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I escaped to my car right after school, one of the first people to burst out of the doors of Ashville High School. People waved goodbye to one another, making final plans for their Friday night. I just kept my head up, vaguely aware of who was talking to me. I was only focused on my car, of getting out of here.

Today's school day was different than most, like it was suffocating me. I couldn't concentrate. I'm pretty sure I failed that test in history. I couldn't do anything but let my mind wander to the outcome of tonight. What if something went wrong? What if someone else got hurt?

Speaking of which, I needed to go see Natalie. Before I pulled out of my parking spot, I shot a quick text to Drew: Can you pick me up in about a half an hour? That's when I'll be home :)

Her message instantly popped up onto the screen: Sure!

Turning up the volume on the music, I whipped out of the parking lot and drove over to the Ashville Hospital. There was one entrance off to the side with sliding doors and a big open space for ambulances. I subconsciously fidgeted with my newly changed bandage and turned on my heel towards the entrance next to the lot for visitors.

It's funny how much can change in a matter of 24 hours.

My shoes squeaked on the pristine floors, the chemical smell matching the cleanliness of the walls and furniture. I steered myself into the direction of the front desk with a receptionist, looking about in about her forties, glued to a chair behind it.

"Hi," I smiled at a receptionist, pausing while she looked up. "I'm here visiting Natalie, Natalie Boardman." I never said her last name, there was never a need to. She was always Natalie, Natalie the babysitter.

"Sure, just sign in here." She peered over her glasses at me and tapped the sign-in form with her finger. I grabbed the pen on the chain and signed my name.

"She is in room 105." The receptionist pointed down the hall, tucking her pen back into the front pocket of her purple scrubs. "Do you need help finding it?"

"No," I shook my head. "I think I should be fine. Thank you, though."

She nodded kindly again and resumed her typing, fingers flying across the keyboard.

I headed down the direction she was pointing, hands shoved in my pockets. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105.

I knocked softly on the door.

"Come on in!" Natalie's tired voice called out from the other side.

I turned the handle and Natalie, thinking I was a nurse, asked, "Would you mind-" before looking up to see me.

Her face lit up. "Carter! Where've you been?" She tossed the magazine she was flipping through to the side and sat up straighter under her white sheets, wincing a little bit. But she just ignored her obvious pain and patted the spot beside her.

I shrugged, "Around, I guess."

I perched on the edge of her bed, guilt wracking my heart at the sight of her injuries. Her left arm was encased in a stiff cast, a stark contrast to the rest of her body which was colored in purple and green bruises.

She handed me a black hair tie, asking, "Do me a favor and put my hair up for me?"

"I'd be honored." I stood up to scoop her light brown hair into a top knot, tucking away the wispy strands out of the way of her face. "You took quite the fall for me back there."

She gently placed her non-casted hand over mine, whispering, " I would do it all over again for you. You're family, Car." She leaned back into the pillows. "Besides, all I had was a broken arm, a couple of scratches, and some internal bleeding. Nothing that surgery couldn't fix."

I rolled my eyes. "Wow, what a relief."

"But in all seriousness, it really is okay. Don't feel guilty or anything because it wasn't your fault."

"I know, but I did ask you to help me and-"

"Shut up," she interrupted, pretending to be stern. "What did I just tell you? You kids never listen."

"Oh, please, you're six years older than me," I scoffed. Just like that, we were back at it, talking like normal. I told her about Gabe and she waggled her eyebrows at me before offering some advice.

It had been about twenty minutes and I knew I had to leave. I let the silence settle between us before looking up at her.

I half-grinned. "I guess I'll see you later."

"See you later. Hey," she caught me as I turned away, "good luck tonight."

"You know?"

She winked. "Of course I do. I'm the babysitter."

I shook my head and laughed. "I'll see you later Natalie."

"Okay, if you need anything, you know where to find me." The last thing I saw before I closed the door behind me was her shooting a grin my way.

As I left the hospital, I walked out feeling better than when I came. I left with a confidence that we could carry this through, and end up with a good outcome.

****

"No way," I laughed, checking out the dress in Drew's floor length mirror.

She giggled and clapped her hands together. "Oh come on, Carter. Live a little! You look amazing."

I spun around again, inspecting my reflection. The dress was midnight black and form fitting but comfortable. My only hesitation was that it wasn't in my comfort zone.

"Isn't it too-"

Drew cut me off, rolling her eyes, "Too perfect? You look so good."

"Gee," I blushed, turning back into the bathroom to straighten my hair. "I guess it'll do."

From her bedroom, I heard Drew scoff, muttering, "It'll do."

Then a little louder, she asked, "How's this?"

I poked my head through the doorway, giving a dramatic gasp. She had changed into a burgundy long sleeve dress that matched her lipstick, causing her dark skin to glow.

"Perfect," I grinned and ducked back into the bathroom. "Do you think Mandy will be there tonight?"

"Maybe, I was talking about it with her earlier and she sounded kind of iffy about it."

I shrugged it off, but in reality I was desperate for her to be there. I was so nervous about whether or not something might go wrong tonight that even if she didn't know anything about it, I needed her there just for her presence. She was my best friend after all and I had no idea where tonight would lead me.

What if something went wrong? What if I left her without an explanation or anything?

I pinched my hair between the hot iron until my phone began to buzz. I paused, watching it spin on the counter with each vibration. Who could be calling me right now? I doubted that Mandy was and I had just gotten mad at Gabe today, demanding for him to give me space. Mom wouldn't call me along with the rest of my family, they all knew it wasn't time. The only person that didn't know was the one exception. I peered over to look at the name: Dad.

Crap. I didn't want to answer it, I just didn't want to talk to him. As bad as that sounds because of the fact that he's my father, my brain refused to tell my hand to press that green button. The call ended.

Did I just make a mistake?

"Carter, are you almost ready?" Drew asked from the next room, making me jump. The straightener almost fell from my loose grasp but I caught it just in time, burning the tip of my finger in the process.

Wow, I love this day. Please cue the internal eye rolling.

"Yeah, just a couple more minutes." I ran my finger under cool water. "I'm just finishing up my hair." And busy burning myself. "Do you really think this dress looks good?"

She stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips, exaggeratedly rolling her chocolate eyes. "Of course you do. Don't doubt yourself."

Don't doubt yourself. I sucked in a deep breath. Here goes nothing I guess.

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Haha, I know, I know. There wasn't as much action in this chapter but trust me we're getting there!! Thank you so much for reading (even though it took me so long to update lol)!! Please vote if you enjoyed this chapter and let me know what you thought about it!! 

-Scarlett Wilson