Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 9

Part 9 Of The First Draft

“I know I visited you each day....but...it seemed like you were gone forever, Lana. I'm so glad you're back.”

Lana smiled, and then laughed, remarking,

“Me too. Remind me to never try and kill myself again.”

I also joined in her laughter, and agreed,

“Deal.”

Lana then went on to explain,

“It’ll be much easier now that I don't have to work and go to school at the same time. I'm not sure what I'll do with my social life...honestly, it is too much for me. Surviving on the streets is much easier for me than trying to juggle boyfriends....”

She couldn't make anymore sense. Lana’s life must have been much simpler before. She didn't have a home, a family, a job, or a boyfriend before. Then, she had all of that in an instant and it was too much. It had broken her back, and now she has a broken wing. What was once crippling, now threatened to make her never fly again. I encouraged her,

“Don’t give up, Lana. I will always be right here if you need me.”

Lana shed a few tears, and laid down. I decided to do the same, as this will be my first real chance to get some solid sleep this school year. As soon as I closed my eyes, I faded to black. Whatever I had been feeling disappeared, and it was morning way too fast. When I awoke, it was nice to find that Lana was still slumbering peacefully. I didn't wake her up, and instead opted for a shower. After I had finished cleaning up, I put on some drab but oh so comfortable clothes, some sweats and a dark long-sleeved shirt, and went downstairs to find my mom.

“Oh, hey, mom. Lana seems to be doing much better.”

My mom was dressed in a long green skirt with a matching top, and looked just as beautiful as I have always remembered her. She smiled, and pushed her gorgeous hair aside. Everyone says that I have her hair, but I feel I could never be as beautiful as her. She told me,

“Good. Lana is a special girl.....I love her dearly. I've dealt with enough nightmares of losing one daughter, and I refuse to deal with more.”

I reassured her,

“I’ll look out for her. You have nothing to worry about.”

My mom laughed, and commented,

“Oh, but I still will. That's what mothers do, Mindi. Maybe someday you'll know what it is like.”

My mom really is intelligent, but I could not see myself with kids in the future. I'm too young to worry about that. Maybe a few years down the road it will be different, but I seriously doubt that. My mother forgets that I am still just a teenager. Despite how mature I am, there is still the person inside who just wants to have fun and not worry about the future. Parents always seem to forget that teenagers are still exactly that.

When Lana finally came downstairs, she looked great. She had done up herself to look real pretty, her hair bringing out the radiance in her face.

“Oh, hey, Mindi. Gosh....what time is it? How long was I out?”

My mom smiled, and told Lana,

“Never mind that. We had a deal, Lana, and I expect this house to be sparkling before you go to bed. Now, get to work.”

I waved bye to both of them, and called out as I exited the door,

“See you guys later! I'll be with Perry if you need me!”

There’s too many things I needed sorted out. When I made it to Perry's house, I was shocked to find both him and his siblings outside. (I never get used to the whole mind reading thing with them.) Brad asked, who was dressed in tight, black jeans and an equally tight, black T-shirt, with his slicked-back hair looking as if it had been done moments ago. He expressed himself, showing legitimate concern,

“Is she okay?”

Disgruntled, I sighed and remarked,

“You would ask that. She's pretty much okay, but I don't think she'll ever be the same. Don't push her, Brad. If she wants to see you again, she will.”

I joined Perry and he took me by the hand, as we all walked in. Renee mentioned,

“That Becky girl....I don't know. She's either crazy or really gifted. Mindi, she's almost as big of a troublemaker as you. The only difference is that you are actually loveable....”

I smiled, and offered, surprising myself,

“Do you want me to hang out with her, Renee? I really don't mind.”

Maybe I can get to the bottom of this. I need to know why Rebecca has all these connections to the hidden world that we survive in. I know Perry mentioned that he was going to call that number, but I don't think he'll get the answers he wants from whosoever may pick up. I believe that it'll be Carlita herself who is the owner of that phone number. There's no doubt that she'll want us to do something for her, and although I don't think she is evil, I do believe that what she'll ask us to do will be controversial. Even still, I want to go on another adventure. Since meeting Perry, I've become an adrenaline junkie. I want to be in danger's crosshairs all of the time, if only to keep him close to me. In our hidden world, I'd drown alive if Perry wasn't near me. Every moment away from him seems like a thousand knives are being stabbed into me. Someday I just hope that we can be buried alive together in our hidden world. The true nemesis to our love is the chains that come along with the world of the living. Are we truly alive in this world if we are suffocated by the very same world that seeks to make us burn in the light? If we are to truly see our love blossom fully, Perry and I need to just be hidden away forever, somewhere close to one another. That is the only way we will ever truly will be free.