Chapter 12

That night, when Alden was finally prepping for bed, he reached for the two-way radio and did a couple of clicks on the talk button to let her know he's there. When he got home from the mall, he didn't see Maine outside their front lawn. It worried him somewhat. She was usually outside reading or helping Jenny out with a bit of gardening.

His worry increased when Maine didn't answer immediately. He re-did clicking the talk button on the two-way radio and waited some more. He almost gave up and called it a night, when he heard her voice on the other end. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alden?"

"Hi!" He said. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No," Maine answered. But her voice sounded sad that Alden started to worry again.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Are you mad at me?" She answered him with her own question.

Alden grimaced at her question. He was only trying to avoid taking her biking but he now realized he wasn't spending time with her that much after her episode. He also realized that his worry for Maine's condition was affecting their friendship. Something that he never wanted to happen.

"I'm sorry," he finally answered. "Have I been alienating you lately? It wasn't my intention, Maine."

"Have I done anything wrong?"

"No!" Alden exclaimed. "None at all. I was just being stupid. That's all."

"What's wrong, Alden?" Maine asked, wanting to know why there was an invisible wall between them.

Alden sighed and leaned his head back, touching the headboard of his bed. He took a deep breath and huffed it out in one blow. His glasses were already on the bedside table so there was nothing in between his face and hands as he rubbed it in frustration.

He let out a frustrated growl before answering, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."

"What's all your fault?"

"What happened to you at the hospital," he explained. "I kept going back to that day. I was being selfish and stubborn. I should have thought about your well-being than my stupid game. And you kept apologizing to me, when I was at fault that day. I'm really sorry, Maine."

"Don't say that," she replied. "The fault was mine. I shouldn't have pulled that prank on you, Alden."

"I was so worried," Alden continued. "When I saw you struggling for breath and was so much in pain...I don't ever want to see you like that."

"I'll get better, Alden," Maine stated. "You'll see! I'll be strong enough to do the things that I want to do. You're my source of strength, you've always been eversince we've become friends."

"How can I be your source of strength when you have been way stronger than me?"

"I'm strong because you are," she replied. "You're always there. You never left me. You've stuck with me when I was being stubborn or spoiled or irrational. You have a ready smile on your face whenever I see you even when I know you're tired. You don't know your own strength, Alden."

"I'm strong?"

"You've been strong for me all throughout my condition, Alden. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."

Alden smiled inspite of himself as he tried to hide his giddiness from Maine's words. He could feel the blood rush up to his face. He knew he was blushing and was glad that he was only talking to Maine via the two-way radio. He gave a huge sigh of relief but was careful not to press the talk button so she wouldn't hear.

"How'd you become so smart all of a sudden?" Alden teased, happy that they were back to their usual banter.

He heard Maine giggled before replying, "I've always been smart. You just never noticed."

Both of them laughed, each one giving each other glimpses of their laughter. After a few more moments, when their laughter subsided, Alden said, "it's getting late. You should get some sleep now, Maine."

"I will," she answered.

"Do you have plans tomorrow?"

"Only Church," she replied. "Why'd you ask?"

"Would you like to go biking tomorrow?"

Alden heard Maine squealed in delight and heard her shout out a resounding "YES!". Alden laughed at hearing her enthusiasm. It was a long overdue bike ride and he thought that it was time to put his personal fears aside and keep his promise.