Chapter 6

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I woke up with a raging headache. What a great way to start the day, am I right? Luckily, I was able to get Benji and I ready for school in time.

School seemed slower than usual, maybe because I was so anxious to see Evelyn. My small group of friends didn't seem to notice or care that I wasn't exactly my usual self. Whatever. Finally, the day ended. With an armful of homework and a heavy heart I hurried to pick up Benji.

His schoolyard was filled with a bunch of young teens, all mingling and trying to locate their parents. Somehow, I managed to spot Benji right away. However, Benji was with someone else. More like on someone else, actually. He was very passionately making out with Lacey near a patch of trees.

I groaned a bit too loudly and got out of the car to go get Benji. Jesus, he's only 13! I hope they're not sexually active, he wouldn't know where to get condoms..

As I approached the lovebirds I took a moment to analyze the scene. Benji had Lacey pushed up against a tree with one hand around her waist and the other on the tree for support. Lacey had her arms wrapped around his upper torso. They were breathing heavily. Ew.

"Sorry, not trying be a bother or anything, but Benji and I need to leave.." I interrupted.

Benji and Lacey quickly pulled apart, looking embarrassed. Their faces turned matching shades of pink. I laughed and pulled Benji towards the car. That kid has more of a love life than I ever will.

"So Benji..."

"Let's not talk about this. Please, Indigo."

"I just have one little question."

"No."

"Are you sexually active?"

"Oh my god. What the hell, Indigo?"

I laughed "I'll take that as a yes. Do you need condoms? I swear if you get her pregnant I'll kill y-"

"Indigo! Shut up! We don't need condoms, okay?"

He totally needs condoms. I'm not trying to be pushy, it's just sister instinct.

"Alright, chill out."

We arrived at the hospital in awkward silence. I was super excited to get to see Evelyn again! I practically burst through the doors, glowing with happiness.

I marched up to the front desk. "We're here to see Evelyn Peterson." I grinned.

The receptionist typed in a few things and looked at me grimly. "I'm sorry Miss, you can't see her right now."

"What? Why not?"

"She's in surgery."

"Why the hell is she in surgery?" I was starting to get pissed.

"I'm not really sure, hun. All the information they can disclose is that it's an emergency surgery."

"When can I see her?" I felt myself start to panic.

The receptionist typed in a few more things. "Tomorrow morning."

"Fuck." I sighed. "Okay, we'll be here tomorrow."

The receptionist smiled and watched Beni and I leave. Ugh, why does this always have to happen? Just when I think things start to get better they get a lot worse.

Cass was waiting for us at home. Shit, I forgot we had to deal with her today. She was sitting on our couch with a pen and notebook on her lap. My parents sat on a different couch whispering to each other. Benji and I quietly took a seat.

"Glad to see we're all here now." Cass smiled eagerly. "Let's get started, okay?"

We all muttered unenthusiastic agreements.

"Lovely! First, I'm just going to go over the game plan. So, today we'll answer some group questions. Tomorrow, we'll do private interviews and then the day after that I'll let you all know what will happen next. Any questions?"

Silence.

"No? Alright. Let's begin. How safe would you say you feel in this house?"

We all took turns answering, my parents feeling very safe and Benji and I not feeling safe at all.

Cass wrote a few things down and continued. "How has school attendance been?"

Everyone simultaneously answered that it was very good.

"Hmm..okay. That's not really what my records say."

"What do you mean?" I interjected.

"We'll go over that later. How often are nutritional meals served?"

We answered that question and many more until Cass was satisfied with her information.

"Now, let's go over the attendance issue." She frowned. "It looks like Evelyn and Indigo have excellent attendance. However, Benji misses a lot of classes."

"No..that can't be true. I get him to school perfectly on time every day."

"He never misses first period, but after that he usually has a few classes missing."

"Benji? Care to say anything about this?" I death stared him. He better have a good fucking excuse for this.

Benji just shook his head.

"Well, alright. I need to leave now, toodles!" Cass flashed us one last smile and hurried out the door.

My dad went to the kitchen to get a beer immediately after Cass left. My mother hurried out to go sell some drugs. Benji looked uncomfortable while I stared at him intensely, waiting for an explanation. Minutes passed. Finally, I spoke.

"Explain yourself."

"I was- um..." He looked at the floor.

"Say it." I was trying not to scream.

"I was with Lacey." He mumbled.

I'm gonna kill that kid.

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