They're in eighth grade for any confusion. I think that means they're like 13/14 and I know they seem a little old to do this sort of stuff but in the books, they seem lile 15/16 and some of the girls in my school have gone way farther than that at that age. So yeah. Thanks for the great reviews, I was worried after such a risque chapter. Is it risque? Anyway, on with the chapter and a lot more drama.
'Soccer practice. We've got a big game on Saturday, you've no idea how much I want to win this game. Me and my brother have a bet going. If I win, I get his drums. How cool is that?' Aaron said, eyes twinkling.
'Way cool.' Claire said, smiling back.
The Block Estate
Guesthouse
Monday, May 19th
4:37 P.M.
Claire rubbed her temples in a failed attempt to ease her throbbing head. After another day of texting in classes and frowning, her head was thumping. She poured herself a glass of water, then retreated upstairs to her bedroom. She took a sip of the water, before placing it on her bedside table. She opened her window and swapped her long sleeved tee for a thin-strapped red vest. Claire then slipped her Keds off and flopped down on the bed, closing her eyes, she loved the feeling of the warm embrace. She heaved herself up feeling like cow pat and retrieved some painkillers from her desk. Claire switched on her computer, and waited for it to load, hoping that Aaron was online to comfort her. He wasn't. Claire scanned her list of online contacts and saw that nobody she chatted too, regularly was online. Not even Kristen. Which was extremely wierd. She lay back down on her bed, loving the feeling of the light breeze that flowed in. An IM message sounded, not too long after.
FISHER2: !!
CLAIREBEAR: ?
FISHER2: u need to get to the infirmary now
CLAIREBEAR: no i dont. i feel fine. its just a headache.
FISHER2: seriously. aarons been in an accident.
CLAIREBEAR: please tell me ur jokin.
FISHER2: :( harris will pick u up in 2 minutes.
CLAIREBEAR: its fine, Cam. i'll go myself.
FISHER2: no, 2 mins.
FISHER2 HAS SIGNED OFF 4:45 P.M.
Claire pushed her chair back from the desk, heart racing. She grabbed a hoodie out of her wardrobe and slipped it on over her now ice cold body. Slipping her Keds quickly on her feet and grabbing her cellphone, she raced out of the guesthouse and down to the front driveway. Harris was already there and waiting. With Cam. She ran to the car and hopped in. Harris drove away quickly.
'Please. Tell me you were joking, Cam.' Claire said, tears in her blue eyes.
Cam shook his head and started to explain. The tears started to pour from Claire's eyes as Cam spoke.
'It was after soccer practice. We were all kidding around and messing about on the sidewalk. We had some game going, about girls, and Aaron said something about Derrick's sister. Just jokingly. Derrick chased him, and Aaron ran out into the road. There was nothing we could do Claire, the car just hit him.'
Claire started to sob and put her head in her hands. Cam put his arm around her.
'I'm sorry for everything, Claire. You probably would have wanted someone you like to tell you, but there was just me. Nobody knew how to say it. So I volunteered.'
'It's fine. It's fine. How bad is it?' She asked, fearing the worst.
Cam leaned over into the front seat and grabbed her some tissues.
'We don't know yet.' He said. He handed her a few.
Claire wiped her cheeks and blew her nose. She sat back against her seat, dreading the moment when they would arrive at the hospital.
'Do the girls know yet?' She asked.
Cam shook his head.
'Derrick said to tell them when we get news. We had to tell you though.'
Claire nodded, they were turning into the hospital car park and her stomach was doing somersaults. It was all a daze, as Harris guided her and Cam to the rest of their friends. Cam was supporting her, and from the looks of the rest of the boys, the news was bad.
'He's not...?' Claire whispered, her voice hoarse. She couldn't bring herself to say the word 'dead'. She sat down on one of the plastic chairs.
Derrington shook his head, but a smile didn't pass his lips.
'It's not good news, is it?' Claire said.
Derrington shook his head, once more.
'The car hit him pretty hard, Claire. There's a low chance of full recovery.' He said, not looking her in the eyes.
Tears pricked Claire's eyes.
'He's going to die, I know it.' She said softly. The statement was aimed at herself but the boys heard it.
'Everything's going to be fine, Claire.' Josh said. 'Even if he doesn't fully recover, he'll have us. And you.' He said, softly. He took her hand and squeezed.
Claire hung onto Josh's warm hand and gave him a small smile.
'Can I see him?' She said.
'His parents are with him right now.' Derrington said. 'You can wait with us, if you want. I've called Massie, she's on her way.'
Claire nodded and leaned back, pressing her head against the hard wall. Her head was still throbbing but that was the least of her worries right now.
'Claire?' A womans voice rang through the halls.
Claire leaned forward looking for the source. It was Aaron's mom.
'Would you like to see him?' She asked, softly. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her mascara was smudged around her eyes.
Claire shook her head.
'I think it should be just be you three right now.' She answered.
Audrey, Aaron's mom shook her head.
'No. Do. Please. We're going to pick Koby up from college. Its going to take a couple of hours and we want someone he loves with him.' She said.
Claire nodded. Audrey held out her hand and Claire took it. She followed her into Aaron's room. As soon as she saw the wires crisscrossed and coming out of Aaron's body, she ran out.
'Claire, are you okay?' Cam asked, running over.
Claire took deep breaths.
'I can't do it.' She said.
'You can. Just go back in.' Cam said, he pushed her forward and Audrey met her at the door.
'It's okay, Claire.' She said, kindly.
Claire took a deep breath and went back in the room. She tried to blank the wires out of her mind and sat down on the chair beside his bed.
'We'll be back soon. If it gets too much, call someone in to sit with you.' John, Aaron's dad said. 'The doctors said he could wake up within the next hour.'
Claire nodded and gave them a small smile and a wave.
This can't be happening, she said, over and over in her mind.
She looked at her boyfriends unconscious body. His arm lay at his side, so she took her warm hand and squeezed it. She gasped. Claire was sure Aaron had squeezed back.
'Aaron?' Claire whispered softly. She saw his eyelids flicker. She tried to speak again but no other words would come out. The only sound was the steady beat of Aaron's heart, beeping on the machine.
Claire sat up in her seat. Her neck was rigid and staring down at her were Aaron's family.
'We just got back.' Audrey said. 'Your parents are here. I think it's best if you go home and get some proper sleep. Your mom gave us your number so we'll call you if we get anymore news.'
Claire nodded, sleepily. She kissed Aaron's cheek and left the room.
Short chapter but I want to get it up soon. So yeah. Review. Will Aaron survive or is he destined to fly way up high? Next chapter shall soon be here.
