Here you go - the other ending that was supposed to be posted a very, very long time ago.

I hope you've enjoyed reading the whole story. I really want to thank you for reviewing and supporting me all the way. It means a whole lot! Thank you so much.

Alternate Ending 2

"At Peace"

"Hey, Shane," Janice greeted happily, "Come in!"

He entered the house without further hesitation. She smiled and it appeared to be a heartfelt one. He handed her the present and card after she easily closed the door.

"You didn't have to, you know," she told him with a shy smile.

"If I'm coming over on the day you were born, I have to get you a little something," Shane said, "Plus, I wanted to."

Janice's heart fluttered like a butterfly for she thought everything was going great.

"You're too kind," she laughed softly, "Let's go to the living room so I can open it."

They sat down on the same couch and surprisingly even though they were alone, it didn't feel awkward for the both of them. Janice breathed a sigh of relief as Shane looked around and asked, "Where are your parents?"

"They went out to finish up some work or something. I would offer you some cake, but they still have to pick it up," Janice smiled.

"Did you ask for a chocolate one?" he excitedly asked.

"Well, of course," she laughed, "It's impossible not to include chocolate in a cake. I think all the cakes I've had ever since I was little had at least a tiny bit of chocolate in them."

"The best cakes usually consist of chocolate."

"That is why my cake is going to be the best…I hope."

"Then I'm going to wait for your parents to arrive so I can taste this cake of yours."

Janice suddenly remembered what her mom said about Shane's mom - how they were so close and talked a whole lot even though they never mentioned their children to each other. That was odd, Janice thought, How could they not talk about their children at least once?

"You should meet them too," Janice suggested, "I think my mom knows you…but has never really met you. She told me this morning that she knew your mom and that they were like the best of friends."

"Yup, my mom mentioned something like that to me, too," Shane smiled, "It's funny. It's almost as if they were planning to make us meet."

"Wonder why," Janice muttered and then pointed at the gift on her lap to ask, "Should I open this now?"

"Of course. If you want to, that's fine with me," Shane answered with another smile that made Janice melt.

She grinned and tore open the wrapper. There lying inside was a book entitled 'Unspoken'. She instantly looked at the back of the book to read the summary. It was about two strangers who had never spoken to each other but felt deep feelings for one another. It made her smile wider because it reminded her of the both of them before.

"This is really sweet," she told him, "Thank you so much. How did you know I love romance novels?"

Shane chuckled nervously, "I didn't. I just chose this book because of the story. When I read the summary, I thought it was special."

"Why?" Janice asked curiously although she was just trying to get him to say it.

Shane nervously shifted in his seat and said, "Read the card."

In an instant, Janice opened the card and read Shane's inscription.

Janice,

Happy 18th birthday! I really wish you all the wonderful, amazing things in life ahead of you. I want you to keep up what you're doing, Janice. You don't know how much you mean to me. And that's not the only reason I'm writing this letter to you. It's also because (screw me for not saying this out loud first)…well, because I'm falling in love with you. Yes, I know you think that 'love' is a big word and is only used when one truly means it. But I am serious. I've been in love with you ever since the first time you passed me in the halls of the school. I know the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover', but it's not that. There was something else that I felt when I passed by you. It was something I couldn't describe. I still can't describe the feeling…you know how I am. Then that time came when I fell on the ground and had to go to the nurse's office. You and Leslie were there and finally, after years of waiting, we had our first real conversation. I was really nervous at that time because I didn't know how you felt about me. Well, I still don't…but that's why it took me a plenty amount of courage to write this letter full of unspoken words that I've been dying to tell you. I just wanted to let you know how I felt. And even if you don't feel the same way, I'll be waiting in the wings for you. Take care, always.

Love (Yes, it's true. I love you),

Shane Morrison

It took a while for Janice to take in the written words. She had to read it twice in order to fully understand the message. Sure it had been Janice's wish for Shane to like her back…but now she couldn't believe it. And she had absolutely no idea why. She read it once more and then finally looked up from the card to look at Shane who was utterly red in colour, staring at the couch.

"You…love me?" she asked him slowly, the realization started coming to her.

He met with her eyes and this time it was different. They both felt the spark that went through them and weren't able to look away.

"Yeah…I do," Shane responded with a slight laugh to try and cover his uneasiness.

Janice practically jumped him as she leaned over to hug him tightly. Shane hugged her back, feeling the warmth that was shared between them. It was a hug that again felt different not because of discomfort, but because they had exposed their unspoken feelings to each other. Well, for Janice, she had expressed her feelings by giving him a meaningful hug and also by saying, "I love you, too."

Now that she truly meant what she said, it wasn't hard to say it out loud.

They continued to embrace for a while but it didn't last for too long. There was sudden knocking on the backyard sliding door that sounded like a loud heart thumping, only a little faster. This caused both Shane and Janice to jump and break out of their hug.

Frightened, Janice began to tremble while Shane held her close to try and comfort her. The noise stopped for a moment.

"Who was that?" Janice asked worryingly, turning to look at the backyard. No one was there.

"Probably Dustin…but don't worry. We'll call the police," Shane reassured her as he took out his phone and dialed 911.

Janice gasped after she realized that she had forgotten to lock the front door. "Shit, shit, shit. I need to lock the door at front! I'll be quick."

"Hurry and come back!" Shane told her.

While Janice ran to the front door, she remembered the night when she discovered about Dustin's meetings with Robin. She remembered how fast she was capable of running and how slow Dustin was compared to her when he tried to chase her. Ever since that night, everything had changed. Janice had changed. She now had Shane and she wasn't going to let anything or anyone change that. Not Dustin.

She finally reached the door and locked it just in time before Dustin had arrived to disturb her peace. He shouted inappropriate words, but Janice decided to tune him out. She didn't want Dustin to have such a big effect on her entire life.

Running back to Shane's calming arms felt good to Janice. It felt perfect. It felt like he was the one to make her whole again. He was the right one for her. He was there all along. Just by being there made her feel safe.

The sound of sirens echoed in the living room as it came closer and closer. Everything was finally over. Dustin would go to prison and would never be seen or heard from again. Everything would be at peace.

"I love you, Janice. Everything's going to be fine," Shane kept saying. And Janice fully believed every single word. She believed in him.