Chapter 10

Cara's Point-of-view

I watched Kristi and Joe walk off hand and hand to the cafeteria. It was really cute to see how great they were getting along. I looked around the waiting room and took in everyone else. Frankie and Meg were sitting on the rug playing with puzzles and crayons, but you could tell Meg was worried about Nick, as she looked up every 5 minutes looking for the doctor. Next my eyes moved to Mr. and Mrs. Jonas. They looked truly happy together as Mr. Jonas had his arm wrapped comfortably around his wife, as she laid her head on his shoulder. Next I turned my head slightly to the right to look at Kevin. He seemed to be in another world as his gaze was straight forward and not fixed on anything. I looked down at his hand that was inches from mine. All I wanted to do was grab his hand and hold it, but I knew in my head that wasn't a good idea. And I knew minute by minute I was falling for him. But, what about David? I cared a lot for him. When he was super sweet it was great, but he really did make up the stupidest excuses to get out of things, especially here lately. I didn't like that about him at all. Also, David wasn't the best communicator and tended to blow everything out of proportion.

I must have been deep in thought because I didn't even see Frankie walk up to me and start talking to me until I heard Kevin's voice.

"Cara? Are you ok?" he asked.

"Oh yeah, sorry, I was just thinking about a lot of things" I said.

"Oh well, its ok, but I think Frankie has something for you!" Kevin said gesturing to him, "he has been trying to get your attention. Go ahead Frankie…"

"Here, I made you this…" Frankie said a little shyly which was so unlike him.

I took the piece of paper from his hand and looked down at the front of it, it read 'Thank You' in a messy handwriting. I then opened it up and was greeted with a stick picture drawing of everyone that was at the hospital for Nick, from all the Jonases to Meg, Kristi and Me. Over top of the picture it said 'Thank you for saving my brother!' And down at the bottom it said 'I Love you! – Frankie'. I felt a small tear streak down my face and I wrapped both my arms around Frankie and pulled him into a deep hug. He then looked at me confused.

"What's wrong buddy?" I asked.

"Is Nick really going to be ok?" he asked. I could tell he was really worried for his brother too.

"You know what, Frankie, he is. The doctors are taking good care of him and I bet he is going to be awake soon. And you know what, I believe he will probably want to see you the most of everyone!" I said giving him a smile.

Frankie looked at me for a second and then returned my smile. He gave me another hug and returned to the rug to finish his puzzle with Meg. Mr. and Mrs. Jonas must have heard the conversation between Frankie and me.

"Frankie is right Cara, we owe you a lot. You saved our son's life." Mr. Jonas said with conviction.

"How about when Nick gets out of the hospital, we have a dinner at the house? It can be like a 'Thank You' and 'Glad you are better' dinner?" Mrs. Jonas said with excitement.

"Mom, that is such a good idea!" Kevin said looking at me with a smile.

"How about we just go ahead and plan for it on Thursday Night at 7:00. And everyone is invited" Mrs. Jonas said with more excitement.

"That sounds lovely Mrs. Jonas. What do you need me to bring?" I asked because I didn't want to come without bringing something.

"Oh sweetie, call me Denise. And you don't have to bring anything. I will take care of everything." She said smiling.

Dinner plans were in the works and we all sat around chatting about the night to come and how to get to the Jonas house, when I felt something warm on my hand. I looked down and saw Kevin's hand covering mine. My heart ached. All I wanted to do was let him in, but I knew I couldn't. He gripped my hand and I looked up. Kevin was starring straight into my eyes and memories from the balcony of almost kissing him came rushing back into my head.

"Can we talk for a second?" Kevin asked with sincerity.

"Yes, that fine" I said as he helped me from my seat.

"Hey guys, we will be right back, we are just going to step outside for a second" Kevin said to everyone in the waiting room.

We walked outside and was greeted by the cool night air. We found a small bench to sit on and took a seat. I sat there looking at Kevin, while he starred down at his hands. An awkward silence had set in as the wind blew between the trees.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Well, I, uh, just wanted to come outside and get some fresh air and I wanted you to come with me" he said still starring at his hands.

