Brett & Selma

I blushed. "You do?" I whispered, staring up at him.

"I do, and one of these days I would really like to take you out, or at least do something special for you."

I smiled, still blushing. "I... I would really like that."

"It doesn't have to be soon, just whenever you want."

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you," I said as Gabe came in. "Hey sweetie. She's still asleep, but you're welcome to go sit with her."

"Alright. Thanks." I told Selma and quietly slipped into Raine's room.


"Poor kid."

"Yeah I know. He doesn't know how to act around her. She barely spoke all the way up here." I sighed. "I don't know what to do either. I mean... it happened to me too, but I'm adult I can handle it. Besides it's not the first time for me. For her... she's only 16. She's never... well let's just say Gabe is her first boyfriend."

"Maybe I could convince her to get out of the house? Get some fresh air and all of that? I know she's in a dark place but it isn't good for to stay there."

I shook my head. "I don't know. I've tried and... nothing. She doesn't want to go anywhere, do anything. I need to find Trini, that's her best friend. Maybe she could help."

"I hope so, Selma." I reached and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear "I'll go get that food now."

His touch made me lose my breath for a moment. "Okay," I said softly and smiled at him as he turned around and left.

I got back with two big plates of food "I got you and Raine a little bit of everything. We'll see if she'll eat for us."

"Thank you so much, that was sweet of you," I said and took her plate from him then took it in there.

"Raine? Your mom has some food for you."

"I'm not hungry," I whispered, not looking at them.



"Please sweetheart, you have to eat... at least a little something, please."



"I'm not hungry. Please... just leave me alone," I whispered, not bothering to wipe my tears.

"Raine, I know you're feeling pretty awful right now. But if you don't eat you'll feel even worse, and I can't have you starving. Raise up and eat, don't give your momma a hard time. She wants to help you."

"What do you know about what I feel?! What does it matter to you if I don't eat?! Just... leave me... alone... leave me alone," I sobbed out.

"Don't forget that we've come from the same place, Raine." I told her gently "I wish I could leave you alone, and that's what we've been doing so far. We understand that you need your space but you can't lay here and waste away. Will you please, eat?"


"He's right Raine, you need to start regaining some of your strength back."

"I don't... want to... I don't... I don't... c-care... I don't want to... to live anymore," I whispered, more tears falling down my cheeks.



I felt tears rolling down my cheeks and sat down on the edge of the bed. I took her face in my hands and made her look at me. "Don't talk like that baby," I whispered. "Please. I never want to hear you say that again. I know... I know exactly how you feel. I've had that done to me... more times than I can tell you. But you can't... you can't let this beat you. You can't let them win. I know you feel like it's the end of the world... but I promise you it's not. Please... for me... for Quin and Zoey... and Aurora and Gabe and all the people that care about you... Please baby, you have to eat."

"It gets worse before it gets better, Raine. My dad use to tell me that a lot when he was still alive. You won't get better until you eat and start getting out of bed. Eat, and then Gabe or anyone you want can take you for a nice walk and show you around."

"I don't want to get out of bed," I whispered. "What's the point. And I don't want to eat. Why can't you just understand that."



I sighed and got up, wiping my tears. "Go get Quin. He'll be able to get her to eat," I said quietly and went to check on Zoey.

I left and found Quin and Aurora "There you two are. Selma sent me to find you, we can't get Raine to eat, get out of bed, or much of anything. We're worried she'll make herself sick by just laying around. Your mom is hoping you can help us with her."


"You should go with him, I'll be fine for a little while. You need some time with your sister."

I nodded. "I'm coming right now," I said and turned to Aurora. "Why don't you go eat and I'll catch up with you?" She said okay and I kissed her then followed Brett back to the house. I went towards the bedroom and asked him to wait then asked mom to step out. "What's going on here sis? I hear you're not wanting to eat." She didn't say anything, just turned and laid on the bed, and I looked up at Gabe. "How long's this been going on?"

"Since it happened." I told him "Sometimes she'll nibble on something but she needs to actually eat. I'm really worried."

"Why the fuck didn't anyone say something to me?" I asked and sat down on the bed. "Come here Raine," I said and helped her up, moving her into my lap. She laid her head on my shoulder and I sighed. "Are we really gonna do this? Are you really gonna fight me over this? You know I'm gonna win."