Chapter 10

Samantha was only able to stay for a day afterwards. She had to get back home to Daniella who was currently staying with her Aunt Sandra.

Daniella wanted to come and visit too but school was in again and Samantha didn't want her missing.

Dean did seriously think about his mother's request. After their conversation he reflected on it. He knew his mother wanted the best for him, he also knew that this wasn't what Cami wanted for him.

Thinking about her brought a pang through his heart, but it also comforted him.

So while sitting in his dorm he heard his roommate come back to the room.

Dean closed his eyes with a sigh, then got up forcing himself to go and do this.

Dean came out of his room while his roommate sat in the living room area.

"Hey" his roommate waved.

"Hey" Dean responded.

That was all his roommate expected, so when Dean sat beside him on the coach he was surprised.

"Wow, I didn't expect that!"

"Hmm?"

"Usually you just say hello and disappear off somewhere, I've been wondering what your deal was, you're like really mysterious to all of us..."

"Us?" Dean asked.

"Well yeah." The boy Scott said. "Not all of us are from Hanover, but we are close... We heard you came all the way from Cape May, in New Jersey."

"Yeah... It's not really that far though." Dean responded.

" Well man, with how quiet you are, you seem like you've got a story to tell... Would you be willing to share?"

Dean laughed a dry laugh.

"Would you be willing to listen?"

"Why would I not" Scott replied.

"Because my story involves trauma... Lots of baggage, not the typical thing you'd like to share with someone you barely know."

"I understand if you wouldn't prefer to share, but I'm just saying... I'll listen, I'm not one of those people that make a big deal when someone is clearly trying to open up... I mean maybe you'll give some clues as to why you are so mysterious."

Dean shrugged and then said, "Well alright then."

"Well you already know I'm from New Jersey... But um, I graduated, valedictorian, wasn't originally the plan though, I was salutatorian... but um something happened... To the original valedictorian... So.. so it was me instead...."

Dean paused, but Scott continued to listen.

" Actually, and for the baggage part, so don't say I didn't warn ya, the valedictory was my girlfriend... My long-term girlfriend... And no we didn't break up... She didn't move away... She died, she took her own life... Since then even the summer and these few months of school, everything has felt like a blur... I felt bad that I might have come off rude to you and your friends, but I just didn't and really still don't have the energy to pretend around people... But I also know it won't help me if I just sit around miserable..."

Scott nodded. "That was heavy man, but I get it, that was a lot to deal with, I mean you are still dealing with it... Don't worry your story is safe with me... I hope now you'll be able to hang out with us, all the guys have been wanting to hang with you."

Dean nodded.

Scott grabbed his books and said, "gotta run, almost forgot I have a class a 1, see ya later."

"Bye" Dean replied.

He hoped that Scott could really be a potential friend, and that he wouldn't tell anyone about his story. The absolutely last thing Dean wanted was to be pitied. He absolutely despised it.