Chapter 3: Uncle luis

I was sitting at the house when I received the call. I felt so much guilt and pain. I never thought I would be in this situation again. I never thought that my brothers' son would die in a car wreck. I wanted to bring him back and apologize for the awful stuff I did to him. I hung up the phone and went to my room to get dressed.

After I was dressed, I grabbed the keys and left the house. Driving to the hospital, I heard the voices of Brenten and Hope. They're dead, they have to be, but I'm hearing their voices, I thought to myself. "Luis why did you let this happen to my son, why did you let my son die? Luis you were supposed to help and take care of him and you let this shit happen!" Hope's voice came through the speakers. I thought I was going to lose control of the car but I didn't.

I parked in an empty space and didn't get out yet. I sat and listened to the dead siblings as they yelled at me constantly about their son. "You're an ass Luis. You knew he looked like me and made a promise to me to keep my kid safe and you messed up! You basically weren't there when he was bullied. When he needed to talk to someone you weren't there. You never were a good guardian and now he's in a coma and your sitting here listening to me?! You better march your ass in there and see him." My brother has never been mad at me. He's now dead and pissed as hell at me now.

He is right though, I shouldn't be sitting on my butt listening to him yell at me. I decided to go inside and visit my nephew. "Excuse me; am I able to see Chase Stonework?" The lady looked up and frowned. "He's in room 218." I nodded my thanks and headed up there. On the way up I kept hearing them yell. "You shouldn't be the one alive. He shouldn't be dying! It should be you! You had no right to treat our son like you did! You were supposed to be there and keep him out of trouble! Why would you do this to us! Why would you break your promise to me and your brother! If you didn't want to take care of him then you didn't have to! All you had to do is say something you jerk!" Hope screamed at me once I reached Chase's room.

I walked into the room and sat beside his bed. He looked broken like he was a shattered window. He was only seventeen and he was on his death bed. "You're just now realizing everything? Why didn't you stop and think before this whole thing went down? Why didn't you ask him how he was feeling instead of beating on him?" My brother asked me sternly. I shrugged not knowing what to tell him. I knew I was the only one who could hear them, but I couldn't see them. I think they want to keep hidden because they're so pissed off at me.

I grabbed Chase's hand and spoke softly for only him to hear if he could. "Chase I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to neglect you or make you feel like I hated you. I was flooded with sadness cause of my brother that I didn't understand the stuff I was doing. I was blinded by my depression to even care about you. I didn't know you were being bullied at school. I didn't know you lost your best friends because of popularity. I just didn't know. I hope you can fight this and come back soon. Please wake up. I can't lose my nephew. You're the only family I have left."

I didn't know what to do anymore. I stood and walked out of the room, so I can get something to eat. I bumped into Zain and Paige. "What are you guys doing here? You both weren't friends of Chases' and I am asking you nicely to leave." I looked at them well more like glared at them.

"Sir, I've known Chase for some time now and I have the right to see my friend." Zain said. I shook my head. "No you have been bullying my nephew since his sophomore year and you dare to say you're his friend? You guys can get out of here and leave my nephew alone before I get security to walk you out!" I walked past them and left.

A few hours after leaving the café, I went back to the hospital room. I noticed Paige sitting in the chair. "Paige I told you and Zain not to visit him. You both aren't friends of his. He doesn't need you guys. He has me and his family!" She laughed. "He has you and only you! His mother and father are dead and not coming back." I shook my head. "That's all he needs. His self and I and his father and mother; since, they are always by his side through everything. So if you were really his friend you wouldn't have ditched him for Zain. Now you have five minutes to get out or I'm going to have security escort you out." I glared at the girl that was now chases' ex-friend.

She sighed and walked to the door. "I didn't mean for this to happen okay? Zain didn't tell me he was planning this. Zain doesn't tell me anything, so if you want to blame me for this then go ahead, but they won't convict me of any crime." She then left the room slamming the door.

Zain:
 It's been one month since I crashed into Chases' car. I am now being charged with attempted murder, and I don't know how I'd beat this. Chase has been in a coma since the wreck. And they're giving him four more months to wake up or they pull the plug.

