Brendon snatched my hand again and bolted full force towards the visitor's parking lot. We had to make it quick because students and teachers were already making their way outside. If anyone saw me cutting, I'd be dead. If anyone saw me with Brendon, I'd be dead. My tombstone would read "DEATH BY FANGIRLS". That would be worse than getting caught by the teachers or my parents. Crazed girls could be dangerous, I would know. I was one myself a few months back before I met Brendon.

A familiar van pulled up in front of us and the door swung open. Brendon leaped in, dragging me behind him. The seats had been put down to make room for the few guitars in the back and the other person inside. We tumbled on the bare floor, Brendon ending up on top of me. The door was closed and the car sped away.

"Hello!" Brendon said, hugging me quickly and then rolling off of me.

I took a few deep breaths to regain the breath that Brendon's weight had knocked out of me. "What were you thinking? You pulled the fire alarm!"

"Yeah, pretty sweet, huh?"

"You mean, pretty dumb!"

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Ella. I didn't have any other plans."

"No, I'm okay. Sorry, just a little stressed and happy and….everything. I'm a jumbled mess." I combed through my windblown hair. "Hi Ryan, Jon, and Spencer."

Spencer was in the back with us. He leaped forward from his crouch and hugged me. His face burrowed into my shoulder. "You didn't say goodbye to me, why?" His voice was muffled.

"I told Brendon, Jon, and Ryan to tell you goodbye…"

Brendon giggled. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. We kind of told him that you hated him and that's why you didn't say goodbye. It was just a joke!"

Spencer pulled away and tackled Brendon and they wrestled on the floor.

"We were kidding!" Brendon screamed. Spencer laughed wickedly.

"Guys, cut it out!" Ryan demanded. "I'm trying to drive here!"

They stopped and each sat on the floor, panting. I had to giggle. The last time I'd been with them, there had been so much tension that there was no time for jokes. But now, Brendon was better and things were normal.

"It's been so long, Ella," Jon said, watching the road.

I nodded. "Too long."

"Hey, can I have my phone back before I forget?" Brendon asked. I chucked the phone at his head. "AHHHHH!" he screamed and fell down again in mock pain. "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" he cried, imitating a commercial.

We all cracked and laughter filled the van. Tears were streaming down Ryan's face and Spencer was rolling on the floor. Jon clutched his stomach. I was gasping for air and praying that I wouldn't accidently snort or something embarrassing.

As we continued to laugh for no reason, Brendon leaned in to whisper in my ear. His sweet breath caressed my flesh.

"I need to talk to you."