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For those of you who don't already know, there has been a strike scheduled for Friday, March 21st, 2008, during which we hope to have many members of LiveJournal provide LJ with absolutely <i>no content</i> for twenty-four hours.  This means no posting and no commenting.  If you post elsewhere and have it set up to be posted through a feed on LiveJournal, <i>don't do it</i>.  Stay away from LiveJournal for <i>twenty-four</i> hours.  That can't be too hard, can it?  I know some of you are probably quite active on LiveJournal and will find it hard to stay away for an entire day, just as I will, but this is something that needs to be done, to show the people running LiveJournal that we're watching the changes they are making, that we're paying attention, that we're discontent, and that we want to be heard and taken in to <i>consideration</i>.  We are not simply users who can be tossed to the side and ignored.  We are the people who make up LiveJournal.  Without us, without the content we create, without our words, our voices, our creativity, our participation, there would <b>be no LiveJournal</b>.  This is a fact, and it needs to be realized and understood and then taken in to consideration when making decisions regarding the way that LiveJournal is run.  The strike is only a few days away, so there isn't all too much time to prepare.  While this is unfortunate, it isn't enough to keep this strike from taking place.  It will take place, the <i>second</i> it is meant to, and it would be best to have as many people take part as possible.  Please, spread the word.  Spread it fast.  There are only a few days to organize this.  If you find that you care about LiveJournal or care about the people you interact with on LiveJournal or simply want it to remain a place where you can entertain yourself without constant censorship and money-hungry practices being thrown in without the consideration of those who use the service, <b>act now</b>.  If you don't wish to spread the word, that is fine, but please: refrain from using LiveJournal on Friday, March 21st.  Do something else for a change.  It's for a good cause.  (:

For background on this strike and why it is being held, please read the following posts:
http://beckyzoole.livejournal.com/394838.html
http://beckyzoole.livejournal.com/395310.html

To find out exactly when the strike begins and ends, depending on where you are located, please see this:
http://beckyzoole.livejournal.com/395125.html

<i>What's this about?

    * It's about free and ad-free LiveJournal accounts being abolished for new members, ignoring the advice from the newly-formed Advisory Board.
    * It's about LJ staff trying to sneak this decision in under the radar, and when people found out, telling the users it was done 'to make the signup process less confusing'.
    * It's about LJ staff failing to apologize for trying to hide the facts from view and for lying about the actual reasons for their actions.
    * And finally, it's about the latest decision to hide certain user interests from the list of Most Popular Interests, some of them being fanfiction, bisexuality, sex and depression. This decision was not announced or explained in any way. Users found out for themselves.</i>

-Taken from the journal of <lj user=m03m>

AND ICONS TO SUPPORT THIS:
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/ourescape/icons/contentstrike/contentstrikeicon.jpg"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/ourescape/icons/contentstrike/contentstrikeicon2.jpg"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/ourescape/icons/contentstrike/contentstrikeicon3.jpg"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/ourescape/icons/contentstrike/contentstrikeicon4.jpg">

addies_intern

It had been a rough week for everyone. Addison had been jammed in surgery and up to her ears in paper work all week. Which was as very much welcomed distraction from the hell that this specific week represented for her and Mark. ‘Mark…’ she scoffed, another thing giving her daily migraines. Her relationship with him seemed to be going nowhere and at the same time, her ‘relationship’ with Karev was beginning to develop. ‘Alex…’ Addison smirked. The pain in the ass intern who once earned her a lawsuit was now one of the few things occupying her thoughts. How he looked at her so intensely and she was sure sometimes even lovingly, how she felt around him all nervous and giddy. How she immediately tensed up when he spoke to her because she would get tongue tied. How she felt his eyes undressing her when they scanned her, how wow she felt when he told her that the vanilla latte he had given Sloan was because he was rude to her. God, she could actually make a long list when it came to how she felt like when Alex was around her.

Friday finally was here and Addison decided to go get a drink. She was drinking a glass of Scotch in her hand. Being with Derek for little over 13 years and having Mark as his best friend, the drinking of Scotch habit was bound to rub off on her. Though she only did it occasionally, like today. Today, when the week from hell was over. Nursing her Scotch, Alex walked in and she set it down. Joe asked him about George’s dad and after shaking his head sadly and retrieving his beer, he finally noticed her when she spoke.

“Hey.” She said softly.

Alex took a sip of his beer and walked to where she was sitting at.

“Hey.” He responded and sat near her.

“You got a dad?” Addison asked as she fiddled with something in her hands.

She looked so different from the confident, self-assured, brilliant surgeon who every guy at the hospital lusted over for. Or at least that’s what he noticed.

“Not really. Not anymore…” Alex said. His expression unreadable, almost as if he didn‘t care.

