“Shane? Where are you?” Dana asked over the phone in a slightly worried tone.

“I’ve been at Alice’s place helping her pack. Why? Where are you?”

“I’m at your place and I was just at The Planet and…” Dana had suddenly stopped talking, and Shane wondered whether she may have passed out on the line.

“Um. Dana? Dane? Hello?”

“Why was Alice packing?” Dana’s voice came back, serious and quiet. Shane didn’t realise what she had said, and swore under her breath when she remembered that Dana didn’t know.

“She’s going away for a bit that’s all. To clear her head.” Shane explained, quickly adding “Why are you at my house?” in an attempt to change the subject.

 “Where is she going Shane? For how long?” Dana shot out the questions, completely ignoring anything Shane said which wasn’t related to Alice.

“She’s going to Canada.” Dana could feel a lump forming in the back of her throat.

“For how long Shane?” She asked in a hoarse whisper.

“Three months.”

Dana couldn’t say anything. She was the one who had caused all this trouble; she’s the one who pushed Alice away. ‘This was what you wanted, remember Dane? You wanted your space from Alice, you wanted to Breathe! You’ve caused her to run away from her friends and family. Because of you!’ The thoughts in her head just got louder and the self-doubt that had clouded her mind for the past month swept over her like a blanket. She hated herself for what she did.

“Dana, you had to expect something like this. You haven’t talked to her for months and you basically kicked her in the stomach for having loved you.” Dana cringed at these words; realising Shane was speaking nothing but the honest truth. “She doesn’t think she deserves anyone anymore Dana. She thinks you’re disgusted by her, and she thinks she is pretty much worthless. You’ve killed her.” Shane didn’t mean for her words to sound so harsh, but there was no other way of telling Dana. She had been a ***** to Alice, and hadn’t really realised it.

“I don’t think she’s worthless,” Dana replied quietly, shocked by Shane’s words. “I-I think she’s wonderful. I always have. I… The reason I came to your house… I broke up with Lara. It wasn’t really working because; well because I still love Alice.”