It had to be the best shower I think I've ever had. Better then my shower back at the human quarters. The shower head massaged my muscles and pushed my limbs into relaxing against the warm water that washes over my bare skin.

The shampoo and conditioner that was set up for me is expensive. I can tell, how It makes my hair feel like silk as I run my fingers through it. My hair has no knots anymore, they all just disappeared with the water. My hair felt as light as air. It felt as if I had no hair on my scalp, it felt like nothing. The soap was amazing as well, it smelled of lavender and roses like my grandma. My skin felt silky smooth and smelled delicious.

I just stand looking up with closed eyes as the water ran down over me, for maybe an hour or more, not moving or having a care in the world at how long I'm taking. I love showers, especially this one.

I could have stayed in the shower for hours on end, until my fingers pruned and I looked like an old lady. But the hot water decided to give up on me and my amazing shower experience turning into a freezing cold water blasts against my skin.

I gasp in shock, my brain takes a second to realise that I'm standing under freezing water and most likely getting hypothermia by the second. I jump away from the skin freezing water, already shivering from the cold. I swing the glass door open and quickly step out of the shower to escape the icy water.

"What the hell!" Annoyed, I grab a towel from the towel rack and quickly wrap it around my now shivering body. I reach back into the shower and quickly turn the freezing cold water off.

"Stupid water" I grumble under my breath. I turn the hot water back on and test it with my hand. It's cold.

I whine. Of course the hot water had to run out, of course! Slamming the showers glass door shut, a little too hard then I should of. I worried for a second that I could of broken it. When I see it's fine I turn to the sink instead. Nearly slipping on the wet tiles multiple times, I manage to grab onto the towel railing for support. just my luck!

Pulling myself up onto my feet i grab another towel and throw it onto the wet tiles, so that I don't slip again and crack my head open.

If I cracked my head open who would save me? Austin and Jace sure couldn't, they can't even get inside. They wouldn't even know if I was hurt or not. Mum couldn't because she's at work and Brian couldn't because he's somewhere doing something. I'd just die in the bathroom, inside a dollhouse that sits on a desk in a giant boys bedroom. What a way to die. They would write on my grave stone, died in a giant guys bedroom Because she's a clumsy klutz

Once I've dried up most of the water on the ground, I stand back up and look at my reflection in the mirror. My wet blonde hair shines under the bathroom light, flowing effortlessly down the centre of my back and clinging to my forehead. I've got no makeup on, I look like a troll. My skin is looking extremely oily and gross. Im probably going to have a break out soon. Perfect! This is me, the girl I've come use to seeing every morning and maybe a few time during the day.

'Tessa, your sexy.' I think to myself, spinning on the spot I turn on an angle to look at my figure, 'all the boys want you." I feel my chest, running my hands down along my body and frowning. I knew I wasn't small in size on my chest, I was rather nice actually, I'd been told many times by girls jealous of my size

I sigh, feeling my chest tighten I look away, running my hands over my wet face, massaging at my eyes.

'Who am I kidding. Your just the weird girl with the good boobs'. I think, leaning in towards the mirror I open my eyes wider with my fingers so that I can I slip my contacts out.

I sigh lowly as my reflection in the mirror becomes blurry before me, surrounded by walls of white. My body becomes a cream wash of colours. I blindly search the top of the counter, finding my glasses sitting by the sink countertop next to me. I slip them on my head abs adjust til they were right.

Everything came back into focus and I see myself reappear in the mirror, the same image as before but now only with glasses on my face. I pushed them up my face feeling them slip, I'd been meaning to get a new prescription for a while now at whenever I got a checkup

When I was younger kids use to bully me for my appearance. I was short, chubby, always had a book in my hand, no shape and wore these huge glasses so that I could see. I drop my hands from my black rimmed glasses and moved my hands to my stomach, running my fingers over the now tight tummy .

I can picture the extra weight that use to be there. I slowly move to my sides, running my fingers over the faded yet still angry pink stretch marks on my hips, feeling the torn skin running down my body. They are a reminder of the person I use to be, of the people that bullied me.

