16

"We're going out to the city tomorrow. Are you coming?"

Rose and I were laying shoulder to shoulder on her bed, waiting for Shane to return with ice cream for us.

I bit my lip, staring at her ceiling, curling and uncurling my toes.

"I don't know... After last time I'm not so sure I want to."

Rose sighed and shifted to her side so she can look at me.

I turned my head so I could meet eyes with her.

As she opened her mouth to surely start a long, unnecessary speech as to why I should come, Shane returned.

He plopped onto the bed on the other side of me and handed us both a bowl.

I sat up and gave him a smile.

"Thanks, Shaney."

"No problem, cutie."

Rose rolled her eyes at him and licked ice cream off her spoon, saying: "You're such a flirt."

Shane laughed.

"Not like she'll flirt back, she likes Gordonnnnn."

I scowled and nudged him in the ribs with my elbow.

My mouth was too full of ice cream to yell at him.

Rose perked up some and beamed at me.

"That's right! Gordon can watch you while we're in the city!"

I frowned and handed my spoon over to Shane so he could have a bite of my ice cream.

"I thought he wasn't allowed to come though..."

Shane raised an eyebrow and said: "He didn't tell you?"

I shook my head, waiting to hear what exactly Gordon hadn't told me.

Rose supplied the answer: "Dr. Arden gave him permission to go during therapy yesterday."

A pout formed on my lips, upset that he hadn't told me.

Both of my friends laughed at this and Rose shoved my shoulder.

"Just go talk to him and then come back to us when you're done."

I sighed and clambered to my feet, groaning.

I'd been laying in bed all day and really didn't feel like walking.

My feet dragged as I walked to Gordon's room, beginning to think that asking wasn't such a good idea.

But before I could stop myself, I raised my fist and knocked on his door anyways.

His music shut off and I heard some shuffling then his door opened.

As soon as he saw me, his face lit up, his lips curling up into a big smile.

"Banana! Hi! Wanna come in?"

"Sure."

He moved aside and I walked in then sat on the edge of his bed.

He sat next to me then asked: "So did you come for a reason?"

I bit my lip, running my fingers over his blanket.

I busied myself with examining his blanket instead of thinking how to ask why he hadn't told me that he was allowed to go to the city.

It was a dark blue color and it felt warm and smooth underneath my fingers.

Gordon's hand wrapped around mine and using his other, he lifted my head, forcing me to make eye contact with him.

"Ana?"

I took a deep breath then blurted it out: "Why didn't you tell me that Dr. Arden signed off on letting you go into the city with us?"

He dropped my hand, running his fingers through his hair with a sigh.

"I didn't tell you because I know you don't want to go into the city. I thought you were staying here so I decided I'd stay with you to keep you company. I was going to tell you later tonight. "

My heart melted at his words and a smile took over my face.

He wanted to hang out with me, that was why he hadn't told me.

"Oh..."

He laughed lightly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a side hug.

"It's okay to have doubts, Ana. Just come to me and ask questions. Okay?"

I nodded, burying my face in his shoulder, my face burning from a combination of embarrassment and happiness.

Our moment was ruined by my annoying best friends.

"Gordon! I'd like my best friend back now!"

Gordon and I looked up, seeing that Rose and Shane were standing in the doorway, wearing identical pouts.

Gordon smiled and said: "She's my best friend too."

"She was ours first though. You came late to the Ana party. You get less privileges, sorry."

I laughed at Rose, finding it funny how territorial she was of me.

"I'll be back soon, Rosie. Just hold it."

She let out a high pitch whine and flung herself at me, causing me to fall backwards on the bed.

I could hear the boys' laughter and suddenly, there was more weight on top of me than just Rose.

I squealed: "Shane!"

Rose's squealing soon joined mine and Gordon's laughter mixed and mingled with the shouts and giggles and arrays of curse words.

I think it was the best sound I'd ever heard, honestly.

My heart swelled about ten sizes and I wrapped my arms around Rose and Shane tightly, attempting to hug them.

"What're you doing, Ana?"

"Loving you!"

Shane fake gasped.

"You? Love somebody? That's pretty unrealistic."

I scoffed and Rose slapped the back of his head.

Gordon rolled his eyes and pushed him off Rose and I.

Rose rolled off of me and then we were all laying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling like in Rose's room.

Gordon laid to my left, Rose to my right, and Shane next to Rose.

We were quiet for a very long time, thinking and staring.

Rose broke the silence, her voice shaking some as she asked: "We're going to be friends after the group home, right?"

I slipped my hand into her's, squeezing it tightly to reassure that I'd always be there for her.

She squeezed mine in return.

Shane spoke quietly: "Of course we'll still be friends, Rosie. We're too close to just suddenly stop talking."

Gordon's fingers brushed against my cheek as he tucked hair behind my ear.

"You guys have done so much for me. You're like family to me."

Tears began to slip down my face and Rose wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close to her side.

I didn't know why I was crying and I don't think Rose did either, but she wanted to hold me anyways.

Her own tears joined mine after a few moments.

Shane licked his lips then said: "Hey, guys, c'mon. Don't cry. It's okay."

I sniffled and nodded, trying to convince myself that he was right.

But I couldn't.

I was scared.

I was afraid that once we all parted ways, we'd never speak to each other again and just be distance memories to each other.

When I first came here, I expected myself to hate everyone and avoid talking to anyone, feeling bitter and angry that I'd been forced to come here.

But now I didn't want to leave.

I'd grown to love the dorks I was laying in bed.

When it became clear that Rose and I were too upset to calm down, Gordon spoke up, surprising us all.

A mischievous grin took over his face (one I was very accustomed to) as he said: "Guys... I've got this really crazy idea."

We all sat up, looking at him, curiously.

It was well known that all of us loved crazy ideas.

"I think that all of us should go to the city tomorrow."

Rose raised her eyebrows and Shane snorted.

I made my exasperated contribution by saying: "Gordon, that's crazy boring."

He rolled his eyes at us because well, yeah, we kind of were smart alec's but it's no fun to be nice.

"Shut up and let me finish!"

I shrugged and leaned back, a small grin playing at my lips.

He sighed and then explained: "I think we should go into the city and rent a car and go on a roadtrip. Leave this place behind for a few days and just have fun."

I could feel the shock spread through us, taking in this insane idea.

Insane but amazing idea.

Admittedly, it was probably a bad idea too, but I don't think any of us cared as we considered.

No pills.

No therapy sessions.

No moody teenagers.

No Alison watching over our shoulder.

I felt tingles spread through me as I grinned, looking over at Rose and Shane, who were also wearing wide smiles.

I looked at Gordon and nodded.

He grinned back at us and then it was settled.

We were getting out of this place.

For how long?

But we were sure that no matter, it was going to be a great story to tell in the future.