"You coming?" I heard someone say. I glanced up and saw Ben with a worried expression glued to his face.
I shook my head no and lost his gaze, wiping my now clammy hands on my lap. I gulped as he put a hand on my shoulder.
"You need to get off the bus, Grace, and as much as I wouldn't want to go without you I need to get off too, Emma's at home waiting for me."

"Ben, I'm scared."

"Why?" he looked really anxious now, "you've performed dozens of times."

"No, it's not that" I gulped wiping my hands on my lap again, " I'm scared of seeing Thomas again, I feel as if he has forgotten about me, and that he doesn't want to see me again."
Tears began to stream down my face as Ben embraced my quivering body.

"No Grace," he said rubbing my back "Thomas hadn't forgotten you, and I can ensure you that he really wants to see you again, he probably realized that getting older and you need your space."

"But he didn't call me when I was in the hospital,"

"Jeff said he called when we were both out cold but he didn't want you to get upset because he was upset - he was protecting you."

I pulled away from the hug and wiped my tears away.
"Ready?" he asked. I nodded my head
I stood up and pulled my bag from the other head storage. He followed me as I walked down the aisle and stepped off the bus.

"What took you guys so long?" Josh asked joining Ben's side.
I gave him a pleading look and he lied for me.

"We couldn't find her bag" he claimed.
Josh probably saw right through him, but being the kind person he is, he didn't mention it.
Chaz came up to me, and patted my shoulder. "Come on kid, I'm taking you home."

He guided me away down the street, only allowing me to have one last glance at Ben and Josh before we rounded a corner. It felt as if I was being led to my doom like I wasn't going to see them again, but of course, Chaz didn't know that.
I smiled at him, maybe for the last time...