4. Consequences
"How's my Bella doing?" Kat said cheerily walking into my hospital room.
I was sitting up eating my dinner. My right arm and leg were each in green casts signed by Kat, Alec, and Warren.
"Did I miss anything good in school today, Kat?" I asked waving her to Warren's usual chair.
"Nothing important. Warren had to work today I take it?" Kat said sitting down.
"Yeah. He'll be here later. Where's Alec at?"
"He's coming. He'll be here after a while." she said smiling as though she had a secret. "When can you get out?"
Kat ignored my questioning look by pulling out her notes and my copies of the notes and a list of my homework for the day.
"You're acting off, Kat." I said watching her as she set my homework on the window sill.
A knock on the door saved Kat from answering my question as Alec walked in carrying bags of stuff and a dozen Happy Birthday balloons in his hands.
"Whose birthday is it?" I asked looking at my two best friends, though there were still a little blurry.
"Really, Bella?" Alec said chuckling. "Did you hit your head harder than we think?"
"Bella, honey, it's your birthday." Kat said helping Alec with the bags.
"This isn't the party we imagined-" Alec started, squeezing my left hand.
"-But at least you're getting a party." Kat finished, squeezing my other hand.
The two of them gave me some gifts cards to my favorite stores. As Kat was setting up the candle on the cake, Alec was getting the drinks and ice cream. Alec lit the candle and they sang 'Happy Birthday' to me as I laughed at them.
"Alright, Bella, make a wish." Kat said excitedly.
I closed my eyes and held back a sob as I wished Warren was there with me. I took a deep, steadying breath, and blew out my candle. Alec and Kat clapped.
"What'd you wish for, Bella?" Kat asked hugging me as Alec cut the cake.
"No, Bella. Don't tell her, or else-" Alec started.
The door to my room opened and in walked my Warren, my wish come true.
"It just came true, Kat." I said quietly as my friends rearranged themselves so Warren could come stand by my left hand and hold it.
"Happy Birthday, Arabella." he said sitting down gently holding my hand.
"It is now, Warren." I said smiling, wiping my tears away with my injured hand. "It is now. Everyone I love is here with me. The doctor said I can get out of here tomorrow at lunch time."
"Really? That's great!" Kat and Alec exclaimed together.
"Where are you gonna go, Arabella?" Warren asked quietly. "You can't go home."
"She's gonna come stay with me." Kat said matter of factly.
"Kat, I love you, but I don't wanna put any strain on your relationship with Alec. That's why we only have one day a week. I'll find a place, Warren." I said quietly, not looking at any of them.
"Stay with me, Arabella." Warren responded.
"What?" I asked searching his face.
"Can you guys give us a couple minutes?"
Alec nodded and pulled Kat out of the room. When they shut the door, Warren looked back at me.
"I've talked to Mom about it and we really have more room than we need. I've been thinking about the Homecoming dance and how glad I am that you weren't there. I can't stand the thought of not knowing if you're okay. I need to know that you're somewhere I can protect you."
"Warren," I started with tears in my eyes, "no."
"Arabella?" he asked giving me a hard look. "What do you mean no?"
"I can't. I'm sorry." I said looking away from Warren.
I could sense that Warren was hurt by my words, but I had to say them.
"I'm kinda tired, Warren. It's been a long day. Can you leave, please?" tell Kat and Alec goodnight for me." I said rolling over to face away from him.
He left without another word, and I lasted a whole five minutes before I started crying.
~Kat~
Alec and I were waiting in the hall while Bella and Warren talked. Before I expected, Warren came out looking upset.
"Warren?" Alec asked uncertainly.
"Hernandez is going to sleep." he said moodily.
Alec and I exchanged looks and took off after him.
"Warren, what happened?" I asked when we got outside.
"She said no. That she's sorry, but she can't." he said smoking slightly.
"What?" Alec demanded stopping. "Damn it!"
"Alec!" I called, but he had already jumped through time. "Warren!" I ran after him. "Warren, stop!"
I grabbed for him and pulled him to a stop.
"Kat, let go of me." he said with fire in his eyes.
"Look, Bella is confused. Let her process what's going on. A lot has happened over the last couple weeks. Give her some time." I said trying to piece together what was going on.
"Fucking Hell!" Alec yelled reappearing next to me. "Sorry."
"Alec, what happened?" I asked.
"I should have kept my damn mouth shut, Kat." Alec said looking between Warren and me. "I messed everything up. Telling Bella what I saw. I screwed it all up. I knew better than to say anything. Damn it all! I had such precious information involving my best friend and I had to open my damn mouth!"
"Alec, what do you mean you screwed it up?" I asked.
"What did you do?" Warren asked.
"Warren, I told Bella I saw you and her together in a few months, but now I've screwed it up by telling her. I won't say anything else. I'm not gonna mess things up again. Kat, please, go talk to her." Alec said going after Warren.
I turned around and said a silent prayer to whatever god was listening as I started back toward the hospital and Bella.
Well lovelies, that's the end of chapter 4. Had to switch POV to get the important conversation in there. Thank you to those of you who review, and those of you who don't, please do. I do this for you! You guys rock! Much love ~CloakedAuthor21