Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. I've been struggling to work out how this story would actually pan out. Think I have a plot now! I hope those of you reading this, will stick with the story to see how Amy reacts to seeing Karma again.

On Tuesday Kate had travelled to the airport with Amy to say goodbye.
"I'll see you in a couple of weeks" Kate had said.
"Errr excuse me. I'll see you tonight when I Skype you!" Amy had responded
Kate laughed, "of course babe, but I'll see you...and feel you...in a couple of weeks."
Amy pulled a sad face "I'll miss you you know."
Kate pulled an equally sad face before adding "I know. I'll miss you too".
Kate pulled Amy into her arms and gave her a hug "promise me you'll call me once you land. Oh and after the funeral. And on Christmas Day.."

Amy pulled away slightly so she could see Kate's face. Kate had been totally amazing over the whole Karma thing and Amy going to the funeral, and now for the first time, Amy picked up the insecurity Kate was feeling.
"Of course I'll call you. I'll call you every day OK. I love you and I can't wait for you to come to the madhouse and meet my mum."
Kate smiled "me neither." They kissed goodbye and Kate watched as Amy checked in and then headed through security.
Once out of sight, Amy's phone buzzed with a message.
'Miss you already! K xxx' Amy smiled and tapped out a response 'Me too. Looking forward to our bedtime Skype chats ;) x'
The response back made Amy blush slightly and check behind her to make sure the person in the security queue behind hadn't read that over her shoulder!
'Stop it! You'll get me arrested for acting all strange in the queue if you keep texting things like that!' Amy had responded.
'Spoilsport :( Until later then... X'
'Can't wait!'

Amy put her phone away and made her way through security. After stopping at the shops to pick up some suitably NYC touristic gifts, she headed to the gate and waited for the boarding call.
Amy had just started reading her book when her phone buzzed. Karma's name flashed up on the screen. Amy felt her heartbeat rise and was instantly annoyed with herself. Why did that happen? Why did she have a physical reaction every time she spoke to Karma...or even just saw her name?

Amy clicked to read the message. 'Hi. Need a lift from the airport? K x'
Amy considered her answer. She would have loved a lift as her mum was working so unable to pick her up, but she didn't think it was a good idea to get that lift from Karma.
She typed her response 'I'm good thanks. See you on Thursday. Amy' As Amy sent it, she reread the message and thought it was perhaps a little too cold.
'PS - hope you are doing OK?' Amy sent the message and then turned her attention to the book. She felt a bit harsh, but she really didn't want Karma to think that everything was OK again. That because she had apologised to her via a text message they were friends again. Amy was going to the funeral to pay her respects to Karma's parents. If Amy repeated it enough...then maybe she would even start to believe it herself!

After waiting for like seemed an age at baggage collection, Amy slowly made her way through the arrivals gate. She was excited to be home back in Austin, and was looking forward at seeing Shane over Christmas. She walked past the crowd of people waiting for their loved ones, the anticipation and excitement clear to see. She was head towards the machines to buy a bus ticket home when she heard a voice.
"Need a lift after all?"

Amy stopped dead in her tracks and slowly turned around to look straight at Karma. Her heart started beating so fast and Amy was powerless to stop her mouth forming a big smile at the sight of her former best friend. So much for playing it cool.
"Hi!" Amy managed after an age. Her throat felt as if there was a large boulder in it. She tried to swallow, but it refused to go away.

As she looked at Karma and how she had changed over the years. Her hair was dyed a deep red colour and was shorter than before. It was how shoulder length with a fringe and Amy thought to herself that she looked amazing dressed in black jeans and a simple crisp white shirt that showed off her curves perfectly. Amy swallowed hard and reflected on how she must look to Karma dressed in her trackie bottoms and hoddie with her trusted Vans and without a dot of make up on. About a year ago Amy had chopped her hair off into a pixie cut which she wore with a clip in to keep the fringe of her eyes. Compared to the perfected Karma standing in front of her, Amy looked a mess! But then Karma's appearance started to crack as the tears started to fall down her face.
"They've gone Amy..." Karma cried.

Without even thinking Amy walked over to where Karma was standing and pulled her into her arms. Amy hugged Karma tightly as the tears turned into sobs and Amy knew that if she let go, If she stopped holding her, Karma would crumble to the floor.
Amy stood there holding her ex friend in her arms and that was all that was important right then. She knew people were probably looking at them, but she didn't care. They could stare all they wanted.
"I...I'm sorry" Karma mumbled through her tears.
"It's OK" Amy said reassuringly as she stroked Karma's head in a soothing way.
"Let's get out of here and find somewhere to talk OK?" Amy suggested after a while. Karma pulled back from Amy's arms and nodded. Amy followed Karma as they walked to the car park and after loading up her bags, Amy took the keys as Karma was in no fit state to drive.

