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Hunter just looked sad

Darcy s a brow "Thank you," she told hiht Prince-not-so-char like the beau of the ball"

She shook her head "No You made me realize that my life wasn’t over without Hunter, and that there is a world ahead"

He caught both her hands, squeezing theet that, Darcy, you hear? The world is out there, and it’s yours It’s a beautiful world" He spoke urgently, staring into Darcy’s eyes "Even when things don’t seeht Some people, just with a smile here and there, a kind word, make it all a better place for everyone around them You’re one of those people Remember that There are tiiver Don’t ever let yourself be downed by fear, hardship, or even sorrow that’s so deep, youon"

A chill swept into her "Josh, you’re scaring ain "Hey, I don’t believe it They’re playing a Charleston! Want to try it?"

"Why the hell not?"

In a while, she forgot his words, because they did just have so much fun

She was vaguely aware of the a spiked, and even the drugs Brenda was upset because she was sure Mike was getting s, but she had no control over any of it and decided that she was just going to enjoy the miracle that occurred; Hunter had thrown her over just before their senior pro the best tio Darcy had booked a roo after the proreed that a perfect end to the eveningthe sun co out of the parking lot when the first warning that they were never going to ainst Josh’s bumper Just a tap It barely jerked the softly "Too much alcohol in there, or kids who just can’t drive"

With lights blaring around them, they really couldn’t see as behind theh the CDs?" Darcy asked hi over his Beatles collection when the next tap against the buainst the car

"Da back

She didn’t really need to look back A car pulled alongside them Mike was at the wheel, in his souped-up old Chevy The car was a battle-ax with an engine that rade at the Daytona 500 His as down He had a beer in his hand while driving

"Ass!" Darcy said

Josh was quiet, staring ahead He didn’t seens for her to roll the n

"Might as well do it," Josh said

"He’s an idiot Just drive," Darcy told hiht ahead as well To her aainst the Volvo

She earing her seat belt; still, she slahtened as Josh deftly maneuvered to keep the car on the road

"Josh, I’ to trickle down her spine She’d known that Mike could be a real jerk She hadn’t known that he could be this insane She stared furiously over at the Chevy, still driving neck-and-neck with them

The problem with small-town Pennsylvania, of course, could be the roads Miles and miles of them in almost total darkness, with no one around for help

Mike knew that She could tell the reat dis next to hier’s seat

She rolled her n Surely, Josh’s father was going to have a fit about the car And so to wind up really hurt

"Stop it! You idiots!" she shouted

"Ah, coeeks?" Mike called back