Branalie was walking home from Ryan's house when she heard a car pull up."Branalie, are you ok?"
"Oh, hi Dan. I guess I'm all right"
"Your face is all red, have you been crying?"
"Yea. Ryan and I got in a fight."
"I'm sorry. Here, I'll give you a ride back to Jon's. It's kind of a long walk."
"Thanks."
Dan helped Branalie into his car, and handed her a Kleenex.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, not right now," there was an awkward pause and Branalie wiped her tears away, "Dan? Could I hang at your house for a while? I really don't want to face Jon right now."
"Sure. We'll just watch t.v. or something."
Later at Dan's house, he and Branalie were watching "Ten things I hate about you" when Ryan burst into Dan's house.
"Dan, have you seen-oh, hi Branalie. What are you doing here?"
"Ryan," Branalie said in a very cold, harsh tone, staring straight into his eyes, barely noticing Dan was still in the room, "Dan was kind enough to give me a ride here, because I really didn't want to talk to Jon, and I sure as hell don't want to talk to you right now." she turned and walked into Dan's bathroom, and sharply locked the door.
"What did you guys get in a fight over?" asked Dan, stopping the movie.
"I really don't know if I should say, at least until we have talked about it."
"It's about why she got sent here, isn't it?"
"How, did you know about that?"
"Jon told me and Stever 'bout it, after he got back, while you were in Alberta, doing that Rip System stuff. I guess he never got around to telling you."
"Got around to telling Ryan what?" asked Branalie, coming out of the bathroom.
"Nothing, Branalie. Don't worry about it," said Dan, covering his tracks well.
"Branalie, we need to talk about this, to work it out. I don't want to lose you."
"Not right now Ryan. I'm going home."
"I'll drive you back to Jon's then."
"Not to Jon's. Back to Tennessee. I can't stay here any longer. Bye Dan. You've been a wonderful friend. Give my good-byes to Stever, ok?"
"Sure Branalie." Dan said while giving her a hug.
"Sorry it has to end this way," she said while turning to Ryan. "Maybe I'll see you again. I know I'd like to." Branalie turned and walked out of the house, leaving the two boys looking after her.
"I never knew she'd be so unpredictable." Ryan said quietly.
