Dreams Come True (Austin Carlile/Ben Bruce)

Chapter 26

I opened the door to the OM&M bus, "Hello? Anyone here?" I waited a second and heard a groan.

"Randi?" Austin's voice still made me melt. I walked to the back, he was in his bunk, his eyes were red and puffy from tears I guessed.

"Hey Austin." I nearly whispered. "I was looking for Emily. I just --" he cut me off with a hug.

"I am so sorry Randi. I am so terribly sorry." He started crying more.

"Stop Austin. Please, don't cry." I petted his hair.

"Who was he?" He laid back, sniffling.

I laid next to him, sighing. "He was my first love. I met him at military camp before eighth grade. And for years we talked, I mean about everything. That was Josh, the guy best friend I always talked about. He never told me he loved me, I thought it was one-sided with us. I loved him, even if he was three years older than me." I laughed at the fact that both Ben and Austin were four years older than me, nearly five. "I knew he was in Germany. I was hoping to visit him, but I never expected this." A single tear glided down my cheek. I wiped it away. "Where's Emily?"

"She's ... uhm ... I think at the pavilion, with Alan... I guess he dragged her along, since she wouldn't eat here. Randi I didn't mean to hurt him." His eyes filled with sadness and pain.

"You haven't heard anything from the doctors? He might be alive." I stepped toward him, and kissed his forehead. "It's not your fault. I didn't know he'd do something like this. I'm sorry." I walked out of the bus without another word. I headed towards the large tent where I could see rustling about, which usually meant food.

I stepped in and found Emily sitting at a table, playing with her food. "Hey Emily." I sat in front of her, "I'm sorry for running away like that, I didn't know how to deal with Ben and Austin; they were fighting over me right after my friend stabbed himself."

"You know the guy? I just checked on him, he'll make it, it was a close cut, but he'll make it." Emily grabbed my hand. "Don't you ever do that to me again. This past week without you in the room with us has been terrifying. I mean just the worry of not having you near. It's not bad, but the worry is." She started to mumble.

"Yeah I understand. We just need to spend more time together. Oh and ... uhm I kissed Ben." I shot up and ran out of the pavilion.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO NOT RUNNING AWAY RANDI?!" I heard her yell as I ran back to the AA bus. I heard Danny shouting, as I got closer.

"She came? And you let her leave again? What if she lied and just ran again?" I heard Danny, there was worry in his voice. "Ben, I get it, you've got her, I just can't help but worry."

"She's likeable. I know that, but now she just needs friends. Did you know she knew the guy? The guy that stabbed himself, they were friends, since eighth grade. So really right now, I'm not even going to press anything until she's ready."

I knocked on the door, shaking my head at the thought that Danny was interested in me. I really couldn't deal with it, but it was nice to know that he was willing to be just be a friend for the sake of Ben. "Uhm, guys?" I stepped into the bus. The men turned to me, like dolls they flopped into the couch in front of me. I sat on the beanie bag, "I came back... I think I've done enough running today." I smiled small. "I am sorry for running. Josh is going to be okay, he missed all major things, but bled a lot. It's going to take time, but he'll be okay."

I eased myself into relaxing. "I'm sorry about this, guys. I'm really sorry."

Danny shook his head, "You can't do that ever again. Especially not where we aren't familiar with the area. What if some crazy Human Centipede dude try to capture you!"

I quietly laughed, "I'm sorry Danny. I promise never again."

He nodded, "Well I'm going to get drunk. I'll see you guys later."

He left the bus, slightly slamming the door behind him. I stood up and walked over to Ben. Grabbing his hands, I pulled him up, so he stood over me. I looked up into his melting brown eyes, "You are much sweeter in person, than interviews or anything else."

He chuckled, "No, I just know what to do when I really care about another person."