"Oh… ok. Well, here we are outside..." I said confused on what Kevin's motives were for coming outside. He continued to stare at his hands. I knew something else was running through his mind, but I didn't want to push him especially after everything that he had gone through tonight. Silence continued. Finally Kevin looked over at me.

"Cara, I, I just really want to tell you –"

"Kevin! Nick's awake!" Frankie appeared at the doorway with Mr. Jonas. Kevin and I looked at each other, smiled and ran inside.

Mrs. Jonas and Meg were already beside Nick's bedside. Mrs. Jonas was warmly running her hand over her son's head as Meg held Nick's hand like she was never letting go. Frankie ran in and threw himself on Nick.

"Nick!" Frankie said as he hugged his brother. Mr. Jonas followed after Frankie and gave his son a hug.

Kevin and I followed in behind Mr. Jonas. Kevin gave his little brother a heart-felt hug and then reached over and grabbed my hand.

"Nick, you never got properly introduced. This is Cara, she saved your life tonight." I smiled down at Nick as my face began to get warm. I reached down to give Nick a hug and I heard a small 'Thank you' whispered in my ear and I hugged him a little more. I stood up and stepped back. Nick had a confused look on his face.

"Where's Joe?" Nick asked.

"Being Joe of course. He is in the cafeteria getting some food." Kevin said laughing.

We all stood around talking to Nick about what all happened after he passed out. We also told him jokes and stories to cheer him up. About that time, I heard a very familiar voice coming from the waiting room, and my body went rigid. I looked over at Kevin and I could tell the color had drained from my face.

"Kevin, I will be right back." I said.

"Ok." He said turning to look at me and then doing a double take. "Hey, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I am fine. I just need to go take care of something." I said looking over my shoulder as I walked out of the room.

I walked the small stretch of hallway that felt endless. And I saw the back of a familiar head.

"David, what are you doing here? I told you not to come down here!" I said to him as he whipped around to face me. His blue eyes were piercing into mine.

"Cara, why can't you just tell me the truth?" David asked harshly.

"I am telling you the truth!" I said with emphasis on my voice.

"Whatever Cara! I know you are lying to me! You are cheating on me! Who are you here with?" he asked as his voice raised a few notches.

"David, I am just here with some friends. I was at the wedding and something happened and I needed to take care of someone." I said to David in a calming manner trying my best to calm him down.

"Cara, you are such a liar! I can't believe you are lying straight to my face. By the way I like that jacket, but it doesn't look like one of mine!" David said with deep malice hidden under his sarcasm. I looked down at Kevin's jacket and back up at David's rage. I was so upset with David that I couldn't even stand to look at him, let alone talk to him.

"David, I am not having this conversation with you here. We can talk about it later" I said as I started to walk off. Then I felt a strong hand grasped my arm. It was so tight that I felt my arm pulsating to be free. He yanked me back around to face him as I stumbled to stand up straight.

"Do NOT walk away from me when I am talking to you!" David said with force in his voice and anger in his eyes. I had seen David angry before, but never anything like this.

"Whoa buddy! I think you need to just calm down a little bit, that is no way to treat a lady." I heard the voice creep up behind me. I didn't have to turn around to know that Kevin was now standing behind me.

"And who are you to tell me what to do?" David said glaring at the Kevin.

"Kevin, I think you just need to leave." I said looking at Kevin with the deepest sincerity in my eyes. It was hard to tell him to go, because I wanted nothing more than him to stay and protect me, but I didn't want him to see me like this, or David. Kevin must have understood my need to handle my own problem, because he slowly walked away.

"Is that him, Cara? Is that the guy you are cheating on me with? Yeah the jacket size looks about right!" David said looking at Kevin with deep loathing. At this point I was furious and couldn't hold it any longer.

"David, I am not lying! I am telling you the truth! I am not cheating on you! And I never have!" I yelled at David. I knew Kevin could hear every word I was saying and it broke my heart to know that he could. I saw him run over to two figures that I recognized to be Kristi and Joe coming back from the cafeteria. I saw other people and hospital personal starring at us.

