The One Who Protects

Two

My eyelashes slowly started to flutter open as I was waking up. I saw the white ceiling first and instantly rolled my eyes. The hospital, really? All I had was glass in my skin that could've been pulled out at home.

I looked straight ahead and saw my dad talking to Taylor and some random dude in a suit. My mind filled with multiple questions as I tried to figure out who he was.

"Who's the dude" I groggily stated as I watched them scramble apart at the sound of my voice. Relief washed over my dads face as he heard the sound of my voice traveling around the white room.

"Are you okay sweetheart, How are you feeling" he rushed out as he came to my bedside grabbing my uninjured hand and looking at me with worry evident in his face. 

"Im okay dad, I don't think it was necessary for me to come to a hospital. I think you overacted just a little bit" annoyance was laced into my tone. My dad always overacts every time I am injured or sick in any type of way. I could cough and he would think I was dying, he was such a hypochondriac when it came to me.

"You don't think it was necessary? You were pale as a ghost and you were barely getting any air as you were sitting there hyperventilating, and then you passed out on us. You scared Taylor and I. You know how much Taylor likes to not speed but he did the whole time, 50 over to get you to the hospital quickly. So yes my dear it was greatly necessary" he rambled about but honestly I stopped listening about halfway through his talking. I just couldn't help but to look at that guy, it looks young as heck and I don't understand. Oh my gosh. He's my older brother, its the only possible reason a kid like him would be here.

"Is he my brother" I questioned. I was watching him to see what his reaction would be and I soon as the words left my mouth, he became amused and his laugh was now heard throughout the room. My goodness his laugh was something else, it was deep and raspy. 

"No El, he's your bodyguard" my dad answers.

"Why do I need a bodyguard, I believe I am more that capable of protecting myself" How dare he hire a bodyguard, especially one who looks like he barely just got out of high school. How could someone so young be capable of protecting me. Must be a joke, a witty prank to ease the seriousness of the situation I am currently in.

"El, I didn't want to tell you this right now, while you're in here but you woke up earlier than expected" he seemed tense when talking. He sat on the corned of the tiny hospital bed and grabbed onto my legs. He seemed thrown off, the teary eyes were noticeable in the light and at that time I knew this was serious.

"Go on dad, I can handle the news" I reassured. I knew that's what my dad needed, just a little bit of reassurance. He knows how strong I am but because of my mom leaving, he takes precautions because he doesn't want to lose me.

"Taylor and Rylee found something while cleaning up the glass. It was rock with a note attached to it. Thats how your window was busted open, whoever it was threw the rock at your window. Thats not the worst part though, the note stated protect your precious one and was signed with the initials SD" he explained the situation to me.

Throwing my head back, I stared at the ceiling as the weight of his words hit me. SD was dads rival gang,  they went back and fourth for years until suddenly they stopped for a long time. They knew my mom had left us and I think they felt sorry because they stopped bothering us but I guess they were back to causing trouble, only this time they're involving me.

"The bodyguard was just for extra protection for your safety. Your dad wants to ensure you're going to be okay. The threat was made out for you and he doesn't want to risk anything happening to you" Taylor assured and grabbed onto my dad's shoulder to calmly show he cares.