3 days later..

  After Shane and chase finally unpacked the last of her things… they set about to relax for the remainder of the evening… Shane had not strayed far from wax since shed been back… and she had no intentions to… it was an uplifting feeling… no longer having to hold on to the burden of her past… but she also knew, she still had a lot to do before she could truly leave her demons behind…

"Shane…" Chase said… grabbing his friends attention…

"ya…"She asked walking back into the over sized living room… two beers in hand…

"how you holding up…"He asked… the question wasn’t to the point but Shane knew what he meant..

"I’m.. well I’m not sure yet…" she commented with a slight laugh… and it was true… she wasn’t sure how she was holding up.. all she knew was she felt lighter… in a sense happier..

"oh okay… you like the place…"He asked.. using the coffee table to pop open his beer…

"ya.. its great.. I’ve always wanted a large open studio like this…" she said taking another look around.. than she frowned.."do you think I’m doing the right thing.." she asked totally off subject… suddenly needing some reassurance..

"of course… look Shane, Ive known you for a long time and i can honestly say i like your new attitude towards life.. i mean don’t get me wrong.. i loved the party girl/stud, who doesn’t give a shit Shane.. but i don’t know, you just never seemed happy doing that stuff… and as for Carmen… well, i think in time everything will work out.. and eventually you guys might be able to be friends again, if anything, ya know.." he said looking thoughtfully at his friend…

"ya… to tell you the truth… I’d rather have her as a friend then not have her in my life at all.."

"hey.. cheer up… look i know you love Carmen and i also know how you think.. which is why I’m not hounding you for leaving her like you did… i know that in you leaving, you where trying to protect her from.. well you.."he commented… then added " and eventually everyone else is going to see that.."