Hi guys I'm sorry it's taken so long! That annoying thing called life is such an attention hog!
I know this Chapter is a little shorter then normal but lots of surprises to come in the next chapter! So bare with me!
Big Big Big thank you too- teentitangirl25, BG-13, FelynxTiger, IheartJinx, Teentitans, Love, coolgal, Amida-Vine I love you all!
Specially to Teentitangirl25 BG-13 and FelynxTiger for being continuous reviewers! I love love love love love you!
Thanks too the people who fav and alerted too!
Also!
I miss you Rosealyn 'Flinx' Roth!
Chapter Eleven: Let's get ready to go!
Raven slowly walked towards her home, it made her sick to her stomach to know that her father had violated her new home in search of her, almost killed his other daughter just to get to her. She pulled out her phone quickly before speed dialling Garfield, she felt stupid but she didn't feel right going to the room on her own.
She held her phone to her ear and listened to the bring-bring of the phone. "Hey Rae, where did you go?" Garfield's voice filled her ears making her feel a little more at ease.
"Gar… I'm out front of my house… I don't think I can go in alone…" She felt pathetic and weak hitting herself in the forehead with the palm of her hand. "Can… you…"
"Sure I'll be right there." Garfield's voice replied and she felt a smile cross her lips.
She quickly shook her head to get rid of the smile. "Thank you… Gar can you stay on the phone…?" She felt like a real pathetic girl at this very moment, but she was scared that her father would be waiting for her.
"Sure Rae, where is your mum?"
"I think she's at work." She replied in a mumble taking a glance up and down the street.
"Dude you don't even know if she's home?"
She heard him let out a chuckle she let out a growl. "Well clearly she isn't because I can't see her car."
"Okay, gee." Garfield grinned at her taking a hold of her hand. "Let's get your stuff."
Raven looked at the boy in front of her; he was slightly breathless as sweat fell down his face. "That was fast…"
He flashed another grin before slowly pulling her towards the door; she took a firm hold of his hand in return. "I don't think he's here just so you know."
The dried blood on the door was her first realization that her mother hadn't been home last night or during today. She gripped tightly onto Garfield's hand while following him, she watched wide eyed while he pushed open the door and slowly stepped into the house glancing across the room before pulling. "Wonder where mum has been staying." Raven murmured looking at the dried blood that stained the floor.
"Maybe at work." Garfield answered taking her up the stairs, careful to avoid the blood stains. "Or maybe with Iris' mother."
She could feel her heart pounding against her chest; she wanted to get in and out as fast as possible. She moved slightly ahead of Garfield still holding his hand tightly but pushed open her door first. She felt her breath catch in her throat upon her room becoming revealed she gripped so tight onto Garfield's hands that she thought she might actually snap it. "Oh god." She barely managed to get out.
It looked like a bomb had hit it. Her things were all over the place, seemingly thrown in haste. Her books. Her clothes. Even the sheets on the bed were thrown onto the floor. "Come on Rae let's grab what we can then leave." Gar said softly pulling her into her room
She let a sigh escape her lips while her eyes scanned the room. "What was he looking for?" She asked mostly herself while she stepped over the different objects on the floor.
Garfield moved over to her bed carefully sitting down on it watching her move over to her wardrobe. "Good thing we are getting away for a while."
Raven glanced over her shoulder to see the rather attractive boy looking right back at her. "I just hope mum will be alright." She made her way over to the bed and sat down next to him. "How… old was your brother?"
She saw him tense instantly while his eyes darted to the ground. "He was twenty three…"
She thought for a minute wondering if she should just drop it, but her curious side was too strong. "What was his name?"
His gaze stayed firmly on the floor while his hands balled into tight fists. "Andrew." The words sounded so strained that Raven gently place once of her hands onto his.
"Do you want to talk about him?" She pulled an unsure face but he wasn't looking at her to notice.
"I… don't talk about him." He answered finally taking a glance at her. "He died pretty much just as I started high school. No one really knows about him. Not even mum and dad talk about him."