Addison studied his face, her eyes darting up and down from his eyes to his lips. He gave her a little smile, noticing that she seemed a bit nervous. Addison’s hand came into contact with his face because she was caressing him. She looked like she was silently begging him to kiss her. She licked her lips and then her attention drifted completely from his eyes to his lips, as did his. She pulled him in and cupped his face with both her hands. It was a good, short, full kiss on the lips that he gladly returned. He didn’t move, he didn’t touch her, he just kissed her. Because of course, she was his boss and he’s just an intern. But was it really like that? Did he really want that kiss to stop right when Addison pulled away? She took her hands away from his face and rested her chin on her hands. He stared intently at those amazing sky blue eyes that the gorgeous redhead in front of him possessed.

Alex cleared his throat and snapped back into reality after being lost in those eyes of hers. Addie quickly readjusted herself in her stool and a tint of blush graced her cheeks, which he found so adorable. Alex looked back to the pool table and noticed it was empty. He looked back at her and smiled.

“Hey, you wanna shoot some pool?” Alex asked and she quickly brightened up a little more. Suddenly her horrible week didn’t seem to matter that much. At least not anymore tonight. Addison made a face at his offer and spoke.

“I don’t really know how.” She said. Which was the truth, but she was a quick study and an hour later she was kicking his ass.

Between laughter induced by funny anecdotes from med school and a lot of alcohol, Addison and Alex had relaxed and seemed to be enjoying each other.

“I thought you didn’t know how to shoot pool.” Alex accused her.

“I didn’t. Not until you made the big mistake of teaching me.” Addison laughed.

Alex smirked at her and walked up to her. Being so near her made his thoughts disappear. Alex wrapped his arms around her waist which caused Addison to look at him questioningly.

“If it bothers you, I’ll let you go.” He whispered into her ear.

Addison had closed her eyes and savored this moment. Him holding her and them enjoying each other. Her head nuzzled his face a little with her head.

“It’s fine.” Addison whispered.

Joe, mischievously, inserted a quarter into the juke box and I knew I loved you by Savage Garden started to play. Alex looked up at Joe who smirked at him and Alex smiled his gratitude.

“May I have this dance?” Alex said to her while still holding her in his arms.

Addison smiled and nodded. Alex began to sway them to the song. It was such a horribly clichéd song, but somehow it fitted what he was feeling. The song ended and another one began but they didn’t noticed. They were so lost in each other that nothing really mattered. At least nothing mattered until the rest of the interns walked into Joe’s.

He pulled away from her before the others noticed him dancing with her. Addison looked at him questioningly.

“Everything alright?” She asked smirking.

“Yea. I, um, I have to go.” Alex said and began to walk past her.

“Alex…” Addie called after him and grabbed his wrist.

Alex turned around to face her. Guilt, regret and something she thought looked like lust were written all over his face.

“Why are you leaving?” Addison asked. She sounded like a spoiled kid when something was taken away from her.

“I just have to, ok?” Alex said annoyed and released his wrist from her. Which didn’t actually work because she took hold of it again.

“Addison, let me go.” Alex told her exasperated and looked to his friends to make sure they didn’t see what was going on, which they hadn‘t.

Addison looked back and saw the interns. She turned back to a panicked-faced Alex and laughed sarcastically. She let go of his hand.

“Go. Get out of my face.” Addison said with a sarcastic smile on her face.

“It’s not like that. I can explain.” Alex said.

“Explain that you’re embarrassed to be seen dancing with Satan at the bar? Yea, I’m very sure it isn’t that.” Addison scoffed and began to walk away but he grabbed her wrist.

“Alex, let me go.” Addie demanded.

“No. You have to listen to…” Alex began but was cut off by Addison.

“You? I have to listen to you? You’re kidding right? First you want to leave and I don’t let you. And when I’m telling you to go, you’re not leaving? Alex, just go.” Addison looked away. She didn’t want him to see her eyes filling with tears.

“No. I’m not going anywhere until you listen to me.” Alex said and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Addison pushed him away from her and he hit the wall. Behind him was a huge mirror. Addison grabbed a cue ball from the pool table and threw it at him. He quickly ducked and the ball crashed into the mirror causing a loud noise. Everyone turned to see what was going on and all they saw a pale face Addison. Joe quickly went to the two doctors to see what had happened.

“Shit.” She cursed under her breath.

“Alright Dr. Montgomery, I think you’ve had enough to drink for one night.” Joe said and ushered her away from where she stood.

Alex had some minor cuts from the falling glass but nothing serious. He looked at the shocked interns and then rushed after Joe. When Alex got outside, he saw the police arresting Addison. He saw them turning her against the car and searching her. He saw her crying and his heart broke completely. ‘Move. Do something. She’s being searched by the cops and you’re just standing here like a moron. Move. Save her, or something.’ His thoughts going on and on. He snapped out when he saw them cuffing her and putting her in the car after they read her, her rights.

