The cafe was beginning to get busier by the second. Zander had already asked me about my childhood, it was his turn to spill the beans.

"So, Zander, what's your family like?"

There was a moment of awkward silence as Zander contemplated.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"No...no it's fine."

About 10 seconds passed before he began speaking again.

"My family died a few years ago. It was a plane crash."

"Zander..."

Our expressions mimicked each other. I could tell he didn't want my pity, and I was trying really hard not to feel sorry for him.

"Stop it, I'm fine...it's fine."

More moments of silence.

"Please, just say something Al,"

I didn't know what to say.

"I'm sure they would be proud to see how far you've come, without anyone." I'm not sure whether that was the right thing to say, but it seemed to make him feel better.

"Okay, my turn,"

I was glad to see we had changed the conversation.

"What's your full name."

"That's a strange question,"

"Don't avoid it Al," his teasing smirk made me want to answer any question he asked me.

"Allison Jupiter Chamberlain."

"That's a beautiful name."

Zander stared at me with wide eyes.

"What about you?"

"Zander...umm,"

"What's the matter, don't you have a last name?" I teased as I looked up at his curly brown hair. His expression was sad.

"I don't actually know what it is," he tried to mask it, but I could see the sadness in his face. Whatever happened in his past must have changed him a lot.

"Well, you have to have a last name," trying to liven up the mood surrounding us I continued, "so, as your new best friend I am going to give you one."

"And what name is my best friend going to give me?"

I had to think about it.

"I'll get back to you on it,"

He smiled widely and I found myself getting lost in his new found happiness. I almost couldn't look away when I heard my phone ring.

"You should probably answer that," Zander said as I snapped out of my daydream.

I picked up my phone and placed it to my ear.

"Allison...Al are you okay?" Josh's panicked voice engulfed the space between me and Zander as I sheepishly replied.

"Yeah, Josh I'm fine. How are you?"

"Where are you? Why didn't you meet me at the coffee shop?"

"Umm...I'm...I'm with Zander, we lost track of time...I'm really sorry."

I could sense his anger on the other side of the line.

"We're coming back now, I'll see you at the arcade?"

He hung up on me and I felt part of my heart break. I could feel my best friend slipping away from me slowly. But then again, I did have Zander. He looked at me and felt my pain.

"He'll come around. He's just upset." It felt nice that I had someone apart from Josh to talk to. I felt safe with Zander. Safer than I've ever felt since all these things have started happening in Newtown.

"Do you mind if we go?"

"Yeah sure."

We both stood up and walked out of the coffee shop hastily. It was cold outside, but Zander's truck was cosy and warm.

"Do you want my jacket?" I must have been shivering.

"Yeah, thanks Zan." His jacket was heavily scented with cologne and coffee. I wrapped myself up in it and put the radio on.

NEWS AT 10
THE POLICE HAVE JUST ANNOUNCED THAT LOCAL TEEN, JOSH BIERS WAS HIT BY A SCHOOL BUS WHILE CROSSING A MAIN ROAD. THE AREA HAS BEEN SHUT OFF TEMPORARILY AND POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING. IN OTHER NEWS...

I just sat there in the truck, trying to piece together what was just said on the news. I looked at Zander and he looked back at me. He quickly turned the car round and headed for the hospital.