Jill Valentine
No one was in school today. Piers, Chris, Helena. None of them were there today. Richard, Rebecca and Forest were there, but that was it. The rest of my friends weren't here. "Hey Jill," I hear Rebecca call as I sit at the lunch table with Forest and Richard. "What's up Rebecca," I ask. "Where's Chris and everyone else," she asks. "I don't know. I haven't seen any of them," I tell her honestly. "Jill," I hear my name called. I look around and find a familiar face, Claire Redfield. "Jill, we have to go," Claire says. "Claire? What are you doing here," I ask. "It's about Chris. It's really important, come on," she yelled. I followed Claire out of the building and to her car. "Claire, can you tell me what's up," I ask. "Chris, he's in the hospital with Piers," Claire says. "The hospital! What happened," I ask. Claire seems strangely calm.
"My parents aren't the nicest people. They're very abusive towards Chris. They see him as a huge failure, that's why he doesn't go to school with me. 'Why waste the money on a deadbeat like him?' They've always treated me better, Chris and I have always been there for each other. Anyway, last night they hit Chris and he left. I guess he went to talk to Piers and they were driving and an eighteen wheeler ran a red light and hit them." She began to tear up, "He's ok. He has a few broken ribs, but mostly scrapes and bruises. Piers isn't as lucky." "What happened to him," I yell. "I'd rather you see it," she says pulling into the front of the hospital. I rush in, asking the nurse at the front desk for the room number. My voice is shakey and cracking as I try and fight back tears. As I run through the hall, I feel them fall. I chose to see Piers first, Claire seemed to think he was really bad. Helena is sitting in the corner next to the bed. "Jill," Piers says smiling. "Oh," Helena smiles through her fear and hugs me. "How are you Piers," I ask worried. "I'm... I'm ok," he clearly lies. "What happened," I ask. "We were driving and a truck hit us out of nowhere. It wasn't Chris' fault, he was looking. We had the light! It wasn't his fault!" "It's okay Piers. Claire told me that," I calm him, "Come here." I hug him, but only feel one arm around my back.
"Jill? Can we talk," Helena asks. "Sure. I'll be right back Piers," I tell him. I walk with Helena outside the door. "How is he really," I ask. "Not ok," she says, "They had to amputate his right arm close to his shoulder." "Oh my god," I cry. Helena nods her head, "He knows. He keeps trying to tell people it wasn't Chris' fault. I think the only person who doesn't believe that is Chris. You should go talk to him." "Okay. Have Piers' parents seen him yet," I ask cleaning away the tears that were still on my face. "Yeah... They weren't happy." I nod and then she heads back into the room, I did need to see Chris. I head to his room which is a few doors down.
Chris Redfield
The door opens to who I expected was Claire. It isn't, it's Jill. I look away from her glance. "Chris," she asks. I don't reply, but I feel the tears burning away at my eyes. "Chris, look at me," she says. I can't do it. "Chris," she yells, "It wasn't your fault! Stop!" I shift my head quickly, "He was fucking pinned in between the truck and the car! I don't know how he even go there, but that's what happened! His arm was crushed in between, I heard him yelling in pain and I could barely move. Everything hurt, but I made my way over to him and tried to move the fucking car. I should've called the cops, but no! I went to move a fucking car! I'm just lucky the driver of the truck was calling already and came to stop me. Dad was right, I'm a fucking idiot." "Chris," she says moving closer. "No, just go," I tell her. I couldn't believe it when the next thing she did was slap me across my face.
"How fucking dare you," she yells. I clearly don't understand. "I hear you're in the fucking hospital from Claire and I don't know if you're even alive! I get here and you're telling me to leave?! Fuck you Chris," she yells. "Jill," I yell. "I'm sorry, but it's not your fault. Piers doesn't think that, no one does. We know the truck ran the light, it was dark. It wasn't your fault, we all know that. Don't even think for a second it was." "How is Piers," I ask. "What did you hear," she asks. "Just that he's not dead... Is he awake? His arm must be a mess," I say. "He's awake. His arm... They had to amputate it," she says. My heart sinks. "What?!" He would have no arm, for the rest of his life? He was only what, fifteen? No matter how many times they said it, it was my fault he'd be like that. I was driving. It was always the driver's fault. I took so many things away from him... He probably couldn't even write anymore. What the fuck did I do?
"I'm going to go check on Piers again," she says after a few minutes of talking. "Okay," is all I say before she walks through the door. "I love you," she says. She closes the door before I can respond. Claire walks in seconds later. "How you doing bro," she asks half smiling. "Not good," I tell her, "I ruined Piers' life." "Chris," she says but I cut her off. "No Claire, it's true. He has no arm, that's because of the crash. Sure we know it wasn't my fault, but who isn't going to blame me for that? Piers says he understands, but... I don't think he'll ever forgive me for that." "I actually spoke to him before, he keeps saying it wasn't your fault. He's worried everyone thinks it was. He said it to the police, his family, Jill, everyone. I'm sure he doesn't want you to feel that way," she says. "Doesn't make me not," I whisper. "I know Chris. But over time, I'm sure things will go back to normal." I hope she's right.
