Bex noticed it first.

It was reasonable for Cammie to behave that way, after all she'd been through. But Bex couldn't shake the ominous feeling, the sudden apprehension that things were going to change. Drastically. Recently, Cammie had become quieter. Something in her eyes was different, something that hadn't been there before. Cammie's eyes had always been so soft, so trusting. Now there was something else behind them, a steely look. Sometimes it seemed as if Cammie was absorbing everything, memorizing every part of Gallagher. Other times, Cammie stared at things so intensely Bex feared they might evaporate into smoke. Bex wasn't used to this. Normally Cammie was the water to Bex's fire, but now, Bex didn't know if Cammie was the same.

She didn't participate anymore in their midnight "expeditions", when she'd used to be the one who started them. Instead, Cammie opted to stay in their room, doing who knew what. And she'd started carrying around a notebook everywhere. There wasn't anything suspicious about it. It was plain, white, and spiral-bound, but Cammie took it everywhere, and Bex couldn't help wondering why.

"Is it just me, or is the pasta lacking in something today?" Macey attempted, trying to spark a conversation at their silent table.

"Hmm, yeah, it seems to be missing the zest it normally has," Bex observed, chewing her mouthful of pasta slowly. Liz stabbed a piece with her fork and nibbled it.

"Yeah, it's… different. What do you think, Cammie?" Liz asked, turning towards their silent friend.

"Hmm?" Cammie's eyes refocused, but not before Bex caught the look of vacancy that had been there a moment ago.

"The pasta…" prompted Liz.

"Oh, yeah. It's not as flavorful," Cammie said, taking a bite. She shrugged.

Bex scrutinized her friend. Maybe it was the shrug, or the smile – or the fact that there was no smile on Cammie's face, that alerted her that something was wrong.

"Guys, I'm going to go back to the room," Cammie announced suddenly, standing up slowly.

"Are you sure, Cammie?" Liz asked, some worry creeping into her voice. "You shouldn't go back alone. There could be someone waiting in there. Do you want us to come?"

"No, I'm fine," Cammie insisted, somewhat defensive. "There's a panic button in and everything. I'll be fine. You guys just… stay here."

"Okay," Liz consented in a small voice. They watched Cammie as she left.

Macey voiced what was on all of their minds: "Something's up."

When they got back to their room, Cammie was already standing at the door. Out of nowhere, she began hurriedly, "I'm sorry guys. I know I've been a little distant lately. I've just had a lot on my mind. And I know I shouldn't shut you all out like that, but I need some thinking time, some space." Cammie took a breath, as if she'd been rehearsing the impromptu miniature speech for some time. "Whatever happens, you all are my best friends. You'll always be that. My best friends." She looked unsteadily between Macey, Bex, and Liz. Macey and Liz frowned, slightly confused at Cammie's passionate outburst.

Bex made her way into the room and sat down on the bed. She was happy with Cammie's acknowledgement, but it felt as if something was missing. Some crucial piece of information.

"We are your best friends," Bex said, looking Cammie in the eye. "And if you ever need anything, if there's ever something we can help with, we'll be right here." Everyone in the room could hear the silent message beneath Bex's words. Cammie knew it, too – Bex wasn't saying things just to be comforting. She was telling Cammie, "We know something's up. Tell us. Now."

But the problem was, Cammie couldn't.

The rest of the day passed by uneventfully after that, and all too soon nighttime fell. Cammie looked about the room one more time, studying her friends' faces, memorizing everything she could.

"Cammie, you going to bed?" Liz asked sleepily.

"Yeah." Cammie curled up under the covers, but her eyes stayed open as Macey shut off the lights.

None of them thought anything was amiss until the next morning they woke up.

Cammie was gone.