“ADDISON!” He screamed and she looked up sadly while more tears slipped down.

He sprinted to her side and the cops tried to block him. He began to push and shove and suddenly one of the officers was on the floor. But before he could open her door, he was on the floor getting arrested as well.

“Alex! Alex what the hell are you doing?” Addison screamed when she saw him pushing and shoving. When he punched the cop, she gasped but when he was now getting arrested, Addison shook her head.

“Oh Alex…” She whispered.

They waited for another police car to come and pick Alex up. When it did, they led Alex away from Addison’s view and then she got frantic. She tried to turn around and see him, but the car began to pull away. Alex looked up and locked his eyes with hers.

“Miss…” The officer began.

“Doctor!” She snapped. “My name is Dr. Montgomery.” Addison said.

“Ok, doctor. We’re just going to take you in but nothing will happen. We just need to take your statement, and you have one phone call.” The officer said.

“What’s going to happen to Alex?” She asked him not really paying attention to what he had said.

“I’m sorry, who?” He responded. He looked through the rearview mirror and locked his eyes with the pretty redhead doctor who sat at the back of his car.

“Alex, um, he’s the guy who punched your officer friend.” Addison explained.

“Oh, well, he will have to…” The officer began.

“Please. Please I beg you to talk to your friend. Ask him not to press charges. All that happened was stupid and it’s my fault. I overreacted to something. And he was just trying to protect me. I know it was wrong. Everything was wrong, but…Alex can’t go to jail. So can you please ask your friend not to press charges? Alex is a doctor as well and we just came out of surgery a few hours ago. We’re tired and running on adrenaline. We weren’t really thinking. Plus the father of one of his friends died tonight. We’re all a bit shaken by that. I promise you that he’ll never hit another officer ever again. But please you have to let him go. Please?” Addison explained in between tears.

The officer felt kind of sorry for her, but he would definitely talk to his friend. He, luckily for Addison, was a softie and he couldn’t see women cry.

“I’ll talk to him.” He said and Addison smiled her gratitude.

A few hours later, Addison was out again and now was on her way to pay Alex’s bail. She looked like hell but she didn’t care. She was going to pick Alex out of jail, so she was happy.

“You know, next time you’re angry at me you can just slap me.” Alex said when he was out.

“I’ll hold you to that.” Addison said and offered him her hand.

“We’re holding hands now?” Alex smirked.

“As long as the other interns don’t see you…” Addison began and gasped when Alex pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.

“I don’t care that they see me. Not anymore.” Alex said to her.

“Oh now that they have seen me going insanely jealous and arrested you’re ok with them seeing us together?” Addison smirked playfully.

They walked out of the station and got to her car. Alex pinned her against her car and before she could protest, he had his tongue dancing in her mouth. Addison was taken aback by this feeling but slowly her arms wrapped around his neck and played with the hairs on the back of his neck. His hands on her hips had her pressed to the car and his hips were pressed against her as well. Addison let lose a low moan. Remembering air was necessary to live, she pulled away.

“How unromantic was that.” Addison said with a slight giggle as she wiped of her lipstick from his lips.

“It was very much us. And for the record, I don’t care about them seeing us. I just want to be with you.” Alex said not moving an inch away from her body.

Addison’s eyes glimmered with tears. It was all she wanted to hear from him. Addison smiled mischievously when she felt him through their clothes. Their proximity to each other was driving him insane. She kissed him again and pushed against his hips which earned her a groan.

“Let’s go home.” Addison said and got into her car.

Next thing they know, they’re at her hotel room entangled in each other’s arms while trying to remember how to breathe. Maybe they weren’t ready to verbally express what they feel for each other, but for the third time that night, they’ve let each other know through screamed names and mind blowing orgasms.

addies_intern

It was a rather normal day at the university and Addison was taking very accurate notes in her class. She was a few weeks away from becoming Dr. Addison Montgomery. She just loved how that rolled off her tongue. She could pronounce it all day long and she wouldn’t get tired of hearing it. She was dating Derek and she was sure that she soon would be Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd. Another name that she loved. Addie had turned her cell off during the lecture and as soon as the professor dismissed them, she turned it back on. She checked her voicemail and blushed when she heard Derek’s message about their plans for tonight. He gave an x-rated description of their after-dinner plans. What the man could do to her, still surprised her. They had been together for 3 years now and she still felt as giggly and totally tongue tied when she spoke to him, among other things that required her tongue. 

Graduation day came and Addie’s parents were a no show. She felt so angry and sad. She had sent the invitation a little over a month ago and they had said that they’d be there for the day that she would become Dr. Addison Montgomery. ‘How could they forget? I sent the invitation and daddy called to say that they were coming. Ugh, typical Emily Montgomery. She always forgot about me…whatever. But daddy. Daddy not being here hurts…’ Addison was brought back when Derek nudged her when her name was called. She had graduated first in her class and even without her parents there she managed to feel so proud of herself. Addison walked to the stage and gave her speech which was short, precise and eloquent.