I've been ignoring my friends and everyone that tries to talk to me. I have been thinking a lot about the case, and if Chase doesn't wake up before my court date then I am going to be convicted. I bumped into Vyolet knocking her down. She was wearing a black shirt with purple skinny jeans. "I'm sorry Vy." I said helping her up. She was being charged as an accomplice to the murder though it wasn't murder. "It's fine Zain. Have you heard from the hospital yet?" She asked it like she was reading my mind.

I shook my head. "No Vy I haven't. He's still in a coma and doesn't seem to be waking up anytime soon. I'm visiting him before his uncle goes to visit." She nodded. "Mind if I join you? I need to see him one last time before we're locked up and don't tell me we won't go to jail because you know damn well we will!" I sighed.

"I know Vy, I know" I frowned and walked with her to history. We were getting a lot of nasty looks and I couldn't stand it. "STOP LOOKING AT US! IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY THEN SAY IT TO OUR FUCKING FACES NOT BEHIND OUR BACKS!" I boomed at everyone. The teacher looked up "Excuse me Sir you do know you have no right to scream at them for looking at you guys for being late?" He looked at me like he knew what I have done and I shouldn't be here. "Sorry Mr. Stellen it won't happen again." I went and sat in the back with Vyolet.

Vyolet looked at me as she sat. "Why don't we just get homeschooled? I mean it is better than being here and being bullied?" She said that like she knew I haven't been thinking about it. I mean this Classroom is so boring! Look at the walls. Plain white with maps of the world on them and I hated looking at them.

"You think I haven't thought about that Vy? I thought of everything in the book, but my parents won't let me." I bit my lip. She grinned "Why don't we just skip school then? We're being bullied like we're nobodies. We didn't mean for this to happen, so why should they blame us for all this instead of them?" I looked at her with a disgusted look. "We bullied him since you moved here. We treated him like shit and you're telling me it don't mean shit to you!? That you would just up and leave without notice?" I couldn't believe she'd leave.

Have you ever had that friend that would help you get into trouble and then ditch you before the trouble begins? Well that's Vyolet right now. She don't want to be in jail but her parents won't bail her out neither will mine but still it's the fact that she shouldn't put this all on me. I can't think of any way out of this right now.

After history I walked to my locker and stopped when I saw the lettering "MURDERER!" painted on my locker. I never thought the tables would turn. I may have bullied him and treated him like crap since freshmen year, but I never tried to kill him till now. I didn't even know I did that. I was drunk and under the influence.

I slammed my locker door shut and walked out of the building. I went to my car and stood against it waiting for Vyolet. When I saw her coming, I waved at her. "Vyolet are you still coming with me to visit him?!" I asked as she walked up. She nodded. "I'm standing here with you aren't I? Well lets' get going because sitting here won't take us there." She did that cute giggle thing. I didn't want to like her because Chase did, but I couldn't help it. "Vy, could I ask you a question?"

I watched her face change from that happy smile to the curious one. "Of course you can ask me anything Zain." She looked at me with that cute face. Her black hair blocking one of her eyes and her lips shaped into that crooked smile of hers. I jumped into the truck and waited for her to buckle up.

"I was wondering if you would go out with me tonight." I smiled at her. She smiled a little. "Yeah sure I'd love to go out with you. What time you going to pick me up tonight?" She smiled. I shrugged because I really didn't know when I was picking her up. I kept driving to the hospital singing to myself as I drove.

Once I parked, we jumped out and ran inside. Vyolet looked at me and spoke softly. "Before we leave I need time alone with him." I nodded. "Of course you will get that chance. May I go in by myself first?" She nodded. When I reached his room, I walked inside and sat near him.

"Chase, I am so sorry for everything I did to you. I know you can't hear me, but I just want you to know that I would take back everything if I had a chance to. I should have never cared about popularity when I had all the friends I needed by my side. This won't make anything better, but I'll be spending the rest of my senior year in jail. I won't be graduating with you and Paige. I just hope you could forgive me when you wake up Chase. In reality I hope you wake up soon." I stood knowing I should be heading out. I didn't care what happened to me as long as Chase was alive and walking around before graduation.

