"A-a coma?" I say, tears in my eyes. I grab his hand tightly, praying for him to wake up.

"Yes. We are unsure when he will wake up. He lost a lot of blood from that gunshot wound." I close my eyes, placing my head down. Oh God. "Are you your brother's legal guardian?"

"Yes. We got all of that cleared up a couple months ago."

"Alright. Just making sure. I'll leave you alone." He walks out of the room and I try to hold in a sob. I ignored everything. Especially calls from Riley. I told Riley not to mess with OG and now look! My brother was in a coma and there was nothing I could do about it! My brother got shot and lost a lot of blood. I didn't even know where Riley was, but it wasn't in this hospital. I thought we meant more than this to him. The least he could do is see Kyrie. I knew Kyrie meant a lot to him, but I guess not.

I just wish… things didn't have to end like this.

I visited Kyrie every single day. Soon, I not only got calls and texts from Riley, but Huey. He must've gotten desperate. But I wasn't going to answer anything until Kyrie woke up, and if that meant years, then so be it. I'm willing.

I barely wore the ring anymore. I couldn't wear it. Every time I looked at it, I'd feel like crying. It meant everything to me, but not more than my brother. My brother would always be my first priority. Ever since I was young, he had been on the top of that list.

Cassandra came to visit him. She didn't even know until I called her. I guess that's what happens when you aren't apart of your kids life.

I hear my phone ringing and close my eyes, letting out a breath. I really needed to finish this homework. I wanted to ignore it, but my stomach was in knots. I stood up, walking over to my phone and answering it.

First thing I heard was an automated voice telling me about the call and that it was from prison. I wondered who I knew was in prison. I accepted it, following my gut and I answer hesitantly.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ray." I hear Riley's voice breathe out and my eyes widen.

"Riley? What's going on? Why are you calling me from a prison?"

"Ah… well… it's funny, really. Uhm." He lets out a breath. "They think I tried to kill Ky."

"What!" I shout, my eyes wide. He would never.

"Yeah, crazy right? But… yeah. Uhm… they gave me life."

"Life! But you didn't do it!" I say, tears filling my eyes. They gave him life. I didn't know any of this because I was too busy ignoring him and Huey. Because I was angry. But he was dealing with much worse. The man I loved was going through horrible things and I wasn't there. I could have proved them wrong! I could have changed this!

"Yeah, I know. I think it's because Kyrie's a minor. Huey thinks it's because I'm black. I should have listened to your gut."

"Oh God." I breathe out, tears falling from my eyes. "This is my fault. I'm so sorry Riley, I-"

"Nah, it's not. I understood you were mad. I just… kinda wish I could kiss you right now, you know? I missed you babe."

"Oh God Riley." I cry out, unable to stop. This was my fault. I was such a horrible girlfriend. I was terrible.

"Don't cry. Just… me and Huey are working on a way to get a retrial. We'll get me out of here babe."

"I'll do anything I can to help, Riley." I cry out, wiping my face. "I'm sorry I was being such a shitty girlfriend. I wish-"

"Don't worry about it babe." I hear a couple words in the background. "I wasn't even talking for that long! Man, this some bullshit." More words. "Ok, a couple of seconds. Just hold on. Hello?"

"Yes?"

"Rayen Denise Freeman, I love you so much."

"I love you too Riley." I say, in between tears.

"I gotta go. They're kicking me off this shit. Come see me?"

"Of course. I love you."

"I love you too baby. Bye."

"Bye." I cry. Without another word, there's a click and I drop the phone away from my ear. I let it drop to the floor, and I start to sob. I couldn't stop. How dare they think he did such a thing. Riley would never do that to Kyrie. It was plain and simple who did try to kill him.

"Since Kyrie was unable to testify, he was guilty. The blatant racism in the courtroom was evident. The only way we can do this is if we can get a retrial after Kyrie wakes up."

I wipe my face, holding Riley's hand tightly as Huey spoke. "We can't bail him out or anything?" I ask, my voice shaky.

"No. Bail is before the giving of the sentence." Huey says. "There was no way we could have raised bail in time. The amount of money was too high. We just need to work on this retrial."

I place my head on Riley's shoulder, tears still slipping out of my eyes.

"I wouldn't want you to pay my bail anyway, Ray. You already got to pay for Kyrie's hospital bills."

"I would have done it." I say, letting him stroke my hair. "I would have done it because I love you so much."

"I'm sorry it ended up like this babe." He mutters.

"It's my fault. You would have never been in this mess if I would have answered my phone. Or if I wouldn't have been your girlfriend. You wouldn't have had a reason to attack OG and this would have never happened."

"Aye, don't say shit like that. I'm in here for my actions. You don't tell me to do stupid shit, like the things that got me in here. I wish I listened to you more. I guess that's on me." He wraps his arms around me. "It's my fault I'm in here, you know? And we'll get me out."