Walking into my dorm I threw my duffle bag into the chair before lying on my bed. Jaz was out for the night, wouldn't be back for a few hours and I wasn't in the mood to call anyone else to come a visit. My wrists radiated pain from the wounds that had already formed scabs; rubbing over the wounds lightly trying to soothe the pain, I picked up my laptop. Pulling up iTunes I started a shuffle of all the songs. First to play was "Liar Liar" by Christina Grimmie. Singing along the words I picked up a book that I had to read for class the next day.
A knock came from the door, I acted as though I hadn't heard it continuing to read along in the book and listen to the music blaring from my computer. They continued to knock, and I knew that they weren't going to leave until I opened the door. Slowly I opened the door to reveal Randy standing in front of me, hands in his pockets and head hung. "What do you want?" I hissed.
"I just came to see how you were."
"Why the hell do you care?" He sighed finally looking up to meet my eyes; he looked exhausted like he had slept in days. "You think I want to see you?"
"I'm sorry Andy, I acted impulsively. I should never have left the way I did. I shouldn't have reacted that way, I was just hurt."
"You think I wanted it to happen?"
"Yes, I know that you still love him." Sighing I leaned against the doorframe, hoping that this conversation would end soon. "I should never have tried to begin something with you after what happened, I was asking for something like this to happen. You're my best friend Andy; I don't want to lose you. Can we just forget anything ever happened?" he pleaded stepping closer to the door.
"Randy-"
"Please Andy; you know you want your best friend back!" Rolling my eyes at his childish antics I nodded slightly before a small smile formed on my lips. "Yes! What are you doing today, we should do something."
"I don't want to do anything today; I have to read for class tomorrow."
"How are you, me, and Jaz go out for dinner later? Will that work?"
"I guess, I'll text her and ask her. I'll have to let you know." He nodded before embracing me, after a few moments I relaxed against him. "I'm sorry Randy."
"It's okay, you weren't ready for anything and I should have known that." Pain began radiated through my wounds as I pulled away from him. "Are you okay?" he questioned seeing the look on my face.
"Uh yeah, I'm fine." Noticing my hand covering my wrist he pulled it away, his eyes meeting mine.
"Andy, what the hell, I thought you were done with this."
"Everything just went downhill-"
"That's no excuse!" Pulling my wrist from his grasp I stepped back into the room. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout, but I don't like seeing you hurt yourself."
"It's okay, I just- It seemed like a great idea at the time, but I promise I'm done. And look, they're healing. I'm going to be okay." A weak smile appeared on his lips before kissing my forehead and wrapping his arms around me once again. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being here and for understanding, it means a lot to have you to confide in."
"I'll always be here."
XOXO
"What is it Sam?" I answered the phone, feeling rude as Randy, Jaz, and Mark sat at the table.
"Charley is in the hospital." I dropped my phone causing it to clatter against the table.
"Andy?" Jaz asked seeing my face.
"I have to go. I'll uh, I'll call you guys later." I whispered before stepping away from the table and running out of the restaurant.
"What the hell happened?" I hissed towards my sister as she reached me.
"He was in a fight," her voice was weak as she spoke. "He lost a lot of blood and was beaten pretty bad."
"Why was he in a fight?"
"Something happened at the party he was at and he got in the middle of it. The hospital called Mom and Dad about eight o'clock."
"Is he going to be okay?"
"I don't know." Tears burned my eyes as I fell into the chair in the waiting room. I hadn't spent much time with my little brother lately, and now he was in a hospital bed fighting for his life. What would I do if he died? He was a good kid, had never gotten into trouble. He didn't deserve to die, not like this. "He's strong Andy, I'm sure he'll be okay."
"Sam what if he doesn't make it?"
"Don't think like that."
"Can I go in there?" She nodded before pointing towards the room that he was in.
Walking into the room sadness took over my body. He had multiple cuts on his body, one of his arms was in a sling, one of his legs had a cast on it, and his head was bandaged with blood covering the bandages while his neck had a brace around it. I sat in the chair next to the bed; tears fell down my cheeks as I took in the scene. "Charley I'm so sorry," I whispered. "I should have been there for you, I should have spent more time with you, taught you more about the way everything works in high school. I'm sorry." I never got a response, he was unconscious, and I knew that he couldn't hear me but I couldn't hold it in any longer. I'm not sure how long I sat in there with him, but when I came out the Richmond family had arrived. Helen and Tom sat in chairs near my parents trying to comfort them, Emily stood near my sister speaking soft words to her soothingly, and Ryan sat in a chair near Emily and Sam. When he saw me, he stood up making his way towards me.
He embraced me as fresh tears fell down my cheeks. "It's okay Andy, he's going to be okay," he whispered. "I promise."
"Is she okay?" I heard a familiar voice ask. I looked towards the source of the voice, a sad smile worn on his lips. "Andy I'm so sorry." He embraced me as more tears fell down my cheeks. He whispered soothing words in my ear, doing his best to calm me. "He's going to be okay, he's a strong kid Andy. He's not going to give up without a fight." Charley had become like a younger brother to John during the time that they spent together, and I could tell that this was killing him just as much as it was me. "Let's sit down," he questioned before leading me towards the small two-seater. His arm draped around my shoulders as I wrapped my arms around his torso stray tears escaping my eyes.
I could feel my eyes grow heavy as he traced invisible circles on my back, helping to sooth me. "John will you take Andy and Sam home?" I heard my mother ask seeing me falling asleep. "They need some rest."
"Of course, do you need anything Mrs. E?"
"No I'm okay, thank you though." He stood up from his position in the seat, helping me stand up. I gave my parents a quick hug before John helped me down the hallway.
XOXO
The sun beamed through the window of my bedroom, waking me up from my slumber. I felt a pair of strong arms draped around my waist as I became more awake. Looking behind me I saw John snoring softly. I tried to remove myself from his arms without waking him up, but he began to stir once I was out of the bed. His icy blue eyes met mine as I looked down at him. I sat back on the edge of the bed, as he brought his body closer to me. "How are you?" he whispered, wrapping his large hand around my small one.
"I'm okay, still trying to let everything sink in." He nodded sitting up, the covers falling to reveal his shirtless abdomen. He pulled me closer to him once he saw the tears build in my eyes, letting my warm tears fall onto his chest. "I should have warned him about these things, about parties and fights, but I didn't. I spent so much of my time being selfish, that I didn't spend time with my younger brother."
"Andy this is not your fault, it was going to happen one day. Maybe not this terrible, but he is going to get into fights and disagreements; but you can't do anything to stop it."
"He's my baby brother John." I pushed myself away from him looking him in the eye. "I should have been a better older sister."
"You're a great older sister."
"How are you not upset about this? He was like a little brother to you!"
"I am upset Andy."
"You sure as hell don't look like it."
"What do you want me to do Andy, sit here and cry because I wasn't there for him either? I can't do that, you are a wreck and need someone to rely on, and right now that's not your family. They are just as torn up as you are who are you going to go to? Randy sure as hell isn't here for you and neither is Jazmine."
"I didn't tell them."
"How could you not tell your own boyfriend what is going on? Did you just run out on them, leaving them to worry about you?"
"He's not my boyfriend."
Okay, so im so sure about this one. there are parts that i like, others im not so sure about. I may rewrite it and post again.. lol R&R tell me what think.
love
ashley