I was on my way the minute Becky texted everyone to head to the hospital. My parents were at some kind of event. I asked Ben, our chauffeur, if he would drive me. He didn't even hesitate. Thank God for Ben.

A few minutes later Becky texted a short message: Nvm.

The chat exploded with texts. Everyone bombarded her with questions, but there was no answer. I didn't turn back. I was more than halfway there. The worse that could happen was Becky and everyone else left the hospital. A part of me felt like I had to go. I wasn't sure why Becky sent the first message, but it must've been important.

When I arrived, some of my teammates crowded the waiting room. I made a beeline for the two captains, the New Kids (minus Tobin), and Hope. "Hey, what's going on?" I asked.

The five looked surprised to see me. Mal leaned in from the other group. "You've missed a lot," she laughed.

Becky swatted her away and turned to me. "Are any of the others coming?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure. Everyone's confused."

"If we tell them what's up, we'll have to get a team therapist," Julie said, poking her head into the circle.

Hope gently pushed her away with a palm to her forehead.

Morgan shimmied in. "We have Amy."

Lauren rolled her eyes. "Bye, Moe."

With a pout, she left the circle. "Things have gotten really complicated," Becky sighed.

I tried to gauge the gravity of the situation from their faces. I asked, "Why are we here?"

The group exchanged looks.

Before anyone could say anything, the three younger kids popped in.

"Arry's here, alive, and stubborn as ever," Julie snorted.

Morgan nodded. "She refuses to get treated, and—"

"There's another Heath. Besides Tobin and Arry. A third one!" Mal eagerly filled in.

"Hey! I wanted to say that!"

Carli rolled her eyes. "If you're a freshman or younger, get your kiddish behind out of this conversation."

The three grumbled as they moved to the side. Before any of the others could speak, Arry and Tobin came from the double doors leading to the rest of the hospital.

I almost couldn't believe my eyes. Arry was here and alive.

There were no signs that Tobin had been wasted less than twenty-four hours ago. In fact, she looked renewed with her sister at her side. It made me queasy, knowing she was supposed to be in juvie.

And that Arry didn't know.

"Alex!" Arry cried out.

She ran and latched herself on me. I wrapped my arms around her neck. All thoughts of Juvie and alcohol fled.

I hadn't known Arry long. But over the time that I did, we grew close. It's funny how people can connect over short time spans. With her it was easy. She was so kind and considerate. It was hard to wrap my head around the idea that not everybody sees her that way.

I pulled away but kept my hands on her shoulders, needing a way to tether myself to the reality she was okay. "You're alive," I gasped out.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm alive." The way she said alive was almost as if she didn't quite believe it. Like she didn't feel alive.

We locked eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alive," she repeated.

I turned to Tobin. "What did the doctor say?"

Before Tobin could speak, Arry cut in. "I'm fine. No doctors are involved, and it'll stay that way."

I spun to face the youngest Heath. "What? Are you crazy?" I snapped. "You were kidnapped!"

Arry growled. "Can everyone stop saying that?" She raised her voice, scaring poor Mal.

Carli looked at her with analytical eyes. "Why? Are you in denial?"

She looked at everyone with wild, tear-filled eyes. "Because I know!" She croaked. "I know and I need everyone to stop reminding me." She dropped into a seat, looking drained.

When I thought Tobin was gonna sit beside her sister, be there the way she was in the locker room, she didn't. I blinked and watched as she carried herself down the hall. Lauren went to follow, but Arry pulled her back. "Alex." She looked at me expectantly.

My eyes widened. I held my hands up. "I think it'd be better if Lauren or Amy went."

"She doesn't need a parent or a sister. She needs a friend." The way she said friend was a little subjective, but I ignored it.

I shook my head. "I barely know her."

Arry rolled her eyes. "You don't argue with a kidnapped kid. Just go after my sister. I don't want her hurting herself."

And that's what I loved about the Heath's. Arry was obviously suffering stress and trauma from her situation. When she needed her sister, she walked out. What was Arry's first thought? Make sure she doesn't die. The true grace and understanding of their bond was beyond me.

I nodded slowly and followed after her. The night air was cool. I pulled my jacket tighter around me. Tobin stood off to the side, drinking from a flask. "Where'd you get that?" I asked.

She looked at me, seeming a little surprised by my appearance. She mumbled, "Don't tell them."

I bit my lip. "My lips are sealed, but you really shouldn't."

Her shoulders relaxed. "Yeah, whatever."

I sat beside her. There was silence between us. She didn't want to speak, and I wasn't sure what to say. "Are you okay?" I finally asked.

She took another swig. "I wasn't the one kidnapped."

I hesitated. Memories of standing so close to her flashed back. My palms sweated. "The victim isn't the only one that suffers the aftermath." I tried to make eye contact with her. Her soft brown eyes stared ahead, but she didn't seem there. Like part of her was staring somewhere else. She lifted the flask again. "Please don't."