That last shout of insults, those last moments in tears, the hit to my side. It changed everything back then, I hadn't expected it to change for the better

I began to work out, eat healthier, did everything to loose all the weight that was weighing my social ranks down. Everyday id run on the treadmill for hours, until my legs felt like they could snap like twigs. I did sit ups until it felt like my back was about to break and bruises formed on my spine. Starving myself until I couldn't move from bed, weak to the point of needing to be hospitalised

Nothing worked, not for years, because there was nothing i wanted in sports. Starving myself seemed like the best idea at the time

Once it was all gone and I wasn't sick, I wasn't happy but I wasn't as sad either as I once was. I became a knew person in a matter of months. I fixed my hair, wore a bit of makeup... for once. And I have to admit. I kind of liked it, I looked sorta... good.

When I walked into school I was immediately treated differently. I felt different. Since I'd lost the weight, I felt different. I remember it clearly, as if it happened yesterday.

// F L A S H B A C K //

The school halls were packed with kids, tall, short, fat and small. Someone bumped into my shoulder and I nearly fell over, squinting through my new contact lenses I continued down the hall. I pulled at my skirt and adjusted my backpack from nerves that were building in my chest. No one noticed who I was or why I was here. I silently made my way through the crowd, careful as I pressed my way through the crowd. Loosing all that weight i now looked like a totally different person. I knew that and from what I could tell, everyone else didn't recognise me either

I looked up from my phone, Melissa my best friend said she was already in class and she would meet me there. I could see my class in the distance three classes down. I picked up the pace and pushed through the crowd of teenagers, using my elbows and body to guide my way through. I shoved one guy out of the way at one point when he wouldn't move obnoxiously out of my way and it felt amazing. He glared at me but continued down the hall, walking in the opposite direction.

I was feeling that little bit of confidence kicking in that I didn't know that I had, I was smiling to myself until someone bumped into me again and my phone fell from my hand and clattered to the ground. It was like in slow motion as it fell from my fingers towards the ground. It hit the ground, making a sound heart breaking crack

My eyes widened and I paused for a second, heart pounding in my chest. I quickly crouched down to snatch up my phone, hesitantly turning it over to see if the screen was cracked. It was every teens nightmare to have a cracked screen.

I winced as I looked down, immediately beginning to grumble angrily and curse under my breath at the giant crack that had sliced through my screen.

"Dammit!" I ran my thumb over the crack, feeling the slice in the screen. of course I dropped my phone. I looked back up, annoyed I searched the swarm of heads for the blonde headed freakazoid that had ran into me. Seeing that the girl was already half way down the hall, no chance of catching her I turned back around and push my way through the crowd again. I shoved my broken phone into my pocket and push another guy out of my way, causing him to stumble to the side.

There was a loud crash, a bang so loud a silence fell over the crowd. My eyes widened realising I had just shoved him into the lockers. His books had fallen from his hands and scattered across the floor around him. I covered my mouth, looking at the boy then at the people staring at me, hearing snickers and whispers of amusement. I looked back at the boy and quickly stepped forwards, ready to apologise and help the guy by picking up some of his books.

I was handing him his English book, trying to look apologetic as he hesitantly takes them. He was shaking a little, I could see it in his fingers, trembling as he slowly took his book from my hand. I was going to say sorry, but froze when I saw them, leaning against their lockers, in front of MY classroom.

I bit my bottom lip and quickly shoved the rest of the books into the boys hands before I flipped my hoodie over my head, letting it fall over my face. I hurried to the other side of the hall trying to hide myself in the crowd of students, leaving the guy that I had pushed into the lockers to help himself.

I tried to hide my face even more behind my hair, letting it fall into my eyes and shadow my features. Quickening my pace I tried to get to my class in peace, I couldn't handle their comments today, I wouldn't be able to take it. I looked around my hoodie briefly, seeing them all laughing hysterically at the boy brushing himself off, gatherings his books from the ground.

They were like apes, a bunch of morons to say the least. They yelled and hooted like animals, they picked on the weak and found it fun to bring others down, they were the definition of jerks! I had dealt with there shit for a few years now, I knew they'd find one way or another to pick on me.

I stared as they shoved each other, snickering as the boy hurried away. I was so focused on their animal like ways, i didn't realise I was making eye contact with their 'leader'.

His black hair sleeked back in its usual position and his dark hazel eyes glowed, intriguingly as they bore into my soul and leave a burning hole. It was an analysing look, his eyes squinted a little and head tilted on an angle, only slightly.

