All nine of them crowed into the back of the bus. Nick sat on the floor with Vallery on his lap, his arms tightly around her. Vallery thought it was neat that they were singers, but fortunately it didn't change her attitude or opinions towards Nick. The other seven tried to squeeze in on the round, long couch that stretched across the small room. Aj and Melody decided that they would go up to the front of the bus so everyone would have room, even thought the true reason was that they wanted to be alone.
"Are you really okay?" Aj asked, scooting in next to her at the table in the kitchen area.
"That's a good question, what is your definition of okay?" Melody said sarcastically. She was tired of hiding the way she felt about her condition.
"Mel, you know what I mean."
"Okay, I'm sorry. Honestly, I get weaker everyday, and after that concert, I feel like I could sleep for the rest of my life, which, unfortunately, is not that long. Emotionally, I'm as happy as a person who knows they are dying can be. I have my friends, my parents, and a great guy that I wish I had more time to spend with. There is nothing you can do or say to make me feel better, you already have me feeling the best I possibly could. Does that cover it all?"
"Not totally…"
"What do you mean not totally?"
"I didn't get to tell you I love you or got to kiss you yet."
"I think I could handle that."
"I love you," Aj whispered, leaning in to kiss her. They heard a whistle from the doorway. Melody shot her head around to see Suzy. She grabbed a pillow off the table and threw it at Suzy. It didn't reach her; Melody didn't have enough strength to get it that far. Melody shook her head and sighed.
"Melody, what's up sweetie?" Suzy said, concerned with not only Melody's weakness, but also the look of complete hopelessness on her face.
"Maybe you should skip the ice cream," Aj suggested. "I'll stay in the bus with you and you can rest, okay?" Melody nodded as the bus stopped in front of a Dairy Queen. Everyone tried to hide their concerned looks as they passed Melody and Aj to get off the bus.
"Come on, I'll help you to the bunks," he said, helping her up. He led her to his bunk and helped her in. Aj covered her up with the blankets and sat down next to her on the floor.
"Just rest," he whispered, running his hand through her hair soothingly. Soon Melody had drifted off to sleep. Everyone returned a little while later; Aj put a finger to his lips and motioned that Melody was asleep.
"What is going on with my friend," Suzy whispered, almost in tears. Aj turned away, he couldn't look her in the eyes.
"Tell me Aj, she is my best friend. I can tell you know something, I can see it in your eyes, in the way you act. What is it, please Aj!" She whispered louder, tears starting to roll down her face.
"I can't do that," he said, gazing at Melody, sleeping so peacefully. "Only she can." Howie hurried to Suzy as he saw her stagger a little. He steadied her, she turned to him and he held her as she cried.
Vallery sat quietly at the table. She looked up at Aj; a deep sorrow filled her eyes. "I know it's not your place to say anything, Suzy is just upset. As long as I have known Melody, I have learned a lot about her. When she is ready to talk, she will. Don't take it as a weight upon you're shoulders that you are the only one who knows. Melody trusts you, so I trust you too."
The bus jerked as it started down the road. Suzy wiped her eyes and turned to the bus driver. She told him the directions to Melody's house and gave him instructions to stop at the end of the street.
"Why can't we pull up to her house?" Nick asked.
"She snuck out, didn't she?" Vallery murmured. She looked at Suzy, who nodded.
"What do you mean she snuck out?" Aj asked.
"She means I snuck out," a voice came from behind them. They turned to find Melody leaning up against the wall near the bunks. "I was told not to go, so I went to bed early and climbed out the window."
"Melody…" Suzy started.
"No, please Suzy. You know about the condition I have had all my life, you know how my parents are, you helped me sneak out, don't start questioning me now. End of discussion, I mean it."
"Why don't we all just sit down, and chill, I think everyone needs to calm down," Kevin suggested.
"That's easy for you to say," Suzy muttered, but did as he said. A few minutes later they pulled onto Melody's street; it was close to 1am in the morning.
"I'll be right back," Aj said, helping Melody out of the bus. He steadied her as they moved towards the house.
"What happened while I was asleep?" Melody asked in a low whisper.
"You're friends are really starting to worry about you. Suzy was to the point of tears. Do you have to wait to tell them?"
"I'm not ready yet."
"By the time your ready to tell them, you might not be able to think straight enough to tell them." Melody didn't say anything. What could she say, she knew he was right. Deep down she knew she should have told them already, but it was too hard. How do you tell your best friends that you're dying? It would be hard enough when she went to do it later, and everyone was just so emotional in the bus that she couldn't have told them.
"Here you go," Aj said as he lifted her through the window into her room. "I'll call you in the morning." He kissed her softly on her forehead before disappearing into the shadows of her yard.
