I walk over to the bedroom doorway and peer in not knowing what to do. I want to say something to Bash but I'm at a loss for words. What do I even say at this point. I have no plan. I just know that I have to do something, say something. I can't stand that he's so upset. I start to move into the room slowly and Bash props himself up on his elbow and stares at me. I can see his crystal blue eyes even in the dim light from the old lamps. I've always thought how silly it was when all the girls would swoon over his baby blues but now I'm slowly starting to understand. I'm not sure when I started feeling differently towards him. We have always been so close but I didn't consider him anything more than a friend. I guess within the last year or so I started to notice how every time he called my name and smiled that goofy grin I would light up inside. Of course it didn't hurt he was a very attractive guy. He's tall, well built from hauling all that lab equipment with dirty blonde messy hair and a smile that could charm anyone. What's not to like? The funny thing is he has never given any girl attention except for me.

"Are you just going to stand there gawking at me" he questions and pats the spot next to him.

"No... I was just thinking."

"Don't hurt yourself", he laughs and throws one of the dusty pillows at my face.

I come and lay down next to him just staring at the ceiling, too afraid to look at his face again. "Please don't be upset. I can't stand it", I manage to whisper.

"I'm just- I'm not upset with you", he leans over and stares at me, "I'm upset with this place in general. You're my person and it hurts to even think that I might not see you everyday. What if we go through this test and I never see you and you wind up with some jerk like Butch. That would kill me."

"You really think I would want someone like Butch? Are you insane?" The thought of him made my skin crawl with disgust. He used to beat me up all the time when I was younger until Bash came into the picture.

"Okay maybe not him", he laughs, "but you could find someone else to be your person and where would that leave me?"

"I think you worry about me too much. Besides every girl in this damn place wants to jump your bones. I doubt you will ever be lonely." How true that statement was. I can't even count all the times Bash had been asked out or hit on right in front of me.

"Your no ugly duckling yourself, Aud. There have been plenty of guys after you all these years but you don't get the hint", he smirks.

"That's so not true!"

"Isn't it though", he says and suddenly Bastian's face turns serious and gets a whole lot closer. I can feel my breath catch. "Have you ever noticed when I did", he barely whispers.

At that second my heart feels like it's pounding out of my chest. I can't breath, I can't think. I just stare, with my mouth wide open trying to speak and failing miserably. Isn't this what I've thought about all year? So why am I having such a hard time forming my thoughts into words. It's like the world went into fast forward and I'm stuck on pause.

"I... I don't-well you-"

"I shouldn't have said that. That was stupid. Aud, it's ok", he says quickly.

"No... I should have noticed. I never thought you might actually like me back. I mean every girl has gone after you, what makes me so special. I didn't think-"

"Aud, no one even compares to how smart, funny, and special you are", as he says this he sits up and really looks at me. For the first time I really notice he was looking at me, all of me. "Any guy would be insane not to love you", he grins. Was this really happening? This is far from what I ever thought was going to happen today.

"So, now what?" I suddenly feel very clammy and nervous. Oh god, am I sweating? Please don't smell!

"Well that's entirely up to you", he smirks. The rush of feelings coming over me is intense. I'm not sure if I'm mad or madly in love.

"Why did you pick today of all days to admit this to me. You couldn't have mentioned this, oh I don't know, forever ago. When we didn't have one week before our placements and have no idea what's going to happen!" I snap at him more than I like but I am mad. If he was so worried all this time why didn't he tell me sooner. Now what? We are together for a week and poof! It might be over before it starts. Ok, so it's not like he was being exiled but the Overseer was not pleased when people did as they wished. In the vault you couldn't just fall in love and be together for eternity. The Overseer believes that it's in the best interest of the vault for like minded individuals to stay together. He likes to say it's more productive this way, keeps things running like a well-oiled machine.

"You're right. I should have said something sooner and I regret that now. All I know is I don't care if we only have a week or one hour, I still want to be with you." I can see the pleading in his eyes as he spoke. God, he really does have beautiful eyes.

"Of course I want to be with you! I'm not an idiot! I'm just sad and frustrated and just so many emotions right now!" I can feel the hot tears starting to run slowly down my cheeks. Here I am with the one person I can't live without telling me he wants to be mine and all I can do is cry. This isn't fair. "I am not going anywhere and neither are you. We will figure this out. The placement could go perfectly. Right now all I want to do is be here with you like always", I manage to say. With that he pulls me in close and just holds me against his chest. He always smells so good and familiar and I feel myself calming down. We sit like this for what feels like an eternity. Neither of us daring to move or break the silence. This was so new for both of us. Eventually Bastion starts to pull away and makes me sit up.

"We should get back. James will start to worry", he says softly, "though I could sit like this forever." Then he beams that smile that melts my heart and for a second I forget what I am so worried about.

"Ahhh yes good ol' Dad...can you at least promise to meet me here later? We need to talk some more."

"I promise. I plan on spending as much time with you as I can before Monday", he says as he makes his way towards the door. Monday, only five days to go...

We make our way back through the hall until we reached the door to the main hall. We both walked the whole way in a comfortable silence. Just before I to open the door he grabs my hand away. He holds it in his and stares at me for a moment. Then slowly and ever so carefully leans towards me and kisses my forehead. It feels as if the world has shifted and I am new, different.

"It's going to be ok", he whispers and smiles as he opens the door for me. Yes, it would be ok. I was going to make sure of that.