I looked away quickly and rushed forwards, heart beating in my ears so loud I couldn't hear the voices around me. They became one unrecognisable blur of sounds. I couldn't focus on anything else but getting to class in one piece. I be-lined towards my class, feet quick I half jogged while also trying to remain cool and collected.

I was trying my hardest to avoid eye contact again, I adjusted my backpack nervously and continued forwards, resisting the urge to not rub my itching eyes from the annoying contacts i got only recently since my mother thought it would be nice to see me without glasses.

I was so close, my body was nearly in through the doorway when I felt strong warm fingers wrap around my wrist, pulling til I was yanked backward into a large body. I gasped loudly and stumbled backwards, tripping over my feet only to be caught and held, my body pressing firmly into another so I wouldn't trip. My hoodie fell from my head and my cheeks paled as I came face to chest with a walking tree.

I prepared myself for the usual insult, closed my eyes a little ready to be shoved or anything. A shove to the side. Maybe even the harmless shove to the ground. I wriggled around wildly, trying to escape from whoever's it was grip that held me. I just wanted to hide in the shadows, didn't want trouble, just wanted to be the quiet girl that minded her business and hung out with her friend.

But whoever had me grabbed my wrist much tighter again, and pulled firmly at my body to keep me close. I didn't dare look up to who held me, too scared to see that look he had in his eyes. But instead of the snarky comments id come so use to, I was shocked to hear, "hey there beautiful"

I felt a hand brush a strand of hair behind my ear and my eyes popped open, shocked. I looked up slowly as he looked down at me with his intense gaze. Nick Curran! I was so scared and confused I just stood there in shock, looking at each of the boys in complete and utter silence, mouth slightly agape not believing what was happening. Feeling my insides twist with fear and nerves, I stared, feeling my head pounding behind my eyes

"Hey sexy, saw you push James Mcudden over back there." The leader said, aka Nick while loosening his grip on me he gave me a big smile and laughed. It was the smile I'd seen him use for when he flirted with girls. Doesn't he realise who I am? Who he's talking to

"That was hilarious!" I hear one of the boys say behind me. A shiver ran up my spine and I had to look away.

"You new here?" Nick Curran said, he didn't seem to recognise who I was. My mind was spinning and I felt like I was gonna pass out, my breath was heavy and I was trembling in his arms. He looked up and down my body in his grip, his brows slowly furrowing noticing how scared I was.

Not being use to people talking to me like this, especially not from him, my mouth popped open to form an O shape. My insides bubbled like an egg on a frying pan. Like intense popping candy on your tongue, like a washing machine stuck on spin.

I flinched away from the bleach blonde headed boy that wrapped his muscly arm around my shoulder, pulling me away from his leader, he smiled, giving me a squeeze. Chris sent me a dazzling smile, leaning down and looking at me from beneath his arm. I squeaked and tried squirming out of his grip

"Why so jumpy short stack? We won't hurt ya" I nearly passed out and vomited at the same time, I couldn't digest the words that just came out of his mouth. Chris Humphrey, the boy that use to enjoy tripping me over and call me fatty. Nick Curran, the boy that would shove me to the side and the other two that were behind me were the two dopes that would hold me and let their leader poke and prod me, make fun of me til I was in tears

"Hello? What's your name?" A large hand waved in front of my face and I hiccuped a gasp. I snapped my head to the bleach blonde, who was still hugging me, Chris Humphrey gave me a confused smile, "what's your name sunshine? Mines Chris. This is Nick" Chris points to the leader, and he smiled at me, "this is Taylor Bonomini" he points to the light brown haired boy smiling at me from my left, "and this Is Cameron Phillips " Chris punched the curly blonde haired Cameron in the arm and in return got a glare. I blinked twice, looking up at the basketball player Chris in shock.

He smiled, giving my shoulders a shake. I wanted to yell I KNOW WHO YOU ARE! But I bit my tongue and held back my voice. How do they not recognise me. What is going on? Was this some practical joke cause I didn't find it funny one bit

I grabbed Chris's arm from around my shoulder and threw it off me, stepping away from the group of guys. I couldn't handle a second longer, if this was a joke It wasn't funny and I wasn't gonna stand there and take it. I heard their amusement as I headed to class, snickering to each other and whispering.

