Less than a week after her self imposed training, the trainig was announced to begin in less than three days time. Rebecca looked at Billy from where she stood close to the announcers block.

"Three days," she whispered with a panicked striken look. Clenching her clistered hands she ducked her head and headed back to Billy.

"It's okay. You'll get stronger there..." Billy tried to console her.

Rebecca glared at him, but bit her tongue, forced a shrug, and headed home. Perhaps she could convince Billy to come with her, but even as she thought it she knew it wouldn't happen. Billy would be too worried someone would recognize him. With a deep breath Rebecca strengthed her resolve.

The three days passed quicker than Rebecca thought they would, and with each passing second she could feel her resolve crumble. Billy continued to reassure her tough, as he had promised, and told her he'd take of things at home while she was gone.

Tears stained her cheeks as she stared at the place she'd lived alone in for so long, then to Billy, the boy who had been her friend no matter what the thoughts of the towns people were.

"Go, everything will be here when you return, just as you left it," Billy told her. Shaking her head Rebecca gave a quick sniffle and hugged her friend. Billy blushed and hesitantly closed his arms around Rebecca. Giving her a quick squeeze he released her. "Wipe away those tears or the other boys will tease you," he warned plopping a hat on her head.

Rebecca laughed and wiped her cheeks, and lifted a small sack. "I'll miss you," she told him and with a waning smile turned her back and walked towards town, to the small group of boys, no more than five, and joined them.