And then there were six

Noah and Rose were still outside.

Hunter opened the window and screamed at them.

- Hey you two geeks, we're gonna go get food.

And they were out .

The garage door opened slowly and there it was.

Mr.P's dad had been a wealthy businessman. He had left Mr.P this blue 1969 Mustang that he loved.

And now there it was.

All theirs, but he was missing.

They were missing him.

Aliyah felt a little sharp pain in her chest. A tear rolled down her cheek and she tried to hide it.

But he saw it.

- I'm sorry! Its just, I try my best to keep it in but I just truly wish we had just a little more time..

- No, don't apologize. I make fun of you sometimes but I like it that you care this much about things, and besides he was one of the best humans to have ever walked the Earth, we've lost more than just a friend.

He felt it now more than ever, the grief had only hit him now. And he was glad she was there because she made him feel like it was okay to break down.

He put her arm around her and they hugged as they wiped away their tears.

He was taller and her head was just close to his heart and she could hear his heartbeat.

It was the first time they felt so much all at once.

- I get to pick the music.

He said because he knew it would make her smile.

And it did.

And they drove down the street as the sun was setting.

And he watched her hair dance in the wind as they listened to Perry Como "Killing me softly with her song".

Connor was up in his room talking to Allison on the phone. She had received her copy of the will.

- So he left us the lake house?

- Yeah..

- And they got the house?

- Noah and Rose? Yes.

- Hah, he wanted to make sure they have something to bring them together when he's gone. He was thinking of them even then.

- Well he was thinking of you too. But apparently he was wrong, because nothing will bring you back. Not even him being dead.

Connor had tried his best to keep his thoughts to himself, but now he was just sad and tired and he really wished she was there.

- Connor … what is going on with you? You know why I left… I can't just..

- Just what? Can't just come back because he died? The only person in this world that actually truly cared about us is fucking dead and it still isn't enough to bring you back?

- What? Don't you think it hurts me too? Don't you think I am sad too?

- I just think you should have been here. To say goodbye. You should have been here with us when the crowd left.

- Connor please I just..

- Never mind Its fine. I shouldn't have brought it up at all.

I gotta go, we're packing some of Mr.P's stuff.

Bye.

- Bye.

He was angry and he didn't want to say something he'd regret.

So he hung up the phone and walked to Mr.P to meet the others.

In the evening they had packed almost everything. They were too tired to continue so they

all sat around the round wooden table. But nobody could eat. Mr.P 's chair was empty.

And that's all they could see.

Rose looked at them. She knew they hated being there without him just as much as she did.

She grabbed her plate.

- I missed the good weather, I'll just eat outside on the steps. Anybody feel like joining?

So they all sat outside.

She watched them all laughing at whatever stupid joke Hunter came up with.

And that horrible feeling came back to her. It would happen any time life got a tiny bit better. She truly wanted to join in on whatever conversation they were having, but their voices kept fading away and all she could hear was her heartbeat growing faster. She felt like she just couldn't get out of this bubble of darkness around her that kept getting smaller and smaller and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She had hoped it would never happen while they were all together but she had known it probably would.

- I'm thirsty. I'll just grab some water from the fridge.

She said and tried her best to hide her shaking hands.

She ran to the end of the hall into the bathroom.

She locked the door and sat down on the cold tiles. She took her phone out of her pocket and with her hands still shaking uncontrollably took its case off and pulled out a tiny white piece of paper and she read it to herself.

"I am not in danger,

I am safe where ever I am,

I can overcome this"

She had once tried to see a therapist, and he had written her the tiny letter and told her to always keep it with her.

She had never gone back. But she kept the note.

- Please, please, please not now.. just not now..

She said as she tried not to cry. She put her hand on her heart, wishing it would just go back to beating normally.

She tried to control her breathing. She couldn't feel her legs again, so she held tight onto the counter and got up and splashed her face with cold water. Her hand kept hurting.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She hated mirrors. For the last four years they had showed her she was just a shell of a human. They made her hate herself more.

She kept repeating the writing on the note to herself.

Tried her best to look normal .

And with her hands still shaking she opened the door .

She could hear their laugh. She closed her eyes, prayed once more with all her heart for it to stop and walked out.

- Yeah the stitches left a mark, this freak and her damn aim

Rose smiled.

- The one behind your ear?

- Yeah, all for a damn doll

- All for Aliyah. And besides, the scar's a beautiful reminder of me don't you think?

- Yeah. Scars are a good way to remember you aren't they?

The voice came from behind them. A voice they knew all too well.

- Allison !!!

Aliyah ran towards her.

- Finally!

Connor smiled, knowing the conversation they had had earlier in the day had finally convinced her.

They all hugged her, even Noah.

But his hug was different, she noticed. Almost forced.

- Hey stranger.

He said and she gave a faint smile.

Hunter looked over at Rose. She looked frozen.

- So, you don't look too happy to see me?

She said to Rose.

- Well I am. Welcome back.

- You too, heard you're just as a stranger as I am around here.

Hunter felt like saying something but he kept it to himself. Now wasn't the time.

Rose hugged her, but Allison stayed still.

She regretted coming back instantly. But Connor had gotten to her. And she knew she would have to come back someday, she choose today.

- You hungry?

Hunter asked her in a cold tone.

- No, but a soda will do.

- I'll get one for you

Rose was happy she had finally returned, but she knew Allison would rather catch up with the others without here there. So she went to the kitchen and sat down for a little .

- So how's life away?

- Its good Hunter, as good as it can be when you're away from all you love !

- Well, you were brave to give that decision when you did then.

- Forced would be more appropriate.

Hunter was about to say something, but Noah gave him a "don't" look and he stopped.

- I'm so happy you're back. I missed you so much

Aliyah said.

- I'm sure you did .

- We all did.

Noah replied, and now he wasn't feeling as sorry as he had felt before. He had hoped those years away would help her see things differently or at least that her anger would fade. But he could see it hadn't.

Hunter only now noticed Rose hadn't come back so he got up to look for her.

He found her sitting in the kitchen, soda in her hand.

- Hey, you know what's best served cold?

- Huh?

- The soda I mean. Why didn't you bring it out?

- Just thought I'd leave you guys alone for a bit. Don't think she missed me.

- You guys? Look, I have really tried not to interfere but its just so messed up

- What?

- The way she treats you two. You've stayed away from us for long enough, and we all know why. You're not the one to feel sorry.

- Look I just know she's had it pretty tough these last few years and I just don't want to make it worse

- You haven't had it easy either

- What do you mean?

For a minute Rose's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't have noticed, or so she hoped.

- I mean, you've been away from all you love too, just as long as she has. It couldn't have been easy for you either.

Hunter really wished he could just come out and tell her he knew everything and that he was sorry. But it just broke his heart knowing he hadn't kept his promise and he didn't want to force her to talk about things she didn't want to share.

- It wasn't .

- So, why you still punishing yourself? C'mon. Please !

She smiled. He took her hand and got her to her feet. She smiled. And they walked outside.