"Cara, I can't believe you! Of all people, you!" David said lowering his voice to almost a growl.

"David, let's go outside and talk about this. People are starring." I said reaching for him, but was quickly taken back when David pulled away from me.

"Do not touch me! I don't want anything else to do with you tonight. You can call me when you realize that you made the biggest mistake of your life" David screamed in my face. He then turned around and stomped out of the emergency room exit.

I stood there in silence. One small tear raced down my warm, heated cheek and soon several more followed until I was crying so hard that everything around me was blurry. I fell to my knees in a puddle of emotional turmoil. I soon felt an arm around my shoulder.

"Cara, come on, let's go home…" Kristi said trying to coax me to get up.

"Kristi, he hates me. He hates me!" I said forcefully.

"Cara, he doesn't hate you. He is just upset right now. You guys will… work it out…" Kristi said hesitantly.

I slowly stood up as Kristi helped me to my feet. Everything around me was a colorful blur. My eyes were red, stained with shame and sorrow. I heard Kristi opened the door to the backseat. I climbed in and laid down. The cold leather felt good against my hot face.

"Cara, I am going to go get Meg. Just relax and take deep breaths, I will be right back." Kristi said, as the car echoed the sound of the shutting door. I felt like everything was spinning around me. I slowly closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"Cara, wake up, we are at your apartment" Kristi said waking me from my slumber. I quietly got out of the car as Kristi helped me into my apartment and up to my room.

"I am going to stay with you tonight, so if you need anything I will be in the guest bedroom." Kristi said looking at me with a small smile.

I reached over to Kristi and gave her a hug. "Thank you for being my friend! I love you!"

"I love you too, Cara. Now, just relax and go to sleep." Kristi said turning off my light.

I laid there motionless for what seemed like forever as the events of the entire day played over and over again in my head. Thought after thought drained me each time, as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

Kevin's Point-of-view

I couldn't bring myself to do it, as much as I wanted to, I couldn't. The night air was cold on my ever-growing warm face. I felt stupid just sitting there not saying anything, but I wasn't ready to tell Cara how I felt. My mind was racing around in my head; I couldn't take it anymore I had to do it. Right when I was about to pour my heart out, Frankie came out to tell us Nick was awake. I was beyond ecstatic to see Nick, but deep down my heart was screaming.

I went into Nick's room and he looked pretty good to be recovering from a coma. I walked over to him and gave him a big hug. I introduced him to Cara and couldn't help but smile when she too gave Nick a big hug.

After a while Cara looked over at me, drained of color to tell me she had to take care of something. I asked her if things were fine, but she only assured me that everything was ok.

I had my back against the wall of Nick's room as I watched Cara walk up to a guy in the waiting room. He looked furious at her and this only had me more concern. I silently slipped out of Nick's room and slowly down the hallway. I couldn't hear much of what was being said, but the moment I saw him grab her aggressively I was there to help her.

Words were exchanged between the guy and me, but the look Cara gave me after she told me to leave was heart wrenching. I could tell she wanted me to be there, but I knew she had to deal with what she needed to. I slowly walked away taking in every word of their conversation, when it felt like my heart had been torn apart. Why did this guy think Cara was lying and cheating? And then it dawned on me the situation going on behind me.

I saw Kristi and Joe walking back from the cafeteria with concerned looks, staring at the growing scene behind me. I ran over to them, "We need to talk… now" is all I could muster out. Kristi and Joe followed me until I heard Kristi halt.

"Kevin stop! I know you want to know what is going on"

"You better believe I do!" I said worried, angry, and confused all rolled into one. "Who is that jerk that is yelling at Cara?"

"That jerk is Cara's boyfriend David, and that's exactly what he is… a Jerk!" Kristi said, but I couldn't comprehend much more. I felt all the color drain from my face. Why didn't she tell me? Kristi continued.

