"Yeah, she did." Josh said absent mindedly. His thoughts were on Raleigh, but not the show.

"So, what happened?" Karen poked for information. Obviously he had spoken to her, but what had actually gone down between the once lovers was a mystery to her.

"She's so different now, Mom. Her looks, it's like that's all that matters to her anymore. She's lost weight, cut her hair, wearing a lot of make-up, smoking now too. She even has a tattoo and a navel piercing." He looked up in distain.

"She has two tattoos and a tongue ring too, Josh." Karen said matter-of-factly.

With that knowledge, Josh's head shot up in disbelief. "What happened to Ray, Mom? She's not who I use to know."

"No, she's not. I agree. But how would be if the love of your life, the person you thought you were going to be spending the rest of your life with just sent you a letter telling you your twelve year relationship was over? I can't say I blame her for changing the way she did. Although I am glad she hasn't gone to completely rebelling. After she read the letter, she completely changed everything. Raleigh felt as though she wasn't good enough, that's why you had done what you did. She had stopped playing at the cafe for a long time. She got the piercings and tattoos. Started smoking, which everyone disapproves of, but hey, they're her lungs." The woman reasoned. "But the one thing I don't think she went so low as to do, was sleep around. Lord knows there have been many offers for the girl, but I'm so glad she didn't respond to them."

"How could I have been so selfish as to basically end her life? Squash her hopes and dreams the way I had?"

"If you were unhappy, there was no use in dragging out the relationship, honey."

"But that's just it, Mom. The reason I was unhappy was because we were so far apart. I couldn't handle it. So I took the cowardly way out."

Sitting down at the table across from her oldest son, Karen took his hands in hers and looked deeply in to his eyes. "Josh, think of everything you and Raleigh have been through, all of your feelings for her." She could tell he was doing as the asked. His face was all scrunched and it was as though he was in his own little world. "Now, tell me, what exactly is it that you want more than anything?"

After a moment or two, Josh looked up at his mother and whispered, "Raleigh."

~*~

Walking down the street with Justin, he and Josh talked about everything and anything that came to mind. They were planning on going to their old hang out while growing up, when Josh turned his head and saw something that nearly made his heart stop. Raleigh, dressed in a black spaghetti-string tank top and low rise blue jeans, was on the table in front of a couch inside The Landing dancing for James. Then she doubled over in laughter and cuddled with the guy. He so badly wanted to look away, but couldn't bring himself to tear his eyes away from the seemingly couple interlocking their fingers and looking at one another with the love and adoration Josh and Raleigh use to have for each other.

Feeling as though he was about to be sick, Josh looked away from the sight and passed Justin, who was giving him a worried, and pitiful look.

"Josh," Justin called after him, trying to catch up with the obviously disturbed man. "Josh! Will you stop?"

"Why?" His voice was void of all emotion, and yet some how, full of so much.

"Dammit, Josh. What's with you?"

Stopping dead in his tracks and whipping around to face Justin. "What the hell do you mean what's with me? I'm fine."

"Oh, you're fine huh? Then why the hell are you reacting so badly to seeing James and Raleigh together?"

"I just can't believe she'd be so quick to date again. And James of all people!"

"Well what did you expect her to do? Wait around for you to come to your senses and realize you made the biggest freaking mistake of your life?"

"Who's side are you on?" Josh asked defensively. Wasn't this guy suppose to be his friend?

"I'm on nobody's side. Ya'll are my friends and I don't want to get in the middle of anyone's shit, but Raleigh is an amazing girl, and James realized that a long time ago. When she got that letter, he was there for her. They got closer, if that was even possible. And eventually their friendship evolved into more. She realized waiting wasn't worth it. She released all ties she had with you. She gave up a lot of things to tried and forget you." The way he had just said that made Josh's mind run wild. Shrugging the feeling off, he let Justin continue with his ranting. "She moved on. It's time you do the same."

"I have moved on. If I wasn't over her, why would I have broken up with her?"

"If you were so over her, seeing them together wouldn't faze you in the least." Justin practically yelled at him, pointing back to the coffee shop. Then his voice took on a softer tone. "Face it Josh, she was your once in a lifetime. And you blew it. Now she's with James, and she's happy. You'll never make it through the summer if you don't accept that." Happy? Just last night Raleigh had said she hadn't been happy in a long time, and that was his fault. But as many reasons as Josh had running through his mind at the moment that Justin was wrong, deep down, he knew Justin was right. They had their chance at love, and he ruined it. Now it was time to accept the fact that James and Raleigh were the meant to be ones now. Or were they?

