Kia immediately noticed the flush in the girl’s cheeks, and grinned wickedly, not unlike her younger sister when she saw an upper hand. “So you think my sister’s cute huh?” she asked, nudging the girl again. She was honestly a little taken aback when Tatum said that Mackenzie did whatever. “Are we talking about the same girl? Because I don’t know who this pre-tamed Mackenzie is that you’re talking about. You know she destroyed every dish in our kitchen once? I used to get calls at least twice a week about her being in trouble for various violent acts against other students. Then one week, I didn’t get any. The week after that was the same, as was the week after that. I was honestly shocked, I thought maybe she had run away or died and no one had called me yet. But instead, I called her and I couldn’t get her to shut up about this red headed kid that she had just met. It’s been like a one-eighty ever since, I only get a call a month now. Sometimes they’re even from Mack herself.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet slightly as the elevator came to a stop, and walked out the doors, waiting for Tatum to join her. “You know, I’ve gotten a few calls from Mack in the last week.” She said, not making any moves to continue on from the hallway with the elevator. “It’s really none of my business but please, take care of her.” Kia looked the shorter girl in the eye, not trying to be intimidating in the least but she was protective of her little sister. She just wanted to make sure that the girl wouldn’t get hurt, she had already been in the past. “She might act tough but she’s only human. Deep down she’s just a lost little girl wanting someone to love her. I’m not asking you to save her or anything, she’s quite capable of saving herself but just, try not to break her.”

Kia smiled at the redhead and held out her hand again to show the girl she wasn’t threatening her but rather asking her a favor as a friend. “Now, let’s go get some food, I’m sure everyone is wondering where we are.” She lead the girl to the kitchens, chattering about different patients she had in the past, always asking if Tatum had any questions.

“And here’s the kitchen, they usually have pretty decent food, but it’s hit or miss.” She said, waving at a few people who were bustling around. She had gotten to know the staff pretty well over the last few weeks and was thinking of transferring to be closer to her mother and sister. Kansas City was a far reach away, even with magic. “What do you want kiddo? You can have anything you want, I’ve got connections down here.”

Mackenzie had been wandering around the halls for a few minutes before finding the spot she had been looking for. It was a small alcove, a little dark dead end hallway with a few vending machines in it. It was quiet and empty, it was almost like they had forgotten to make it a functioning part of the hospital. It was a bit eerie, but she supposed it was what some people needed when the white walls started closing in. She walked over to one of the lit machines and leaned her forehead against it, the hum of it‘s refrigeration system soothing her slightly. She had kept relatively calm since Kate had slapped her, she couldn’t let anyone know how much it had really shaken her, especially Tatum. The redhead was already freaked out enough as it was, she couldn’t put more burden on the younger girl.

She supposed she had deserved it, she should have never threatened her mother the way she had. Although, Kate should have never started into the redhead like she had, Mackenzie couldn’t let that fly. She had to stand up to her mother for the girl, Kate could say what she wanted about Mack but the blonde would never let her say anything but positive things about her friend. Lifting up her hand, she ran it gingerly over her cheekbone where Kate had struck her. It was already tender, and she winced a bit as she applied pressure. A hot tear ran down her face, and she felt all of the emotion that she had been holding back since they arrived break free.