"What about your little brother?"
"Xavier? He doesn't talk much anymore. He was nine when it happened. They were pretty close but he just doesn't talk about it…"
"Seems like you all avoid the subject…"
"How would you talk about your older brother being shot to death?"
"You mean like how my sister almost was?"
"If she died. Would you be able to talk about it?"
Raven looked into his lovely green eyes and thought. She barely knew the girl, how would she have felt if Charm didn't make it. "I don't really know…"
"Maybe we should say proper goodbyes. But it's just hard…" He shook his head pushing himself off the comfortable bed startling Raven. "Let's get your things and get them to my house. I don't like the thought of being here without anyone else."
"Hey Gar?" Raven called out clearing her throat uncomfortably, getting his attention. "Thank you for being here for me."
He sent her back a smile before the two of them began packing for the weeks that they went away. They had stayed quiet most of the time beside the few questions on whether she wanted to take something or not. They would glance at each other every now and then when they thought the other wasn't looking. Once they had finished they took her bags out of the house and left to go to Garfield's.
They decided to just walk it since neither of them really wanted to deal with anyone else at that point in time. The silence between them wasn't awkward, it was peaceful. Garfield took a hold of her free hand and she didn't object but neither of them addressed it either. They walked silently hand in hand.
Once they reached Garfield's he took her inside and set up a bed for her tonight and tomorrow night before they left for Australia. The others slowly began turning up with their suitcases ready to get away. Roy, Garth and Isaiah were last to arrive after spending as long as they could just talking to Charm and keeping her happy. Iris, Terra and Kori showed what they had bought for themselves, Charm and Raven, much to Raven's dismay. 'Its summer stuff you know?' They would constantly tell her while showing her the things they bought for her.
Even though it was hard for them to sleep knowing Charm was alone in hospital after being shot, they eventually drifted off to sleep with Isaiah reassuring them all he stayed on the phone with her until she fell asleep. By morning Raven had made them all go to school so that it 'didn't look suspicious' for their parents they left and she went to the shops to buy Charm's hair dye before heading back to the hospital.
Once she arrived at the hospital she saw a glimpse of her mother rushing off back to work and decided to leave it. She slowly walked into the hospital room her sister was in to see her staring at nothing. "Hey Charm." She said in her monotone sitting on the chair just next to her.
"Mum seems pretty odd." She answered glancing slightly towards Raven's direction without actually looking at her. "She's… distant…"
Raven lent back onto the chair leaving the bag of things she bought on the floor beside her. "She hasn't been home. I think she blames herself."
Charm fiddled with her fingers lazily keeping her eyes focused on them. "She couldn't have done much. I don't even think he wanted me dead. Not yet anyway. He stood over me… Watched me struggle for breath… he held the gun out towards my head… but then he just turned and headed for the stairs… He… he isn't done with me… He's no where near done with you… I … I worry about mum."
Raven stared at her without any real thought going through her head. She was scared of her father; she would go as far as saying he was her one real weakness. But she couldn't let Charm be scared of him. "Here. I got the hair dye you wanted. I also got some nail polish which I thought would suit you." She stood up and climbed onto Charm's bed. "Look… Forget about him. At least for now. He isn't going to get you that I promise."
Charm looked up into Raven's eyes seeing her stare right back into hers. "Okay… But Rae… I wrote this for mum… Before we leave can you leave it in the mail or something? Don't read it by the way. It's for mum." She spoke while digging through the draw just next to her which had been covered in flowers and cards. She pulled up a folded up piece of paper and handed it too her. "Can you possibly get them to hunt down my doctor? I want to know if I can be unhooked."
"Sure. Do you want anything to eat?" She replied climbing back off the bed. Charm shook her head in reply so Raven nodded and left.
She made her way towards the nurse's desk to ask for someone's assistance but there wasn't anybody there so Raven decided just to wait for someone to come back, her hand twitched with the note still firmly gripped in it. That's when she decided to read it.
Hey Mum.
