I'm Sorry

4. Surprise!

Emily and Beth finally arrived at the lodge. Em pounded on the door.
"Cmon guys, let us in! It's me!"
"It's em!"
Let her in quick!"
The door was open and Emily dragged Beth through the door.
Everyone was silent.

Beth stared at all the faces staring at her. We're they relieved to see her? Or were they happy she was gone? This must be really surprising for them. Beth was also surprised that Matt and Jess were no where to be seen. She thought it was dangerous out there, why would they want to leave?

Chris looked at Beth in awe. He wanted to tell Josh, in fact he was about to run out and get him, but then he remembered he couldn't trust Josh. He could never trust Josh again. Chris was then confused about how his mind flipped from Beth to Josh in a matter of a seconds. He sat down on the couch beside Ashley, he knew he could actually trust her.

Ashley smiled widely. Guilt had been eating her alive the past year, and seeing that Beth was living and standing in front of her made her unexplainably happy. Beth was one of her best friends, and she hoped it could be like that again. Worry courses through Ashley. Would Beth ever forgive her? "I'll make sure she forgives me,"  she thought confidently. Ashley decided she would be as nice to Beth as humanly possible.

Sam stared at her friend. Beth was alive! It was a miracle! Sam was so happy that she could see her again. But where's Hannah? Sam thought to herself. Then, she decided that that was selfish and she should be grateful for what she had. But it left a pit in her stomach for the time being.

Mike was confused at the sight in front of him. Was that actually, Beth? A small smile crossed his face. Mike is not one to swallow his pride, so he never shared with anyone else his immeasurable guilt about the prank. He hadn't been involved in a single prank since. The happy feeling quickly morphed into an uneasy one. Where was Hannah?

The only shared thoughts between all the friends were Josh's prank and the girls' poor conditions. Would Josh have even done it if they had found Beth earlier? Why were they so stupid that they didn't check the mines? Where were Emily and Beth and why were they so bloody?

Ashley was the first to jump out of her seat and hug Beth. She had tears in her eyes. Beth supposed they were happy ones. Maybe they were sad though, sad that Beth had been lost all that time, and sad that the other twin was still gone. Beth could also sense that there was something big that she didn't know.

"I'm so sorry Beth, I never wanted anything to happen to you or Hannah, and I'm so sorry I was involved in it and-"
"Ash, it's okay. You're fine. I forgive you."
Ashley started to cry, but had a giant smile on her face.

After hugging Beth, Ashley went over to Chris, who said something that made her smile. He then separated from the girl and walked over to Beth. He wrapped his arms around her.

"You can't tell Ashley," he whispered in her ear.
Beth's smile slowly turned into a frown.
"About me and you? Last year?" clarified Chris in a hoarse whisper.
Beth nodded.
"We're good then." Chris pulled away and gave Beth a big smile, which seemed out of place considering the conversation they'd just had.

Sam walked up to Beth and pulled her in close.
"I'm sorry I couldn't get to your sister on time. I tried, Beth, I swear,"
Beth's happiness slowly faded. Hannah? Did Sam not even care that Beth was back? Sam smiled sadly at Beth. Beth pulled away in confusion.

Mike stared at the two for a moment.
"Hey Beth," he said.
"Hi Mike,"
Beth hadn't expected Mike to hug her so this didn't come as a surprise. Mike fiddled with his hands for a moment.
"Listen, Beth, I'm really sorry about last year, and Hannah was really cool and-"
Sam nudged his shoulder.
"Mike," she whispered to him bossily, "don't talk about Hannah. If she's not here, she's probably..."
Sam looked up at Beth to see if she could hear, but she was having a conversation with Ashley.
"dead."
Mike shut his eyes and sighed.
"Sorry,"
"It's fine, Mike, just be careful, okay?"
"Yeah."

Chris kept his eyes on Beth and Ashley. Even if Ash did find out about last year, it wouldn't hurt anything, right? I mean they weren't dating, and Chris and Beth were both wasted. Sure, they had made out for a while, but it was fine, right? It's not like they.... oh wait. They did.

Beth started in with the questions.
"So," she asked Ashley. "You and Chris?"
Ash blushed.
"Well, he hasn't kissed me yet or anything but with the gun-"
Ashley stopped talking. Beth can't know about that. She shouldn't have to. She just got back from whatever torture she endured, she didn't need anymore.
"What?"
"Don't worry about it, it's no big deal, it was just romantic,"
Beth looked at Ashley in confusion for a moment, but then accepted this answer.
"That's really cool, Ash," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah.."
Ashley looked at her feet. She needed to talk to the others before she told Beth any of what happened. But how would they all speak alone without Beth?

Chris seemed to sense Ashley's need for help, as he walked over and started making small talk with Beth. He gave Ashley a look which said

"Go."