Vyolet went in and spoke softly. I looked around the hospital corridor and thought back on the years I have spent with Chase. I really did wish I could take everything back. Have you ever done something so terrible to your best friend that you just wished you had a chance to redo? Do you ever regret doing something that really messed your best friends' heart up? You ever regret saying things to them? Have you regretted the mistakes that could have been fatal? Do you even know what I'm going through? This hospital is so white. The walls are white along with the ceilings. Why is it always cold? Have you noticed that hospitals are cold?

Being in the hospital just reminds me of my mom. "Dad can we go see mom now? I want to tell her how I did in class today!" I asked quietly. "Yeah sure go get dressed bud." My dad knew I loved my mom. He knew my ten year old heart wouldn't be able to deal with the pain of losing a parent. I ran upstairs and got changed into shorts and a shirt; since it was summer. I grabbed the picture I drew for my mom and ran downstairs. I looked up at my dad with hopeful eyes. "Dad lets go." I smiled excitedly. He took my hand and led me to the car. We were on our way to the hospital and talked about the things we would do when she got out. When we arrived, the nurses told us to go see her. While we were visiting her heart stopped. I was holding her hand. "Mom I drew a picture for you. I hope you can come home soon." My dad walked out screaming for help. I didn't know what was going on; I was only ten. "Mom I need you. Daddy doesn't like me. He won't even spend time with me no more."

I looked at her. The doctors ran in and started working on her to no avail. They told us she has died. I threw my picture on the ground and ran out crying. I ran where nobody would find me. I kept running and running not knowing where I was going. I ran to wherever my small feet could take me. It took my father a whole week to find me.

I snapped out of the flashback with tears in my eyes. Have you ever been to a hospital and had those memories that weren't so happy? Have you ever wished you could turn back the hands on a clock and stop something from happening? I wish I could go back in time and save my mother. I wish I could keep her from dying. Sitting here waiting on her brought back bad memories. I decided to leave and wait outside.

Do you have people who wished you were perfect? Do you ever feel like there's no reason for you to be alive? I have no reason. My reason left when my mom died.

Vyolet:

I walked out to see nobody waiting for me. I shook my head; I should have known that he would have just left. I didn't ask for this to happen, but I happen to be the accomplice to this almost murder. I can't believe he did that, I mean how could you think about killing someone? How could you treat someone so poorly and get away with it? I have to admit I am a part of this and I can't believe that I had anything to do with this crap. My mom and dad already hate me, and this just made them hate me even more.

I walked out of the hospital in a bad mood. I called my mom. "Mom can you come get me?" I bit my lip when she said she was too busy to pick me up and that I had to walk because I didn't deserve to be riding in a car. She was right about that because I shouldn't be riding in a car. I did nothing but embarrass my family. I started walking home which was a long walk.

I reached my house forty minutes later. Everybody was home and waiting for me. "Where have you been for the last three hours? You have to be home right after school ends because of the shit you done." My father sternly told me. I shrugged. "Had to visit someone at the hospital father." I spoke back to him. He looked at me. "You have no right to visit that boy. You helped kill him. You better hope he wakes up because you will be facing the charges and jail time. I will not bail you out and I hope nobody does because you need to understand the horrible thing you done." I shrugged. "You think I care to be in jail? At least it will keep me away from this hell hole you call home." I spat and started to turn around when he grabbed my arm. "Listen young lady, I don't care rather you hate it here or not. You live here at the moment and will abide by the rules. If you do not like it then get the hell out of my house!" He let go with a jerk. "Now go to your room and don't come out until dinner is ready." I flipped him off and walked upstairs and slammed my door shut. I started screaming and throwing everything at the walls. Have you ever done something wrong and your parents take it to a whole new proportion?

I grabbed a few bags and started throwing clothes into them like it was nothing. He wanted me gone well he's getting it. I zipped the bags up and opened my window. I gave my room one last look before climbing out and leaving. I ran down the block when I heard the voices. "Stop and put your hands behind your head miss!" I looked back to see police there. "Shit" I mumbled. I kept running "MISS YOU NEED TO STOP BEFORE YOU GET YOURSELF IN MORE TROUBLE THEN YOU ALREADY ARE IN!" They shouted. I tripped and fell.