Nodding his head, Josh turned and kept walking in the direction of his and Justin's destination before getting sidetracked, Justin close behind.

~*~

Walking down the familiar trail of dirt in the large forest, Josh's mind was clouded with thoughts. Thoughts he couldn't seem to shake since day one of being back home. Thoughts of Raleigh, and her new found love.

He had been so caught up in thinking, Josh hadn't even realized there was soft music coming from just around the bend of the trail, from the swimming hole, his destination. Walking slowly towards the music so he wouldn't make any noise, Josh smiled once he saw who it was. Raleigh was laying on her side on a large blanket with a small radio next to her, singing along with the song. She and Josh use to sneak away in the middle of the night and come here. During the day it was open to everyone who wanted to swim, but at night, all the kids of Shelby knew it was their spot.

Now this was the Ray he knew. Just laying back on a blanket, softly singing along to the radio reading a book with a flashlight.

"Anything interesting?" Josh couldn't help but laugh a little when he saw Raleigh jump and turn her body the way she had.

"Way to scare the crap out of me, Josh." She said, sitting up and shutting her book. "And yes, it was getting quite interesting for you information."

"Well I'm so sorry to have disturbed you. I was just going for a walk."

"I did too."

"And you ended up here?"

Not looking at Josh, Raleigh replied. "My walks at night these past two weeks have taken me here. No doubt it has something to do with you."

"I thought you didn't believe in signs?" Josh said, walking closer to her.

Staring impenetrably into his eyes, she said, "I don't. Nor coincidence."

Watching her stand up and begin to pick up her things, Josh was quick to stop her. "You leaving?"

"I've been here long enough. Besides, I have to be back in an hour and it will take me at least half of that time to get home."

"Will you wait and not be so quick to leave just because I'm here?"

"Why should I stay?"

Walking right up to her, Josh looked into her eyes softly. "I've been home for two weeks now, and the only time I've gotten to talk to you was that night at your show."

"I think everything that had to be said was said there."

"No. Everything that had to be explained was said then."

"What's the difference?" She gave a little laugh, one that drove Josh completely insane.

"The difference is I want to talk to you. I want to get to know you again."

"Josh..."

"I just want to be your friend again, Ray. Is that too much to ask for?" Watching her look away, undoubtedly thinking that it was, he added, "I mean, after all, you do have James."

That got her attention. Her head whipped up and looked at Josh. "How do you know about that?"

"Oh come on, it's not like you two are so discrete or anything. You cry on his shoulder, kiss him, dance for him on table tops. It's obvious your guys' relationship is past friendship. Way past." Raleigh just nodded her head. "Are you happy with him? I mean, the only reason I ask is because you seem like it when with him. But alone, you don't."

"I told you that night, Josh. I haven't been happy in a long time." Her gaze was so strong and powerful and yet so soft and sad at the same time. Josh found himself melting into the lilac orbs once again. They had some sort of spell over him. One that he could never break free from, nor did he want to. "I mean, I'm not gonna lie. James is a great guy. And for the most part, he treats me really well. But when it comes down to it, he's no you." There was never a harder thing to get over than losing your first love.

"I am sorry for what I did. Hurting you was the last thing I wanted to do. But I was such a coward."

"I know, Josh. But I can't forgive you for that. At least not yet anyway."

"I know, Ray. But just tell me we can be friends, at least."

Giving him a small smile, Raleigh said, "I can try."

"Thank you." And that was all he asked of her. They sat on the blanket listening to the radio for at least an hour and a half just catching up and even joking around when Raleigh challenged Josh.

"You wouldn't dare!" Her eyes were wide as she watched him stand up and lean over to look at her face.

"You should know better by now. Don't you remember the night of Chris' party?"

And with that, Josh picked up a screaming Raleigh and went over to the swimming hole. "You put me down right now, Joshua, or I swear to God I will tell your mother! And you know she doesn't like you throwing girls into water! Especially at night! And she doesn't even like you out at night, even when a college man." Raleigh tried threatening him, but it didn't work.

"She'll get over it." Was the last thing he said before dropping Raleigh into the cold water.

Coming to the surface, Raleigh swam to the side to climb out. "I cannot believe you just did that!"

"Well believe it." Josh said while stripping off his shirt, shoes, socks and pants.

"What are you doing?"

"It's too hot out here. I'm ready for a swim myself. And the next thing Raleigh knew, there was a big splash and Josh was under the water, somewhere.

