I sighed as we all hopped out of the car to unpack our luggage. The car ride home was silent. Deadly silent. But what is there to talk about? Plus, we didn't really feel like talking at all since everything that has happened. 

Garroth opened the trunk and started pulling out some of the suitcases that we had packed. I would have helped but I heard Aphmau start to cry again. I looked over in her direction as she was holding Aaron's bandanna with tears falling down her face. 

"A-Aphmau..." I began as she looked at me, her eyes were filled with sorrow. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. As her best friend, I will always be there for her. I might not be Aaron but I won't let her cry. She reluctantly hugged back. 

"Zane! Aphmau! Over here!" I heard someone shout out. I let Aphmau go and turned around to see Katelyn running over to us. "Aw, man! I missed you guys! How was the lodge?! I've got to know!" she said excitedly. 

"It was good, Katelyn. The lodge was great..." I answered. Katelyn's smile slowly faded as she inspected us closer. She began to grow concern; I could tell because of what she said next. "Are you guys okay? You two don't look so good...Did something bad happen?" she asked. "Katelyn, everything is fie. We just had a rough time coming back." I lied. 

"A-Are you sure? Zane, you don't look too well. And, Aphmau-? Are you okay? You look like you haven't slept well in a week! Guys, don't lie to me. What happened?" Katelyn said as she interrogated us even more. I was about to answer her again until Aphmau cut me off.

"Katelyn, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I just couldn't sleep well is all. Hehe...." she said as she stood behind me. "Wait a minute-where's Aaron? Didn't he come with you guys? I swear, if he hurt you Aphmau, I'll-". Katelyn stopped. Aphmau had her head down so she couldn't see her tears. I'd imagine how much it hurt for her just by someone just mentioning his name. 

"Katelyn, come with me. I want to tell you this alone." I said as she followed me away from Aphmau. "Zane, what the heck is going on!?" she stated. "Katelyn, look. Aaron is away with his parents for a while and Aphmau misses him a lot. I understand your concern but  we all'd appreciate it if you don't mention Aaron around her, alright?" I explained. She nodded as she went to go catch up with Lucinda.

Garroth came over to me quickly after Katelyn left. "Zane, you didn't tell her anything, did you?" he asked. "No" I responded firmly. Garroth sighed as he patted my back to try and comfort me. "Listen Zane. I'm always here to talk whenever you need to. I want to help you get better and back to the Zane I knew before all of this madness."

"Thank you Garroth. But for right now, let's help Aphmau first. She's been through the most out of all of us." I said. He nodded as he and I walked back to the car to finish unpacking. 

~

I walked out of the house to take a breather and relax now that we're back home. It's hard for me to try and forget about what he did to all of us. I can remember how Garroth reached out to me and I just couldn't fight against it. It was to strong. Ugh! If only I wasn't so stupid then none of this would have happened!

"ZANE-KUN~!" Kawaii-Chan yelled from down the block. I stopped in my tracks and turned around only to be hit with a powerful hug from her. I stumbled back a bit due to the impact force. I hugged back and we stayed like that for a short period of time until she let go and so did I. I Put my hands in my pockets and was ready to answer the inevitable questions she was going to ask me. 

"Zane~kun! Kawaii~Chan missed you and everyone else who went to the lodge. How is Zane~Kun?" she asked. I replied with the usual "I'm alright" as her list of questions continued. "Well, Kawaii~Chan wanted to know if Zane~kun wanted to get something to eat, say at the cafe?" she proposed. 

I wasn't expecting her to ask me that but I was kinda hungry so I said yeah. "Awesome!"she cried out in excitement as she grabbed my hand and ran in the direction of the shop with me dangling behind. Normally I would have walked beside her, but I didn't for 2 reasons. One because I was lazy and two is because she looked kinda cute with her excitement bursting out of her.