I couldn't get up in time before they cuffed me. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you can't afford one you will be appointed one by the court." They kept saying the Miranda rights as they walked me to the car. They shoved me into the back and got into the car. The driver took the CV and spoke into it. "I have arrested Vyolet Marie Smith and heading back to the station. She has resisted arrest and will not be allowed out on bail." I looked out the window.

I can't believe this is happening to me. I was first charged with accomplice to a murder and now charged with resisting arrest. I sighed. I seriously can't believe I was being arrested as I was running away from home. They reached the station and brought me in. Zain was there as well.

"You guys are to not speak to each other. You will be interrogated separately and will be placed in a prison until your court date. You both have broken laws. Zain you have attempted murder charges on you. Vyolet you have accomplice to the murder and resisting arrest. You will be charged as an adult since your eighteen. You Zain will be charged as a felon since you have committed murder and are of age." I looked at Zain and lipped "I'm sorry" He shook his head "Resisting arrest? What the hell?" I shook my head when they pulled us away from each other.

I walked with the police to the interrogation room and sat in the black chair that they had in there. I waited for one of them to come in and question me. When the door opened, I looked up to see a women standing in the doorway. "Okay Vyolet I would like you to know that I'm Officer Johnson and I would be asking you questions. I would like you to remember that you are allowed to a lawyer at any time during this questioning. But whatever you say will be used in the court of law." I nodded. "Where were you the night Chase was in the accident?" I sighed. "I was in the car with Zain." She nodded and wrote that down. "Did you know that he was planning to do that to Chase?" She looked at me sternly. "No ma'am I didn't, I thought we were going home. He was to take me home and go to his, but he saw Chase and told me to watch this and then swerve to hit him."

She nodded. "Did you and Chase get into an argument during the week?" I bit my lip. "We were friends. Chase and I didn't really like Zain at first, but I like making new friends. So I was at the park playing my guitar and writing a song when Zain walked up and started talking to me. I didn't think anything of it at first but that he just wanted to be friends. He was so nice at first, but Chase got mad and told me that I shouldn't be hanging out with Zain because he was evil. I didn't believe him so he told me we weren't friends anymore. He stormed away and I tried to talk to him to apologize, but he didn't listen. It was Tuesday that we started talking again. The whole time I was friends with Zain behind his back until the party was happening. That week Chase asked me to go to the movies over the weekend. I declined and said we can go to the party that we were invited and he was mad as hell because I decided to go to the party with Zain instead of the movies with him. I didn't want to be the new girl in school who is a nobody." I quit talking.

She nodded. "So you guys weren't talking?" I shook my head. "No Chase and I haven't spoken to each other since Tuesday." She nodded. "Why did you get into the car with Zain that night? Why didn't you just walk home? Were you drunk? Did you know that Zain was drunk?" I shook my head. "I got into the car with him because he was my ride there and back home. No I wasn't drunk and neither was Zain. He was perfectly sober." She shook her head and threw the folder in front of me. "Can you explain why the breathing simulator you and him took came out that you both were drinking? Can you explain why you got into that car? Can you explain why your parents didn't even know you went to that party with him? Can you explain why you lied to your parents that night? Why did they think that you were with Chase?"

"I wasn't drunk and you can shove that breathing simulator up your ass because it doesn't know anything. Zain he wasn't drunk nor was I. My parents didn't give a shit about me. They only cared about my brother who has everything they wanted. They didn't want another child but they had me. Mom was going to abort me but grandma told her that she couldn't because I was a human being. I didn't tell them I went with Chase I told them I was going to the park to write songs and think about things and they didn't care how long I was out." I looked at her. "All they wanted was for me to get the hell out. I was running away from home when they arrested me. I was going to my grandma's house. She loves me. I have a right to a phone call right?" She nodded.

"Of course you do. Vyolet your parents love you. They just want the best for you and I hope you see that." I shook my head. "If they loved me they would have been here with me trying to be by my side and helping me fight this… They wouldn't have told me to get the hell out of the house if I didn't like living there. Now may I go call someone?" She nodded. "Come back in here though." I nodded and went and called my grandma. "Hello?" She answered.