A few days later, her mother called. Addison was packing her stuff to leave her dorm because by the end of the summer, she would be an intern.

"Hello?" Addie answered absently.

"White gold or yellow gold?" Emily Montgomery asked.

"Hello to you too, Mother. White gold." Addie replied annoyed.

"Thank you darling. Your father and I just saw the most beautiful earrings at Tiffany’s. We thought it might be a nice present for graduation." Emily said absently as she was flipping through a catalogue.

"Graduation was three days ago, Mother." Addie tried to control herself.

"I know. We’re sorry we missed it. We were…busy." Emily apologized. But her words were empty.

"Whatever. I don’t want the earrings. Buy them for yourself if you want. I’m sure they’ll probably go perfect with any of the dresses that you own. Besides, I just wanted you guys there, but since you couldn’t bother to dedicate a few hours to your only daughter, then keep your gilt present. By the way, I’m Dr. Montgomery now. And I graduated first in my class. Thought you might like to know." Addison said as her words chocked in her throat.

"That’s nice, dear. Are you really sure you don’t want the earrings?" Emily asked, dismissing her rage.

Addison couldn’t believe her ears. Was her mother serious? She wanted to scream to her. She wanted to kill her. She wanted…she wanted to let all her frustration out.

"We need to talk. I’m coming over this weekend and we’ll talk. You can’t keep doing this to me." Addison almost yelled.

"No, honey, this weekend isn’t good…" Emily was cut off by Addison’s rage.

"Make fucking time for me! I’m your fucking daughter!" Addison yelled and then hung up.

Emily rolled her eyes exasperated with her daughter. She didn’t approve of her talking like that. She was a lady, and ladies didn’t speak like that. She flipped a few more pages of the catalogue she was looking at and marked what she was buying.

The days flew by and not soon enough, it was the weekend. Addison told Derek to wait for her outside. Knowing her mother, this conversation would not be long. She kissed him and got out of the car.

"I’ll be just a few minutes. Mother isn’t the best speaker and I don’t have much patience with her." Addison told Derek.

"I’ll be right here. Text me if you need help in there." Derek told her and kissed her once again.

"I will." Addison giggled and wiped her red lipstick from his lips.

She got out of the car and went to the house. She rang the bell which was stupid since she had the key. The maid came to the door and answered it.

"May I help you Miss?" She asked. Her name was Maria and she was obviously new to the household since she didn’t know who Addison was.

"I’m the daughter. I’m Addison, and I’m so sorry you have to work in this hell whole." Addison said as the maid stepped aside with a slight smile.

"I’m sorry Miss Montgomery, I didn’t know who you were." Maria apologized.

"It’s Addison, and it’s ok. They don’t keep pictures around so how would you know?" Addison said.

Maria smiled and then excused herself to go find her mother. Addie nodded and made her way to the living room which looked like it could have graced the pages of a home magazine. Addie sighed noticing the details, or the lack there of. There were no pictures of the married couple, no pictures of her. No nothing to resemble that they were a ’happy’ family. Emily’s voice brought Addison back to reality soon after.

"Addison, dear, nice to see you." Emily said.

"Yea, well, I would’ve liked to see you at Graduation, but you know." Addison shrugged.

"What has gotten into you? You have been talking down to me and you know that I will not stand for that. After all, whether you like it or not, I’m still your mother. " Emily said.

"You sure as hell don’t act like one." Addie hissed as she sat on the uncomfortable couch.

"Addison Elizabeth Forbes Montgomery." Emily called her out and Addison winced at the full name.

"What? You think that was uncalled for?" Addison asked sarcastically.

"Yes I do." Emily responded absently.

"Whatever." Addison rolled her eyes.

"Addison, stop it!" Emily ordered.

"No, you stop. You stop acting like a mom. You were never there. You missed out on a lot of things that were important to me. You never made time. You were always too busy. You missed my life and yet you controlled me like if you were always there. Daddy, I get why he was never there, but you. You had all the time in the world. You could have taken the day off from being this socialite and actually be a mother. But no, it’s easier to forget that you had a daughter. " Addison began her pour out of feelings.

"I had to control you. You‘re my daughter" Emily was cut off once again.

"Stop saying that! Stop wanting to be a mother now. Stop it! I’m twenty four years old. I can take care of myself. I can decide for myself. I’ve been doing it since I was fourteen. Stop trying to be a mom." Addie yelled.

"I can’t, Addison, I can’t. What did I do? I mean, I know I’m not mother-of-the-year worthy, but I’m not the worst either. I just…" Emily was interrupted.

"You just what? Were never interested? You could have told me. You could have said something and I wouldn’t have been standing in front of the whole damn school and then the whole graduating class in college searching for the parents that never showed." Addie hissed.

