Page 97 of One of Them Girls

We turn and see Finley call from down the hall.

“Coming,” she calls to him.

She pulls me up, wrapping her arm in mine. Once we get back to the waiting room, she announces, “Cassi and I are going to go back first.”

No one questions her.

The nurse leads us down some halls and through a set of automatic doors. Once at the room, she stops. “He’s still out, but he should come to shortly. They already started weaning him off the medicine to help him recover.”

We both nod before she turns to walk away.

Tinsley steps forward, pushing the door open before taking a step in. She holds the door, turning to look back at me.

I can’t meet her eyes though. All I can see is Xavier lying on the bed.

“Avi,” I breathe out, my eyes prickling with tears.

He is lying in the bed, eyes closed, looking so peaceful.

Just like Ryan did.

My heart beats frantically as I try to reconcile what I’m seeing in front of me and the memories in my head.

He looks like he’s at peace. Like he is sleeping in on a Saturday morning.

Looks deceive. He’s no longer here with us. I hear my mom sob next to me. My heart breaks for her and for my father who is standing next to her, cradling her in his arms, attempting to keep it together. He has his own tears streaming down.

I take a couple steps forward toward the bed. Once at the side, I reach out, brushing his hand.

It’s cold to the touch. Not warm like it usually is. His chest isn’t moving. His eyes aren’t fluttering behind the eyelids. His skin is pale, a bluish tint setting in.

My heart cracks, looking at my best friend. My brother. The tears fall easily as my head pounds with the pressure. I cling to that cold hand, willing my life force into his.

I can’t live without him. How am I going to live without him?

This is all my fault. I shouldn’t be here, he should be. He was the responsible one. The good child.

I pull his hand up to my lips, pressing a quick kiss to it before turning and running from the room.

No one calls after me. No one runs after me.

I’m all alone.

I lost him.

Ryan.

That same cracking feeling hits my chest, warning me I’m about to crumble.

“Cassi?” Tinsley’s voice drifts to me, but I can’t answer her.

Instead, I shake my head at her, backing away from the door. Her eyes hold concern, but I can’t. I can’t go in there.

“I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” I sob.

Then I’m running.

This isn’t the same hospital. This isn’t even the same city, but the feeling is the same.

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