Angel Hospital

Chapter 8

When I get home, Ptera meets me at the door.

She greets me enthusiastically, and I return her affection; giving her a hug, and petting her. I stand and click my tongue twice, tapping two fingers on the side of my thigh. The hand signal for heel. 

I head to the kitchen, Ptera walking obediently next to me. 

When I get to the door, I realize I never gave Martha an answer about that dinner next week. I pull out my phone to text her, disregarding the fact that she's less than ten feet away.

Everyone agreed. Just give me a day and time to give them.

Martha's phone dings on the counter, she seems to not have heard it as she goes on studiously focused on whatever she's cooking on the stove. 

I crouch down to pet Ptera, still watching Martha. Ptera sighs happily and leans into me.

How has she not realized we were here?

Martha turns off the stove and slides the pan onto the cool back burner and reaches for her phone on the counter. I guess she heard the phone chime after all. 

She reads the text then speedily types one back.

My phone dings in my pocket and Martha whips around, eyes wide and hand over heart on her chest. "Raven! What on Earth were you thinking scaring me like that? I about had a heart attack, child!" She takes deep breaths, trying to slow her heart rate. 

I stand and look at her apologetically. I walk over and give her a hug. As I pull away, I hear Martha speak up.

"You can't get away with everything with a hug and an apology." Her words were firm, but her face had a smile.

I shrug. Seems to be working for me so far.

After I began sticking my nose into various pots and bowls, Martha decides to change the topic. 

"So I hear you're going on a trip to the lake in the morning."

My head turns to her, giving her an incredulous look.

"Don't look at me like that. I know things. And I know that you're going to enjoy your trip tomorrow." 

My face drops into an 'are you serious' expression. 

"Yes, I very well am serious, young lady. Besides, if anyone can get you out of the place you've been stuck in, it's those boys."

I narrow my eyes at her double meaning.

"Alright, enough of you and your expressive face. Go sit down for dinner with the rest of the family."

I roll my eyes at her attempt to 'sneakily' include me with the Russell family but obey anyway. 

When I get to the door, I glance at Ptera. Martha sighs. 

"I guess you can take your dog with you tonight, everyone must've cooled down a bit by now."

I shoot her a grateful look, then give Ptera the signal to heel. She gives a short bark, then trotd up happily by my side. I push open the door, and Ptera pads in the room behind me. The converasation I could faintly hear through the door dies down when I enter the room.

Only Keegan, Khan, and Killian are in the room when I sit down, all already in their seats. 

I keep my hands in my lap in case I started fidgeting while the other boys whispered.

"Can I pet her again?"

My head shoots up, in shock that Keegan has addressed me for the first time, ever. Ptera whines from my side, having recognized the voice as belonging to someone who had been nice to her yesterday.