“I can’t do this.” She moaned, putting her head in her hands. “I love you, Alice, but…it’s Tonya. I love her too. I think…we’re great as friends, Al, but…we shouldn’t be more than that right now. I need to make it work with Tonya.” Something cold rushed into m, spreading from the center of my chest outward. There were tears running down Dana’s face, and I could feel myself mimic her actions unintentionally. I tossed the finished cigarette into a small trash can in the corner. “Alice? Are you-“

            “Stop.” I held up a hand, and she did. My voice was surprisingly steady. And cold. “Stop saying my name like you care.” I saw her gulp down more tears. I knew this was killing her, but somehow I couldn’t bring myself to care.

            “Alice, please…” I closed my eyes against her voice, not wanting to look at her pleading face.

            “Just go, Dana.” I said more forcefully. “Go be with your girlfriend.” She wiped the wetness from her face and stood up. She looked back at me once more, but I pretended not to see. And then she walked out, leaving me right back where I started.

                                                                            ***

            I’d been locked in my room for hours, too afraid to leave because I didn’t want to run into anyone, least of all Dana or Her. Tina had come by earlier, asking if I was alright, and I had feigned seasickness, telling her I’d be fine in a couple of hours.

            “Alice, if you don’t unlock this door I’ll fucking break it down!” Shane called form outside. She’d been there for about 8 minutes, and I hadn’t moved to let her in. I opened my eyes, tossing my third cigarette to the trashcan. It bounced off the wall and landed in the plastic bag.

            “10 points for the loser.” I muttered, sitting up in the bed. Shane wasn’t going away any time soon, so I wouldn’t be taking a nap. The girl could be loud when she wanted to be. I sat back against the headboard on the back of the small bed, taking time to finally survey the room. It was small, but there was still adequate room to walk around. The bed was pushed up against two walls on the left side and at the headboard, backed into a corner. Across from the bed was a small plastic trash can, the kind you could but at Walmart for $10. There was a good sized desk, made out of light cedar, accompanied by a slightly darker wooden chair. Also across from the bed, next to the trash can, was a small dresser, matching the desk. The lighting was low, provided by a covered light bolted to the ceiling, casting shadows the played across the walls. There was a brighter reading lamp placed on the desk if needed. The floors in the bedrooms were all dark wood, creaking slightly when someone stepped onto a new plank. The walls were a bright baby blue, painted to bring more light into the room.