Ben hadn't been expecting her return question, and looked over at her quickly. Had his face given something away? Had she heard something from someone else? He couldn't imagine how that would've happened, unless someone had seen Art's letter. Would Melody have been snooping in his room? If so, why?

"Sure," he said quickly. "Why wouldn't I be?" It caught up with him a moment after he'd spoken, though, that there was an obvious answer. They'd just seen one of their friends brutally killed mere days ago — that was what she was talking about, not the pregnancy stuff. And now he looked like an inconsiderate, unfeeling ass for the way he'd responded.

"I mean," he said, face flushing. He didn't think he'd be able to salvage this, but he had to at least try. Scrambling awkwardly for something to say, he eventually managed, "Compared to, uh, Greg and you and everyone."