Moonlight

"I'm fine." The words came out of Scott's mouth too quickly, and he knew it. His eyes glue themselves to his monitor as he types in his password. "Had a rough night... again... that's all." 

The pause that follows sends heat up his neck and he finally slumps back in his seat. He didn't feel like being here today. The only reason was because Justin told him to. Otherwise, he'd still be in bed. Where nothing could go wrong. Where he could just sleep. Where he wouldn't have to try and get any work done. 

"Just, um..." His fingers run along his keyboard absentmindedly. "Make sure I eat something... today... will ya? I'm not doing so well in that department lately." He knew Dalton would sense it was more. He was his best friend, after all. But he didn't know how to voice what else was going on inside of him right now. Justin was right... it really was starting all over again.

A grin sneaks onto Jared's lips and he gives Grace another sidelong glance. They were sitting awfully close together, but... she was here to work today, right? He didn't want to take advantage of her visits. After all, it was her job half the time. Did... that mean she wouldn't want any affection though? 

Caught staring, Jared quickly moves his concentration back to his food. "Yeah, that um..." He clears his throat. "That'd be nice. If I ever get back on these stubborn feet of mine, it would be even better. Squeaky wheelchair wheels tend to ruin moonlit walks." He stops. "Not that... moonlight has even been mentioned, although maybe we should try it sometime just to see what happens."

Mick chuckles. "You might not want to say you're a 'great guy' too loudly - somebody might think you've got a big head."

Reaching over he gives Chad's shoulder a pat. "As long as you don't do anything to break our trust, you're welcome here. I'm sorry that leaving is the best option right now. If Jim settles down, it would be nice for all of us to get to know you better." 

Putting all her effort into scrubbing a pan in the kitchen sink, Rosalyn barely feels the tear run down her cheek. Everything just seemed to be going wrong and despite a peaceful walk with Chad, she still felt torn and confused. Why couldn't something like this just be simple?

"Rosalyn?"

Whirling around, she accidentally splashes some water out of the sink. "Clint..." She turns quickly back to the dishes before swiping at her eyes. "What do you need?"

"Nothing." He wanders in closer to lean on the counter and just watch her for a few minutes. "You okay?"

More tears form. "I'm fine. Why?"

"I dunno. Figured if I was in your spot, I'd be feeling pretty crappy."

Rosalyn throws him a look. "Was that supposed to be an effort at empathy?"

Clint grins sheepishly. "Maybe. Look, I just wanted to say if you'd rather not go home tonight, you can come to Wendy's and my house if you want."

Rosalyn continues to scrub the pan. "What? Don't approve of me spending the night with Chad?"

Clint sighs. "I didn't mean that. I know you didn't do anything stupid - other than being there with him all night, which did look pretty bad. But I have a feeling you won't do that again so... I just wanted to give you another option, that's all."

Finally pausing her work, Rosalyn nods, her eyes remaining on the soapy bubbles. "Thanks... that means a lot."

"Sure." Clint gives his sister's arm a squeeze. "I'll see you later?"

"Mm... yeah." Left alone again, Rosalyn lets her tears spill over once more. Why couldn't her father possess the same understanding that her brother did? Clint could be a retard, but Rosalyn knew that this was the real him, underneath all his boyishness. Why, oh why couldn't her father be like that? She honestly wondered how long Chad would put up with all of this before he changed his mind about being with her.

Drain

Looking to Mick again as he talked Chad gives a thoughtful nod. He could tell Mick was not saying everything he was for the sake of himself or even Jim but for the sake of Rosalyn. He did have a point too and Chad understood it. Still it hurt though, and it felt like he was being punished for something he didn't even do.

   "Ok, I can move to being in town. As I still welcomed here though?"

Chad new it was a silly question and he felt like a high schooler asking it but it was one he wanted to know the answer. He wanted to make sure that if he did want to show up, or did come back he'd be able too. The freedom to know he could do so, sometime was nice and he hoped it was ok.

   " I really am a great guy, I just hope one day maybe Jim can get to know me for himself. I'd like that anyways. I guess I better pack my stuff up and let Rosalyn know whats going on. Thanks Mick for giving me a chance even if your brother didn't."

As Jared was a little hesitance to answer her question Grace new why  even if she didn't say anything about it she just let him take his time answering her. Hearing some of the things he liked to do she gives a smile. They sounded fun, and maybe something she would like to try with him some day, including spending more time together.

   "Mmmm...I think those sounds like fun. Maybe once your talking a little better we can go out and try to do a few other things we never have before to see if we like them. Than it would also help with the spending time with me part."

Grace gives a smile at the though of spending more time with Jared. She liked that thought doing more things with him and getting to know him better. Even if his past was clouded she liked thinking about what the future held and why God had let them meet. It was an exciting thought that she looked forward to finding out.

Looking up seeing someone come into the room Dalton couldn't help but smile seeing Scott. It was nice seeing his again and after feeling pretty crappy this morning knowing his friend would be helping him was a nice surprised.

   "Hey there Scott what a nice surprise to see you. Nothing to exciting at the moment, than again at the moment I think I kind of like it that way."

Giving a smile Dalton takes a closer look at Scott. There was something there he was trying to hide and he could tell. He couldn't help but wonder what it was that was bothering his friend today. He didn't want to put him on the spot or anything but he did want to make sure he was ok too.

   "How are you today? You look a little tired..I don't want to drain ya to much if you are."