After the attack from Tanya, everything was a blur. I vaguely remember Zora's arms around me, and my mom's frightened eyes. I remember an ambulance, and Tanya on a stretcher, then being driven to the hospital only to be told I didn't need stitches on my neck, but the mark would probably scar... and then I remember waking up in my bed, hearing muffled voices in the kitchen down the hall, and feeling warm fingers running through my hair.

“Morning sunshine.” Zora's voice was soft and revered, as if she was afraid speaking full out would send me back into slumber.

“Morning yourself.” I croaked out. My throat was dry, and I felt like someone had shoved a few rolls of cotton in my mouth while I was sleeping.

Zora reached over to my nightstand and grabbed a glass of water, before helping me sit partially up, and raising the cup to my lips.

“Here. You sound like you could use a drink.” She said, a soft smile on her lips. I nodded, and drank greedily from the cup, draining it quickly.

“Do you need more?” I shook my head.

“Who all is here?” I asked, as I tried to discern all the voices in the other room.

“Your parents, my mom, Amy and a police officer.”

I must have looked confused, because she smiled and kissed my forehead.

“They're talking about Tanya, and how to go about pressing charges. Your parents' lawyer is on his way, also.”

I nodded, and laid back down. I was still very tired, although I didn't know why. I hadn't done anything. It had been Amy who had done all the work.

“I'll let you get some sleep now,” Zora said softly. “I'll bring you something to eat later, okay?”

“All right.” I breathed, already falling asleep again. Zora bent over, and gave me a quick kiss, before she walked out of my room, and into the kitchen to listen in on the planning.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next time I woke up, I was alone in my room, and the house seemed silent. Zora must have went home. I concluded. I thought she was going to bring me something to eat... I climbed out of bed, and pulled my blanket around my shoulders, before I exited my room, and made a b-line for the kitchen. No one was in there. So I went to the living room. It was empty also. As I walked past an open window on my way upstairs, I heard talking outside. I looked out the window to see everyone on the deck talking. I pushed open the back door, and stepped onto the deck.

“Claire! You should be sleeping!” My mum exclaimed, as she stood and walked toward me.

“I'm not tired any more.” I stated, before sitting down on a chair by Zora and Amy.

“Oh all right.” Mum said reluctantly before she too sat down, next to Zora's mother and the lawyer.

“How are you feeling?” Amy asked, concern in her eyes.

“Better actually.” I said warmly, smiling fully at her. “Thanks again for yesterday Amy... I'm so sorry we ever thought that-”

“Forget about it,” Amy said, “Now we can move on and be friends, right?”

I grinned, and nodded vigorously. “Friends.” I reached out hugged her, knowing I owed her my life. “Thank you.” I breathed.

“Now now, no getting all emotional on me.” She joked, and I chuckled, before reaching out and taking Zora's hand in mine.

“So, what are they going to do with Tanya?” I asked, seeming nervous.

“Well,” Zora began, “Right now she's in the hospital. Slugger over there really put her out good.” She winked at Amy, who blushed a little.

“Then, they're just going to send her to a detention center until her court date. She'll probably be in juvenile prison until she's 18, and then I think they'll put her in a regular jail for a while. They're still deciding on a exact sentence to go for.

I sighed. “It's too bad... I mean, why did she have to do that? Didn't she know she'd end up ruining her life?” I questioned, looking to Zora with sad eyes.

“I don't know, Claire. I think for some people, anger clouds their minds, and all they can think about is revenge, and they lose sight of what's really important in life, or what consequences their actions might bring. I think that's what happened with Tanya. Her hatred of me clouded her rational thought.”

“So then she's a victim of circumstance? Is it fair to punish her for that?”

“Claire, everyone is in charge of their emotions, of their thoughts. If you're mad, you can stop being mad. If you're sad, you can stop being sad. She made a choice, and now she's going to have to live with the consequences.”

My father had just walked out onto the deck as Zora finished her little speech.

“Or not, Zora.” He said solemnly.

“What?”

“Maybe she wont have to live with it,” He began, “She's killed herself.”

Tanya's funeral was interesting enough. Mum and dad didn't even want me to go, but I had insisted. I knew that even though Tanya had done something terrible, her family still loved her, and they deserved to have a respectful funeral just as much as anyone else. And I was going to be there to pay my last respects to her, too.

Zora had come with, and we sat together in the back. All of Tanya's family knew who I was, but no one came to me. I didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved for that.

The service went quickly enough. Her parents talked about how she was always a good person, who did what was right, and how she was a quite, shy child.

They didn't mention how she died once.

And they didn't mention why she chose to die that way, either.

The burial was rather cut and dry. No one wanted to speak after they put her casket to rest, so they simply covered the hole, and everyone filtered away to their cars, to continue about their daily business. For most, another chore was done for the day.

I went home, had a good cry, and wrote. Wrote as I always did when I needed some kind of release. And the world seemed a better place after.

I knew I'd have to face school soon. I knew I'd have to face students and teachers who had saw my face on the news. Heard the story about Tanya.

People who would have questions. Comments that they thought would help me heal.

People who wouldn't know what to say. Things would be awkward for a while.

There would be teasing. There always was.

And the thing was, I seemed prepared for it. Seemed prepared for the questions and the whispered words behind my back. I was ready to respond to statements and comments and shy smiles in the halls from people who didn't know how to address the issue.

I had a family who loved me, close friends who cared for me, a girlfriend who I knew I was meant to be with, and life seemed good, even with the scar on my neck. A memory of a life before.

I had been reborn.

And for once, paradise seemed as if it wasn't so ostracized after all.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That's it everyone, ride over. Remember, exit the ride to the right, and no refunds on your tickets. Please come again.

Thank you everyone who read this story! It was a really great experience for me to write as it came, and see how everyone responded. I would now like to give special thanks to those who were regular readers/reviewers.
Extreme domo arigato gozaimasu to:

Becca Asry
Eat me
Skip
Tashi
CrazyWriter
Kate
LilliAngel
Stray
VampireSpider
Ayakaishi Fei
declared-reader
Mandie

And EVERYONE else that read and reviewed! *MEGA HUGGLES*

This is probably the longest thing I've written in quite a while, and I know that if it wasn't for those of you who reviewed, I never would have had the strength to finish it out. So thanks you guys (and girls), and watch for my next girl/girl story. ‘Cause trust me, there -will- be more. *nod nod*

Skip- Print away my friend, print away.

Eat me- More story! More story now!

VampireSpider- Why yes child, this happy sir has indeed given you more. :)

Tashi- *poke* Why isn't your boy/boy LOtR story up on yet, huh?

*bows* Until next time everyone!

Oh, and since it's the last chapter, this is your last chance to hear me say this (and don't go getting all sentimental on me):

Click that button down there *points* And REVIEW! WOOOOO!