Gathering my thoughts I pulled my hoodie further down over my face to hide again, I felt weird and hated this feeling in my chest. I could feel their eyes still burning holes in the back of my head.

As I was walking away and finally thought I was free, I let out a sigh of relief and smiled a little. But what came next made me scream, a hand came in contact with my ass and I jumped into the air as one of them slapped me!. I gasped loudly and turned back around, glaring to see Taylor towering over me. He smirked and gave a wink, opening his arms suddenly for a hug as if he hadn't just slapped my rear, that I hadn't just screamed and made everyone look at us.

I stared at him, glaring at his outstretched arms and goody smile. If looks could kill he would have been a puddle on the ground "how dare you!" I hissed and wanted to shove him so hard that he'd topple over, but was frightened he'd hit me back and also knew I was too weak to even make him move.

"Come on don't be like that, let's be friends" he smiled and motioned me to come into him for a hug. I just glared at his stupid face.

Nick and Chris smiled behind Taylor, I could see their dumb faces looking at me with growing smirks. Suddenly they were all stepping towards me with outstretched arms! An image of Taylor holding me back while Nick hit me flashed across my vision and I nearly slapped him as they came close. I gasped and quickly scurried away from their hands, nearly walking head on into an open locker. I weaved around the locker and stumbled into my class, hearing them laugh behind me.

I rushed inside, slightly shaking I look up to the back of the classroom where I spot Melissa sitting in her usual seat. She was writing in her book before she noticed me, she waved for me and I was about to walk over but watched as her face dropped into a frown as the group of boys followed me in through the doorway. Why wouldn't they just leave me alone!

"Looks like we have class together" Chris said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder again he pulled me down and over into a seat, away from Melissa. Chris sat on my left and Nick plonked himself down heavily in the seat on my right. I was wedged In between both their wide frames, helplessly squirming under Chris's arm. I looked behind me, pleading with my eyes for Melissa to help. My fingers were trembling and I quickly shoved them into my pockets to hide their shaking

She frowned and nodded her head, understanding my desperation. Getting up she slowly approached our table, opening her mouth to speak up, her brows twisted together in anger and hand raised to grab Chris hand that rested on my shoulder.

I was hopeful, even for a second that I Would be saved: was instead she was cut off as the teacher stepped inside, slamming the door behind him. Making the class jump

Melissa looked up at the teacher, her blonde hair swaying over her shoulders. The teacher wasn't amused and glared at her. She looks back at me and mouthed the word "sorry", her eyes filling with guilt before spinning on her heels and hurried back to her seat, her eyes never leaving me and Chris's arm.

Nononono! I mentally screamed in my head, feeling Chris's arm tighten around my shoulders. I looked down in disgust, felling his fingers grazing over my arm. I tried shoving it off but he was persistent. I wanted to just melt into the floor and never be seen again. I noticed some girls in the class glaring at me and at Chris's arm wrapped around my shoulder.

"Okay!" Mr Miles began, "I've had a shit night and an even shitter morning!" Mr Miles stomped to his desk, some kids gasped at the teacher swearing and he just rolled his eyes unamused. Mr Miles looked at the students sitting in front of him, deadpanning til he saw empty desks and blank stares

"what are you looking at!? Books! Pens! Get to work!" He yelled, clapping his hands as if to say chop chop before dropping down into his seat. I stared at my biology teacher, seeing him drop his head into his hands and sigh loudly, running his fingers through his thinning hair

"So..." said nick and I startled as I looked to him "Why did you choose History?" I looked to my right seeing Nick looking at me out of the corner of his eye with a smirk. I scowled at him and turned back to my book, grabbing our some pens and opening it. I held my tongue, not saying a word I ignored him completely and opened the exercise book and flicked to page 32. it happened to be about Giants History. I tried getting Chris off me again, becoming more and more annoyed by the second

"I chose it cause it's gonna be a total bludge" nick said, looking to me expectantly but I didn't say anything. I didn't even glance in his direction. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, making me smile a little, happy I actually was annoying him back for once. I looked back to my history book, scanning over the words quickly

The heading read 'Ancient Species', from what I could tell it was about an old species that had disappeared long before humans arrived to the planet. I read the word 'extinct' before someone poked me in the side. I yelped loudly out in surprise, causing Mr Miles to look up from the table.

"quiet reading!" He growled before laying his head back in his arms. I turned in my seat and glared seeing Chris grinning at me.

