“You could take a bus,” Asha suggested.
“I suppose,” I said, flipping my light switch. “But how much do you think that will cost?”
“Twenty, maybe thirty bucks?”
More than I could afford, but there was no way around it. I had to find Rose.
“Okay, can you turn on my computer and pull up a schedule? Find out what time the next bus leaves while I pack a bag.”
There was a skeptical look on Boomer’s face as he leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his chest. “Do you think your mom is going to let you take off like this?”
I pulled a small duffel out from under my bed and brushed a layer of dust off the top. I hadn’t used it since the move. “Never in a million years, which is why I’m not going to tell her.”
***
“Felicity, this is beyond stupid,” Asha said, putting a hand on her hip.
Boomer nodded. “She’s right, which says a lot because we never agree on anything.”
I sighed as I shoved my toiletry bag into the duffel and zipped it. “We already went over this. It’s really sweet you’re both worried about me, but I can’t let you guys waste so much money.”
The bus ticket turned out to be more than thirty dollars—it was double. I cried a little on the inside when I pulled out my emergencies-only credit card to buy one. What made the purchase more painful was that there were buses to San Francisco for as cheap as ten dollars, but apparently Friday trips sold out quickly, and all that was available was a fancy coach. There were cheaper options tomorrow, but I needed to leave today. I had to get back for myshift at the Electric Waffle on Sunday. Or before my mom came home and realized I was gone.
The point was, I couldn’t let Asha and Boomer come with me, even though I wanted them to. Money-wise, they weren’t any better off than me. The thought of them dropping sixty dollars on what might be a wild-goose chase made my stomach tighten.
“Helping you is not a waste of money,” Asha argued.
And Boomer quickly added, “Besides, I’m not worried about spending a few bucks. I’m worried aboutyou.” He positioned himself in front of me, a looming mountain, and placed both his hands on my shoulders. “What happens if you get to this address and Rose isn’t there anymore? It will be night by the time you arrive. Where will you stay? You’re not old enough to rent a hotel room, and you don’t know anybody who lives in the city. You shouldn’t go alone. You haven’t thought this through.”
I offered Boomer the most convincing smile I could muster. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to San Francisco, not the moon. If Rose isn’t there, I’ll go back to the station and wait for my bus home. Seriously, you guys are making a bigger deal out of this than necessary. I can take care of myself.”
“You know that’s not what I meant,” he said. “I just don’t think you should go alone.”
I grabbed his arm in a reassuring way. “I’ll have my phone on me the whole time. If something happens, I’ll call you right away.”
His lips pressed into a small white line, and he let go of me. “A lot of help that will do,” he grumbled. “I don’t like this.”
“Come on,” I said, sighing. My voice was soft, apologetic even. WhileI felt guilty for being the source of their concern, it wasn’t enough to change my mind. “If we don’t leave soon, I’ll be late for the bus.”
As gently as possible, I pulled away from Boomer and slung the duffel over my shoulder. Then I grabbed my messenger bag, tucked Rose’s letters inside, and strode out of the room before either of my friends could start arguing again. When the door closed with a sharp bang, I knew they were grudgingly following behind me.
After doing a quick lap of the house to make sure all the lights were off and the windows and doors were locked, I was ready to leave. Although his truck couldn’t make the six-plus-hour drive up north, Boomer could manage the trip to the bus station. It was only a few miles away.
“Thanks again for all your help, guys,” I said, yanking open the front door. “I really appreciate—”
I never finished. Whatever I planned on saying was whisked from my mind at the sight of Alec. He was standing on the porch, hand poised to knock. His lips curved into a timid half smile as he let his arm fall back down to his side.
“Hey, Felicity,” he said, and that was all it took to steal the air from my lungs.
“Oh,” I breathed, and the little air still left inside me hissed passed my lips. “Alec, hi.” How was it possible that I had forgotten Alec was picking me up? That we were supposed to be going on a maybe date?
His smile retracted as he took in the surprise that must have been clear on my face. “Is something wrong?” he asked as his gaze darted to the duffel at my side.
I didn’t get a chance to reply, because Asha nearly slammed into my back. She made a choking, squawk-like sound and started whacking me on the shoulder.
“Felicity, Felicity, Felicity,” she whispered even though Alec was standing close enough to hear. “It’shim.”
The secondhand embarrassment was too real to bear. I squeezed my eyes shut and slowly dragged a hand down my face as I waited for it to subside. After taking a calming breath, I opened my eyes to do introductions.
