Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 6

Part 6 Of The First Draft

“Perry....I don't want to go......but I have to. My mom will freak out if I'm not back home for dinner.”

I leaned over and kissed him on the lips, holding it there for a long second. When I unlocked my lips from his, he looked me in the eyes, gazing into them.

“I’ll be with you.....no matter where you go....I love you, my wayward darling....”

I smiled, and a tear rolled down my right cheek.

“Perry, you thaw my black heart and make it something beautiful. I love you too, baby.”

I then left his house, hurrying home. It's only twenty minutes until dinner time at my house. When I got to our house, my mom and dad were already sitting at the table.

“Oh....Mindi....thank goodness...”

My mom breathed, herself relieved. My dad asked me,

“Did you lose track of the time, Mindi? You shouldn't worry your mother.”

I apologized to my parents,

“I’m sorry, mom and dad. We got wrapped up in a movie. It won't happen again.”

After we had loaded up our plates with some fresh roast beef, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, my mom asked me,

“So how is school going, Mindi? You haven't really said much since it started a few days ago.”

I looked up at her, thinking quickly of something that I might be able to tell her. I came up with this,

“It has been really boring, but I do have one class with Perry.”

My father seemed interested, and asked,

“Oh? Which one?”

“Gym, our first period. Perry is really athletic.”

My mom laughed, and commented,

“He, he. I bet you like that, Mindi.”

The rest of the evening went by slowly, myself pouring over my math and english books. I studied hard, and when Lana returned home for the night, I was more than ready for a break.

“Oh, hey, Lana! How was your day? I missed you......”

Lana smiled, and remarked, with a rather pleased tone,

“Oh, Mindi. I'm so happy to hear your voice. These first few days of college have been grueling. I don't know....I feel like it isn't me. Everyone knows about what happened with Judge Jackson. They all avoid me....”

I tried my best to cheer her up, relating,

“Oh, Lana. I'll never avoid you. There's something I'm dying to know, though. Have you seen Wesley?”

Lana laughed, as she blushed profusely.

“Well....I have. He wants me to go out with him, and I would like it too. I know it sounds bad, but I have my reasons....”

Lana sighed, and continued,

“I love Brad, but I don't want to bond with him. As bad as it sounds, I want to be able to die one day. Surly you must understand......”

I did but I could not help but feel I am losing Lana. Now, I can only hope that her and Brad can remain good friends. Some girls are like that, scared of the future. I understand that the idea of living forever isn't for everyone, but it is exciting for me. All those times I tried to kill myself I was afraid of one thing, and that was dying. I said the only thing that I could say to her,

“Just promise me you'll always be my Wild Girl sister. Don't drift away from me. I'll always need you.”

Lana started to cry, and I grabbed her and held her. She confessed,

“It will be so hard leaving Brad. I love him, but I got to end it with him. Mindi? I will.....”

Lana collapsed, and I quickly checked her pulse. It was barely there. I dialed 911, and yelled,

“Mom! Dad! It's Lana! Please, help!”

I rolled her over, and checked her breathing. It was shallow, but it was still there. My father came in the room, and helped prop up Lana on her pillows. Her skintone was pale, and I thought of something.

“Dad, watch her. I already called 911. They will be here soon.”

I started to search Lana's purse, and found what I was looking for. She had a bottle of sleeping pills that was empty.

“Dad....keep her awake. Please....please help me save my sister.”

The paramedics came up the stairs shortly after, and one of them, a tall blonde man, asked,

“Do you know what happened?”

I announced, hoping that Lana won't be mad at me,

“She took a bunch of sleeping pills....she was depressed...tried to kill herself....”

My mom watched on in horror, and all of us cleared out of the room. When the paramedics came down the stairs, they had Lana, who had her eyes open. She said, in a daze,

“Mindi...I wanted to say earlier that I love you. Help me...please....visit me.....”

As she was carried out the door, the rain started to fall, and I called out to Lana, fighting back the tears,

“I’ll be there, sis! I love you too!”

After a few hours, my parents came into my room, myself barely able to hide my razorblade. My parents sat down on Lana's bed, and asked me,

“How are you doing, Mindi?”

I answered them with a question of my own,

“Shouldn’t we be worrying about Lana?”

My mom said, as she moved closer to me, holding her arms open,

“Lana tried to kill herself. She couldn't handle all the stress. Between college, boyfriends, her job, and what happened last year, she broke down. She'll be okay, but can’t come back for at least a week. They are going to evaluate her to make sure she can come home. The question is, will you be okay here, sleeping alone? We know how much you love your adopted sister.”

I looked up, and then hugged my mom tightly.

“Just promise me I can visit her each day.”

My dad then came forward, and took off his glasses. He told me, his voice serious and his tone low,

“You bet. She needs you. Heck, you need her.”