Chapter 6

As soon as we got back into his apartment, I burst into tears. Jesse set me down on the couch, and held me while I sobbed on his shoulder.

"Krystal, Mara, now Angela… why is someone trying to kill off all my friends?" He didn't say anything, only continued stroking my back. What could he say? "What if I'm next?"

"Querida, I won't anyone hurt you," he said, and kissed my nose softly. I continued crying until I didn't have any more energy to. At about this time, Jesse untangled himself from me, went to the kitchen, and made me hot chocolate. I drank it gratefully, and by the time I was finished I was feeling better. I snuggled next to him on the couch. A few moments later, he spoke. "Your birthday's on Sunday." I was turning 22. "I'm taking you out to dinner." I smiled.

"That sounds great, Jesse. Where to?" He smiled slyly.

"Not telling." I rolled my eyes at him, good naturedly. By this time, it was about quarter to ten. We watched some TV until a little after eleven, then he pulled me to my feet and walked me to our room.

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The next morning, I was out of the building by 9:30 for class at quarter to ten. I grabbed a coffee on the way, then settled into my seat next to Cate.

"How's Mara?" I asked.

"Good. She should be out by the end of next week." I sighed with relief. Class started, but I noticed the seat in front of me was empty.

"Where's Aaron? He never misses a day of class." Aaron was sort of my friend. We talked occasionally. We used to be closer, back in our freshman year. But he was one of those guys who dates every single girl in the group of friends (Krystal, Cate, Mara, Beth, and Lisa all went out with him.) Never me or Angela. Myself, because I was taken. And he never really liked Angela that much. He had, however, gotten serious with a girl who used to live on my floor, when I lived in a dorm. Her name was Lily.

"You didn't hear? Lily died yesterday afternoon. She was in a car crash… her brakes failed." Our professor cleared her throat.

"Listen, everyone. I am sure you've all heard about our loss." Lily was Professor Bartlett's favorite student. "For this reason, class will be cancelled for the day." I noticed that her eyes were red.

We all filed out of class soberly. Despite the sad reason, I took advantage of my free morning to go visit Mara.

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"Mara!" I cried, walking into her room. Cate followed along behind me. "How are you feeling?"

"Eh. Better, I guess. I don't really remember how I felt until yesterday evening, when all the morphine they pumped into me wore off." Her boyfriend, Luke, came in, with a can of coke and a bottle of water.

"Hey, Luke," I said, and he gave me a smile.

"Hey, Suze, Cate, what's up?" He handed the bottle to Mara, who carefully raised her right arm, wincing slightly. Most of her injuries were on her left side, since that was where the car struck her, but still, broken ribs are hard to deal with. Luke took it back from her, and held it so she didn't have to hurt herself. She smiled in thanks, and drank.

We hung out for a while, with a little bit of nervous tension between us. Mara had heard about Angela's attack, and we all were making the same conclusions, and those conclusions were freaking us out.

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I know, I know, I know. This chapter is short. And, I'm sorry, but I won't be updating probably for another week, at least. I'm leaving on vacation in a little while (hence the short chapter) and I am not sure if I will have computer access. I will, rest assured, write in the car, so hopefully I can get a chapter up soon after I get back.

Anyway, review lots. Make me happy.