The Forgotten

Open Windows

The tea ends early. I don't blame Mrs. Crest for wanting everyone out. They did just experience the shattering of her home life. I'll have to fill Shain in on it later, if I can find her. I'm sure she'd love to hear all about her brother's antics.

On Mrs. Bristill's and my way to the car, Will approaches us.

"Hey, Raven!" he calls from where he is leaning against a car I presume is his. It's an old car. I kind of like it. It's classic.

"Hey," I reply, changing my direction. I join him beside his car. "What was that in there?" He blushes.

"Rubin's been talking about leaving since I met him..."

"Wait, he's leaving?" I ask, startled. I thought he'd just sulk for a while. Will shrugs.

"It might be all talk, but he's getting madder by the day. I won't be surprised if he stays, but I won't be surprised if he goes." I can't help but stare at his still bare chest. When he catches me looking, I force myself to stop. He grins.

"Prude," he teases. I swat him playfully.

"I am so not a prude," I tell him. "Trust me on that." He laughs.

"Yeah, I know. I've heard a lot about you, Raven Bristill."

"I can imagine," I reply. "I can assure you though, I'm a changed woman, well, girl." He actually looks disappointed.

"So you're not coming tonight?" he asks, his disappointment evident in his voice.

"Sorry, what?" He frowns.

"I thought you knew about the group going to the mall." I feign recognition.

"Oh yeah. You're coming?" I don't have to pretend to be surprised he's coming to a rich-kid thing. Will nods.

"Jess, your boyfriend..."

"Ex," I remind him adamantly.

"Yes, your ex-boyfriend invited me. He says it's going to be him, Shain Crest, Jersey and York Hampshire, and you. Are you coming?"

I make a split second decision.

"Yes," I tell him. "I'm so in."

"Jess said he'll pick up everyone tonight," Will informs me. "You'd already know that." I nod. I don't like lying to him. He seems so nice. Normally I'd be jumping on that, but until today, he didn't know me or Raven. Unless he was at that part I don't think he was involved.

I still can't afford to get close to him. Or anyone. It's too risky.

I'm beginning to think the college party Shain and Raven attended was the last place Raven was seen alive. It keeps coming up. Something happened at that party.

"Raven!" Mrs. Bristill calls. I wave good-bye to Will and head over to the car. I still don't let the driver open the door for me. Mrs. Bristill, who also sits in the backseat, notices this. Once I'm inside and seat-belted, she ambushes me.

"You should let Vance do that," she hisses. "He's paid to do that."

"Do I care?" I ask her. She purses her lips. I think that's how she refrains from dirtying up her mouth with curse words.

"Those clothes," she states. I raise my eyebrow. "Why would you do something like that to Lindor." I guess Lindor is Mrs. Crest.

"I think she had a little more to deal with than me and my fashion choices," I tell her. Again, the pursing of the lips.

Neither of us says anything until we get back to the Bristills' mansion. She criticizes me for opening the door myself. I ignore her, which I discover is actually a lot of fun. Passing maids and Mr. Bristill, home from "work", I ignore everyone until I get to Raven's room. Before I can open the door, Cardinal stops me.