Previously…

He smiled a bit, the dimple popping out of his right cheek. "No worries. See you."

I watched him as he backed out of the parking lot down the street out of the complex area, and when his car was finally gone, I hurried inside to do nothing but cry and wait.

I unlocked the front door and slammed it shut, turning around to an empty, dark hallway. The hallway was pitch black, but I could still memorize the line of shoes and boots in the edge of the walkway as I walked past them. I felt the side wall for the light switch and sighed as the warm glow hit my vision. The silence was deafening as I slowly walked past the foyer and into the kitchen to put down my lunchbox on the counter. Checking my phone for the millionth time that night, I scrolled past social media notifications on the screen to check for any new updates from my family. Nothing new came up yet, and my anxiety started to flare up again. Without Edward or anyone else to talk to now, it was easier for my thoughts to take a turn.

What if they didn't make it?

What's going on with them now?

What if I can't talk to them?

What would happen if I really had to live by myself….? Can I afford to live on my own? Do I even want to? Should I have to?

I shook my head, the chills spreading all over my body. "Ugh, stop it!" I spat to myself, running my hands through my messy hair and raced to my room, past my mom's room, past the guest room, and the living room, and burst into my room doors. Still in my frustration, I ripped off my clothes, dropping them on the bed, and paced to the bathroom shower. I quickly turned on the faucet to high heat, dipped my toes in the tub. I knew my feet were screaming for both water and rest, so allowed my toes and skin to sit and lather in the heat and smoke. Grabbing the shampoo and conditioner, I washed and detangled my hair, my sore arms unraveling as they did their work. My muscles relaxed as I continued my unnecessary-but-necessary wash routine, adding spritzes and sprays to protect my curls. When I finished, I came out of the shower, dried my hair first, wrapped my body into a robe, and padded back into my room.

Flipping on the TV and scrolling through the channels to watch something stupid, I began to feel myself relax, but I knew I wasn't fully comfortable. The nagging feeling of worry for my family in the hospital was still in the back of my mind. I fell into the bed, trying to let my body relax under the covers. Now that I was off from work, away from my work friends, some of whom I followed on social media but didn't know personally, I needed a sense of something to keep me grounded.

This was when it sucked when your former best friend and ex-boyfriend was nowhere to be found, probably in another state somewhere, and he didn't even want to talk to you anymore.

A shaky sigh came over my chest as I tentatively let memories of mine and Jacob's short-lived time together sift through my mind.

My mind transformed from days of him and me on our first dates, walking along the beach, the movies, concerts to see our favorite bands and singers, him meeting my mom. Us working together side by side as cashiers and floor associates.

My smile fell as the bad memories came up.

Hey, can we talk?

Sure. What's up?

Remember what I'd said about me being super private and not having anyone in my business?

Um…yeah.

I think it's pretty unfair how people at work are pressuring you about me, and how they keep making shit up about us. No one needs to know anything. We're just friends, hanging out and not making any major decisions right now.

I - I know. I didn't say anything -

See, now I know you're lying.

How am I lying? I'm sick of it too. I'm sick of feeling like I have to play nice just so they'll leave me alone at work. It's the fucking Superstore, man. It's a fucking convenience discount store. It's not that serious…

It is serious when it's my name on the line.

Well, what about me? Don't I get a say in this?

He shrugged. You can say whatever you want. Just keep me out of it.

I buried my head under the covers, still naked from the shower. I couldn't believe I was still hung up over that loser. He'd left me alone physically, but he was still clouding my judgement months later. I glanced at my silent, blank screen of a phone, willing myself to delete his number from my contacts. But everytime I tried to remove it, the urge died, along with my broken and confused heart.

Suddenly, the screen lit up with a text from Mom.

Hey baby.

Mom? Where are you? Are you okay? Leah called.

Yeah, I'm still holed up here at the hospital. Sam is staying overnight with Leah in the next room.

How's the baby?

She's fine, thank God. Though, Leah has a feeling she'll be coming sooner than September.

Aww I really wanted a birthday twin lol

Haha you still might.

How are you doing though? Did you get full blast of the crash?

My left arm is a bit bruised, but nothing's broken. I still have some trouble breathing in my right rib.

Jesus Christ….

I know, baby. I'm so sorry that you're alone in all of this, away from everyone. How are you feeling?

Scared, worried, but also glad that everyone's pretty okay. I just want everyone home at this point. How's Sam? And what about the baby shower?

Sam's sleeping in Leah's room. And I think the shower will be postponed, but Leah wants to keep it together. Half the family in the area paid for their gifts already.

So what now?

Now, I'm going to rest because I need it, and so do you. More than likely, Leah and Sam will come home tomorrow, but we'll see. I'll text you then.

Ok. Goodnight. I love you.

I love you too. Night.

I locked my phone back, grabbed my charger from my bag, and plugged it in to charge my phone. Since I couldn't do anything more for my family in the hospital, I rolled over and tried to sleep my anxiety away.