It had been about a week since everyone had found out about Alice’s secret. No one wanted Alice to be left alone. They all cared about her and wanted to make sure that she wasn’t starving herself to death. They took turns sleeping over at Alice’s or having Alice at there house. A lot of the time a few of the girls would get together for lunch or a dinner during the week. Dana would spend the most time with her.

Alice’s house
(dinner time)

Alice: You guys can go home you know.

Alice said looking around the table, with all eyes on her.

Shane: We just want to make sure that you are okay. We respect what you said earlier this week about not wanting to go to the doctor but you need to get your weight back up.

Tina: You don’t want to black out again like you did in the pool do you?

Alice: No i just feel really weird with all of you here watching me.

Dana sat quietly.

Shane noticed how quiet Dana had become once she knew the truth about Alice. ( said that she spent the most time with her. I never said that they talked a lot.) Even when Alice wasn’t around she didn’t talk alot. It was as if she always had Alice on her mind. What she could do for her, What she could get her, how she could make her better.

Alice: Will you guys jsut leave I haven’t had a minute to myself in over a week. I haven’t even been to work becasue bette called in saying i was taking a medical leave.

Bette: We’ll go but we’re not leaving you here to be completly by yourself. Pick one person you want here.

Alice groaned as she thought over who she wanted.

Alice: Dana.

Dana looked up from her plate not really knowing what was going on.

Bette: Dana you don’t mind staying with Alice do you?

Dana: No of course not, if thats what she wants then I’ll do it.

Tina: Okay its settled then. Lets go troops.

A little while later everyone was gone but Alice and Dana were still at the table. Dana wasn’t really that hungry. Infact she was kind of nervous about being near Alice when there was food involved. Alice looked up and realized Dana was jsut playing with her food.

Alice: You better eat some of that or people are going to start thinking you’re anorexic.

Dana couldn’t believe she had jsut said that. Dana didn’t want Alice to see her cry so she got up from the table and went out on the balcony.

Alice realized that she had upset Dana and she regreted what she had said the minute it left her mouth. Dana may be the quite one and that was why Alice wanted her to stay but she was also the emotional one.

Alice got up from the tabel and walked out to the balcony. She looked and saw Dana sitting on a lounge chair with her back turned towards the door. Her body was shaking with silent sobs. Alice went over and sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulder. As soon as there was contact between them Dana took Alice in her arms.

Dana: How could you say that? Is this a joke to you? Not only could you die because of what you’re doing to yourself but you almost died in the pool. I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re my best friend and I don’t ever want to have to go to your funeral or have to tell your mother that her daughter was starving herself to death.

Alice: Dana I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make that comment. It just kinda came out. Its not a joke to me its just that. You know how you play tennis to work out your stress…well I don’t eat. I stay busy and then I don’t eat. Not only that but me being around all of you…Bette, Tina, Shane, you. You’re all so skinny. I can’t even compete with you guys.

Dana pulled back and took alice’s face inher hands.

Dana: You have no reason to compete with us. You are so beautiful in your own way. Bette is the artist one, Tina is the smart one, Shane is the spunky one, I’m the athletic one and you’re the funny one. I know that sounds like a boy band but if we didn’t have one of those elements then we wouldn’t be the same people that we are today.

Alice didn’t know what to say she just sat there staring into Dana’s eyes, playing back in her head what she had just said.

Alice: You’re my best friend you know that?

Dana pulled Alice in for a quick hug.

Dana: Come on lets go back inside. We can finish up your meal and then we can watch a movie.

They both walked back in the house and it seemed that the time they spent outside brought them together more then the whole time that they have known each other.