Runaways (Orphans 5)

"Oh, I think she'll be fine," Crystal said. "Any

fever?"

"No," she said quickly.

Too quickly, I thought. Patsy's eyes filled with

that gleam of suspicion again as she looked from

Raven to me and back to Crystal.

"How do you know?"

"We have a thermometer," Crystal said. "We

took along a small first-aid kit when we left on our

trip," she added.

"You mean Brooke didn't just buy one?" she

asked with a smile. "I heard you drive off," she said to

me.

"No, I just sent her for some Tylenol," Crystal

replied.

"I have that. You should have asked. In fact, we

have some in the restaurant under the counter." She

stood there a moment longer. I thought she was going

to ask to examine Butterfly, but she just said, "Okay,

girls. Rest up. Tonight's a big night. Call me if you

need me," she added.

I flashed a smile and Crystal thanked her. We

watched her walk toward the trailer and then Crystal

closed the door softly.

"I hate lying," she said. "Making up our past is

fun, like story-telling, but sometimes I hate being

deceitful."

"You had to do it, Crystal," I comforted. "I just hope she doesn't get suspicious," Raven

said, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry I'm sick," Butterfly cried. We all