Rhenna

Sixty-One

                        "There it is". Hannah proclaimed, pointing at a tree, that Derrin and Reggie were already cutting down. She spun on her heel and smiled up at us. "What do you think Johny?"

"Kinda small".

"Mumma did tell us to get a smaller one".

Something flicked the back of my head, and I turned around; finding Mandy and Alex.

"Where you been Rhenna?" She asked with a smile.

"With Blondie".

Next to me Blondie grunted, "My name's Johny, Elin".

I ignored him.

"Your friend's pretty good with kids". Mandy said, cocking her head. I glanced over my shoulder at Conn who was posing as some sort of child playground. Vicky, and Tyler were hanging on both his arms, giggling as he struggled to lift them up.

Willow was chuckling at the scene.

"I guess so". I mumbled.

I don't know why, but it was a bit weird seeing Mandy here. The only times we had ever hung out was at the club, or at the occasional charity event.

"You guys find a tree?" Sam asked, as him and Ivan joined our group. Nick, and Racheal were close to follow.

"The girls found a tree". Blondie told them.

"Jax and Caleb are cutting ours down right now". Racheal said.

Everything started to sway, and I stumbled a bit before someone pressed a hand against my arm to steady me. I flinched away from the touch and glanced over. It was that kid-Ivan.

"Thanks". I murmered.

He stared at me with an unreadable expression. After a moment it became uncomfortable and I looked away.

"Maybe you should sit down Rhenna". Mandy proposed.

The swaying had stopped so I shook my head. "I'm okey".

"You sure?" Racheal questioned, "Your looking a little light on your feet".

Before anyone else could comment on my state Blondie scoffed and grabbed the sleeve of my coat. "Come on Elin". I let him pull me away from the group. He found a place with less fake snow and sat down. I sat down next to him and crossed my legs.

"Thanks". I breathed out.

He bobbed his head.

I was glad that he pulled me away before things got out of proportion. I didn't want Conn getting wind of what was going on. If he found out he'd Freak!

I didnt think that I could handle that.

--------------------------

I hadn't realized how far my thoughts had wondered off until Blondie nudged my shoulder. I blinked out of my daze and looked around. It was already beginning to get dark out.

How long have we been here?

"Everyone's ready to go". Blondie said as he stood up. He offered his hand down to me. After a moment of hesitation, I took it and he helped me to my feet.

"Thanks".

"Mmh". He hummed. Then he added, "Any time".

I avoided mostly everyone, the best I could, when we rejoined the group. I wasn't so much into this whole tree thing anymore. I was mostly just tired (as usual). I think my body was just done with me at this point.

I didn't blame it.

I mean, it's not like I took very good care of it in the first place.

"You okey Kid?" Conn asked. Sparing me from another round of heavy thinking.

"Yeah".

Didn't he already ask me this?

"You seem...off".

"I'm perfectly fine".

Conn lifted a brow at me, as he tilted his head. "You've been awfully docile with me this entire time. I even called you kid".

Oh. Did he? I guess I missed that.

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood to be mean to Conn.

"Elin". Something flashed infront of my face and I stopped walking. I slowly came to a realization that Conn had just waved his hand infront of me to gain my wandering attention.

I felt like my brain was functioning at a snail's pace. It was freakin annoying.

"Your worrying me Elin". Conn said with concern in his eyes.

Yeah. Get in line.

I had more then a handful of poeple already worrying about me. I didn't need, or want, Conn on that list.

I tried to play it off with a smile, but I couldn't get my mouth to work. In the end I just shook my head and tried to get around him. But he wouldn't let me pass.

"You know it's okey to not be okey". He said.

Sure, for anyone else.

"Why dont you come stay at the office tonight? Dad, and Shiela have been asking about you".

What could he possibly gain by me coming back for one night? It wouldn't make a difference. I'd still have to eventually leave I'd still avoid him.

So why?

I ran my hand over my forehead, and let out a sigh. "I dont-" I dont want to, is what I had started to say, but Conn cut me off.

"I won't push the matter. Kay? I just want you to think about it".

I'd probably think about it alot, but the answer would unavoidably be no in the end.

I simply nodded, and he let me walk away.

Not that I got very far after that.

The swaying notion came back, worse this time. With no one to steady me I ended up loosing my balance.

Coming today was defiantly not the best idea.

I should've just stayed asleep on Derrin's couch.

I didn't even really help with finding a Christmas tree.

With that thought in mind everything faded to black.