A/N Sorry about just dropping the cancer bomb and ending the chapter right there, but I couldn't help it. And i'm sorry the chapters are really short. Like, I'm really really sorry.
Chapter 7 Christina Rivers's P.O.V.
Something's wrong with Raina. But she hasn't told us what it is yet. It seems weird to see her so shaken, she's usually the strong one, you know? And at first I thought it was just what she found out about Aunt Spencer that's messing with her, but I'm doubting it. I just hope she tells us soon, because it's really sad seeing her look so... messed. She's got circles under her crystal-blue eyes, and her chocolate hair is always just thrown up into a messy bun. She's really been bumming it lately. And I wouldn't think much of it, I mean, everyone has a bum day every now and then, sweatpants are great, but this is Raina Hastings we're talking about, Calm, cool, and collected. I'm really worried about her. Not to mention we just found out Aunt Spencer, Aunt Emily, Aunt Aria, and my mother blinded Jenna Cavanaugh, who's daughter I'm friends with.
Messed up stuff.
But anyways, Raina's falling into a downward spiral. Marissa took us to a party yesterday, and Raina didn't even want to come! That's just out of character.
It's been three weeks since this started, and I'm getting sick of these shenanigans. Texts from A, depressed-looking Raina, paranoia setting in. So I'm spending the night at Raina's house tonight. When I told her, she just offered a non-comittal "whatever." Thanks for that, Raina. How encouraging.
After school, I anxiously ring Raina's doorbell with my duffelbag slung over my shoulder. Aunt Spencer answers the door with a smile. "Hi, Chrissy," she says, hugging me. "Hi, Aunt Spencer," I squeak out. She chuckles as I dash up the stairs. I softly open Raina's door and walk in. She's sitting cross-legged on her bed, staring into space. Her eyes flicker up to meet mine, just for a second before they flick back to the wall. I throw my bag in the corner and sit next her. "Hey, what's bothering you?" I say softly. "Nothing," she lies through her teeth. Well then. "Don't even lie to me or I'll call Marissa and if she comes up here you can guarantee the whole neighborhood will know what's up," I say, getting her to crack a smile. Marissa is really loud sometimes. "Come on, Hastings, what's up?" I say. "Nothing much," she says. Gosh darn these liars...
"I am getting tired of these shenanigans, Raina. We both know something's wrong," I say. She stubbornly shakes her head. I guess it's true, you can't argue with a Hastings. I just sigh. "Fine, but we're going out, whether you like it or not," I say. She nods. I roll my eyes and get ready, brushing out my hair, putting on body spray and foundation. Raina just throws on jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie. "Oh no no no," I say. She raises her eyebrows. "Sit, I'm fixing your hair," I say. She just plops down on her bed. I spray her hair with a water bottle and put mousse in it. Then I pick out her high-top Converse shoes. Now we're ready. "Let me call Marissa," I say. "What if Marissa doesn't want to go out? This is pretty short-notice," replies Raina. I roll my eyes. "Marissa always wants to go out."
I pull out my iPhone and scroll through my contacts until I find Marissa. I call her, deciding I don't feel like waiting the time it takes for texts to go through.
"Hello?" says Marissa.
"Hey, it's Chrissy. I'm at Raina's house, and we want to go out. So, do you have somewhere in mind?"
I could practically feel Marissa grin as she replied "Of course. I'll pick up Sylvia then I'll pick you two up." I smiled. Raina raised her eyebrows. "Where are we going?" she asked. "Don't know, don't care, and Marissa wouldn't tell me even if I did," I reply. Just then my phone vibrates, letting me know I have a text message.
Christina, are you really sure you should be taking a sickly person out partying? We all have our secrets, Raina included. Either find out what's been dragging her down, or I'll make sure everyone knows about your little 'crush' on the girl next door. –A
I crease my eyebrows. Sickly? And I may have a tiny, little, itty bitty crush on Cassandra. But it's nothing. In fact, I haven't even told anyone, so the fact that A knows about this is creeping me out. But what did A mean by sickly? Does Raina have the flu or something? Because I'm pretty sure she'd tell me she was too sick to go out if she really was. "Raina?" I begin tentatively.
"Yeah?" she replies.
"Are you... sick?" I say. She looks up sharply and meets my eyes.
"No, why?" she answers.
"I was just wondering," I cover. But I'm not done investigating this yet. Though for now, I'll put it off and have a good time.
A/N I don't want Christina to find out yet because it seems to soon, and Raina is a Hastings, so she'll hold on to her secrets. R&R J
