A week later, after Kendall had proven that he could keep food down and go to the bathroom on his own, he was finally allowed to go home.

As soon as they got to apartment 2J, Kendall took his favorite spot on the couch and turned on the TV as Anya went to take a shower.

Everything was finally getting back to normal.

"Kendall, we need to talk to you," James said. Kendall looked up to find his three best friends and band mates standing there.

Kendall gave them a Look. "You guys kicking me out of the band?" he asked suspiciously.

"No, it's not that," Logan assured him.

"It's worse than that!" Carlos added.

"It's about Anya," James began.

Kendall immediately tensed. "What about Anya?"

"While you were gone, Child Protective Services decided that this 'isn't a suitable home for her,'" Logan said quietly.

"They decided to put her in foster care," James added solemnly, "Tomorrow."

Kendall stared at his friends in shock. This couldn't be happening. This was the perfect home for Anya. She felt safe here. She was safe here.
"We tried to get them to change their mind but they wouldn't!" Carlos blurted, "We used Katie and everything!"

No. This wasn't happening. This was all some convoluted surgery dream. That's right. Kendall was still in surgery. He had to be. It was the only explanation.

"We're sorry, Kendall," Logan said, "We did everything we could."

But she was so happy here.

"Doesn't Anya get a say in this?" he demanded.

"Since she 'wasn't available' during the hearing, no," Logan said.

"Can't we do anything?" Kendall asked, helplessly.

His three friends shook their heads.

Kendall was silent for a moment. "I'll tell her later. At least she can be happy for a little while longer."


Later that night, everybody (except Mrs. Knight) gathered around the table to play Apples to Apples. Nobody besides Kendall seemed to be thinking about Anya's imminent departure.

He couldn't help it. Kendall had thought about nothing else since his friends had told him. He hated keeping it a secret yet he dreaded the moment he had to tell her. It just wasn't fair.

But he couldn't take it any longer.

"Anya, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Anya looked up, a look of concern on her face. "Alright," she said and followed Kendall away from everybody else.

James, Carlos, Logan, and Katie kept their eyes glued to their cards. They knew what was happening.

Anya felt the blood drain from her face as she listened to what Kendall said. She took a few steps backward and then turned and bolted out of the apartment.

Kendall went back over to the table and solemnly picked up his cards.

"She just needs some time to herself," he said.

Anya ran through the building. She exited the lobby and ran towards Palm Woods Park. Once there, she hid in a bush and sobbed.

She didn't understand. She was so happy here. Why did they want to take her away?

After what seemed like hours, Anya had no more tears left to cry. She stood up and made her way back to the Palm Woods, where she found Kendall sitting in the lobby, reading a magazine. He looked up when she came in and threw his magazine down.

Tears welled up in her eyes once again. Anya couldn't help it.

Kendall wrapped her in his arms and held her there. He didn't have anything to say that would make it better.

Nothing would make it better.


The next day, Anya's foster family came to the Palm Woods to take her away.

"Here," Kendall said, giving her a lanyard, "This backstage pass will get you into any of our concerts and back where we are. You just have to show it to anyone that works at the venue and they'll take you to us."

Anya took it and slid it in her bag.

"I guess this is good bye," James said.

"We'll miss you, Anya!" Carlos cried, flinging his arms around her.

Startled, Anya cautiously returned the hug. James and Logan pried him off of her before hugging her themselves.

Then it was Kendall's turn. He hugged her tightly, never wanting to let go.

Logan cleared his throat. Kendall let go and gently kissed the small white scar near her hairline.

"Don't worry, Anya. We'll get you back," he whispered.

Anya nodded, unable to look at him.

"Come on, Anastasia, it's time to go," Anya's foster mother said cheerfully.

Anya slowly walked over to her foster parents, never once looking up. She was lead outside and into the waiting car.

The four boys followed them outside and forced smiles onto their faces as they waved goodbye.

As soon as Anya was out of sight, Kendall turned away from his friends, buried his face in his hands, and sobbed.