"Addie…" Emily began, but Addison wasn’t allowing her any room to explain.

"No, don’t ‘Addie’ me. You have the perfect life. You have the house, the car, the household service, the husband, your social status and the daughter. Not anymore. You do not get to gloat about me being a doctor. You do not get to fill your mouth with my title. The one I earned. So stop. You’ve never talked to your friends about me being in med school. Me going to med school ‘was always something that Addie had a thing for. She knows she doesn’t have to go to college. She will always have everything she needs. She doesn’t have to work hard for anything.’ Because I was born with a damn silver spoon in my mouth. I don’t want your perfect life. I want my own…" Addie got interrupted by Emily this time.

"With whom? Derek? Please, the man barely has a place to fall dead on." Emily dismissed Derek and that only made things worse for Addie.

"Don’t talk about him! He’s got nothing to do with this. But yes, it’s with Derek. Derek, who loves me for who I am. Derek, who doesn’t care for my flaws and reassures me that I‘m perfect even when I feel like I‘m worthless. Derek, who has always been there for me. Derek, who doesn’t care about my silver spoon. Yes, Mother, I want my perfect life with Derek." Addie said.

Emily just laughed at how naïve Addison was being. She could have sworn that Addie was more level headed than that.

Meanwhile, Derek was outside in his car. He could hear the screaming match between the two Montgomery women.

"You’re dreaming if you think that he can give you the life you’re accustomed to. You’re a high maintenance girl, he’s just…"

"He’s perfect. And he’s what I want." Addie hissed.

"Stop kidding yourself…"

"No! You stop. You stop trying to live your life through mine. Stop making me pay for your mistakes. It’s my fucking life and I’ll live it the way I fucking want to." Addie yelled.

"Addison, watch your language."

"You’re fucking unbelievable. Here I am telling you that the reason I’m so fucked up is because of you and you’re concerned for the excessive use of the word fuck." Addie laughed in frustration.

"Addie, you’re a lady. And as much as your father and I have missed out on important things to you, we always wanted what was best for you." Emily said.

"Stop patronizing me. I’m not thirteen anymore. You made me like this. You are the reason I’m so afraid all the time. You’re the reason why I worked so hard. Because I didn’t want to fail. I didn’t want you to have a hissy fit over a failed class. My glories were very short lived. But my failures were never forgotten. And you made sure of that. You made sure that I felt my failure. I always wanted to please you and daddy because I thought that maybe, if I was better, you would pay more attention to me, that you‘d love me more. How stupid of me to think that. No matter how hard I tried, you never saw me. You never heard me. So, once again, you don’t get to gloat or be proud of me. Not anymore. You’re too little too late to pull out the mother card on me. I don’t have to pay for your mistakes. I never had to. I always wanted more. I always wanted greatness. I didn’t deserve to be treated like crap because of your mediocre youth…" Addie was cut off by a slap to her face from her mother. Effortless tears softly and slowly graced her reddened cheeks. After a few seconds, Addison gently unfolded the copy of her diploma and threw it to her mother. "I’m not mediocre. I’m great." Addison hissed quietly holding her face.

Emily had tears running down her face. She had slapped her daughter and that was something she never thought she could do. She wanted to cut off her hand, but at the same time Addie had it coming. Or so she thought. Emily maybe a lot of things, but she never thought she’d be the kind of mother who had to slap her child. It didn’t matter to her that Addison was twenty-four, to her Addison would always be her child.

"Good bye mother." Addison whispered and began to walk away.

"Addison, if you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back." Emily threatened. Addison stood frozen for half a second and then she turned around to go somewhere. 

She went to her father’s office and kissed him good bye. She told him that her mother had the copy of the diploma and that she wasn’t coming home ever. She told him that she had to hurry because Derek was outside waiting for her. With much pain in his heart, Andrew Montgomery let his daughter go. He knew that Addison wasn’t a kid anymore. He knew that she was long overdue to voice her opinion. He loved her and respected his daughter so much that he let her go because he knew that she’d never be happy here.

"Addison, your mother loves you. Never doubt that." Andrew said hoping that that would change her mind.

"She sure has a funny way of showing it." Addison responded sarcastically.

"She does, but that doesn't mean she loves you any less. You're our daughter Princess. No matter how old you get, you'll always be our little girl." Her dad said with a heavy sigh.

"I know that daddy. And I wouldn't mind it so much if she would've even tried. I understood why you couldn't always be there. But her, her social calendar could've been put on hold for a few hours for my sake. You guys weren't even there on the most important day of my life. Daddy, I'm a doctor and neither you nor her were there to see me graduating first on my class or delivering my speech. It just hurts." Addison said letting some tears slide down her cheek. Andrew wipped them away and sighed with a broken heart. It was time to let go of his beloved Princess Addison.

