Page 106 of Introvert

"Midnight train to GA," I read aloud. "Whatdoes that mean?"

Felix chuckled.

"It means we're heading home." Seeing my look of confusion, he added, "The next stop. It must be—"

"Honeycomb, Georgia," I said. "I memorizedthe tour schedule, remember?"

He shook his head. "I don't know how you keep it straight."

"I don't understand how you're okaynotknowing.Doesn't it make you anxious?"

"I go with the flow. Plus,between Taylor, Izzy, Essie, and the guys, I know we'll end up where we need to be."

They were a family, I realized.Maybe not all by blood but through circumstanceand life. And the music that brought them together.

"Your face got all dreamy just now," Felixsaid. "Good thoughts?"

I shrugged. "It must be awesome. To have so many people you trust and love around you. Makes me miss my family."

"Yeah well, some families are better than others."

Was that anger or animosity I sensed in his tone?

I couldn't be sure.

Whatever it was, it didn't sound like the feeling was directed at me.

"Anyway," Felix said, "Honeycomb's where most of us are from originally.My mom moved to North Carolina after the divorce. I went with her.But Honeycomb was where it all started. The rest is history."

Another text came through before I could ask any of the many questions running through my mind.

It said: All aboard in 5, or Essie says you can find your own way to Georgia.

Felix and I didn't waste another second. HERS's driver was serious about timeliness. At a gas station stop last week, she'd given us clear instructions to be back by 12:00 pm.Santino was only a few minutes late—he'd been chatting up the pretty gas station attendant—but Essie started pulling away at noon on the dot. Which left him running frantically to catch up aswe on the bus watched.

It was funny.

But it also put the fear in everyone.

No one doubted her promise to leave us stranded, so Felix and Iwalked quickly. His legs were longer than mine, but he kept pace with me.

I panted a laugh. "Thanks for not leaving me behind."

"What?" he said.

"My thighs are burning, and you could've easily reached the bus by now. We've only got a couple minutes. Just saying, I appreciate you."

As we came within sight of the bus, though, he paused. Felix jerked to a stop so suddenly I didn't realize until I'd gone a few extra steps. Backtracking, I stared up at him.

"What's up?" I asked.

"You know, I'd never do that, right?" he said.

"Do…what?"

"Abandon you. I'm not like that."

I laughed, but he didn't. "Yeah, I know, Felix."

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