“I have to get out of here,” I yell and jerk away from Cher. “I can’t breathe. He was here. He has to be here. Otherwise, I’m officially losing it.”

Cher looks at me, knitting her brows. “Okay, take it easy. Let me tell them we’re going.” She rubs my arm, frowning at how sweaty I am.

“I need to go outside.” I try gulping in a good breath, but I think that’s just making the panic worse with all the smoke.

“Screw it, I’ll text them. We can go to their dad’s pool tomorrow. He owns a hotel.”

She grabs my hand and moves people out of our way, the sounds of our names fading as we make our way outside. The warm air hits my clammy face.

“Just breathe, Raven. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Clearly, it’s too soon.” She rubs my back as I wheeze, glancing around at all the faces outside.

“I… do you see him?” I kind of spin, then look at Cher, who isn’t even trying to hide her frown.

“Do I need to get a cab, or can you walk? He. Is. Not. Here. You thought you saw him, that’s all.”

“Let’s walk. The air will help.” I move forward and Cher follows, texting on her phone. The night air, and maybe walking, seem to help as I listen to the ocean on our uphill walk.

“Okay, so do you want to talk about this?” Cher pops her phone into her bag, and I hold my hand up.

“I’m feeling like you might not have to take me to the hospital, okay?”

“Fine. But this isn’t healthy,” she snaps.

“Are you kidding me? Healthy? I’m freaking out, Cher. My whole life has crumbled. It’s like I’m in this black hole and I’m trying so hard to climb my way out, but I can’t do it.” I stop to face her. A lone dog barks at us from across the street.

“I know, honey.” She goes to hug me, but I step back.

“You don’t know. I feel like I’ve been gutted, and it will never end. Sooner or later, I will have to see him because, as you love to remind me, he’s marrying my mother.” The tears that I’ve been holding back spill down my cheeks.

Cher sniffs. “I… was only trying to help. I hate seeing you like this. I hate Jett Powers for doing this to you, and I hate that we’re yelling at each other.” She pulls me in for a hug. I cling to her and cry.

“I still love him. What do I do?” I look out at the ocean.

“You go to bed, and everything will be better in the morning.” She sniffs back her own tears.

Pulling back, I nod and smile at my sweet, good Cher.