Chapter 43: Chapter 43 : Help Me Forget

Rhea

The boys stood there, unsure of what I was asking them. I knew what I wanted, and I knew they would give it to me. I just had to make them understand.

“Are . . . are you sure?” Ezekiel asked. “You’ve had a rough night, maybe we shouldn’t—”

“I want to forget,” I repeated, “and you can help me do that.”

“Okay, okay,” Lionel said, raising his hands in surrender. “Just lay down, and we’ll get you to sleep. We’ll make sure you don’t have any dreams, either.”

“No, that’s not what I mean!” I exclaimed, frustrated. Why weren’t they getting it? Did I really have to spell it out for them?

I pulled my shirt over my head and threw it to the side. The boys all stopped and stared as I shucked off my jeans. I stood there in my underwear, hoping they understood. Judging by the lumps now in all of their pants and the blush creeping up their necks, they did.

“I want you to help me forget,” I said a third time, looking directly at Ezekiel. “This is my wish. Can you do that?”