Aaron’s POV

I’ve been keeping close eye on our keyboardist over the past few days. I had to review the sheet on depression a couple of times a day and match up the symptoms.

As much as I would’ve loved to talk to Raven about it and make sure she’s feeling okay, she didn’t want to talk to anyone! It was pretty disheartening. The third day she was out of the hospital, we all hoped that she would be feeling better. Alan tried to cheer her up a couple of times, but all she wanted to do was sleep. R-Girl lost interest in basically every aspect of life. She never smiled, rarely ate, and we all feared for her.

I took her out to coffee one day. She was always excited to get Starbucks, but that day she looked sad the entire time. The death of her dad was weighing heavily on her, but it seemed like something was holding her back as well.

Austin had called Doctor Lyons about it. He said that her left side should be pretty much healed, but her depression might worsen if we ignored it. He suggested we try to include her with everything.

“Well, we all love her a lot. She’s like a sister to all of us.” I overheard Austin on the phone.

“I think Ms. Skarsson is going through some separation anxiety, which leads very quickly to this depression. Since she heavily relied on her dad and is now, um, missing some stuff, she might be feeling a little alone. Have you noticed her mood change a lot? Is Raven detached from the group?” He asked quietly through the phone. The tone of voice he used was making me sense that there wasn’t something we knew about going on here. Tino passed me a look, saying that he knew the same thing I was thinking.

“She is. R doesn’t come out of her bunk a lot. She sleeps all day, she doesn’t eat, and she doesn’t want to come out with us, even for a walk.” Austin reported. We were all quietly waiting for the news. Alan was sending a quick text to Kylar; about what, I didn’t know.

“Just try to make her feel as included in everything as possible. Try not doing a lot of public stuff. Maybe watch a movie, make popcorn, or play a game. Please, don’t physically drag her to do stuff. When you do get her to do stuff with you, make her feel included, but give her space as well. She’ll open up eventually. By showing her that she’s still a key part of the group, Raven will hopefully see that you need her as much as her dad did.” The doctor’s soft voice explained. I nodded. Alan passed a worry glance as he shoved his phone back in his pocket. Our phone call ended pretty quickly and Austin went to sit in the corner, playing on his phone sadly.

It was kind of depressing to see. As much as Austin never said a word about it, the facts were pretty obvious that he loved Raven much more than a friend. This was really getting him down in the dumps. Alan hung out with him, but all he was focused on was getting Raven better.

So tonight, after we watched the Avengers, we all held our breath as Austin asked if Raven wanted to join us for pizza. With no hesitation, she declined. It seemed like Austin was the only person who could get Raven out of this funk and with each declined offer, our hope was lost.

We all exited the bus. Austin said he was going to get her a drink, but I already had a feeling she wasn’t going to drink it. In the night, we wandered quietly and slowly towards the pizza place on the corner.

“I’m worried for Raven. When’s the last time she’s eaten?” Austin murmured. Alan’s ginger hair drooped pathetically.

“Toast, only a few bites yesterday.” He muttered. Tino and Phil sighed, falling into step together.

“I think there’s something more to this than just her dad.” Tino said quietly. We all mumbled our agreement. Austin seemed especially distraught. His usually graceful walk was choppy and his head swayed side to side. He was in deep thought.

“Do you want me to run back and check on her?” I offered. Austin always wanted to keep an eye on her every minute, but I had to softly remind him that she was an adult now.

“Yes, please.” Austin’s eyes gleamed. The group slowed their pace until they lingered at the edge of a blacked out building. The sleepy town murmured lazily as I trotted back to the bus. I’ll just make up some excuse to why I was here if she was still awake.

I didn’t bother knocking. Yanking the door open on silent hinges, I bounced up the steps, eyes on the ground.

“Hey, I forgot to ask…” I started. When I looked up, I trailed off.

Raven had her back to me. She stood, thin and lanky in her black shorts, white tank and messy hair in a black ponytail. But I didn’t notice her outline in the dim lights.

I noticed that her left arm was missing.

My eyes went wide with shock. So THIS was what was bothering her! My mind raced. No wonder she wore her long sleeved sweatshirt all day every day! No wonder she didn’t come out when Austin had her black top! No wonder she never came out and talked anymore! No wonder she always looked sad!

I had to tell Austin! I had to tell the others!

Okay, okay, she looked panicked to. Maybe I didn’t handle that the right way, looking like I had seen a ghost.

“Please, Aaron!” She begged me. But oh, I was already out the door. I slammed the door behind me, carried by my momentum. I sprinted faster than ever. The others always teased me because I wasn’t the fastest runner, but I’m pretty sure that I was the fastest today.

“Hey, why are you in a hurry?” Austin asked me as I ran into the group.

“I walked in, and I saw Raven. SHE HAS ONE ARM!” I yelped, slightly out of breath. Everyone looked at me funny.

“Um, Aaron? What did you see?” Tino patted my shoulder, laughing a bit.

“I said what I saw! I walked inside and Raven was standing. There she has only one arm! I know why she’s so depressed now! Raven lost her father and her left arm in the car accident!” I cried with glee at the solving of the mystery. The others barely heard me before they took off. Pizza was forgotten and any memory of hunger was left in the dust.

We all just wanted to care for our friend.

“Raven!” Austin called as we neared. Our hearts and thoughts were racing. What was she doing right now? I hoped the depression hadn’t been too much for her.

That poor girl.

How was she going to play keyboard with one arm?

It all makes sense! If she can’t play keyboard… My mind raced. All the puzzle pieces fell into place.

Austin pushed through the door and we slowed down, catching our breath from the quick sprint.

Our group of five softly and slowly walked up the steps. Austin led the procession. I saw everyone’s curtains thrown open; everyone, except Raven’s.

“Not all at once.” Austin mouthed to use. The words were clear enough. We had to follow doctor’s orders. We can’t flood her with emotions and crowd around her all at once.

Austin was closest to Raven. He went first.

Tino and Phil went to their bunks. Alan and I went to the back lounge. Austin went to Raven’s bunk. All I worried about was not Raven, but all the others.

How was everyone going to react?

Notes