The silver mouth rested on her lips, but she didn't tilt it. "It's funny how the world works," she said, pulling the alcohol away. She stared at the canister.

I pulled it from her loose fingers. She didn't struggle. When she no longer had the outlet of alcohol, she looked even more lost than before. "Sometimes, people are hurt to hurt someone else." Her features hardened. She was trying to hold up a front.

I rested my hand on her knee. She didn't pull away or push me off. "It'll be okay. She's alive and for the most part healthy."

She ran her fingers over my knuckles. She didn't seem fully aware of the extent of her actions, but I was. I felt my skin prickle. "I know God has a plan, but I struggle to let him lead it." Tears pricked her eyes. She looked up at the sky.

I didn't know what to say. I was not a very religious person. My parents went for the status and the excuse to dress up another day of the week. Our eyes held gazes, and I wasn't afraid to say anything. "I don't know how to act," she finally said.

"I think she needs things as normal as possible," I said. "She needs time to wrap her head around it."

Tobin slumped against the bench. "How do I act normal? She was kidnapped! How can she act normal?"

I sighed. "I don't know, Tobin. Whatever keeps her healthy is enough for me. I do know she needs you."

Part of me wanted to lean in closer, shrink the distance between us. How could I like my friend's sister? Because her sister was made of muscle. Her whole body looked like it was chiseled from stone. Her soft, brown eyes were soothing. Her light brown hair contributed to her appearance. Not only that but her personality, her dedication, everything was perfect.

"I just walked out on her." She tucked her knees to her chest. She had this reputation of being cool and collected. That she didn't give a care about anything. It was ironic that she earned that reputation by caring so much. She looked so vulnerable curled in a ball.

I felt guilty. The Heath sisters were struggling with their emotions and I was goggling at Tobin. The oldest Heath looked guilty, but for different reasons. "I told her I'd never leave."

"Go back."

She picked at her laces. Her voice got quiet. "Do you think she's upset?"

I gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I don't think there's a single thing you could do to make her hate you."

"How about eating her frozen juice pops? Or being a criminal? Or—"

"Even if you were a legit criminal who assassinated the president, she'd love you the same," I reassured.

She stood up and turned to look at me. "Thanks, Alex."

I shrugged. "No problem."

I stood up to follow her back in, but she stepped forward. My mind fell back to the moment in Arry's room. She seemed surprised that we were so close, probably assuming I was gonna remain sitting. Our faces were inches apart. Neither of us spoke, both just remembering how to breath.

"Tobin . . ."

"Shut up."

She connected our lips. It felt so wrong yet so right. I didn't want to reciprocate the kiss, but I couldn't help it. Her hand rested on the back of my neck. Then she pulled away, and my lips tingled where we used to touch.

She turned away. My heart dropped. "I shouldn't have done that," she whispered. A splash of a car could be heard in the distance. Fresh rain colored the pavement. Part of me felt hurt. Did she not like the kiss? Did I not make her feel the way I felt about her?

I swallowed my doubts and feelings. "You're right. You shouldn't have." The words burned my throat, but they were true.

Neither of us spoke. She stared at the ground, rubbing the back of her neck. I said, "You can't do that."

She looked up to meet my eyes.

"I'm not here so you can kiss me whenever you want."

Hurt flashed through her eyes. "That's not how I think of you," she said quietly.

My heart beat quicker. I felt it pound in my ears. I kept my voice level. "Then how do you think of me?"

She looked like something was holding her back. Or someone. I remembered Tobin drunk and trying to kiss me.

"Pretty girl. Kiss me."

She had been drinking, but she seemed sober. I wasn't sure how much she had drank.

"But you were pretty before I had a few too muuuccchhh."

Why did she have to make things so difficult? Why did she only do these things after she intoxicated herself?

I sighed and turned to walk back into the hospital. "Don't answer that. You're probably drunk," I grumbled.

She grabbed my wrist and spun me back around. She breathed out in a panic, "I'm not drunk."

I waved the flask in her face. "Say that again. I dare you." I felt myself become angry. I was done being upset and confused. I was going to take initiative. I was tired of being subject to her games.

She looked desperate. "Alex, you don't understand how I feel about you. But I can't . . ."

"Can't what?" I snapped.

"Christen—"

"Oh don't blame this on Christen," I chuckled wryly. "This is all on you."

She shook her head, looking so torn. She ran her fingers through her hair. "I have history with Christen," she said, locking our eyes again.

I stared straight at her. With a strong, even tone, I said, "And no future with me."

With those words, I turned on my heels. I stormed through the hospital doors. As I stumbled in, the others caught sight of me. I tried to hold back tears, but they built in my chest. I couldn't help the ones that fell.

Arry looked guilty. I wasn't sure how she knew, but she stood up and held her arms out. I collapsed in her embrace. She rubbed my back and said, "I'm sorry. Screw Christen. Tobin's an idiot. I'm sorry."