August was almost over, Tommy's birthday was on the 30th. A date that she had to dig through his friends because he wouldn't tell her. He doesn't really celebrate his birthday, Charlene decided to organize a surprise party at the cabin for his 20th birthday before he leaves for Goldstone in September. Tommy was meeting her near her house to go to the cabin together, while his friends were secretly gathering at the cabin. She was about to leave through the back door when her mom stopped her. "Where are you off to, young lady?" her voice stern and demanding. She turned around, knowing she had been gone almost every day since summer began. "You're seeing him again? Don't you think you've been seeing him too often? You've been gone every day, I almost never see you at home anymore?" her mom sighed. "It's his birthday today, mom, we're having a surprise party for him," she told her. Her mom nodded softly and sat on the chair by the kitchen table.

His gas was running low. Goldstone was still a couple of hours away when he stopped in the middle of nowhere to fill up his tank. He'd been driving through a dirt road for an hour, the same route he'd always taken whenever he had deliveries to Goldstone. He looked at his watch, it was a quarter after twelve noon, he was going to be early. All he could think of was how sweet she smelled that morning, her sweat on his skin as they pressed against each other, her soft lips touching his, the taste of her tongue. He was going out of his mind having to leave her for two months. He felt a bit at peace knowing she was going to be busy with school, an image he can live with while he's away. Having so many things going on in his head, he was oblivious when a piece of paper fell out of his pocket. He left the gas station not knowing that one small piece of paper held the fate of his relationship with Charlie for the next few months. When he arrived at

Halloween in Bluebridge is a big thing, it's bigger than Christmas. People decorated the trees along the pathways, front lawns were turned into creepy pumpkin fields. All the street lights were turned off, the only lights were coming from candles, torches, and the stars. People turned on minimum lights in their houses so the essence of Halloween can be captured throughout the whole town. It was a tradition that's been passed on from generation to generation. Bluebridge turned into a murderous ghost town for one night, and Charlene loved it so much. People of all ages walked down the pathways, those who were too scared usually stayed home and slept the night away with all the lights off. It's their way of passively participating, it was an unspoken commitment amongst the townspeople. Those who roamed the streets were all wearing costumes and Halloween make-up. The Town Hall was open for a gloomy party, no music, no lights, just scary illustration sounds, black li

Landon had been calling her every weekend since Halloween. He asked her how she was doing, what she's been doing, but mostly he talked about school and how much he had to study. He spent Thanksgiving with his family, a weekend away at their other vacation home near the mountains, doing all sorts of posh activities that he enjoyed so much. He said he wanted to go skiing for the Christmas holiday and asked Charlene if she would join him. She politely declined. Even after he had been nice to her, she didn't feel like Landon is someone she can be close to. "Oh come on ... you'll love it, I'll teach you how to ski, you'll meet all my friends and family, we'll stay out at a villa in the mountains, drink eggnogs and other Christmas-y things," he tried to persuade her. "I don't know, Landon, I feel like spending Christmas here with my family ... spend more time with Charlotte before I leave next year," she said. "Fair enough ...

Working out six hours a day, every day, and working on an eight-hour shift every night, took it's toll on him very quickly. Ever since a colleague of his suggested enhancers to boost his energy, he was able to add more hours at the gym and more hours on his shifts, and could still hang out at bars afterward. Everyone else was using it, it was common for his line of work. They call it 'the helper', which leads to other kinds of helpers, for every different need. Even actors use them too. There really wasn't much to do after work, except for bar-hopping with the guys. Days were always dark for him because he spent mornings sleeping and practically woke up at the gym to train until it gets dark. The enhancers really helped him cope with his new routine. He watched as his friends snorted and shoved all kinds of pills every day, but he stuck to his beers and whiskey with an occasional weed when it was passed around. Simon had warned him about the drugs, how easy it w