Chapter Ten: Helpless

Karlee sweeps the hair from her face and turns her attention to Hadley. She rolls her eyes. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want."

"A life?" Shelby intrudes.

Karlee chuckles. "Or maybe some dignity."

"Why do you treat me like I'm a bitch? I did nothing wrong," Hadley says addressing the two girls.

"It's not about who 'did nothing wrong', Hadley. It's about who makes matters better," Karlee says.

"Not worse," Shelby finishes, obviously pointing an imaginary finger straight at Hadley.

"Well, I just want to see James," Hadley says annoyed.

"Whatevs," the two girls say simultaneously.

The three of them board the elevator. Shelby and Karlee lean against one side, Hadley on the other. It was probably the most awkward feeling anybody could experience. Karlee and Shelby step out of the elevator and enter the ICU, Hadley trailing close behind, making sure no doctor or nurse catches sight of her. Ellie turns around and sees her two best friends approaching. She stops comfortly scratching Logan's back and makes her way to the girls. Hadley scoots away from the group and enters in a vacant room.

"Oh, Ellie, I am so sorry. How is he doing?" asks Shelby holding back sobs.

"We haven't got a recent update. We're anxiously awaiting it, though."

"Well, you know we're here for you, sweetie," Karlee says sympathetically.

"I know. Thank you, guys. I don't know what I would do without you."

Shelby makes her way to Logan, who stands up at the sight of his girlfriend.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" Shelby asks him as they break from a hug and she plays with the spikes in his hair.

"It is just…so much. I have never been so scared or more annoyed in my life," he responds.

"I know, baby. It's hard for all of us."

"He's my best friend. He has done so much for me. Like, remember our record debut party?"

"Uh huh," Shelby says curiously.

"Remember when I fell off the stage?"

"Uh huh," she replies with a frown.

"Well, I didn't just simply fall off, as you know. My left lung was beginning to collapse due to an asthma attack that I wasn't aware I was having. I hadn't had an asthma attack for six years. Everyone thought Ellie saved my life. Which she did after a few rounds of CPR, but what helped me was my inhaler. I never carried one with me after the third year I was asthma attack free. Although it was Ellie running in with the inhaler, James was the one who told her to get my inhaler out of the glove compartment of his car. James has always looked out for me. For all of us. We are all brothers. James is obviously the biggest. He has always thought of himself as the protector. Especially for me, since I always get into trouble and I'm one of the smallest in the group."

"Awwwh, sweetie. He'll be okay," Shelby reassures her boyfriend as a she wipes the tears from his cheeks as a tear runs down hers.

"It's just weird having the roles flipped around. I hate seeing him like this. It makes me feel sick seeing him so helpless. You know what the worst part is?"

"What is that?"

He takes Shelby's hand in his and laces their fingers together. He looks through the wall of James' room as if he could see through it.

"We can't do anything to help him."