Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 37

Part 37 Of The First Draft

“Is she going to be alright?”

I couldn't help but show up at the hospital. Grace was all beat up and covered in bandages, but her eyes were open. She noticed me, and asked her three children,

“Kids, can you please give me a moment alone with Mindi?”

Perry and the others begrudgingly nodded, and it was only a moment later that me and Grace were alone. She motioned for me to move closer, and asked me,

“They think Carlie did this to me. She couldn't have, and I want you to clear her name. Mister Paulson’s goons did this, and my kids doubt my word. Please, don't let anything hurt her. Carlie is a victim, just like me.”

I agreed with her,

“Yes, Grace. I know Carlie is innocent. I will find her and prove she did no wrong.”

I wanted to hug her, but she was in no condition for that. Instead, I told Grace,

“I love you. I'll be around when you are feeling better.”

I left Grace's hospital room, and stumbled upon Perry and the others outside. I turned to face Perry, and told him, as both Brad and Renee looked on,

“I want to show you that Carlie is innocent. Just give me a week. I will find her and give you the proof that you need to know that Carlie wouldn't hurt anyone, especially your mother.”

The Eisen siblings all looked at each other, and I realized truly how hard it was for them to trust Carlie. After their eyes returned to focus on me, it was Perry who gave me a chance,

“Okay, we'll play it your way, Mindi. For Carlie's sake, I hope that you are right about her.”

I leaned forward and gave Perry a little kiss, and then told him and his brother and sister,

“You won't regret this. I'll find her and give you the proof that you need. If I fail, you can do whatever you want with her.”

There was only one thing that I could do now and that was leave the hospital as fast as possible. Carlie, where could you be? Grace mentioned Mr. Paulson and his thugs being her assailants. Maybe Becky knows where Carlie might have gone. I'll have to call her tomorrow. As for right now, I need to go home and get some much needed rest. This girl can't save Carlie on an empty tank.

When I made it to the parking lot of the hospital, I was surprised to find the Eisen siblings already out there. Perry grabbed my attention, and asked,

“Hey, babe. You look tired. Do you need a ride home?”

There was only one thing I could say to him,

“Oh, like you would not believe....”

It’s nice to know that he is still tender to me. His mom is hurt and at the end of the night he's still sensitive to me. After Perry had driven me home, I found my mom there in the living room, waiting for me. She asked me, herself fully already knowing the answer,

“Grace is hurt, isn't she?”

I nodded, and she mentioned,

“Carlie is here but she is asleep right now. She's awfully afraid that someone might hurt her. She's innocent, Mindi, but they won't listen to me. You'll have to be the one to save her. Please, don't let my old friend be harmed anymore.”

I gave my mother my word,

“I will clear her name. I can promise you that.”

My mother seemed pleased, and I went upstairs to retire to my room. Hmm....Lana isn’t here. It would have been nice to have her by my side for a little girl talk. Any sort of distraction for me right now would be wonderful. Oh well, honestly right now I'm too tired to care. It's just been one of those days. As I faded from consciousness, I thought of him, and I thought about how nice it will be when we are older and high school is behind us.

The morning came, and I was pleased to find Lana up. She had a positive look on her face and it was absolutely infectious. A few minutes passed, and then I finally bit, asking Lana,

“What’s got you in such a good mood?”

Lana admitted, casually rising up and out of bed,

“I found out that I'm actually passing my classes. I didn't know how I would do. Honestly, Mindi, I've always seen myself as dumb. For once I'm proud of myself.”

Geez, Lana. Pass some of that confidence my way.

“I’m glad you are doing well in school, sis. I'm always worried about my grades. These days I simply don't have enough time to study.”

I threw some clothes on and brushed my hair, making sure to get every knot out of it. When I made it downstairs I found Carlie sitting on the couch, watching television. I sat down next to her, fixing my gaze on her, noticing her chic red skirt and matching tank. Her black hair was done up, and she looked rather beautiful.

“You look nice, Carlie. Your new look really suits you.”

Carlie was puzzled.

“What new look?”

I smiled, and continued on,

“Oh, just forget that. Say, do you have some time to come over to the Eisens on Friday?”

Carlie then smiled, myself amazed at her gorgeous smile. She replied to me,

“Yes....but why?”

I explained loosely,

“Grace wanted to talk to you, but hey, don't worry about that.”

Carlie then told me a brilliant idea,

“You know, you and I should go shopping today. You're sweet, just like your mother. I really dig you.”

I hugged her, and told Carlie,

“Awe....you are like my aunt now. I love you....”

Both my mom and Carlie took me shopping for new clothes later. I found out that Carlie never learned how to drive. Knoxville Regional Mall was crowded, as always, and I thanked the stars for this much needed distraction. I'm getting tired of being so serious. I feel like a kid that is being forced to be an adult, not to mention play the hero. I'm hoping that adulthood is much easier than this. I haven't given college a single thought and I hope that no one pressures me into going. The last thing I need is to balance another four years of school and countless more supernatural foes.