"Promise me something, Princess." Her dad told her while hugging her.

"Anything Daddy." She responded.

"I don’t have to pay for the mistakes of your mother. I don’t deserve to be cut out of your life. Promise that you’ll call once in a while, just to tell me you’re fine." Her dad pleaded her using almost her words against her.

"I will. I promise. But you can’t tell mother." Addie said.

"Promise." Andrew kissed her forehead and let her go.

When she walked out of the office, she saw her mother clenching to the diploma. Tears still ran down her face and Addie just shook her head. She walked to the door.

"Addison…I meant what I said." Emily hissed.

"Make it the first promise you keep." Addie said and exited.

It was the kind of day that she now hated. She used to love rainy days. They were good to snuggling up with her boyfriend on the couch while watching an episode of Sex and the City. Yesterday, she had been the happiest 17 year old in the planet. She had the friends, the designer clothes, the very loving parents, the best boyfriend in the world, but best of all, she had her older sister.

Hailey was the first born of the Forbes-Montgomery couple. They had tried for so long to conceive, and after 3 miscarriages, Elizabeth Montgomery finally conceived her. She was the miracle baby. The one that her parent’s had given up hope for. So, it was a party the night. Mrs. Montgomery came home on that glorious day to tell Alexander Montgomery that she was pregnant and after the tears came the celebration.

Hailey was born on November 1, 1983 at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her mother had been in labor for twelve hours now, when they decided to do a C-section because Hailey was too comfortable in the womb to come out. Twenty minutes later, Hailey Isabel Forbes Montgomery was welcomed into this world. She was a beautiful baby girl who weighted six pounds and measured fifteen inches. Her parents always told her that she was the most beautiful baby that laid in that nursery. But then again, every parent said the same thing to their child.

Hailey Montgomery was the shy little girl who everybody loved but after a little while, she became very friendly. Her parents always made sure to make it to school functions and actually sit through them. While her mother was a well known New York socialite and her father a world renowned surgeon, they always made sure to be there for Hailey. At school, she was very prominent. Everybody loved her. She had so many girlfriends it was impossible to keep track of who was whom.

“You know way too many people, Hailey. And you’re just six. You definitely got that from your mother.” Alexander mentioned once with a chuckle when Hailey had been telling him about a girl who was new in school. Hailey just giggled. She loved to talk to her parents. And even at six, you could tell that this bright little girl was the world to her parents.

Two years after Hailey was born, the Montgomery couple began to try to conceive again to not let Hayley be an only child. Seven years passed before Addison was born on November 19, 1990 at the same hospital as her sister. The couple was thrilled that Hailey finally had someone to be there for her and she would be there for her baby sister. Addison came in through natural birth, and weighted five ponds and five ounces and measured twenty one inches. She was a very healthy baby girl and again, her parents told her that her and Hailey were the most beautiful babies in the nursery.

Addison was the total opposite of Hayley. She was a fiery red head who was so full of life. She was a very curious little girl and was always trying to steal the attention from Hailey. She loved to be the center of attention. Hailey usually let her be, but other times they screaming matches between the brunette and the red head were heard down the street. Addie was great in school. She, as Hailey, knew too many people to count. But she just kept one best friend, Savannah. All and all Hayley and Addison got along very well. They confided in each other, and they helped each other out. Hayley even tried to make an effort when she hit the teen years and her sister was just 12 and found her friends and her drama endlessly fascinating. They always tried to keep the communication going and then Addie finally hit the teen years. It was like re-discovering her sister. They actually became best friends. Savvy at some point argued with Addison because they weren’t spending enough time together, because she preferred to go shopping with Hailey than with her.

“Ok, seriously, you have to make time for me. I miss you Addie, it’s not even fair. Hailey has you always, and I never get to see you anymore. Not even at school. You rather hang with the one person you gets to see for 24 hours a day. Please give me some time.” Savvy begged Addie.

“Sav…I’m sorry. It’s just that Hailey’s my sister and my best friend. I love hanging with her. And it’s not like I don’t like hanging with you, because I do. But, I just need some time to spend with her. She’s so cool, Sav. Her boyfriend, Luke is so awesome…” Addie gushed about her sister.

“You’re doing it again Addison!” Savvy yelled at the phone, which caused Addie to pull away from it.

“Sorry. Ok, how about I spend the whole weekend with you? We can do all the things that you want to do. Deal?” Addie compromised.

“Deal.” Savvy agreed.

Addie was finally a Senior in High School. She was so thrilled about this year. All the promises that came with it were both scary as hell and yet so exciting. It meant that she was on her way to be a grown up. It meant that she soon would leave New York (or not) to go to college. It meant that she was one step closer to being a doctor ’just like daddy’. But for Addie ‘just like daddy’ for now, seemed like a good enough reason.

