Raven wanted terribly to go down to Leximstout and check on Chelsea in the hospital, but it was nine o'clock on Monday night, and she knew as a fact that her parents wouldn't let her leave the house. She assured herself that after school the next day, she'd go straight to the hospital in a bus and she'd be there around three.

She tried to sleep that night, but had little luck. She only got about fours hours of satisfied rest, and was exhausted on Tuesday morning.

Her mom shook her awake with much force, and Raven slumped out of bed at six o'clock. She put on a pair of jeans with a purple t-shirt and had her hair up in a high ponytail. She ate half a piece of toast, one sip of orange juice, and packed her book bag. By seven that Tuesday morning, Raven was out of the house.

Her and Corey walked to school. Corey's school sat only two blocks away from Raven's, and she had to walk him to junior high before she could set off to high school.

As they walked along the sidewalk, Corey started off today's conversation:

"So, Raven. I heard you were talking to Chelsea's mom last night. Too bad, huh?" Corey said to Raven.

"Corey…how'd you know I was talking to Chelsea's mom yesterday?" Raven eyed him suspiciously, but kept on walking.

"No…I heard you talking to her…last night. Too bad about Chelsea." Corey stuttered.

"Oh, I see. And, Corey? How'd you know anything was wrong with Chelsea and that it was 'too bad'?"

"Oh, I think I'm turning into you Raven. I think I can see the future now." Corey lied.

"Uh, huh. Sure."

"Yep, that's right."

"Corey. You little sneaker! You were eaves dropping, weren't you? You are impossible, you really are! How'd you know I wasn't saying anything that's actually private?" Raven stopped in her tracks and stared Corey down.

He put up his hands as if to surrender and added, "Hey, hey! I heard you in your room when you were on the phone and I noticed you mentioned Chelsea's name. You know I can't resist her!" Corey chuckled and kept on walking as if he hadn't done anything bad and the subject could drop.

Raven barged right up next to him and grabbed his hand. It was payback time.

"Uh…Raven? Why are you holding my hand?" His eyes were wide and his eyebrows were high up on his forehead.

"'Cause I just love my baby brother, and I want him to get safely to school." She said in her best baby voice she could manage. She tugged his cheek and smiled. "Come on, baby Corey. Be careful crossing the street."

They crossed the street, and Corey's school was on the other side. Her purpose? To embarrass him. If he was going to listen in on her conversations, then she'd give him a taste of his own medicine by giving him hugs and kisses right in front of his classmates. Was it too harsh? Of course not!

"Raven, let go of my hand! Come on!" He squealed in the middle of the road. He twisted and turned his body, trying to get out of his big sister's grasp.

"Now, now. You have to be safe before I know I can let go of my little, baby, cute, brother!" Raven cooed.

"LET GO OF ME!" He whispered fiercely when they were on the other side of the road.

Target. The schoolyard sat only three feet away, and his buds were all in it, pointing and laughing at Corey.

"But, Corey! Don't you want me to bring you to your classroom so you don't get lost?" Raven asked.

He stared at her with angry eyes that said she would be in big trouble when he got home from 6th grade.

Raven sighed and kneeled down on her knees to look up into her brother's eyes, still holding his hand.

"Okay, Corey. I'll let you go off now into the dangerous, scary, lonesome world." She pulled on his cheek and kissed his forehead.

"Bye, bye! Oh, and don't eavesdrop on me ever, ever again!"

She left him standing there by himself on the sidewalk, realizing that she was really late again for homeroom. Great, now she'd be tarter sauce with Mr. French if she wasn't on time for the second day in a row. When she glanced back one more time to see if Corey had gotten inside, she noticed him standing with his friends that were laughing, but Corey wasn't laughing. No, his head was down and he had his arms crossed across his chest. Great. She had a feeling those friends of his were laughing at him and he was extremely embarrassed. She stopped for a second, looking back at the little school yard. Corey looked up and met Raven's sorry eyes. He just left. Walked right inside. Head down. His friends laughing.

Later, after school, instead of going right straight to the hospital to check on Chelsea, she went to Corey's school. She decided she'd walk him home and they'd have a talk. About the morning. When she arrived at the school yard, it was full of kids. She looked around and noticed Corey with his group of pals over near the corner of the school. Corey looked as if he'd forgotten about the morning 'incident' and he also looked as if he were rather enjoying himself.

"Corey! Over here!" Raven hollered across the schoolyard.

He looked up and around, hearing his name being called but not knowing where it was coming from.

"Corey!" Raven called again.

He spotted her, and looked away really fast. It was too late, though. His other buds noticed Raven and gave Corey a playful punch, saying something. Raven was too far away to see what that one kid said to her brother. But, what ever he had said make Corey angry and he started yelling. Then the group started laughing.

Raven realized she'd probably embarrassed Corey again. She really hadn't mean to do that. She just wanted to walk home with him and talk things out. She turned around before she could possibly do anymore and headed for the hospital. She felt so sad and she felt oh so bad to have done that to Corey, though. She would definitely make that up to him.