Piers Nivans
It wasn't Chris' fault. He was driving, but that was it. There was nothing he could have done to stop it. I didn't blame him for anything, I might've lost my arm, but it must've been for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. Sure, life would be harder, but I'd get through it. Helena sat with me since I was out of surgery. My parents and Tom were there in the beginning, but they went home at about one am. Helena stayed. Mom was crying, so much. Dad was holding her, Tom standing behind them, not really looking at me. I told mom it was okay, I told her the story. I made it clear it wasn't Chris' fault. I didn't want them to blame him. I didn't want anyone to blame him, I didn't want him to get in trouble in anyway. It wasn't his fault, I needed to make that clear.
Seeing Jill come in the second time was nice. "How's Chris doing," Helena asks. "I don't know. He's still blaming himself, told him he shouldn't but I'm sure that'll pass," Jill says. "I hope so," I tell them. "Glad you're okay, Piers," Jill says hugging me once again. I just wanted out of the bed, my body was fine other than the arm. I only had a few bruises and scrapes, but other than that I was okay. I took all the news well. I wasn't dead, and neither was Chris. That's all I needed to make me happy. Seeing Chris' sister was nice too. She was worried about me, which was nice. I barely knew her, but she was concerned and came to see me. I thought that was nice, and she was pretty hot. I don't know, I never really found a girl attractive, but Claire man... She was something else, I'd want to see more of her.
Jill Valentine
A week later, both Piers and Chris were out of the hospital and back in school. Piers was found with immense sympathy, Chris didn't have it that easy. Many people showed hostility toward him for the crash, of course our friends all understood Chris had nothing to do with it. They knew he would never intentionally put his friends in danger. He was loyal, and cared about everyone that was close to him. He appreciated his friends, treated them like family. I guess because he had such a messed up biological family. I did notice Chris and Piers spending less and less time together.
Helena and I were in Global together. We were now seated next to each other, while Piers sat on the other side of the room. "Where's Chris? I haven't seen him as much as we used to," Helena points out. "I don't know... He's been distant since everything," I tell her. "Have you tried to reach out to him," she asks. "Of course," I say, "We talked a little, but he's been avoiding me... Avoiding everyone really." "Has he been in school," Helena asks. "Yeah, but he goes straight to class and then straight home," I tell her. "I really hope he snaps out of it," Helena says. "You're telling me," I agree.
After we're dismissed from Global, I see him walk out the doors to the courtyard. I run after him, he wasn't getting away this time. "Chris," I call as I push through the double doors. He sees me from the small corner of the courtyard, a cigarette in his mouth as he's about to light it. "You smoke," I ask as I walk over to him. "Yeah... You want one," he asks. "No, I'm good... Have you been avoiding me," I ask as the paper lights. He puffs out the smoke before replying, "Jill... I." That's my answer. "I'll see you later Chris," I tell him heading back for the door. "No! Jill!" he grabs my arm. "If you don't want to see me anymore, fine. Just say it," I tell him. "No! Jill! I love you, but..." "But what?! Just say it and I'll go. I won't be mad, just tell me that you're done," I yell angrily. "Jill! I love you, I wouldn't want to be with anyone else... It's just awkward around Piers now... I mean, everyone in school blames me for what happened. I heard it go around when I walked in the first day back. The whispers when I enter the classroom. They think I don't hear them, but I do and I'm so sick of it... I just go out here for some quiet. You understand Jill," he asks.
"Yeah Chris... I'm sorry I yelled," I apologize. "It's okay... You know I never want you to go, right?" "Yeah Chris," I smile, "I know." He cracks a smile before taking another puff. "I'll see you later," I tell him. "Valentine," he calls. I look back to his smile, "Thanks." I smile before entering the halls once again, making my way to class way after everyone else had arrived.
Piers Nivans
Everyone saw me differently... Everyone suddenly cared, trying to help me with everything. That was nice the first day, but after that... I was ready to kill someone. I could carry my own bag, I could sit myself in a chair, I could write my own notes. I was luckily left handed. I could do everything, I wanted to do everything myself, but everyone insisted. I wanted to tell them to stop, I really did. But I didn't want to be an asshole and tell them I didn't want their help. Jill and Helena understood. They helped my just the right amount, if that made sense. They didn't cater to my every need. They did usual nice things for me, but that was it. They didn't go out of their way, and I loved that. They treated me no differently. Helena and Jill even teased me about my nub, and honestly, I loved that. They were so accepting of it, they weren't accepting and then babied me. They accepted and treated me the same way they did when I had my arm.
Football was something I was going to have a problem with. My balance was a little off now, but I'd get used to that. I was a kicker, I didn't really need my arms for that so I could still play. Coach let me come to practices and didn't kick me off the team, I was happy for that, but he told me he'd have me on the bench for this weeks game. He wanted to watch me more in practice and give me time to get used to everything first. I understood. I noticed Chris acting differently, at practice and at school. He'd see me, I knew he'd see me, but he'd ignore me. He'd catch my eye, then look the other way. I didn't understand. Was it the arm? Did he not like how it looked? Did he still feel guilty? Or was he just being an asshole? He didn't seem to talk to Jill much either, even when she was coaching during practice. He would talk to other members of the team, but very briefly. I didn't even see him talking to Richard or Forest. What was going on with him? I couldn't tell, couldn't even ask him. He would avoid me.