Addie had been dating Derek since last year when they were Juniors. He asked her to the winter formal and to spring fling and to all the school dances and parties. She knew Derek was the one for her. And with today’s events, she was certain that he was it. Today she was so miserable and she wondered how the hell did she went from being in total bliss yesterday and in hell today.

It was a typical day at school yesterday. Addie was walking through the hallways with Derek to her right and Savvy to her left. She was whispering sweet nothings to Derek and then whispering gossip to Savvy. They were laughing and having a great time. The bell rang and it was time to go home. Savvy kissed Addie’s cheek goodbye first. She knew that Addison and Derek needed their moment to say goodbye.

“Call you later Sav.” Addie said as she waved her goodbye as well as to Savvy’s mom.

Derek slithered his arms around Addison’s waist and brought her a little closer to him while she wrapped her arms around his neck. He knew she hated PDA’s, because as Hailey had once taught her ‘you’re way of showing love to each other should be kept private.’ Addie raised an eyebrow to him, and he smirked.

“I can’t go over tonight to your house. I have a Spanish test tomorrow. And I know that if I go over, then I won’t want to study later. Plus Mark called and asked me to go play basketball with him.” Derek explained.

“So you’re changing me over Mark? How gay of you.” Addison teased him.

“Addie, he’s my best friend. And he has the same rights as Savvy does.” Derek protested.

“You’re too adorable when you defend Mark. As much as I’m gonna miss you, you can relax. Hailey’s coming over later and I think we’re going to hang out for a while.” Addison explained to him. He nodded his head, kissed her lightly and unwillingly distanced himself from her. She laced her fingers with his and walked happily to his jeep.

“Seriously Derek, you need a better car.” Addie protested while shoving her bright red hair off her face as Derek drove her home.

“Seriously Addison, you need to put your hair on a pony tail if you don’t want it in your face. And I’m not giving up the jeep. It’s a great car.” He mocked her.

“Shut up.” She said playfully to him. When they stopped at a red light, he grabbed her chin and brought her to him. He kissed her hard and she melted in his mouth.

“Quiet enough for you?” Derek asked teasingly.

“It’s never too quiet for me.” Addie said back, her eyes still slightly closed. Derek laughed and then rode up to her house.

“See you tomorrow princess.” Derek said when he walked her to the door. He kissed her softly on the lips and she giggled a bit.

“See you tomorrow my knight in shinning armor.” Addie whispered close to his lips. He kissed her once more and then went on his way.

Hailey came by to the house. She had a new boyfriend and Addie had only met him once. His name was Shane. He was cool but quiet and he didn’t talk much to Addison. Though Hailey had assured her that Shane was just shy but that he liked her. When she came in, she was on the phone talking to someone. Shane came behind her. Hailey kissed the top of Addie’s head and then asked her to find the asthma machine because she needed it. These last few days she had been getting asthma attacks quite often and she didn’t like that. Still on the phone, she followed Addie to her mother’s room and got the machine.

“Bye Adds.” She cried from downstairs.

“Hailey, I thought we were gonna hang out tonight?” Addie said disappointed.

“Sorry Addie, not today. I have a ton of things to do. Maybe tomorrow or in the weekend.” Hailey said while still holding the phone to her ear.

“Derek and I are hanging tomorrow, and Savvy and I are hanging in the weekend. I wanted to spend some time with you since I don’t get to see you anymore. Please Hailey, can’t you stay for an hour or so?” Addie pleaded her sister.

“Sorry baby, I can’t. We’ll hang next week. I promise.” Hailey said and left without waiting for a response from Addison.

“Sure, no problem.” Addie whispered sadly when the door closed and she was left alone in the huge Manhattan brownstone. Daddy was in the hospital while mom was probably at a meeting for some charity event that she was planning. Addie made her way upstairs and into her room. She did her homework and went to the living room to watch TV. Four hours after Hailey left, Addie had a feeling something was off. But she couldn’t put her finger on it, so she decided to ignore it.

Addie woke up today not knowing that it would be the day that would scar her life. All she had ever known to be great, today would go to hell. Today was going to be the day when Addison would cease to see the light. Today was a cloudy day and the rain would fall exactly at 3:30 pm.

The bell rang at 3pm. Savvy, Addison and Derek walked out of school in their usual formation. The queen bee in the middle. Her faithful sidekick to her left and the man candy to her right. The girls said their usual goodbyes and then it was off to the parking lot to go home with Derek. To her surprise, her mother was waiting for her. The nagging feeling came back. That little voice that said that something was wrong since last night, came back and it was speaking louder than usual. She kissed Derek goodbye, and he waved the two Montgomery ladies goodbye.

“Call u l8r Princess” He texted her. She smiled brightly and texted him right back.

“Ill b waiting my knight in shinning armor.” was her response.

