Molly is shaking visibly when she gets on the bus. The sun hasn't risen yet, which means her parents haven't woken up yet. Not that they would care where she was actually going.
She plugs her phone in and checks the time.
5:47 AM.
The bus is set to leave at 5:50, and she'll get to camp by noon. She relaxes her shoulders and leans back in her seat.
Her phone buzzes with texts. She jumps, thinking her parents are awake and texting her furiously, but they're all from Mal. Molly sighs in relief.
She decides to call Mal instead, after another suspicious look from the bus driver makes her want to duck under her seat. She dials her number, knowing that she'll already be up.
…
"Hello?"
Molly grins. "Mal?"
"Molly, are you on the bus yet?"
"Mal, I…"
"Are you on the bus yet?"
"Yes."
"Good." She can hear Mal's suitcase rattling along the pavement.
"I miss you. Mal, I miss you." Molly's voice breaks a little, and she looks down at her lap.
"I miss you, too. I can't wait to see you again."
"I'm scared."
"I'm scared for you, Molly. Do you know that?"
"I figured you were."
Mal laughs, making Molly smile. She wraps her backpack tighter around her, trying to not think about the end of the summer.
"Hey, I'm with you okay?" Mal says, her voice soothing against Molly's ear. Molly knows she's trying to distract her, and it's working. Mal's hair is muffling the sound a little.
"I'm with you, always."