"What!?" I hissed quietly, looking to him and quickly pushed off his arm, angry that he was still here and annoying me. That I was forced to sit beside the two people I hated most in this world. he smiled in return. He crossed his eyes and poked his tongue out at me, giving me a goofy grin. I rolled my eyes, agitated i turned back to my book, re-reading the word extinct again before something hit me in the back of the head. I spun around to see the Korean boy, Jamie smirking at me. He pointed to the scrunched up ball of paper at my feet and mouthed the word 'read'.

I glared him down with such heat it made my own head hurt, but I picked up the note anyways and brought it into my lap. I looked at Mr Miles before opening the scrunched up ball under the table. Letting out an annoyed breath I looked down only for my eyes to widen as I read the words.

Welcome back Tessy xx

I spun around and threw the paper back at Jamie, not wanting to hold the paper any longer in my hands. Shoving them back into my pockets as they began to tremble again. He smiled and winked at me before looking down to his book and starting to do his work, he was the least nasty in the group of assholes but he still wasn't kind. He knew who I was unlike dumb and dumber, Chris and Nick.

After class they followed me around all day like a pack of hungry wolves. I was even invited to sit with them at lunch and in my photography class. I clung to Melissa's side whenever I could. She's tall and super sporty so she'd tell them off whenever they came near me. Jamie was the only one that knew who I was still and he tended to stay behind all his friends as they continued to bug me all day.

They didn't even recognise who I was, except for Jamie. Didn't see old Tess, No fatty Tessy, not T-bone, none of it! They saw this small beautiful thin girl. I was the girl that suddenly made heads turn, for good reasons for once. I even heard someone ask who I was, and I was in his class for the past year.

They found out a week later because Jamie accidentally said my name out loud. Thanks Jamie. But they didn't seem to care, not even nick who just shrugged it off and gave me a big hug, Chris even apologised to me and in the days following they all said their apologises. They continued to follow me around like my very own body guards. I didn't forgive them completely, kinda hated them still but couldn't help but like the company and the looks I got with them around

I had changed so much, including my appearance. I became someone different after that. I changed so much that I even got a boyfriend. It happened to be Chris, my once bully. The first boy to be nice to me and to ever break my heart in two, by cheating on one of my supposed friends. Bitch. Sophie Watson, I never liked her, she just hung around because I was supposedly the new it girl.

// FLASH FORWARD // ??

I drop my hands from my sides and reach down to pick up my towel from the ground. Wrapping myself up in a soft white towel again. I adjust my glasses on my face, hating how they slipped down my nose. I wonder what Jace and Austin will think when they see me with glasses? I step away from the mirror and turn towards the doorway to get dressed.

"Hurry up would ya!" I nearly slipped over again, grabbing hold of the sink with one hand while the other gripped at my towel. My heart was hammering against my chest quicker than a humming birds wings, "where the hell are you?" Jace calls from above me. His voice loud even through the walls.

I groan and pulled myself to my feet, adjusting my towel I hesitantly opened my door and inched my head out of the doorway. i look up to see that the roof was gone! Completely gone and now was replaced by Jace's giant face, looking down at me with a smile broadening across his lips

"Give me a minute!" I yelled back, a little annoyed that he had lifted the roof off. He groans in annoyance, looking down at me again he shakes his head at me a little .

"We've given you an hour, Tess. What the hell are you even doing in there. I need shit for school and their gonna close by the time your rea-Wow! What's that on your face?" Jace eyes suddenly widened and he was pointing at my glasses, actually pointing at all of me with his large finger.

I shake my head, my glasses slipping a little i take my glasses off, lifting them above my head so that he could see. He leans into the house, making the walls creak and groan beneath his weight as he tries getting a better look.

"Get off! Your breaking my new house!" I place my glasses back on and tighten the towel around myself, feeling uncomfortable being almost naked in front of a giant looking down at me and leaning in. Jace looks at me with a scrunched up nose and furrowed brows

"Are you calling me fat?" I roll my eyes and he pouts like a little kid who's Lolly had just been taken from . I hear someone in the room scoff, probably Austin at Jace. Looking back up at Jace his eyes were wide and his head was turned to glare back at Austin. He looked to me with that same unamused look, looking as if he were expecting me to say something

"Yes! I'm calling you fat! Now get off before you crush the house and me with it" Jace rolls his eyes and grumbles, but backs up. Standing to his full height his eyes narrow down at me. We stare at each other in silence. I tighten the towel around my chest, feeling uncomfortable and extremely bare under Jace's gaze.