They exited the airport and joined the freeway heading towards their home town. Neither of them spoke as Amy drove. Amy was busy concentrating on driving as it had been a while since she was behind a wheel as there was no need for a car in NYC. Karma sat silently in the passenger seat staring out of the window.
Amy tried to imagine how Karma must be feeling right now. How do you cope with losing both your parents at the same time.
One day they are there...they next they are gone and you have to organise not one, but two funerals. Sell the house you grew up in, sort out the financial aspects of their lives.

Amy took a turning off the freeway and headed towards a place they had occasional visited when they were younger. It was a park that had good views over the town and as it was approaching 10pm all the lights were on and it was a way of reminding yourself where you were from. When they had been younger, the view had seemed massive. Now, after time away for her home town, Amy realised just how small the place was. How there was so much else out there aside from this little town in Austin.

Amy switched off the engine and undid her seatbelt so she was free to turn and face Karma.
Karma sat looking out the side window, her head turned away from Amy. Amy slowly reached out and placed her hand on Karma's shoulder. "Karm...it's OK you know...you can talk to me.." Amy whispered. Karma finally turned to face Amy and Amy could see the pain she was going through etched on her face.
"Amy..." Karma said when she finally started speaking..."I didn't know what else to do.. Since the accident...since they died...the only person I've wanted...the only person who would understand...was you...I...I just needed to see you...so I just waited at the airport...I'm sorry. I..I know you didn't want a lift, but..."
Amy reached down and took Karma's hand in hers. "Karma, it's OK right. I...I was just a bit shocked you know...it's been a while and all that, but I'm here now to support you through these next few days OK? Your parents were practically like parents to me too growing up, and I..I just can't believe they are gone..!"

Amy felt Karma squeeze her hand tighter at the final words of her sentence, and realised if it was hard for her to accept they were gone, imagine what it must be like for Karma.

Karma turned and looked at Amy and despite all the years that had passed, the falling out, the fact they were different people than when they had last spoken, Amy felt all that slip away. As she sat there staring at Karma, all she could think about was all the fun they had growing up. About how close they had been. They had been inseparable and had always been there for each other.

That had all been lost, and as Amy sat there looking at the sadness in her friends eyes, she realised just how much she had missed Karma. She realised how much she had missed having a best friend. Sure Amy had moved on over the years, and Kate was not only her lover, but also her best friend these days, but Kate didn't know half the things that Karma knew about her. Amy realised she missed Karma more than she thought she did. She realised that the emotions seeing Karma again were stronger than she anticipated they would be.
"I've missed you Karma" Amy heard the words come out of her mouth without realising she had said them.
Karma looked straight into Amy's eyes and noticed the tears starting to form in Amy's eyes.
"I missed you too. So much. I can't even begin to explain how much. How rubbish it has been not having you as my best friend these past five years." Karma paused before adding "but that was all my fault. I made a choice and I lost you as a consequence. I'll never forgive myself for the pain I caused you back then.." Amy heard the emotion catch in Karma's throat as she stopped talking and closed her eyes trying to stop the new wave of tears.

Taking a deep breath, Amy herself tried to control her emotions enough to be able to speak. " look...that was all a long time ago OK?" Amy squeezed Karma's hand so that Karma opened her eyes and look back over at Amy "what's done is done. I'm here now to support you as a friend Karma. I'm here to make sure you get through this awful tragedy. To make sure you are OK! Well as OK as you can be.." Amy wasn't the greatest at expressing herself and she knew how clumsy she sounded.

Karma squeezed Amy's hand again in gratitude before adding "Amy I need to explain myself. About why I treated you so badly back then..after Liam.."
Amy interrupted "Karm, like I said, it was a long time ago. I'm not going to pretend like it never happened or that it didn't hurt like hell, because it did. But right now, now is not the time to go back over the past. Right now is only about getting through the next few days OK. Nothing more. Then once the funeral is out the way, then you need to start thinking about the future, because I know you must feel really angry now as to why this happened, but you have to think about the future. Being strong and getting through this is what your parents would have wanted from you."

Karma took in Amy's words and nodded "I am so fucking angry.." The tears started to spring up in her eyes again and Karma let out a wail as she broke down in tears again "why them Amy...why did it have to be them? They never hurt anyone...anything...they were such kind people...they didn't deserve to have a daughter like me! I...I let them down...and now they are dead...now I can never make them proud of me.."
Karma collapse into a ball in the car seat and Amy leaned over and pulled her into her arms again and just let Karma sob her heart out.
"Karm, your parents loved you so much. You made them so proud every day...don't you dare think that you let them down OK?. Parents love their kids unconditionally, even if they mess things up sometimes. You meant the world to your parents and they will always love you.."
They must have sat in the car for at least an hour, Amy just holding Karma as she cried until there were no more tears left inside her. Karma then eventually feel asleep and Amy slowly made the journey back to Karma's house to drop her off. As she pulled up near the house she saw Liam's old vintage car parked in the drive way.
Amy felt a strange feeling inside her at the sight of the car and after a few moments realised she was slightly jealous. She didn't know exactly why, but it was definitely jealousy.

