STUDY BUDDIES

prt thirty four

Jordan's Point Of View

4 Days Later
As I slowly rose from the hospital bed, I looked around in the dark room and I recognized my dad's figure as he and Jacob slept in the little couch, and Kyle sitting on his lap. Just then, I realized what disappointment I really was to my family. I didn't even know where I got the drugs I used to forget the feeling of sorrow, but then, Caleb entered the room and when he saw me sitting up, he froze.

"Hey baby, oh my God. I was so worried" he said softly and made his way over to me. He quickly placed a few kisses all over my face and then woke up my dad.

"JJ?" my dad jumped up when he saw me. "You're okay" he instantly embraced me and squeezed the life out of me as he shed some tears. "Why did you do it?"

"Dad, let's not pressure him with questions like that" I heard Jacob say. I didn't return any of the affection and love my dad showed me but, stared at Caleb, silently asking him for how long I was out and he showed me four fingers.

After Being Discharged

"JJ, I'm gonna try not to judge you right now but, can you please explain where you got drugs and why you used them?" my dad asked as he came laying down, beside me on my bed. "Are you addicted?"

"No dad, I just thought it'd take most of the pain away" I stuttered softly.

"Did it?"

"No"

"And how do you feel about it?" he asked, legitimately sounding like a professional therapist.

"I'm regretting everything I've done to not only myself, but to my entire family. I'm sorry dad, I really am" I whispered, tearing up. "For all the shame I've brought upon you"

"No son, we've already forgotten about your incident" he embraced me, "We put that behind our backs and life moves on. I hope it all delivered a memorable message to you and remind you that you can't change the past. A new chapter has begun" he said. When I finally stopped crying, he invited me downstairs, cause we're about to eat lunch, so I rose from my ashes and went to the bathroom to clean myself.  After that, I headed downstairs and not only did I find my own family; but also Lana's and Caleb. After greeting everyone, I sat down next to Caleb and to protect my feelings and acid getting some tears, Lana's parents talked about everything good, and about life, they were planning on moving to another state and leave their negative memories. "So, we started cleaning out her room and trust, it was not say. A very emotional day. So, the things she loved and cherished the most, we put it all in a box and thought you might wanna have it. Books; her favorite hoodie; polaroids and all that, small stuff" her dad announced as he teared up, looking straight at me. But before his tears could escape his eyes, he quickly wiped them away and went to get the box from the living room. I slowly stood up for my chair and when he put it down, I opened the box and the first thing I saw, was the book I gave to her for her sixteenth birthday. Yeah, we're big nerds.

"Thank you Mr Johnson, I promise I'll cherish these for the rest of my life" I said

"I know you will JJ, I know you will" he said with a friendly smile.

"Kevin, I think Jacob has something to tell you" my dad suddenly scoffed.

"What is it Jac?" asked Mr Johnson, sounding as friendly as always.

"Uhm, Mrs and Mr Johnson, I don't know how you're gonna react but, there's something really important to tell you" Jacob said nervously, "Lana and I, dated for quite a while now and, she-"

"She was pregnant with your baby?" Mr Johnson finished his sentence, "We know, her doctor told us. Jacob, we're not mad at you, she made it to eighteen and we all know that you're a respectful young man, so I really didn't have a problem with you dating or impregnated our deceased daughter. But I have to admit, it would've been nice to have grandchildren, but luckily, we still have Bjorn and Marisa and we have another one coming"

"Congratulations" we all wished him.

"See? I told you, good news is coming" my Dad reminded them.

"Thanks Brad, you've helped us a lot after her passing"

"To talk about pregnancies, I'm also pregnant, two boys" Cynthia then announced and my dad jumped up in excitement and started running around the table.

When he settled down and we congratulated him too...

"Okay baby, I have a question for you: will you go to prom with me?"

"Of course"