Hearing her voice made my heart break. "Grammy its Vy how are you?" I spoke softly trying to hold the tears back. "Vy where are you calling from and I'm fine." I sighed. "I'm at the police station. I was a part of the killing of Chase." She gasped. "You were? My Vyolet was a part of the murder? I didn't think you were like that." "Grammy I wasn't and I'm not, but Right now they are willing to let me stay with someone till my court date. And my parents don't want anything to do with me. Can I stay with you? Can you please come get me? I have bail but I don't know how high it is set." She sighed. "I'll come get you. But I have to let you know the rules. They will be strict now that you have to be careful and good till court. I'll be there soon. Don't answer any questions." I sighed. "I did Grammy I already answered them I have nothing to hide." She sighed. "Oh okay I'll be there. Be ready." She hung up.

I went back into the room. "You're able to stay with someone till court date. Let me assure you though you are to not visit the hospital or go anywhere but to school and home." I nodded. "Listen Ma'am I didn't want this to happen. I didn't know he was going to do that. I don't know if he was drunk or not but I had a few drinks but I wasn't fully drunk. I just don't want to get in trouble for anything else. I can't afford having everything put on my record." She nodded. "Thank you for being honest. Now you need to know that what you just said will be used in the court. I hope you know you will not be charged for underage drinking, but you will be charged for everything else. You may be let go on probation and you may be going to jail for two to four years. You best get a good lawyer." I nodded. "You need to know that your parents care but are disappointed." I shook my head. "You don't understand anything ma'am. I have tried so hard to be perfect and get them to notice me, but everything I done hasn't worked right or hasn't worked. I rather go to jail then in that house with them."

She looked at me. "Is there anyone else who can come get you then?" I nodded. "My grandma is coming to get me and if I am on probation I'm staying with grandma. She will be able to help me with everything." I smiled weakly as she nodded. I waited for my grandma to arrive.

Paige:

I walked into the school building alone and terrified. It's been two months since Chase was admitted to the hospital. He has yet to wake up and I am worried about him. Zain and Vyolet haven't been to school for a month and that is scary. As I was walking I heard all these people talking about it. "Oh my god, did you hear they finally got arrested and are now being held in jail until their court date?" A girl said standing next to me talking to her friend. I shut my locker and walked into home room.

I sat in my seat thinking about Chase. How could someone just do that to him? How could Zain do that? How could Vyolet go along with it? I mean really I thought she was friends with him. I didn't think Vyolet was friends with Zain. I wasn't focusing on the lesson that the teacher was giving.

The door opened and in walked Vyolet. I sighed knowing she must have gotten out on bail. She sat next to me and I sighed. "What happened?" I asked quietly. "Nothing to concern you Paige, but if you must know I was arrested for helping with murder and resisting arrest. And I got out on bail that was 2 grand. Luckily my grandma had that much. I am no longer living with my parents I'm living with my Grandma. Please butt your little nose out of my business and focus on school." She ignored me for the rest of class.

I walked out noticing Vyolet ahead of me pulling her hood over her head. Everyone was yelling things at her. "YOU'RE A KILLLER! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON BAIL. YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE FREE WHILE CHASE IS DEAD." I laughed and looked at them all and shouted. "ALL RIGHT THAT IS ENOUGH! WHERE WERE YOU GUYS WHEN CHASE WAS GETTING BULLIED BY THEM? WHERE WERE YOU GUYS WHEN CHASE NEEDED FRIENDS? HE HAS BEEN HERE FOR FOUR YEARS AND NONE OF YOU GUYS STOOD UP FOR HIM. I AM GETTING SICK OF PEOPLE BEING JUGDED BAISED ON WHAT THEY DID. WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO BULLY HER WHEN YOU LET HER AND Zain BULLY HIM?! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS TO ANYTHING ANYMORE." I walked away from the staring crowd.

I went to my car and sat there trying to calm down. I prayed for Chase to wake up. I prayed that people would realize that life isn't long and it isn't something to give up on. Have you ever been in the position where you didn't know what to do? Do you tell or do you let it go on for four years? Did you ever have to make a choice between friends? Did you make the right one? Or did you choose at all?

Have you ever been told that you should be a good friend and do the right thing? Have you ever done something terrible and felt bad about it? Have you ever wondered what would happen if that was you in the position? I haven't wanted something so bad before until now. I wanted to switch places with Chase have him live and me be the one the one dying. I wish I could take everything I did back.