Don't Stop Now [Finding My Path Sequel]

Chapter 11

"Lina?" I asked when I spun into Jaxon's kitchen. I exhaled when I saw she was perfectly fine, sitting on one of Jaxon's wooden chairs. She seemed like she was in deep conversation with some boy I didn't notice when we walked in.

"Tomi!" she said when she saw me. "Tomi, tell Brent that I have a boyfriend." She motioned towards the boy, who's eyes were glued to Lina in a way that made me want to hit him.

I looked back at Lina, mulling over what she said. "You...a...boyfriend?" I blinked at her. My gaze shot to Brent. "What did you to her?" I recognized her slurred words and huge eyes. It was something I would have never expected from Lina. She looked almost sick.

Brent shrugged. "Nothing. Nothing yet."

"I swear to god if you touch her--"

"Tomi," Andi hissed, grabbing my hand. I looked down and saw it in a tight fist. When did that happen? I glanced at Brent again, but he took a step away from Lina.

"Tomi, your sister wants you," Lina mumbled.

I glanced at Andi, daring her to let me go. Her grip didn't change. "Calm down, would you?"

"No," I replied sternly. "Look at Lina."

Andi analyzed her for a minute. "How much did she drink?" she asked Brent.

"Like, two glasses of beer. That's not enough to get anyone this hammered," he began arguing.

"She doesn't drink!" I snapped. "Ever! Look what you did!"

Lina's head was resting on the table. "I'm...right here."

I took a step towards her, but my arm was still hard in Andi's grip. I gave her a pleeding look. After seeing I wasn't going to hurt anyone, she let me go. I slid into a seat next to Lina and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm here too," I whispered.

"She needs to eat something. That'll help," Andi suggested. She pulled bread and peanut butter out of a cabinet.

"Where's your boyfriend? He said he would check on her," I reminded my sister, my anger slowly coming back.

"To Jaxon, drunk isn't unsafe. He probably assumed she would be fine--"

"Why would he assume that?" My voice carried through the room.

"Because normal teenagers get drunk all the time!" Andi's voice rose to match mine. "I'm sorry if we didn't grow up in your precious Republic City, but this is life in the Lower Ring!"

"I need to get Lina to bed," I muttered, looking away from my sister. Lina was twirling a strand of her hair happily.

"Have her eat this first." Andi handed me a peanut butter sandwich, which I gave to Lina piece by piece.

"This is goooood," she told me with a smile. I tried to return it.

"Uh huh," I mumbled, keeping my thoughts in this moment. Keeping my thoughts with her. When she finished the sandwich, I turned to Andi. She managed to clear the room of Jaxon's friends for the time being.

"Can I take her to bed?"

"You guys'll have to share a room," Andi explained. "The door right across from Jaxon's."

I followed her directions, cradling Lina as she started to doze off. I layed her in bed, making sure she was okay.

"Tomi," Lina whispered, rolling towards me, "I have something to tell you."