"Josh?" Raleigh called out to the darkness. There was no answer, and the only movement she saw was the calming of the water. "Josh, this isn't funny." She said again, getting scared. Where was he? Was this just another sick joke of his? Becoming frantic, Raleigh went under water and swam around trying to find him. How could someone just vanish like that? Coming up to the surface again, Raleigh treaded water, turning in circles to see if she could see anything, anything at all that might tell her where Josh had gone. Then suddenly she felt something wrap around her ankle and pull her under the water so fast she didn't have time to think. She thrashed around under the water, trying to break free. She felt her free foot kick something and then she was released. Swimming to the surface and trying to get out as fast as possible, she saw something rise out of the water a few feet away from her.

"God dammit, Ray, you got a hard kick. Even under the water." Josh complained, holding his jaw.

"Ugh, you asshole! I cannot believe you did that to me!" She screamed, swimming over to him and dunking him under the water. "You had me so scared. God I hate you."

"Oh you do not. It's nice to know you worry though."

"Well I can't help it. I spent most of my life worrying about you. And you can bet your ass I'm gonna get you back. It may not be tomorrow, it may not be the next day, but when you least expect it, the biggest, meanest joke will be played on you and you won't know what hit you!"

"There ain't no doubt in my mind that'll happen."

Splashing Josh in the face, Raleigh laughed a little. "I still can't believe you did that to me."

"I can't believe you fell for it. I did it to you eight years ago too."

"Oh like I'd remember eight years ago!" Raleigh and Josh got into a heated discussion on past pranks to each other, neither had barely stopped to realize what was going on. Before they knew it, Raleigh somehow had ended up so close to Josh she could feel his hot breath on her face.

Neither knew what to do or say at that moment. It was just like when they had realized they had first fallen for each other. Both uncomfortable, both silent, both motionless.

Josh's hands somehow found hers under the dark water and held them to his chest, pulling her closer. "You're trembling."

"Well, it's cold in here."

"Maybe we should get out then."

"Maybe we should." Raleigh agreed, but neither made any efforts to get out of the icy water, or to even break eye contact. At one point, Raleigh even found herself wishing Josh would close the tiny gap between their mouths and kiss her senseless. It had been far too long since she had felt them upon her own. Were they still as soft as they had always been? She wondered. Would he still make that low growl noise if she lightly bit that spot on his neck? Could she still drive him insane with the slightest touch to the curly mass of hair on his head? All these questions ran through her head at a million miles per second, and she ached to know the answer to them, but she couldn't. He had broken up with her and torn her to pieces. She couldn't give in to him because the softness of his voice and his eyes were enough to make her lose all her morals and go completely insane over him. She had to have some will power. Or else he could break her heart all over again, and she wasn't so sure she was strong enough to get past that a second time. She was still fighting to get over the first.

Becoming very aware of the hour, Raleigh began to freak out. "Oh my god, what time is it?" She quickly swam away from Josh and out of the hole. Running to the blanket, she looked down at her cell phone to see that it was one-seventeen AM. "Shit!"

"What? What's wrong?" Josh asked, coming up behind her.

"It's after one. Mom and Dad wanted me home by eleven-thirty. No later."

"Just tell them you were out with me, it'll be ok." Josh laughed as Raleigh scrambled to get all her things together.

"Ha! Right, that'll go over really well with the parentals. They strongly dislike you right now. Your name will not be mentioned at all in my explanation of where I've been all night."

"Yeah, definitely better this way."

"Yeah." She finally stopped rushing around and turned to Josh. "I had a great time tonight. This was just what I needed. And I'm glad you're home."

"Me too." Josh smiled warmly at her. "To all of the above."

"I'll see you around."

"Yeah. Bye, Ray."

"Bye Josh." And with that, she was gone, running through the forest to get home to where Mr. and Mrs. Coons where more than likely pacing the living room floor, waiting up for Raleigh's return. They were so overprotective of her it was sick. Yes, as parents they had a responsibility to their kids. But this was just ridiculous.

Fifteen minutes later, Raleigh walked into her dark house, panting and tired. Out walked her mother and father from the living room, both had a stern look planted on their faces. Debbie looked her daughter up and down and shook her head. "Do I even want to know?"

"I don't think so." Raleigh whispered, afraid to speak any louder.

Nodding, Debbie said, "Take a shower and go to bed. We'll discuss this in the morning when we're not all tired and irritable."

Knowing better than to say anything after the final words had been spoken, Raleigh went straight upstairs and took a hot shower. After getting dressed into her pajamas, she climbed into bed, completely unable to fall asleep. Josh and the events of tonight ran through her mind repeatedly, and she couldn't help but to smile.
1