Ace stayed asleep through the afternoon.

"Is he alright?" Caroline asked when Laura started making dinner.

"He's just tired," Laura said not wanting to tell her nurse mother that she thought he was sick. Not when he kept insisting that he wasn't.

"You talking about me?" Ace called out, clearly still half asleep.

"Are you feeling alright?" Caroline called out a little louder.

"You need to stop your worrying," he said as stood up scratching his stomach. "I might start getting insulted if you keep on about me looking sick," he said resting his hand on Laura's hip.

Truth was he was feeling great, especially since he was never going to see Bear again.

"Did you want to stay for dinner?" she asked.

"No babe, I think I better go home."

"Okay," she said.

"I'll see you soon," he said kissing her goodbye and heading out.

Sunday passed and soon it was time for school again. Laura hated walking to and from school with Mrs Morris, it was the worst part of the day. Laura was getting ready for another awkward journey of staring straight ahead, walking as quick as possible when a car parked in front of her house.

"I've come to pick you up," Connie called from the driver's seat.

Laura smiled and ran cheerfully to the car.

"Any sign of the dragon woman?" Connie asked lowly.

Laura laughed a little and pointed to the front door where the woman in question was standing and flashing them a stone cold look. Connie waved at her before saying, "what a nightmare, no wonder her hair's grey, all the colour drained away with her personality."

"Why are you here? not that I'm not happy to see you."

"I'm saving you fair maiden," Connie said dramatically. "But really, I'm not going to let her drag you around after her like you're some kind of bad child."

"Thanks Connie," Laura said giving her a quick hug.

"No problem sweetie, now get in here so we can get going."

Laura ran around to the other side and bounced into the car.

"You are way to keen for school," Connie joked as she started the car. After they had been driving for a little while Laura said, "you're a really good driver."

"Why the tone of surprise?" Connie said pretending to be hurt.

"I don't know it just looks so complicated, I never thought about you driving before."

"What and Ace is some sort of genius because he drives you everywhere," she said teasingly.

"Yeah when you put it like that it does seem silly, I don't know I'm just surprised."

"Well I'll take the compliment anyway," Connie smiled.

Laura arrived at school with a smile on her face for the first time in weeks.

"By the way I love your hair cut," Connie said getting out of the car.

"Thanks. I don't think Ace likes it," she added in afterthought.

"Why wouldn't he?"

She shrugged, "He looked kind of sad when he seen it had been cut."

"Did you show him right away?" Connie asked.

"No, actually he didn't even notice it until Mom pointed it out."

"There you go, you're probably imagining things. Plus who cares anyway, it's hair it'll grow back and even if you were bald you'd still be crazy beautiful."

Laura blushed and looked at the ground.

"No really," Connie said, "now let's get to class before you start falling in love with me."

When the school day had finished Laura walked out of the front building to see Mrs Morris waiting for her.

"Tell her you already have a lift," Connie said as she stopped beside her.

"Maybe I should just walk with her, she's already here."

"Don't be so scared of her," Connie said a little frustratedly, "Do you want me to pop her one, just say the word," she continued only half serious.

Connie walked over to Mrs Morris. "I already have a lift with Connie," Laura said, "you're welcome to drive back with us," she finished nervously.

Mrs Morris sniffed and started walking away without saying a word.

"She's so strange," Connie said, having witnessed the exchange.

The two girls drove back to Laura's house and headed to her bedroom only to find Ace stretched out on her bed.

"Hi," Connie said, equally surprised at the fact he was there and that he looked quite at home laying on her bed. Ace seen her expression and smirked.

Meanwhile Laura had broken out in a big grin and nearly knocked him of the bed as she hugged him. "I didn't think I'd see you so soon," she said.

She had a point, these days it was lucky if they seen each other even once during the week.

"Didn't know you were having company," he said, sitting up and pulling her into his lap.

Connie and Ace sized each other up, neither one was planning on leaving. Laura was suddenly aware of the tension.

"Would either of you like a drink or anything?" she asked standing up and going to the door, "I'll go get us a snack."

She made a hasty retreat into the kitchen where she made a few sandwiches, cut them into quarters and set them on a plate then filled a jug of water and after checking to see Mrs Morris wasn't around, grabbed three glasses.

She balanced everything somehow and began walking back to her room. She nearly dropped everything when Connie opened the door.

"I'm off," she said after she helped Laura carry the things into the room.

"So soon," Ace said sarcastically.

Connie rolled her eyes before she said, "don't do anything that would shame your mother," and hugged Laura quickly.

"Do you want me to see you out?" Laura asked.

"No I can handle dragon lady if I run into her," she said closing the door behind her.

"Did you scare away my best friend?" Laura asked as she sat down again.

"No," he said unconvincingly, "besides she can see you at school tomorrow."

"I guess," Laura said reluctantly.

"Now what was that she said, 'do something that would shame your mother'?" he said before pinning her to the bed.