After I tied my hair into a side-fishtail and fixed the stray hairs, I returned my gaze to the parking lot as I waited for my best friend.

Lana had texted me in the morning telling me to meet her earlier at school. She sounded urgent and stressed out. It was unlike her, so I was instantly concerned.

To keep myself entertained, I counted the cars in the lot. My counting resulted in me missing Kermit more. I had still not got my little green car back because it was still being repaired.

Stone had driven me to school every morning except this one. I had decided to leave my house early in hope that I would not cross his path.

I did not know why I was acting in such a frantic way. I had kissed many boys and never spoke to them after.

This felt like a different situation entirely. The kiss was different.

The cobbled steps tapped under Lana's cherry pattered shoes as she hurried in my direction. She raced over my way before joining me on the cement stairs leading up to the school building.

Her smile was strained, and it did not look genuine.

Scooting closer to her, I put my arm around her shoulder and asked softly "What is wrong, Barbie?"

She shot me another fake smile before assuring "Nothing, Freak Show."

"Out with it." I said sternly, concerned about her "I know something is wrong. I can read you like a book."

"And you do read a lot of those." She commented with a small laugh.

I stuck my tongue out at her and then realised she was still trying to deflect the conversation away from what was bothering her.

"What is going on?" I asked again.

"Brennan and I were sitting having lunch yesterday and he just got up and left." She sighed like she was tired "No explanation. He just ran out of school to go somewhere."

I realised that was similar timing to when Stone dropped me off at my apartment building and left.

A small exhale of relief left me that he had not entirely left me because of the kiss.

I focused again on the very distraught Lana and squeezed her to my side as I offered her a reassuring smile.

"You know what he is like. He has done this a few times now so it must be important." I tried to keep my voice strong while I spoke "Have you asked him why he leaves so out of the blue?"

She shook her head.

"It is not just Brennan's disappearing that has me doubting our relationship." Lana added.

"Then what is it?" I asked softly.

Her expression went sheepish as she revealed while playing with the bottom of her white summer dress "I feel like sometimes there is so much awkward silence between us. Sometimes when we are hanging out, we just run out of things to talk about."