Addison and her mom talked about the benefit that was coming up. Her mother asked her to please go and reluctantly she accepted under the condition that Derek could go with her. He always made everything seem bearable. They also talked about school and how things were going with Derek. Her mother smiled lovingly hearing Addison gush about how perfect Derek was.

When they got home, Addison saw her father’s car and the cars of a few very close friends. The car was still on, because her mom was going to talk to her. She raised an eyebrow. Addison was all popular and she sometimes was too bright for her own good. But she was also very innocent.

“What is daddy doing home? Mom, did you tell him to be home when I got here? And why are the cars of your friends here? Did they come to see me?” Addison giggled innocently.

Her mother smiled at how innocent her daughter was. She hated to do this. This, today, was going to kill Addison.

“No Addie, I didn’t call anyone. Just hear me out, ok?” Her mother began. Addison immediately looked at the cars again.

“Mom, where’s Hailey’s car?” She asked. If daddy was home, and mom went to pick her up, then Hailey was supposed to be here, or maybe she was on her way.

Her mother’s heart sunk. She took a deep breath and began speaking again.

“It’s about Hailey, Addie.”

“What happened? What happened to Hailey mom?” A lump began to form in Addison’s throat. Fear gripped her heart.

“She…was…”

“She was what mom?” Addie yelled impatiently.

“She was…found dead this morning.” Her mother finished quietly. She didn’t know if Addison wanted to be held or what. So she kept her hands to herself and would wait until Addie gave a sign.

“What? No, no mom. Please no. You’re lying. Oh God! Mom, no. Hailey, no.” Addison yelled and cried.

She got out of the car and her mother quickly turned it off and went after her. She walked her inside and then saw all the crying faces. She ran into her room and locked herself in. She had an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hanging on her wall. Her sister had given it to her when she did the confirmation. Addison screamed so many things to it. Things that she knew were wrong to scream to God. She finally exhausted herself and fell on the floor. Tears still streaming effortlessly down her now flushed face. Her dad went up and knocked on her door.

“GO AWAY!” Addison screamed with the amount of energy that she had left.

“Addiebug, please let’s talk.” Her father said.

She could never say no to her father so she slowly crawled to the door and unlocked it. He saw her on the floor and it killed him to see his daughter like this. He picked her up and sat her on his lap while he sat on her bed. Addison buried her face on the crook of his neck while wrapping her hands around his neck.

“It’s…not…fair…daddy.” Addison sobbed. Those were the only words that she could get out for the rest of the afternoon.

Her father nodded his head, unable to speak because if he did, he would break as well. Hailey was the miracle baby. Hailey was their world, and it wasn’t until Addison came around seven years later that they dedicated every minute they could to her. After a few minutes of holding his daughter, she lifted her head.

“Can Derek come over? Please daddy, I need him right now.” Addie whispered a beg to her father.

“Yes he can.” He said simply.

Addison climbed off her father’s lap and grabbed her phone.

“D-Derek?” Addison asked when he picked up.

“What’s wrong princess?” He asked noticing the quiver in her voice.

“Please come over. I need you. I-I need you right now.” Addie broke down and hung up before Derek had the chance to ask anything else.

While Derek went over, Addie dialed Savvy’s number.

“You rang, evil queen bee?” Savvy answered her phone and Addie tried to laugh at her answer but couldn’t.

“Sav, sit down. I need to tell you something.” Addison said. Noticing the serious tone in her voice, Savvy did as she was told.

“I’m sitting. Spill.” She demanded quickly.

“They found Hailey…d-dead this m-morning.” Addison broke down.

“I’m coming over right now. Stay where you are and don’t do anything stupid.” Savvy said.

“Sav, no, wait. Derek’s coming over.” She told Savvy.

“I don’t give a shit. I’m your best friend. And I knew Hailey as well. So shut up. I’m going to you’re house right now. I’m your person and you’re mine. So no arguing queen bee.” Savvy said and hung up before Addie had the chance to say no again.

Fifteen minutes later, Savvy and Derek were inside Addison’s room hugging her. It was so surreal. She had lost her sister. She didn’t have her anymore. Addison had seen her yesterday and she promised to hang next week. Now they would never hang out anymore. Hailey was twenty-four when she was murdered and Addison was seventeen when she found herself sisterless.

Three days later, the rain was still falling. Three days later, Addison found herself lacing her right fingers to Savvy’s hand and her left fingers to Derek’s hand. Three days later, Addison found herself wearing head to toe black Prada. Three days later, Addison found herself still crying while the casket that contained Hailey’s body was being lowered to the ground. Three days later, Addison hated the rain. Three days later, Addison found herself not alone. Three days later, she knew that, maybe, just maybe, she would be alright because she had her people there.

And while the pain is still very much present to this day and the thought of seeing her sister walk through the door is still there, she knows that she is in a better place now, watching over her.

The End