Amy woke Karma up and explained that they were back at hers. Karma looked exhausted, she could barely make it out of the car "but...how will you get home?" She asked Amy concerned that she had put Amy out.
"It's OK. I'll call a cab from yours".
Karma opened the front door and the two former friends were greeted with the sight of a very worried Liam
"Karma where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick.." Liam shouted angrily.
Amy could tell that now wasn't the time to be yelling at Karma who was about to collapse
"Liam.." Amy interrupted "...she needs to get to bed NOW before she passes out OK? I know your angry, but Karma really doesn't need a lecture right now...she needs to lie down.." Liam stared at Amy and Amy could see the anger her felt towards her in his face "and what the fuck do you know about what Karma needs?" He spat at Amy.

"Because she's just spent the last 90 mins in my arms crying her heart out OK!" Amy shouted back, unable to keep her cool. Liam was being a dick and Amy didn't know what his issue was, but she wasn't going to stand there and not stick up for herself.
Liam went to open his mouth to say something back, when he was distracted by Karma voice "stop it.." She said quietly and then again, only this time slightly more louder "stop it PLEASE!"
Amy and Liam both looked over in Karma's direction who was standing leaning again a wall for support.
"Liam I'm sorry I worried you...I..I didn't mean to OK, i..I just needed to see Amy.." Karma smiled weakly at Amy before adding "I'm lucky to have you both here.. Please..please don't fight...!" Karma paused before adding "Amy's right, I'm going to hit the sack. I feel like I've just completed 20 SoulCycle sessions back to back!" She gave another weak smile and then turned to head towards her bedroom with Liam following afterwards.

Amy found herself standing in the living room of Karma's parents house, surrounded by all the familiar pictures and furniture. It had hardly changed in the five years since she was last there. They were just some more pictures on the wall of Karma singing. Karma and Liam at graduation. Karma and her parents by their smoothie van. Amy was interrupted from her trip down memory lane by Liam walking back into the room.
Amy turned to look at him and notice how stressed he looked.
"I..I should call a cab.." Amy mumbled reaching for her phone.
"No don't go! " Liam said quickly
"Amy I'm sorry I shouted earlier. I had no right to do that..I was just so worried about her." He walked over to where Amy was standing and then surprised her by hugging her "it's good to see you again. Will you at stay for a drink?" Amy hesitated
Liam pulled away and with his best puppy dog eyes pleaded again "please Amy. Just stay for one and then I'll drop you home."

A few minutes later after Liam had checked up on Karma, Amy and Liam were sitting out back in the garden with a beer in her hand, and a six pack by their feet. As she took the first mouthful she realised how stressed she had been feeling. The beer tasted so sweet as it slid down her throat. She closed her eyes as she felt the sensation of the beer wash over her. It had been a shock seeing Karma again at the airport and now here she was, sat drinking beer with Liam. The guy that cost her her friendship with Karma all those years ago. The guy she slept with that night five years ago which made Karma hate her. In fact Liam was the only guy she had ever slept with!

Liam broke Amy's thoughts "I'm sorry again for shouting"
"It's ok. I probably would have reacted in the same way."
"It's just she hasn't been good you know. Since the accident. She has been walking around like..like a zombie. She hadn't cried once since she found out."
Amy sat and absorbed the news. Wow no wonder Karma was exhausted if that was the first time she had cried.
Liam continued "she didn't even tell me what had happened. Like she couldn't accept it was real. I found out from her friend who called me. I got here as soon as I could. We've been taking it in turns to stay over with her...so she's not alone" Amy looked up from the spot on the decking where she had been staring confused by Liam's words. Who had been taking it in turns? Why wasn't he staying here every night?

"It's the shock" Amy said as she finished the rest of her beer and reached down to help herself to a new one, twisting off the cap.
"The loss of one parent is enough, but two at the same time!" Amy shook her head "I just don't know how someone gets over that?"
"I know. And I just feel so helpless. Like everything I'm saying and doing is just making things worse. I still really care about Karma and.."
"Still?" Amy interrupted, confused by the use of the word.
Liam looked over at Amy for confirmation "you didn't hear? We broke up. About a year ago now.."
Amy shook her head "nope I didn't know. I'm sorry to hear that. I thought you two would be forever.."
"Me too" Liam answered honestly as he reached down and grabbed his third beer. "To be honest, I don't think she ever really forgave me for that night. You know...the night we..." He stopped himself from finishing the sentence. Liam took a big gulp of his beer before adding "She tried to...but deep down I always knew that I wasn't enough for her.."
Amy was amazed at Liam's words. He was drinking his beer fast and Amy could tell he was getting drunk.
"Liam I'm sure that's not right...it was probably more to do with you going away for college and stuff.." Amy didn't know why, but she found herself trying to think of something positive to say.

"Ha. If only. The truth is she was trying to make good on a bad a decision she made. She picked the wrong one you see Amy..."
Liam paused and held Amy's attention before adding.."she should have picked you!"