Together Forever

Chapter Eleven

DIMITRI

It took me a while to realise that's Rachel was following me as she walked on the other side of the pavement. I slowly eyed me from the corner of her eye, and looked away quickly. I sighed and walked over to her until we were walking shoulder by shoulder. She acted as though she was surprised and I gave her a questioning look. Only then did she admit.
"Okay, okay. Fine I'm following you. I just need someone to consult." She sighed. She was much more sad these days.
"I'm sorry but I'm no therapist." I scoffed more rudely than I intended to. I was about to open my mouth to apologise but she interrupted me.
"Unless you really are a selfish jerk who doesn't consider other people's feelings. I chose you, Dimitri. Do you know why? Because I felt like I could trust you more." She said, as tears welled up in her eyes. I sighed and looked away as we walked.
"Rachel, I didn't mean it that way. I'm just horrible at making people feel better." I explained. I'm pretty sure that this wasn't a valid excuse but just in case girls are more complicated than that.
"Listen, I'm in great need of help and someone to talk to. I'm feeling down and depressed. If nobody is here for me I might as well year out all my hair." Rachel hugged and accelerated. Until she was out of sight. I groaned and stopped near my house.
I guess I really didn't know how hungry I was until I entered the house. The aroma of lasagna found its way to my nostrils. I looked around for my dad but it looked like he was still at work.
I heard the front door open with a loud creak and shut with a loud SLAM!
Or maybe he just reached.
"Dimitri, how was your day?" He asked, as if I was a poisonous animal. I shook my head.
"Are you alright?" He asked, softening up a little, but he didn't go on full empathy mode.
"Yes I'm fine. It's nothing major." I lied. My dad was probably going to see right through me but I would never hurt and betray Rachel, so I just stick to the risky lie. He gave me a hard look and eventually looked away. I got away.
I went up to my room and changed into more comfortable clothes so I could eat lunch without twitching a sleeve or fixing my pants or scratching my butt.
"Dimitri! Are you done yet?" He called. I didn't reply. I just sped walked to the kitchen table and found that he was eating furiously. I sat down and tried to enjoy the food but all my thoughts diverted to Rachel...
_________________
ISABELLE
We walked hand in hand out the classroom. And everyone stared at us, whispering to each other, gossiping. They maybe were stirring up a new rumour...
"I'm just so worried about her. Do you know where she lives?" I asked. Tristan shook his head but squeezed my hand reassuringly.
"Let's check the school directory. They must have it." Tristan suggested. I nodded but my eyes were darting around looking for the office. Once we found it (it was on the ground floor), we searched all the files until we came across Rachel's in the new student section. It's been there for a long time. We searched for her address and found out that she lived not so far from the school. It was in Downing Avenue which wasn't very far. Luckily.
More and more groups of students crowded and followed us close by.
I shot them a dirty look and then they walked away. It took us fifteen minutes to get there, five to decide whether we were going the right way or not.
I neared her house, and gulped. But before I could knock, the door opened and Rachel stormed out and stopped when she saw us.
I smiled just to break the ice. She shut the door and faced us, giving us the look: what the heck?
"Hey, Rachel." Tristan waved.
"Hey guys. What are you doing here?" Rachel asked.
"Where were you at school? Why were you avoiding us?" I blurted. Tristan shot me a look and I apologetically looked at Rachel who sighed.
"I wasn't avoiding you per se, but I was just in a hurry." Rachel smiled.
But I knew better. Under that smile was all hurt, and I needed to find out why.
"Don't you trust me? Tell us why you're acting weird. Why did you tell Dimitri?" I asked furiously asked. I was starting to get frustrated.
"Isabelle, I didn't say that. I do trust you guys. I didn't tell Dimitri anything. I promise." She explained.
But really, underneath, she was lying.
______________
TRISTAN

I stared at Isabelle. Was she right? Was Rachel hiding something? Yes. Yes she was. And as much as I wanted to find out, I respected her privacy.
"When you're ready. Tell us. Please." I whispered. Rachel nodded.
"Want to come with us?" Isabelle sighed, changing the subject. But Rachel shook her head.
"I have to go somewhere important." She said.
And with that, she left.
I faced Isabelle. I felt her anxious energy circulate around her.
"Let her be. She probably needs to do something important." I shrugged. Isabelle rolled her eyes.
"Let's go." She said, irritably. She was pissed and that's really not good.
"Look, I'm pretty sure it'll blow-"Blow off tomorrow, yeah." Isabelle shrugged. But I knew that fierce look.
We walked away and it was pretty awkward. She was silent the occasional glare diverted at me. It was fifteen minutes in reality but to me, it felt like three hours.
I wonder what she was thinking about...
_____________________
ISABELLE
My mouth had a metallic taste and it was dry. Hate filled me. Why would Rachel hide something from us? Why? Why did she tell Dimitri?
When I reached home, I just slammed the door but Tristan blocked. He took my wrist.
"Look, I know you're mad, and I'm stressed too. But if we want to get to know what's wrong with Rachel, then we have to remain patient." He smiled, and in just a moment, he kissed my cheek, and with that, left.
I stood there in the doorway, smiling from ear to ear.
"He seems like a nice boy."
I turned around and chuckled. Mother stood there, in a sweater and black pants, looking at me and giving me that smirk.
"Yeah, he's just a really close friend." I said, although I admit I wish she had never seen that kiss.

"Alright, if you say so. Get changed quickly. Lasagna is for lunch." Mom smiled. I knew that. I smelled it and saw the oven was white hot.
I ran up the stairs and quickly threw on random clothes. I didn't even bother checking what l wore. I might as well have been wearing orange with pink.
But nothing was linked than my cheeks as I recalled the small kiss Tristan gave me...
______________________
RACHEL
The sky was dark. Of course I could have just asked Mom for a ride but I didn't want to be under the same roof as her. So, as stubborn as I was, I walked home. Where I went will not be revealed to anyone except Dimitri since I already told him.
I pressed the mask to my mouth, breathing in the fresh oxygen. After I did, I resumed my thoughts. I bet that Mom would reach before me but whatever.
When Tristan and Isabelle came to my house, I desperately wanted to cry but of course, I held my posture and tried to stay brave.
I wanted to be brave but it was so scary. I never wanted to be a coward and I never wanted anyone to see me as one.
I reached home. I burst in through the door and locked it behind me. Mom was sitting on the couch, and it seemed like she had reached ages ago.
She was sleeping.