8. Rescue

Heng drove quickly, getting them to the city by four and heading straight to the department store.

"So, have you never gone to a dance with a girlfriend or something?" Nam asked, her tone teasing but curious.

"I went once, with a boy whose nose I broke while dancing." The three of them burst into laughter. "Plus, no one else ever asked me—except him. I was kind of an outcast."

"Well, plenty of people have asked you out here," Heng said knowingly. "And you told them no, which I get. Half of them are idiots."

"Well, except Fourth," Nam added slyly, her smile mischievous.

"What?" Freen froze, her eyes wide. "What did you say?"

"Fourth told everyone he's taking you to the dance," Nam said, watching Freen's expression carefully.

"He said what?" Freen's shock quickly turned into annoyance.

"I knew it wasn't true. Want me to beat him up for you?" Heng offered with a grin, resting a hand on Freen's tense shoulder.

Freen ground her teeth. "Do you think if I ran him over with my truck, he'd finally stop feeling guilty about the accident? Or should I just throw him into space?"

"Maybe," Nam laughed.

The dress and suit sections weren't large, and Nam and Heng quickly found outfits to try on. Freen, not in the mood to shop, critiqued and hovered in the shoe section.

"Nam?" Freen began hesitantly.

"Yeah?"

"Is it normal for the Armstrongs to miss school a lot?" Freen's voice was casual, but her eyes stayed glued to the shoes in front of her.

Nam nodded knowingly. "Yeah, when the weather's good, they go backpacking all the time—even the doctor. They're real outdoorsy. Don't worry; you'll see Becky soon."

Freen flushed. She wasn't sure if Nam's answer eased her mind or made her miss Becky more.

They planned to meet for dinner at an Italian restaurant. Nam and Heng offered to wait, but Freen told them to enjoy themselves while she went to look for a bookstore. She wandered the streets, trying not to think about Becky, until she spotted a familiar silver Volvo parked nearby.

Her heart raced as she hurried around the corner, trying to steady her thoughts. She didn't want to admit how disappointed she felt when Becky hadn't shown up at school or how the thought of seeing her again made her pulse quicken.

Distracted, Freen didn't notice she'd wandered into a less populated area. Ahead, four men turned the corner, their grimy appearance contrasting with the bustling city. She moved to the inside of the sidewalk, walking faster.

"Hey, there!" one called.

Freen ignored him, quickening her pace as their laughter echoed behind her.

"Wait!" another called.

Turning the corner, Freen sighed in relief but soon realized two men had followed her. Her stomach churned.

"There you are!" boomed a voice as a stocky man stepped into her path, blocking her escape.

"Stay away," Freen warned, her voice steady despite the rising panic.

"Don't be like that, sugar," he taunted.

Suddenly, headlights swept around the corner. The silver car skidded to a stop, forcing the man to jump back. The passenger door swung open, and Becky's furious voice barked, "Get in!"

Freen didn't hesitate, jumping in and slamming the door. Becky's face was illuminated by the faint light, her expression fierce and protective.

The tires screeched as Becky spun the car and sped toward the harbor, weaving recklessly through the streets. Freen stared at her, captivated by the intensity in her expression.

"Put on your seatbelt," Becky ordered, her tone sharp.

Freen obeyed, the snap of the belt loud in the silence.

"Are you okay?" Freen asked hesitantly.

"No," Becky said curtly, her eyes blazing.

When the car finally came to a stop on a deserted roadside, Becky's jaw was still tight with anger.

"Freen," she said, her voice calmer but still strained.

"Yeah?"

"Are you all right?" Becky asked, her gaze finally meeting Freen's.

"Yes," Freen replied softly.

"Good. Now distract me," Becky demanded.

"Uh... I'm going to throw Fourth into space tomorrow," Freen blurted.

Becky's lips twitched despite herself. "Why?"

"He's telling everyone we're going to the dance together! Either he's delusional, or he thinks that's how to make up for almost killing me. So I figure if I endanger his life, we'll be even."

Becky's laugh was low, but it softened the tension in the air. "Better?" Freen asked.

"Not really," Becky admitted, though her expression had relaxed slightly.

"Why does this bother you so much?" Freen asked, watching her carefully.

Becky's jaw clenched. "Because I can't stand him," she muttered.

Freen blinked, startled by the admission. "You... can't stand him?"

Becky exhaled sharply, her knuckles whitening against the steering wheel. "He hovers around you, pesters you, acts like you're his responsibility. He doesn't deserve your attention."

Freen's cheeks flushed as realization hit. Becky was jealous.

"Well, you don't have to worry about him. I'm not going to the dance with Fourth—or anyone, for that matter."

Becky's gaze flicked to Freen, her eyes softening. "Good," she murmured.

They drove in silence until they reached the restaurant, where Nam and Heng were pacing outside. Becky exited the car first, her movements graceful but deliberate.

"Where have you been?" Nam asked, rushing to hug Freen.

"I got lost and ran into Becky," Freen explained, stealing a glance at the blonde, who was watching the exchange intently.

"Would it be all right if I drove Freen home tonight?" Becky asked, her voice polite but firm.

Nam hesitated, glancing between them before nodding.

As Freen waved her friends off, she turned to Becky, who was already holding the restaurant door open.

"Humor me," Becky said when Freen tried to protest about not being hungry.

Inside, Becky charmed the host into giving them a private booth. Freen shook her head in disbelief.

"You shouldn't do that to people," Freen said as they sat.

"Do what?"

"Dazzle them. It's not fair."

Becky tilted her head, her eyes glinting. "Do I dazzle you?"

"Frequently," Freen admitted, her blush deepening.

The waitress arrived, her attention clearly focused on Becky, who ordered tea for both of them. Freen bristled at the waitress's coy smile, her jealousy surprising even herself.

"How are you feeling?" Becky asked once they were alone.

"I'm fine," Freen replied, her irritation at the waitress fading as she met Becky's gaze.

"You don't feel dizzy or cold?" Becky pressed, her concern evident.

"I feel safe with you," Freen confessed softly.

Becky's expression faltered, her usual composure slipping. "You shouldn't," she murmured, almost to herself.

Freen reached out, shyly brushing Becky's hand. "Thank you for saving me."

"Let's not make a habit of it," Becky said, her tone softening.

Becky admitted to following Freen, explaining how she'd found her and what she'd overheard. The anger in her voice returned as she described the moment she realized Freen was in danger.

"It was hard not to go back and..." Becky trailed off, closing her eyes and gripping the edge of the table.

Freen placed her hand over Becky's, offering a quiet reassurance.

As they left the restaurant, Becky opened the car door for Freen, her movements still precise but calmer.

"Now," Becky said as they drove off, "tell me about this theory of yours."

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