She emerged onto the grounds of the school and drew a deep, steadying breath. Blinking in the sunlight, she found herself standing on a path that led to the practice grounds for the track team. She didn't hear the door behind her, and her heart sank. She'd been right. He really didn't care. She didn't need a guardian. She'd never<span style="font-style: italic">wanted</span>a guardian. What she needed was a friend.<br/><br/>Feeling alone in the world, she followed the concrete sidewalk in silence. She had been fine before him. She would figure out a way to be happy alone. She didn't want him to leave, because he would only be replaced by a different guardian. So she would find a way to make it work. She'd loved him for so long, hoping all the while that he would one day learn to care about her a little bit.<br/><br/>She climbed a few rows up into the bleachers, then stretched out on the bench and stared up into the sky. She really shouldn't be alone like this, but it felt so nice.... she sighed and felt herself starting to relax. Classes would be continuing in school for a long time, so she had time to herself.<br/><br/>She never even realized as she was starting to doze off. The warm oblivion snuck up on her before she could even resist it. Her hands fell limp to her sides, one of them flopping off the narrow bench to hang limply downward.