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out into the forest.
    After they stopped laughing they just grabbed on to each other and held on tight. After a while Alex pulled back and stared into Emily’s blue eyes. “Okay Em, I guess I get why you’re going but it scares the hell out of me. The only thing that makes it semi ok is that you aren’t going alone.”
    At Emily’s questioning look Alex explained that David was going with them to sea. Seeing the embarrassed look on David’s face she quickly put in “David is good with motors and thinks he can help get a boat started. And he’s very worried about his mom and little sister. He thinks going by boat will get him home faster.” She made that up on the spot. While not really a lie, David was good with cars, he was always working on his old Mustang and with his Mom being all alone at home with an eight year old to watch over he must be worried. It was all Alex could think of in the spur of the moment to help David save face.
    Emily turned to David and gave him a quick hug. “That would be so great David. I feel a lot better with you along to help out.” and she gave him a sweet smile. Just then the rest of the group joined them and Mrs. Moore took charge. After David told her he was going with Emily she seemed very much relieved.
    “Time to go, we have wasted too much time. It has now been just over an hour and the masses out there will be starting to get nervous. Mason, Emily, David, Lisa and Mark it’s time you got on your way. Remember everything I have told you and be safe. When you make it home please tell your parents that I am sorry I couldn’t do more for you. Good-bye, or as you are going by sea, Bon Voyage.” With that she turned away and discreetly brushed a tear away.
    As Mason’s group stood by waiting, Quinn and Josh said their goodbyes to David and gave some last minute advice. Alex and Emily just stood looking at each other. Finally Emily started with, “Well this should be a piece of cake.”
    Alex came back with, “Nah, a piece of pie.”
    And together, “Just not a banana split!” which was another childhood saying meant to break the tension. With sad smiles the girls gave another hug and whispered, “Love you. Love you more.” To each other and parted ways.
    As Emily walked away with Mason and his friends David came up and put his arm around Alex.
    “Bring her home David and you. Both of you get home safe.” David gave her arm another squeeze and followed Emily out of Disneyland.
     

Chapter 4
     
     
    When Alex could no longer see Emily she finally turned back to her group to see what was going on. Quinn, Josh, Cooper and Dara were all kneeling around what looked like a map on the ground. Cooper and Dara, Alex hadn’t even given them a thought but guessed now they were down to five they would be getting to know each other much better. Cooper was this bad boy by reputation but that was all Alex really knew about him. He must be somewhat smart if he had chosen to come with them. Alex decided to keep an open mind until she got to know him better.
    Dara confused Alex. Up until grade six Dara was a part of her group. Her family lived on a nearby farm and she and Emily and Alex had been in all the same activities and clubs. The summer before grade six Dara’s parents had gotten a divorce and her Mother and brother and Dara had moved into town. Things had stayed the same until half way through the school year when Dara had started distancing herself from the girls. She would sit alone at lunch and recess and barely speak to anyone. Emily and Alex had tried to keep her in the loop but Dara just kept pulling away. By the beginning of grade seven Dara was alone and Alex and Emily had given up. By grade nine, Dara was into black clothes and heavy makeup. She started coloring her hair weird shades and had gotten a reputation of being a Goth. Alex didn’t think she was a Goth but wasn’t really sure.
    “Not that it matters anymore.” she thought, “We are in this together.”