Page 15 of Raven

She’s having one of those asthma attacks again.

Then her gasps turn into wheezing.

Shit-shit-shit.

“Mads?”

I run out to see her clutching at her throat with one hand as the other frantically rummages through the contents of her purse, which starts falling onto the floor by the bed.

“Mads! Mads!” I drop to my knees to help look for her inhaler. “There, there, calm down,” I say as I make her take a deep breath.

But she’s not doing well. “Mils, call Mom,” she wheezes out. “This is… ’S one of those.”

This has happened before, numerous times. So, I know exactly what to do.

I dart downstairs and find Mrs. Wise.

Twenty minutes later, an ambulance pulls up to the house and the paramedics crowd Maddy’s room, checking her vitals.

“Sweetie,” Mrs. Wise asks me, “Can you stay here until Charlie gets home? I’ll keep you posted.”

“Sure,” I say, watching her grab her purse and hurry after the paramedics who take Maddy out of the house.

I pace around for a minute when my phone rings. It’s Armén.

“What’s happening?” he rasps.

“Nothing for you to worry about.” He’s new and annoying, always double-checking with my dad despite my phone equipped with a GPS tracker. “I’m staying here until evening.”

I cut the call and find some of Maddy’s clothes to change into since I’m staying.

The phone beeps. Not mine, Maddy’s—she left it behind.

“Tsk, Mads…” She’ll have a withdrawal if they make her stay in the hospital longer than a couple of hours.

I grab her phone by reflex. I know Maddy’s password, we don’t have secrets. I only intend to check the notification screen, but my heart leaps at the name.

Patrick.

Patrick: Hey, doll, u coming with on Friday?

My heartbeat spikes at the memory. I reply for her.

Maddy: Oh, you remember me? *smilingemoji

Patrick: You kidding me? *grinningemoji

The phone lights with a video-chat request, and my hands start trembling nervously when I stab the answer button.

“Hey, beautiful!” He’s smiling.

“‘Sup, stranger?” I grin back.

I miss talking to people without being afraid that my dad’s goons will go through my phone records and do an identity check.

He narrows his eyes briefly as if remembering something, and I wonder if he knows which of the two girls from the club I am. I look at my own picture on the phone, and It’s surreal. I. AM. MADDY.

“Was wondering…” He’s grinning. I’m grinning. He’s so easy to talk to. And so freaking handsome. “Was wondering if you’re still up for the spring break thing? You and your friend?”

---