The Friendship of the Maze

Chapter 13/ Conclusion

Averi-

"What," I look around, "where am I?" I was back in my fuzzy pj's, my warm bed, and my sizable room. I sprang out of bed and searched my desk until I found what I was looking for, my notebooks. I fumbled with the lamp but when I found the switch and turned it on I could see that they were all there and not burned up. Out of habit I reached up and felt for my scar. The one from the Varren's talons. It was still there, as was the one on my arm. It was just a dream, but I was there too. I looked over at my clock 6:00 A.M. It had only been a few hours but it felt like days.

"Cade," I almost shouted. Then I remembered that I had parents downstairs who wouldn't like to be woken up. I quickly threw on the clothes from yesterday. I hope they don't stink. Then I rushed out of my room and hopped down each stair as I pulled my boots on.

"Honey," my mom said sleepily from the couch, "It's only 6:00 A.M. You have another four hours till church." I didn't realize I had woken her up. She flipped the switch and the lights came on.

"Are you going somewhere," she asked.

"Yes." Please don't stop me. I grabbed my jacket and ran out of the door into the snow before she had the opportunity.

"I'll be at Cade's if you need me," I yelled over my shoulder as I ran the few yards to his front door.

Cade-

I couldn't sleep, not when my friendship with Averi was hanging over the edge of a cliff. I sat on the couch in my family's living room praying and thinking.

"Please God," I almost begged, "she means a lot to me, you know how much. Help her understand and forgive me." I turned my focus to a painting of a waterfall that I painted with Averi. The brushstrokes were very amateur but we had a blast creating it. Averi and I just work well together. It's hard to explain. I studied the screen on my phone pondering if I should try again. No, it's too early. I set my phone aside. I wish I could go back in time and erase these pictures so none of this would have happened. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. Then someone knocked softly on our front door. Who would be up at a time like this? After a few moments, I answered it.

Averi-

Cade was so surprised when he saw me standing on his family's front porch. It clearly showed across his face.

"Isn't it a little early," he asked hesitantly.

"Yes it is," I replied, "but I couldn't wait a moment more," I paused. "I'm sorry about how I acted. It was foolish of me to think that you would betray me, especially after all we have been through. I said some things to you that I should never have said." I care for you more than you know Cade.

Cade just smiled and stepped aside, "Come in." Please forgive me even though I don't deserve you. I wiped my boots on the mat and entered his house.

"Cade," I started but soon stopped not knowing what else to say.

"Averi, listen to me. I understand what you thought and why you thought it. You don't need me but I need you. You're my best friend." He looked down and shuffled his feet nervously. I didn't know what to say so I didn't say anything. I did what surprised us both. I hugged Cade and buried my head in his chest. I don't care what he thinks. Then he surprised himself and wrapped his arms around me. He held me tight like if he let go he would lose me forever. Little does he know he almost did.

"I'm so sorry."

He looked down at me and smiled, "Why the change?"

"I had the weirdest dream," Was my muffled response.

He reluctantly let me go, "Well this might take a while. Would you like a mug of hot cocoa?" He's not perfect but he is perfect for me. Thanks God.

"That would be fantastic."

Cade-

I can't help it when my face spreads into the biggest smile imaginable. She forgave me. She understood. She's the best. I happily heated two mugs of my mom's hot cocoa. I put Averi's in her favorite mug. The one with a brown horse on the front, then added mini marshmallows and peppermint. Just the way she likes it.

Averi-

While he went to make us hot cocoa, I crossed the living room and seated myself on the Winston family couch. I looked around, all the lights were off but the fire gave the room a friendly glow. I rubbed my hands on the soft brown couch. I'm still exhausted by my experience in The Maze, but I'm so glad that Cade is alright. A few minutes passed while I was thinking. Cade returned, handed me a steaming mug of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows, and sat down next to me. Then he set his legs on the coffee table.

"Cade," I ask.

"Ya."

"Why are you up so early? You look like you haven't slept all night." Not like him at all.

"I haven't," he admitted. "After what happened at school I was too flustered to sleep. I spent most of the night drawing, praying, and thinking." So it was because of me.

"That makes sense," I said. "I'm glad you're up."

"Me too. Now about this dream of yours," he said playfully. I giggled, then told him everything. From the voice to the challenges, to the object of the game. I told him everything even if it embarrassed me. He sat patiently listening while I talked through the morning.

When I finished Cade spoke up. "Well," he begins, "that was something." He doesn't believe me.

"You think?"

Cade very sternly said, "most definitely." Then we burst out laughing. It was good to be with Cade.

"I can tell that something big happened to you. You're, different. Not in a bad way, but good, like you have grown up overnight."

"I do feel older. I feel like I can accomplish anything that I put my heart and soul into," I said. "I'll never forget, my scars won't let me." He smirked. I don't know what I was thinking to bring them up. What will he think?

"You look like a warrior princess, my warrior princess." I felt my face grow red. "Though you might have a hard time explaining how you got them to your parents."

"Ya, that is going to be a problem."

"You know," he continued, "You should write a story about you're adventure. It would be so cool." "It would be but I'm not that good at writing. I could tell it to my mom. She's a great author." I didn't say this because I wanted my mom to write about my Maze escapade but because it always annoys Cade.

"Tell your mom," he was disgusted by that thought. "No way, you are an impressive author and it is your story, not hers." Of course, I gave in.

"OK, I will try." We sat in silence till I spoke up, "I saw, heard, and felt things in The Maze that made me think."

"Things like what?"

"Like how much God loves me and how much I hate him. I don't want to hate him. I want to follow him. In The Maze, I realized how much I needed him. I go to church every Sunday and pray, but I know that I'm not actually a Christian." I look him dead in the eyes. "Can you help me become one?" Deep breath.

"Really Averi. Of course, I can," he said with so much enthusiasm. "All you have to do is believe and receive. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and was raised on the third day. Then received the free gift that he died for. Jesus died on that cross so he could pay the penalty for your sins for you just believe and receive him."

Cade and I have not always been best friends. It started out being nice to each other at school. Because I was new he helped me in class and told me which teachers to trust. Then Cade introduced me to his friends and showed me the town. Pretty soon we came to each other with our problems but it hasn't been easy. We've made friends, then they betrayed us. We have endured betrayal, deception, and my suborn personality but he has always been there for me and I for him. He is the bestest best friend in the whole world