"What?!" I snap, "Are you going to just stand there all day watching me change or are you gonna put the roof back on?" Jace smirks, crouching back down again so that his face was hovering over the house.

"I wouldn't mind watching you change" Jace winks, leaning in closer to the house waiting as if I was actually about to just drop my towel for him. I pull my towel up even tighter over my chest, glaring at Jace as he watches me with a smirk playing at his lips. I could only imagine my towel dropping now with Jace looking at me.

"You perv! Get lost! Let me change in peace damnit!" I shoo him away with one hand, the other still holding onto my towel desperately

"Okay! Okay! I was only joking! I'm going! I'm going! Geez" Jace held up his hands in defensively, rolling his eyes at me he pokes his tongue out between his lips. I glare, wanting to just get dressed and hating this situation

Jace only smiles back as his hands move up from under the house, the roof in hand, he places the roof back on top of my house finally. Just before the roof is placed back on the house he gives me a small wave. Slightly annoyed, I quickly wave back as the roof is clicked back into place. I hear a sigh then his loud footsteps leaving.

I walk over to my pile of clothes that I dumped on the bed earlier. Grabbing a pair of skinny jeans, a cropped black shirt and boots. I slip on a bra and underwear before quickly changing into my outfit. I walk to my bathroom and search for a hair dryer, since my hair is still a little damp. I wasn't getting too dressed up today and just kept it simple

After looking in the cupboard above the sink then beneath, I finally find a black hair dryer in a draw under the sink. I unwrap the cord and plug it Into the wall. Flipping my hair over my shoulder I quickly dry my mat of hair until it's reasonably dry. I flick my hair back, letting it fall over my shoulders in long waves. It looks good, I guess. I turn to leave out the bathroom back into my room

I pause halfway out of the ensuite doorway, remembering Jace had said something about going shopping? I look over my shoulder and take a peek over at my makeup bag sitting quiet alone beside the sink. Should I?

Two minutes of debating on wether I should or shouldn't someone outside knocks on the roof.

"Tess? Darrick's here, are you ready yet?" Austin says from outside of my home. I look at my makeup bag then at my doorway.

"Hold on! Just give me one more second" I decide on makeup. I needed makeup or I looked like a troll. I quickly unzipped my makeup bag, pulling out dark eyeliner and concealer. I slip on my black eyeliner, flicking on some wings. I leant into the mirror, makeup was minimal, reserved to a sweep of mascara. Too much tumbleweed hair, but what else was new? Lips could use some gloss. I licked my bottom lips giving it a wet shine. I brush some more mascara on my eyelashes and then finish up with a bit of concealer over my blemishes and red spots.

Once I'm done I look at my reflection again. My hairs drooped around my head and looks like it's already beginning to knot and my glasses sort of hide my attempt of liner. I sigh in annoyance and walk back out into my room. I grab my converse and slip them on before running out of my room then thunder down stairs towards the front door.

I swing the door open and step out onto my porch, seeing Austin sitting in the swivel chair to the right of me, looking down at his phone as he spins in circles. Jace was laying on the ground with his phone in hand, tapping away at the screen. And then there's another giant laying on Austin's bed, with his phone in hand... all had phones.. the giants had really become addicted with the human invention. They hadn't had phones before we humans invaded, the least we could do was give them technology considering they were sharing their planet.

I was still looking at the giant on the bed. Darrick? He's was huge, even for a giant he was large! Bigger then Austin and Jace.

"Aye! She's ready!" I jump into the air suddenly from Austin's loud voice. I look to my right seeing Austin leaning in now and smiling at me. I glare at him out of embarrassment and walk down the steps towards his open hand. I smile and clamber onto his over sized hand.

"What's that on your face?" I groaned, hearing Austin.

IM NOT DEAD! I thought I needed to update so I did! Yay it was really shit and I'm sorry! There's something wrong with me...

But anyways I thought we needed to know a little more about Tess so I did a flashback of when she was back in the human quarters. Tess has had a hard life, but she manages to get through with a smile and a strong will to carry on.