I wanted to write this so you wouldn't freak out because Rae and I had vanished. I don't want you to blame Rae for this; she didn't do any of it. If anything she only agreed to this so I wouldn't get all depressed. It wouldn't matter what we did I am going to be terrified of this for a while to come.
But getting away is what I need to do. I can't stay here.
Please don't be mad mum. If you want to be mad at anyone be mad at me. I convinced Raven to let me go…I convinced all of them.
Truthfully mum I don't like the thought of Raven being here. He wants to hurt her and although I think she is only putting up with me, I love her and I don't want her to get hurt.
We will be back. I promise that mum. But please. Look after yourself. You've spent most of my life with you babying me because of everything I went through. You need to look after you. I owe my life to you Arella..
I love you lots.
Charm~
"Can I help you?" An elder looking lady asked from behind the desk quickly snapping Raven's attention back.
"My sister wants to speak to her doctor… Is that possible?" She asked folding the letter back up and placing it into her jean pocket.
"Charmian Roth?" She asked glancing over her large spectacles to look at Raven who nodded. "Her doctor will be around before lunch."
"Oh okay. Thanks." She turned and headed back towards Charm's room. "For nothing." She added in a mumble.
Charm watched her walk into the room with a hopeful smile. "So?"
Raven cheek twitched slightly. "Before lunch he'll be here." She collapsed onto the bed in a huff.
Charm smiled down at her sister. "Hey Rae… What's going on with you and Gar?"
"What do you mean?" She snapped almost too defensively.
Charm giggled lightly. "He's a great guy. Good kisser too." She smirked upon seeing Raven's head snap up to look at her. "It was year eight. Spin the bottle or something I don't remember."
"Great to know." She replied sarcastically which cause Charm to laugh again.
"He gives you that look you know."
"So I've been told…"
Charm grinned at her sister until the doctor walked into the room in his white coat. Raven sat up to look at him as well waiting to hear what he had to say. "Good morning Miss Roth. Seems you are doing well responding to your medicine. Yes you can be unhooked from the machines to move around but it is important that you don't do anything really physical. The wounds aren't fully healed and could burst open if something went wrong. I'd say you could be discharged on Monday but we'll see how you go with walking around today. You aren't to leave the hospital."
"So I'm doing well?" Charm asked holding onto Raven's hand tightly.
"Very well." He replied with a humble smile. "The nurses will be round soon to get you free from all these machines." He nodded his head politely and then quickly made his exit.
The rest of the day passed quickly. Charm had been freed from the machines and she couldn't have been happier. They dyed her hair which turned out a lovely light golden brown which suited her nicely. They had lunch together and then painted each others nails regardless of Raven's failed attempts to say no. The others came after school to spend time with her and they all commented on her hair. Before they knew it visiting hours where over and it was time to go back to Gar's write notes to their parents and be ready to leave in the morning.
The alarms rang loudly at six in the morning making them all groan awake. It took them a good hour and a half to get dressed and bags in the car. Iris had taken care of Charm's bag for her. One group took the letters to their houses and the other group made their way to collect Charm. The Charm group was Victor, Richard, Iris, Isaiah, Raven and Garfield. Kori, Terra, Karen, Wally, Jinx, Garth and Roy delivered the letters.
"Dude does anyone else feel like we're doing something wrong?" Garfield spoke up from the backseat.
Luckily both Karen and Victor had people movers and could fit everyone in the car. "That's probably because we are." Iris spoke up chewing on her bottom lip nervously.
"She wants to do this. Just remember that." Richard spoke up from the front seat. He hadn't spoken much for the last two days. Everyone knew that this was the second time he had found her dying and he wasn't handling it well.
Victor parked the car out front of the hospital. To say everyone had second thoughts was an understatement, so no one moved. There was an uneasy tension while they all just sat in the car in silence. Was this the right thing to do? Suddenly the passenger side door opened and Richard stepped out of the car and instantly made his way into the hospital. "… So we follow?" Iris asked uncomfortably glancing at each one of her friends.
Isaiah shook his head. "Let Richard do it." He thought for a moment. "Those two need some time together."
