Chapter 9: Rescue

Shana hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I think you were trying to say that there has been love and loss since the beginning of this world and none of it has changed, but we all survive it… I think you were also trying to say that if that love was meant to be, I would have tried harder to keep it." She stopped, her mouth dropping with realization. He was right. If Sam and she were meant to be, they both would have tried to work harder at it. She had been blaming him for so long, letting him affect her life and her choices, and really, it was as much her fault as anything else.

"I suppose you do... You are a smart girl, Shana. I see why Tobias said we should meet. I also worry his intentions were not all innocent," he mused.

"What makes you say that?" she asked, intrigued.

"He hasn't come back yet, and I don't suppose that's because he loves the party." She laughed.

"No, I suppose not. Huh, what a rascal." She chuckled.

"He certainly enjoys being a bit of a troublemaker along with a comedian," he stated.

"Oh yes, he does… but what do you mean by that?" she asked him.

"I mean you and I." He said it and meant it, but she thought she detected a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Hmm, I suppose." She responded nonchalantly. "I should really go see how my friend is doing."

"Yes, and I should go rescue Tobias since you already did once tonight. I think that makes it my turn."

"He is more than capable of taking care of himself. I think he just likes the attention, the spotlight," she replied and gave him a final smile.

"Oh, I know. I think it is our duty to indulge him," he responded. As he walked away, he waved once, then turned and paid her no mind. She watched as his backside disappeared into the milling crowd of elaborately dressed, drunk people, and she felt disappointed somehow. She felt like rewinding time and making things turn out differently towards the end.

Was there something she could have done to change the way she would be going home tonight? She didn't think so; he didn't seem ready. It was the love he had lost. For that matter, she wasn't sure she was ready either. Still, he was amazingly attractive. He never gave off the vibe that he found her attractive, though. No matter; no use fretting over an event that was done and over with. Go find Cassie, dummy; she probably needs rescuing.