"But,Caroline why not?"
Tali had been arguing for hours about the girls going to see their friend but Caroline had been adamant that no one could see him.
"I don't want to give the girls nightmares.Tali, he's really beaten up."
"That's why they should go and see them!"
Caroline sighed.She glanced at the clock.
"Look Tali,we've been at this argument for the past hour and one half.Knowing my niece ,she'll already be at the hospital."
"Wait,What?"
"Delly,Eden and Red might be academically excellent but they play life at their own rules,their grades and classes are top of the list but you can never be too sure what comes next.."
"Caroline,you've told me the names a number of times but you and I both know that they all go by nicknames.What are their real names and why don't they use them?!"
Caroline smiled weakly.Yes, she knew why the kids didn't use their real names but she was nervous about telling anyone else.
"Tali if I tell you their real names you can't mention them to anyone else ok?"
Tali looked at her friend,the girl she'd known since high school and nodded.
"Yeah, I promise."
Caroline closed her eyes.
"Delly is really Delphine.Her mom said she changed her name when her sister,Paris, died of cancer.Of course Delly and Paris weren't just sisters they were twins and they shared everything.Eden is short for Evangeline.Because she was in a street crew and got teased she thinks it's too posh.
Red is different.Hes been to thirteen different schools and when he came here he wouldn't speak.Not one word. Until the day Delly and Eden met up in the abandoned theatre.He used to dress in red all the time but the kids came up with a nickname for him :the red kid.Of course it was eventually shortened to Red becausel it's quicker and easier.His real name is Dylan.Tali, you can't repeat this not to anyone. Got it!?"
Tali nodded.
"Got It " she muttered
