Preface,

 Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

"We were behind the school, the gym was packed with students. I was the kind of girl, who stood out a little but everyone loved. The kind of person who was always hyper and in a good mood. The kind of girl, who didn't have a worry in the world. Who had never missed a party, and who could never stop talking. People didn't get sad when they hung out with me. Sometimes, I even skipped down the hallways. So, anyways, we were outside, talking. By he, I mean, the star football player, the guy every girl wanted, Jay Barson. His beautiful blue eyes, made him always look like he was smiling.His perfect, and soft, blonde hair. But, I didn't like him for his looks, but his attitude, he also, was always happy.

"We were laughing, at such random things. *shallowly chuckles* Like I always had. He had asked me to the prom, as only friends, atleast that's what I had thought. All of a sudden he stroked my cheek. He told me I was beautiful. And, uh, *panicky voice* uh, I can't remember! I can't remember! I!__"


"It's okay, Lizzie. Your getting better." Devon our counselor, said to me, in his always calm hushed voice. I opened my eyes everyone was staring at me with mixed expressions. I looked down at the cement ground of the wear house. A tear slipped frm my face and landed on the cold ground, splattering on impact.


"Okay lets continue," Devon spoke again. "Who else would like to share?" "Hmph!" Slipped from the mouth of Bob. Bob is an ex-sniper. He fought in Vietnam, and would never let anyone forget it.


A squeak of a voice came from my side."Bob do you have something to say?" It was Gertrude, she was a sweet, confused, young woman, older than me, but young.She had autism, and feels misunderstood.


"Why don't you speak up for once!" Bob retorted. "It was a simple question, Bob!" Maleeka yelled coming through the door, late again. She was a young teen, beautiful, but in trouble. She hung out with the wrong crowd and her parole officer made her come for to months. Shes been coming on her own for 3 months.


Bob muttered something under his breath, and Maleeka sat to the left of Piper. This was her first day, and no one knew anything about her. Maleeka looked uncomfortable. Piper,though, looked at her and gave her a weak smile.

After an uncomfortable silence Devon finally spoke. "Does anyone else have something to say?"   Maleeka's voice rang through the warehouse. "I was late 'cause I was stabbed." Devon looked at her wide eyed."By who?"
"Mom."
"Do the police__"
"Yes, they know"
"Are you okay?"
"I'll survive."
"Don't you need rest?"
"Yea, kinda."
"Okay, how about we call this meeting a wrap. See you all,uh,Thursday. I'll text you where."


 Every one slowly filed out, saying bye in the process. I walked back over to Devon.
"You ready to go?"
"In a minute, I want to talk to Piper real quick."
He walked over to her, and sat down. After about a minute of me impatiently waiting, he came back over.
"Pipers coming home with us."
The coffee I had been drinking flew from my lips, and I bet, it looked like a perfect spit take.
"She's what?"I said wiping what was still on my lips off with my sleeve.
"Coming home with us, until she finds a house of her own. She just moved here."
"But__"

Piper strolled over to us. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yea" Devon replied, coolly.

The car ride was unusually quiet. Until, Devon finally said something.
"So uh Liz, are you still doing that challenge thing?"
"Of course." And like before the car fell silent.



The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.