I look down at the paper in my hands, torn. I want to go to Russia more than anything, but knowing now about my heritage I have to wonder. Is it safe? Should I take the risk? I sigh and crinkle the paper. Then I quickly smooth it out again.

"Calli?"

My head jerks up to see Lina looking at me, concern crinkling her brow.

"Sorry."

"What's wrong, Calli? You've been distracted since you got back. And don't tell me it's because you're still healing."

"It's hard to explain. I don't think I can even explain."

"Why?"

My voice drops to a whisper. "It might be dangerous for you."

Lina raises an eyebrow. "I can't think of anything in your life that would be dangerous for me to find out."

A choked laugh bursts out of my mouth. Before I died, or had a heart attack to everyone else, I might have thought that too. But now there is a god hell-bent on killing me, another god who acts like a loyal dog half the time - with me being the one who holds his leash - and an old organization dedicated to wiping out my family line coming after us once again. Lina looks at me quizzically, but I don't answer her silent question.

"I want to go on the trip, but I don't think Babushka will let me."

Lina scoffs. "Why would your grandmother get to decide if you can go?"

The secret I have to keep wars with my trust for my friend. I want to tell her, desperately, but I shouldn't.

"For the same reason I'm distracted all the time, Lin."

She pulls away from me, hurt. Her voice is bitter. "Fine. Keep your secrets."

Lina pulls away and turns, walking towards the front of the school. I call after her, my voice desperate and shaky. "Lina!"

She doesn't look back. Did I just break our friendship? A car beeps in front of me and I look up. It's my mom's car. She rolls down the window to look at me, concerned.

"Calli?"

"I'm coming, Mom!"

She waves me towards the car and I hurry up to it, pulling the door open and sliding onto the seat. I click the seatbelt closed and let my book bag sag to the floor. My mom glances down at the paper in my hands.

"What's that, sweetheart?"

I don't answer, looking out the window instead. Despite knowing that Lina can't be seen from here, I look anyways. We've been friends since we were four years old, and can't think of anything that could have broken that. Yet . . . the secrets I've been keeping may have just pushed me past the line. They may have shattered the bond between us beyond repair. I sigh. I barely notice when the car starts, only looking for Lina. For a moment, I think I catch a glimpse of her, but when the car passes and she looks up, it's a different person that I see, with hard eyes and lips pressed together. It's Lina, but not her at the same time. This girl isn't my friend, it's the wall around her.
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Do you think the secrets broke their friendship? What will Calli's grandmother say about the trip? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.