"Kevin look at me. Cara really likes you and I know you like her, but she is going to have to wake up and see that you guys are perfect for each other and she can't do that while David is in the way. She is not one to go breaking someone's heart. She is too kind and nice to do that. I have told her countless number of times to get rid of this jerk, but she won't. But, Kevin if you really like her, be her friend, be yourself. Show her that you care and that you are passionate about her and she will soon realize what is right in front of her and that's you."

Kristi's speech was so motivating and heartwarming and I knew that she was right. I looked over to Joe for reassurance.

"Kevin, Kristi is right. And of all people, I know when you care for someone you care for them with all your heart. Just be there, she will come around"

I turned around to the scene behind me to see David leaving the emergency room. And then I saw something that truly broke my heart. I saw Cara fall to the ground with her head in her hands. I started to walk towards her, when Joe pulled me back.

"I don't think now is a good time. Let everything cool down."

I stayed back with Joe as I watched Kristi walked forward to comfort her friend. She got Cara up off the ground and walked her out of the emergency room. A minute later Kristi was back inside saying her goodbyes and telling Meg it was time to go. I saw her walk over to Joe and kiss him on the cheek. Then I saw nothing but their retreating backs leaving the emergency room.

Kristi's Point-of-view

I manage to get Cara safely into the car as I retreated back into the emergency room to tell Meg it was time to go. I walked into Nick's room.

"Hey Nick! You are looking great!" I said leaning down to give him a hug. "I hate to be the barrier of bad news, but Meg and I need to go."

"Its ok. You guys go get some rest. Come by tomorrow if you want!" I gave Nick another hug and went to find Joe as Meg said her goodbyes to Nick.

I found Joe right outside of Nick's room starring at Kevin. "Hey, Meg and I are leaving. I am going to go take care of Cara, but feel free to call me tomorrow."

"Is she going to be ok?" Joe asked.

"Yeah, she will be fine. I know this sounds mean, but I hope David and her can't work it out. I am tired of seeing her so upset about him."

"Yeah, I understand. We have got to figure out a way to get her to see that Kevin is the one she needs to be with."

"I know and we will. But, I need to go! Talk to you later" I said as I kissed Joe on the cheek.

Meg and I walked back to the car and I noticed Cara was asleep in the backseat.

"Is she ok?" Meg asked.

"Yeah, she has just had a long day and an even worse night" I said.

I told Meg all about the situation with David and we both agreed that we needed to get rid of him and fast. Meg also told me about the dinner that Mrs. Jonas had plan for Thursday.

"Yeah, she wants to have a dinner to Thank Cara, and to Welcome Nick home from the hospital. And she says that we are all invited. So, free up your calendars on Thursday Night at 7:00!"

"That sounds like so much fun! She is so nice!" I said smiling at the idea of having dinner with the Jonases.

"I love her. Oh this is it, this is my house!" Meg said as we pulled up to her driveway. "Thanks for everything tonight. Even though it was chaos, I had so much fun. Call me tomorrow and maybe you, me, and Cara can go visit Nick in the hospital or grab lunch or something."

"Meg that sounds great! I will definitely give you a call." I said as gave Meg a big hug.

After I left Meg's I headed straight to Cara's apartment. I helped her inside and into her room. She was so out of it and I could tell it had been a long day for her so I decided to stay the night incase she needed anything, but mostly because I knew she just needed a friend after the way David treated her.

I turned off her light and walked across the hallway to the guest room. I frequently stay at Cara's, so I already had a change of pajamas in one of the drawers. I slipped them on and then slipped under the covers. I was almost asleep when I heard my phone make a beep. I looked at the screen and saw that I had a new text message:

To: Kristi

From: Joe

Hey. I just wanted to make sure you guys made it safely to Cara's. I miss you already. I hope I get to see you tomorrow. I was wondering if I could get Cara's number from you, because Kevin wants to call her tomorrow. – J

I sent a quick reply back to Joe letting him know we made if safely and I also included Cara's number. I set my phone back down on the nightstand beside me and drifted off to sleep.