble. But asking for help... that meant telling the truth about what was wrong. He had a sinking feeling that people around here had figured out something at least... but he still didn't want to face them. Eventually though, somebody was going to notice his absence and come looking for him.

Struggling to stay awake, Dylan suddenly remembers that he was supposed to help Dan mend the corral fence this morning. Sparky had given him the task yesterday, saying he could do that this morning instead of cleaning stalls. But now what?

Dylan licks his dry lips and tries once more time to get himself up and out of bed. Slipping on a t-shirt and his boots, he walks shakily to the door only to sink down on the floor against the wall. No... he just wasn't going to make it. Dan would be on his own with the fence.


"Naw, you're good." Pete would have been willing to continue the conversation, but he knew better than to press it. "If I don't see you beforehand, I'll be around at about eight-thirty tomorrow night and you can ride with me to the party..."

...As promised, the next day Pete went home after work then returned a couple hours later to pick up Trey. He was dressed a little nicer than when going to the beach parties, but still casual. Wandering down to the lower level of TJY, he knocks on Trey's door.

"Ride's here," he announces. "Ready to party?"