Liza nervously twiddled her hoodie string around her fingers as she sat in the seat on the bus. Two more stops and they'd be picking Quinn up. Two more stops and she'd find out how bad her screw up had been. Once again, Shara was rambling on about how great D.J. was and Liza was catching bits and pieces, just enough to respond in the appropriate spots, all the while worrying about what Quinn would say or do today.
"Liza, seriously, what's up with you?"
Liza looked at her friend.
"What do you mean?"
"Um, gee, let me wrap my tiny little mind around it because I'm not sure I can really think since I'm so stupid."
Liza rolled her eyes and gave her friend a look.
"You're not stupid. I just have a lot on my mind. You know, with my dad and stuff."
"Ohhh, right. How is he? Have you been to visit him again?"
Liza shook her head.
"No, he said it wasn't safe. And the last time I went, that criminal almost escaped because of me. I couldn't let that happen after all the sacrifice my dad's put out to keep him there. I just keep looking for an answer. It's frustrating."
Shara nodded sagely.
"I bet. I really wish I could dreamwalk too. Maybe then I could be more helpful. I-" Shara stopped midsentence because she saw Liza pale and look a little panicked. Turning around, all she saw was Quinn get on the bus. Yeah, he was annoying, but what could he have done to cause that kind of reaction from Liza?
Quinn surprised Shara as he opted to sit at the front of the bus today, rather than interrupt their conversation like he usually does. Shrugging, and glad to do without him, Shara turned back to Liza and watched with confusion as Liza slid down in her seat like she wanted to disappear.
"Ok. You are going to spill. This isn't about your dad. What did Quinn do? Why are you acting so weird when he's around?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Liza said softly.
"I'm talking about the blushing, the panicking, the look of mortification I see on your face right now. All of it. What's the deal?"
Liza's eyes brimmed with tears.
"Liza, you're worrying me here. What's wrong?"
Liza just shook her head.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Shara just raised her eyebrows at her friend. She knew better than to press, but she would get to the bottom of it.
~ ~ ~
Shara's moment came during a break in between classes. Quinn was making his way through the throngs of kids in the hallway when Shara saw him. Like a woman with a mission, she cut through the crowd and snagged Quinn's shirt, and pushed him against the wall. She ignored the surprised look on his face and dove in on him.
"What did you do to Liza?"
"Huh?"
"Why is she so upset? What did you do?"
"Nothing."
"Boloney. You did something to upset her and I want to know what."
