Conversations With Ana

19

19

None of us had heard of the band that was playing, but I don't think any of us cared much, honestly.

We were all pumped and full of energy as snuck past the security guards.

It took everything in us not to laugh or giggle.

We had to maintain our composure, at least until we were fully in.

Once we had finally made in, Rose and I couldn't help but squeal, jumping up and down.

Tara gave us a disapproving look, as if she thought that our excitement was much too immature.

We both ignored her though, smiles plastered on our faces.

I barely noticed the way Gordon's arm was wrapped around Tara and how she leaned close to him.

Rose intertwined her fingers with mine and whispered: "Hey, let's go get some drinks then try and find a good spot."

I nodded and squirmed my way through the crowd with her.

I couldn't help but wonder how Gordon was feeling with all the people surrounding him.

I quickly shoved the thought down to the bottom of my toes and got into the ridiculously long line with Rose.

We'd been waiting there for a while, just judging people and talking crap when Casey came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I turned my head and smiled up at him.

He smiled back at me and said: "Hey."

"Hi."

"How're you doing?"

"Fine. You?"

"Great. I have your phone, though. Someone named Mel called."

I tensed up at the sound of my best friend's name.

I missed her but I didn't feel so dependent on her anymore.

Now that I had broken out of the shell I had hidden in since Kyle died, I felt independent and strong.

I loved Mel and I always would, but somehow, I knew that we'd drifted apart.

And sadly enough, I was okay with that.

As I looked at Rose, who was smiling at me and braiding a few pieces of my hair, I knew that I'd found people who hadn't taken her place, but created new, more important places in my life.

I shrugged and told Casey: "I'll text her later."

He nodded and I pulled away from him, leaning against Rose instead.

We all stood in silence, just taking things and enjoying the high energy atmosphere around us.

I had closed my eyes to shield them from the bright strobe lights that just been turned on when I heard it.

It hadn't been there in a while, but I knew what it was still.

I recognized it.

My whole body jerked in surprise and I stood up straight, looking around, my eyes wide.

Rose frowned and slid an arm around me.

"Ana? Are you okay?"

There was a laugh.

Are you okay? Doesn't she know anything about you, Ana? You're insane.

I shivered, the whisper feeling out of place after not hearing it for at least two months.