"Alright," Ben agreed. He hesitated. There was nothing more to say, but he was reluctant to go. He'd been finding excuses not to actually say goodbye for the past three minutes already, though, since she'd agreed to him leaving so cavalierly. As though she didn't care whether he stayed or went. He knew that wasn't true. She was putting on an act and trying to keep however she really felt about it out of reach, and he wished he could have given her some real comfort, but there wasn't time for that.

"Alright," he said again, finally taking his hand off the door. "I'll write. Tell me when you get to your friend's house. Please."

Then, with a heavy sigh, he headed back down the stairs.

"Alright," he said wearily to his brother. "I'm ready. Let's go."