"It doesn't bother you? How close they are I mean." Raven asked glancing over her shoulder to look at the dark skinned boy.
He let out a simple laugh. "No. They used to have feelings for each other but it didn't last long. They are both happier being family close."
"It was very brief." Iris interrupted with a sigh. "It was like a week where she thought she liked him but very quickly went back to you."
"Hey Vic. Did your dad know why you needed the tickets?" Garfield asked changing the subject leaning over the chair to look at him.
"I told him that Karen and I were going away and… needed twelve more seats to avoid being next to babies…" He cleared his throat and grinned sheepishly.
"Real smooth." Raven murmured from the back seat.
Victor huffed folding his built arms across his chest. "I didn't see you getting us cheaper seats!"
"Hey look there is Rich." Garfield spoke up pointing off towards the distance forcing all of them to look to where he was pointing.
Richard was carrying Charm in his arms making his way quickly down towards the car. Iris pushed open the door for the two of them before climbing into the front seat next to Victor. Richard carefully placed Charm in the middle of the back seat before climbing in himself and shutting the door behind them. "Hi guys." She grinned.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Raven murmured from the back-back seat next to Garfield.
Charm rolled her dark blue eyes in frustration. "Yes! Guys honestly the doctor said I was doing much better then he expected and that I could have gone home on Monday. I feel fine as well. I just want to get outta' here so can we please just go?" The group swapped glanced between them but Victor slowly nodded and started the car up. Charm took a hold of Isaiah's hand and gave him a small smile. "I'm better then fine…"
The rest of the ride to the airport was rather quiet. The radio hummed softly in the background but that was about the only noise. Charm had changed into the clothes Iris bought for her before falling asleep on Isaiah. Richard lounged around in his seat keeping a glance on her every now and then. Iris was one of the few people who could read in the car which is exactly what she did. Raven and Garfield looked out their windows resting their heads on a hand while their free hands rested next to each other, touching ever so slightly. Victor drove them to the airport keeping in contact with Karen ever now and then to make sure they were going to get there around the same time.
Soon enough they had reached the car park and Victor pulled in putting the car into park. Two seconds later Karen pulled up next to them. "Alright kiddies we are here."
They groaned a 'finally' or a 'thank god' before opening the car doors and climbing out of the car. Iris ran over to Terra and hugged her with a huge grin on her face. "I'm sitting next to you!"
"Yay!" Terra squealed squeezing Iris tightly in her excitement. "Not Charm?"
Iris smiled looking over her shoulder at her best friend. "On the way back." She smiled humbly before linking arms with her blonde buddy. "Let's get our bags!"
Raven struggled to pull her bag out of the car growling as she played tug-a-war with the car, losing horribly. Garfield watched her with a smile on his face. 'Man she's cute.'
He thought casually to himself.
He walked over to her and took a firm hold of her bag, giving it one big heave. The bag unstuck itself and he placed it down at her feet. "… Thanks." She sighed taking the handle into her hand.
The others all got their bags out of the cars then made their way into the airport, their concerns clearly gone with the wind. Isaiah carried Charm while Richard and Kori helped with their bags happily. Iris and Terra bounded in front of the group excitedly while Karen and Victor walked all couple like towards the back. Jinx and Wally seemed engrossed in a topic they had been talking about in the car. Garth and Roy also seemed to be deep in a conversation while Raven walked silently with Garfield at her side. She wasn't sure what she was feeling for the boy. Love wasn't something she felt. Or was it?
They had checked in and made their way to their plane. This was going to be a long plane ride so they each made sure they had something to amuse themselves with and made a seating plan between them so they could each talk to someone else.
Raven had an odd feeling in her gut as she looked at her group of friends, her eyes lingered on her sister trying to see if there was anything that seems wrong. There wasn't but that didn't make the feeling go away. Her eyes moved over to Garfield who was flipping through a magazine carelessly with his feet up on the table in front of the chairs. That's when the butterflies took over the odd feeling in her stomach.
'You can't fall in love…"
