“It’s okay, don’t worry. Shane said that Alice was crying when she checked on her, so she’s going to try and talk to her.”

“She’s crying? Why?” I asked, starting down the hall toward the office on autopilot. The others were all in the living room laughing, but I kinda forgot they were there. The only one whose presence I was aware of was Jenny, who had grabbed my arm as I tried to walk past her.

“Dana, really, let Shane talk to her for a little while,” she pleaded softly. I sighed and finally nodded. She was right; my barging in there and demanding that Alice let me help wasn’t going to do a damn bit of good right now. Maybe Shane could figure something out; God knows I’d been trying, and all I seemed to do was make things worse.

I went back to the living room with Jenny, and I’m sure everyone had noticed that something was up. But out of respect for me or just out of a desire not to get involved, no one said anything, and I was grateful. I sat and listened to Jenny describing her next novel idea when Helena asked her, and for the life of me I had to admit that it sounded like something I’d read. I guess I kinda spaced out then, because the next thing I was aware of was the doorbell ringing. I was vaguely cognizant of Helena going to the door and taking the pizzas from the delivery guy, but immediately after (or maybe concurrently, I can’t remember now if I ever knew) I caught the sound of Alice’s sobs down the hall.

I told everyone that I’d be back, and practically sprinted down the hall to Alice’s office, Jenny at my heels. I pushed the door open and found Shane on the floor, with Alice wrapped in her arms.

“Don’t let her see this,” I heard Alice plead to Shane. Shane immediately looked at Jenny, and she wrapped her arms around my waist and tried to forcibly drag me from the room. I fought her for a minute until Shane caught my eyes, and her expression made me give up. I stopped fighting and let Jenny drag me to my room, where she sat on the bed with me as I cried.