Chasing Fallen

Chapter 29

I sat by my bed silently watching the tall boy pack away his belongings.

"You know, I do not need you patronizing me." He stilled.

"Who, me? I'm fairly just watching since you denied my assistance." I crossed my hands.

He finally turned to face me with his piercing eyes, "I am fine, Cameron." He slightly frowned.

He was back to being Mr. I-imitate-a-rock-for-a-living McGuire.

Not wishing any bad on him, but he was way more sweet when he was in his postical state. This version here was debatable.

"I never said you weren't, I just wanted to help you out since you're coming from the hospital, not to mention that you also refused to go home to rest." I pressed. Couldn't he just take care of himself? The boy had almost made Annie cry with how insistent he was on not going home with her the day after his episode.

"I do not need your help." He brushed my passive aggressive tone off.

"Why?" I said exasperated.

He was silent. After a while he sighed, "Why what?"

"Why don't you take care of yourself. I saw your reluctance to tell Annie about whether you took your meds or not, y'know right before you lied to her. Why are you like this? You have people who care about yo-"

Before I could finish that statement he was right in front of me with the collar of my shirt in his fist.

"You know nothing, so do not go putting your nose where it does not belong, O'Hare." He said calmly.

I rolled my eyes and pushed him by his chest away. "Don't you dare give me that attitude. I know now, so it's now my business. I care about you, so you're now my business," his eyes widened infinitesimally at that but I didn't care. "Everyday, you will take your pills in front of me and if you fail to do so, I'm telling Annie."

"You would not dare," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Try me," I told him, my hands akimbo.

He flexed his jaw and sighed, defeated. "Fine!"

He brushed past me and walked out the door, Coal following closely behind him just before she passed me a glance. She'd been less hostile to me ever since Easy came back. I think we had a silent truce since I saved her best friend.

I smiled at the thought.

The last thing I needed was Easy thinking I was an control freak, but I wanted him safe. Needed him safe. And if he thought he wasn't going to take care of himself, he had another think coming.

I was exhausted. All of the weeks events were catching up to me.

I took out my phone and dialed a familiar number, praying and hoping she'd pick up.

She picked up after the third ring.

"Peyton," I squealed.

"Hey, Cam," her voice was a bit low.

"It's been a while. I tried calling you and you never called back, then there was you cancelling our graduation date." I cut to the cheese.

"I- A lot has been going on lately. I've just been busy and..."

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked softly. I felt selfish. I hadn't even been checking if she was okay. I shouldn't have just given up at calling. Some friend I was.

"I-I'm just going through a lot right now, but it's okay. I-I've been getting help, so it's okay." She said after a minute.

"Peyton, I'm always here if you need me and you know that. Why didn't you tell me that you weren't okay? Tell me what's wrong." I felt tears pooling in my eyes. I should have done better. This should be my fault.