Page 68 of The Plan

The minute he heard about what happened, he’s been trying to take the case from the cops, but I doubt it’s necessary because we’re positive the guy from the alley was just high out of his mind and wanted revenge, although his friend dying wasn’t Vidia’s fucking fault.

“Okay, well, you’re coming to this weekend's training. The twins will be there, and I’m having August bring Hazel. Please encourage Lisette andespeciallyVidia to be there.”

I shake my head, although he can’t see. Since our dad is in the FBI, he’s been taking the twins and me on trainings, and we go every couple of months to, as he says, “keep us sharp.”

“I don’t think she is ready to hear a bunch of gunshots and fight off pretend attackers, Dad. Thank you, though, I’ll tell Lisette to go.” He goes on about how I should still go, but inall honesty, since the twins and Hazel are going, I don’t want to leave Vidia here alone, even if it’s just for a few hours.

“You should also teach her some defense techniques, like the new ones we did at the beginning of this year—”

“Dad—”

“—and she should know how to disarm someone. I taught the four of you that when you were ten, so show her.” I let out a sigh and tell him I would. I appreciate his concern, but she’s not ready for any of this.

Once I hang up with my dad, I use the spare key August gave me and walk into his apartment. It’s usually unlocked, but it’s still early in the morning, and they, of course, lock it at night, but Vidia was also really paranoid, so he’s been keeping it locked for her. He even had the chain on it the other day, but if she feels safer, I’m not complaining.

I make sure to keep quiet as I head into the living room, but I notice Vidia is already awake. Her head snaps to me when she hears my keys, and I go still when I notice the fear in her eyes. “Sorry,” I quickly blurt out. I should’ve announced myself instead of creeping up on her like that.

She relaxes, shakes her head that it’s okay, and turns back around. She’s on the couch with one leg up and her arms wrapped around it. I look into the hallway before sitting next to her, and it looks like August and Hazel are still sleeping.

Vid’s pillows and blankets are on the couch, but when I look over at her, she looks like she hasn’t slept since the break-in, and that was days ago.

It’s been weird. Of course, I understand why, but she’s been so quiet. It’s just unnerving not hearing her laugh or yell at me or even her smart replies. She’s just… silent. And she stares into nothing quite a lot.

She talks, of course. Mainly to Hazel, so maybe it’s just me. Maybe I was wrong, and we’re still on bad terms because she’s quiet whenever I’m around.

“Have you eaten?” She takes a few beats to respond, then shakes her head softly. “Wanna come next door? I can make you something.” She takes in a breath like it’s taking too much of her energy to even keep her eyes open, and now I really do think she hasn’t been sleeping.

She nods softly again, so we get up and walk a few steps to my place. She looks around, taking it all in, although it’s not much different from next door besides the furniture. She turns to the door like she’s waiting for something, and I realize she wants me to lock it, so I quickly do.

She nods to herself before she heads to the couch. She pulls one of the pillows onto her lap as she plays with the string coming out of it.

“What are you in the mood for?” I head for the kitchen and look over at her when she doesn’t reply. “Vid?” Her head snaps to me like I just pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Sorry.” She shakes her head, and I tell her not to apologize, but she does again. “I’m not really hungry.” If she didn’t look so tired, I’d joke and ask why she’d agree to come over so I could make her food.

“I think you should try to get something in your stomach. Do you want fruit or cereal?” She shakes her head no, but I take her a bowl of pineapples anyway. When I hand them to her, she gives me a weak smile before taking them.

“I know this is probably a dumb question, but how have you been?”

She looks over at me, and her eyes cut between both of mine. “I’m okay.” She shrugs, and I shake my head softly.

“No, you’re not, Vid.” The smallest hint of a smile grows on her face, and this time, it reaches her eyes, and the shine I love is back for a split second.

“Why’d you ask then?”

I chuckle softly at her smart reply and pull her in for a hug. She tenses against me for a second, but then she relaxes and leans into me. I kiss the top of her head and take in a deep breath of her hair, needing to be grounded.

When we pull away, she looks up at me, and a weird look crosses her eyes. “Areyouokay?”

I let out a sigh and slouch onto the couch but turn to her. I almost tell her I’m fine, but it doesn’t feel right to lie to her after everything. “Not really, no.” She puts the bowl of pineapples on the coffee table in front of us and hugs the pillow that’s still on her lap before turning to me.

“What’s wrong?” A small smile grows on my face at her question. I think she’s the only person who doesn’t just assume it has to do with my addiction when I’m upset.

I say I’m having a bad day, and understandably, everyone assumes I’m going to relapse and tries to help, but that’s not always the case… It is today, though. All I’ve been able to think about these last few days are her screams. The fear I felt. The anticipation was eating at me as I tried to get to her as fast as I could.

That night is eating away at me, and that voice keeps telling me a drink will take it away, and on the really hard days, it tells me a pill or two will take it away faster. I’ve been doing good at ignoring it and going to see Vid instead. Seeing with my eyes that she’s fine, at least physically, puts me at ease.

“I need a meeting.” I let out a sigh but then shake my head. “I need more than a meeting, Vidia.” Her eyes search mine for an answer. “It feels like all I need is to get high.” I finally admit itout loud, but she doesn’t falter. Instead, she nods and rises from her seat.

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