There were no lights on in Dana’s apartment, but Alice noticed her Subaru parked in the garage. Alice parked her own mini next to Dana’s car and hoped out. She wasn’t sure how this whole situation was going to play out, but Alice was too scared that Dana would do something stupid to worry about the awkwardness that may occur. Alice had never seen the kind of sadness that Dana’s eyes reflected when she yelled at her, she had never known Dana to look so hurt, and it really did destroy her to know that she made her feel that way.

            Al reached Dana’s door and knocked. No reply. She took out her key to Dana’s apartment, which she had never had the chance to give back, and opened the door slowly, spotting Dana’s keys and wallet on the kitchen counter. She made her way slowly through the apartment, finding herself outside Dana’s bedroom. The door was slightly ajar and she could make out Dana’s figure, huddled in a ball beside her bed.

            “Dana,” Al whispered as she slowly opened the door. Dana’s body bolted upright as she realised there was someone in her room, and her eyes displayed a sense of deep embarrassment when she realised that it was Alice. She didn’t want Al seeing her like this, that’s why she had left her apartment in such a hurry, and she was at odds as to why Alice was here with her right now. Alice however didn’t notice the embarrassment on Dana’s face. She had already run out of the room to start the shower before coming back, grabbing Dana and taking her into the bathroom. Dana hadn’t changed from her clothes since that afternoon, and she was still soaked to the bone. “Dana I can’t believe you didn’t change out of these clothes. You’re going to get sick, you know you can’t do that with your tennis,” Alice said to her as she removed Dana’s jacket. “Now please, take a shower, and I’ll leave some warm clothes outside the door.” Then Alice left the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

            As Dana stood in her shower, the warm water rushing down her body, she wondered what brought on this display of concern on Alice‘s behalf. She had been sure, after recent events, that it would be awhile before the two of them could even be in the same room together, let alone helping each other. Well that wasn’t really right, Alice was the only one doing the helping, but it was something Dana was very grateful for. She finally got dressed in some old, dry pajamas and made her way out to the living room, which was empty. Dana suddenly felt her heart grow heavy again, realising that Alice probably just came to check that Dana hadn’t endangered herself. She sighed, turned on the TV and crawled up into a ball on her sofa and was, in no time, asleep.