The Lines Between Us | ✔

|.26.|

September 21th, 9:22 am,

Ash

''He woke up about 10 minutes ago,' The doctor standing before me admits. We arrived hours earlier — Bella and I — and are just waiting to see Josh. She's asleep at my side. I can't even begin to imagine how hard this must have been for her. Though she doesn't love him romantically anymore, she loves him as a friend all the same. ''Thankfully he hasn't suffered from any major swelling or breakage - the bullet didn't hit any major arteries, so he should be fine within the upcoming months.'' The man paused to take a short breath. ''We would, however, like to keep him in the hospital for a while following his surgery.''

I feel more regret now than I would if Josh died. The fact that he is in pain because of me. It's heartbreaking. If I had never allowed him to come with me, none of this would have happened.

''Surgery?'' I question quietly, not wanting to wake Bella up.

The man nods. ''Yes, he received some minor blood vessel damage that we needed to operate on as soon as possible.''

''Is he in pain?'' I question, already regretting the answer I might get.

''He's on a heavy amount of drugs, so barely. But a major part of the recovery process will be support from family and friends.'' It sounds like a rehearsed speech. The everything will be fine, speech. He looks down at Bella. I know that Josh hates me for taking her away, but him and I have really bonded this last day or so. I don't know if Josh would even class me as a friend, but I wouldn't be angry if he does.

Nodding my head, I tilt it up toward the ceiling, landing it against the wall. Even when we arrived here they wouldn't let us see him. We've been waiting here for hours. Bella managed to get some rest, as long as I promised to wake her as soon as we are allowed. She's been like this ever since. I can't seem to close mine. I never slept when she was gone - or even when she was with me. It was like I could only ever think about him. Now, there isn't the smallest chance he is alive, but for some reason,  can't bear to shut my lids. It's like he's still out there, or someone is still out there, waiting for their chance to get Bella.

Jackson left soon after we got to the hospital. We weren't allowed in the ambulance, so we had to take Jackson's car. Peter came soon after with Josh's car. The ride here was soundless. I wanted to speak and let them know that everything was going to be okay, but there was never a correct time. I didn't know what they were thinking. Frankly, I am surprised the hospital didn't force Jackson to stay. His face was completely green. So green that I had to drive us here. I think he was both physically and mentally drained from the point he stepped foot in the basement. I still don't even know why he was there in the first place. Just an extra witness to what I did.

He didn't speak a word when we got here, they just offered him a check-up and told us it was the shock. I offered to give him a ride, which he refused. The nice side of me came out again.

Releasing a hefty breath from my mouth, I sink further into the chair. Bella stirs beside me, low muffling noises escaping her lips. She sounds scared, as though she is having a nightmare. The groans become deeper, illegible words leaving. ''Bella?'' I place a hand on her shoulder, shaking her slightly. ''Bella, wake up.'' I don't want to wake her, but if she is having a nightmare, she doesn't deserve to stay trapped inside it. Especially if it is caused by what I did. A single drop of water falls from her eyes. They aren't open, so it just seeps out of the corner. ''Wake up, love.'' Then, she wakes. I pull her tight against me, pressing her head against my shoulder. ''Bad dream?'' She nods her head against me. ''It's okay, angel.''

After a minute, she pulls away, wiping her eyes with a sleeve. ''Sorry.''

''Never apologize to me.'' My hand rubs circles on her back. She smiles in return; closes her eyes. ''What was it about?''