Page 81 of Cinder & Secrets
“I don’t know. We were outside talking and then she just went down.”
“Went down?”
“Passed out.”
“Is she hurt?”
“I caught her before she hit the ground, so no, physically, she’s not injured. But she is a bit shaken up.”
My mind replays the moment so vividly it’s as if it were happening all over again. Her bright green eyes shuttering, her ivory skin going ghostly pale, and then she just... dropped. When she finally came to, she stared up at me like it was the first time she had ever seen me.
“She’s awake?”
“She woke up a couple of minutes after she passed out. I brought her straight here.”
Because of her tumor, this seemed like the best move. Though I still don’t know if that’swhyshe passed out.
“How was she when she came to?”
“Confused. Disoriented. A little shaken up.”
“But she’s okay?”
“We don’t know why she passed out yet. They’re running some tests, but yes, she’s okay.”
“Asshole.” She rears back and slaps my arm the second she reaches me.
“Damn, Ly. What was that for?”
“Do not ever text me and tell me that my best friend is in the hospital and give me no details. The whole way here I was imagining worst-case scenarios.”
“I’m sorry. You’re lucky I texted you at all. I was trying to make sure she was okay.”
“Wait. Why are you here anyway?”
“Pretty sure you left me a voicemail last night threatening to whoop my ass.” My lips tip in a semblance of a smile.
“You drove overnight?” She guesses.
“I did.”
“Please tell me you came here to make things right with Charlotte. That girl has been a mess without you.”
“No more than I’ve been without her,” I admit, not missing the smile that briefly graces my sister’s face.
“I knew you’d come to your senses.” She takes the seat to my left, Kai lowering himself into the one next to her, his hand never leaving her. “Did you call her parents?”
“She asked me not to.” I shake my head. “You were the only person she wanted.”
“Charlotte O’Malley.” A doctor appears in the doorway and we all three stand.
“How is she?”
“Are any of you immediate family?” he asks, looking between the three of us.
“I’m her sister,” Lyric speaks up, not batting an eye at the lie that slips past her lips as she steps forward.
“Can I speak to you in the hallway?”
