Chapter XXXI - Aftermath

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Andrew's POV – Same Day

I drag my feet as I near my aunt's house, walking at a very slow pace to an extent that a lot of people would swear I had the genes of a snail. Well, I really wouldn't argue with anyone for assuming that, or just argue with anyone about anything at all, because I'm in no mood whatsoever to argue. Who would want to argue after receiving such devastating news? Not me, that's for sure.

I continue dragging my feet as I make it through the gate, and make my way up the driveway, to the door, then let myself in. As soon as I walk inside, I am hit by the smell of something burning and the sound of my aunt running around the kitchen, I assume, to put out whatever was burning. I drop my back pack by the door, and head into the kitchen.

As soon as Aunt Jenny's eyes land on me, she yells in joy.

"Oh Andrew, you're back!" she calls, trying to make as much air using a tray, to put the smoke out. "I was trying to make roast chicken, but..." she pauses, and looks at something on the kitchen island. I follow her line of sight and... Oh my goodness, is that the chicken? How dare she kill that poor chicken twice? And before you say I'm exaggerating, this chicken is as black as a piece of charcoal.

I cackle at the sight, and shake my head.

"Hey Honey, what's wrong?" she enquires, after noticing my offish mood. "Did something happen at school?" she adds, shutting the oven and making her way towards me. "Let's go to the lounge so we can talk about this." She grabs my hand and leads me to the lounge, and takes a seat with me.

"So, I'm gonna assume that whatever this is about is about that boy you were telling me about earlier..." I nod in approval " ...and from the look on your face I guess he didn't give you an opportunity?" she asks slowly, and I shake my head. "Well then what was it...did he move on?" I shake my head. "Were you his side thing? And don't even tell me he's one of those 'oh I don't know what came over me, but I'm not gay' type of guy, is he?" I shake my head once again. "Well then," she sighs "you'll have to tell me what went wrong because I've ran out of ideas."

I draw in a breath as I prepare to break the news to her, "He was involved in a car accident..." I am stopped mid-explanation by Aunt Jenny's gasp. "Yeah, he was involved in a car accident last week Monday..." Gasp. "...and he's in bad shape."

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry Andrew" she comforts sincerely, throwing her arms around me, hugging me.

Being in her embrace made all the emotions that I worked so hard to keep in check after I left Pamela's office break free. One minute I was just sitting there, with a blank face, the next, I was a sobbing mess.

"I almost killed him Jen" I sob into her shoulder.

"How is all this your fault Andrew?" she asks sweetly.

"The lady that broke the news of his accident to me, told me that he was involved in the car accident after he left the school grounds on Monday morning, right after I broke up with him." At those words, my aunt lets go of me so quickly, you'd swear she'd grabbed a hot potato straight out of the oven, and her mouth hangs in shock.

"You broke up with that poor boy on a Monday morning?" she questions, already shaking her head in disapproval. "That's low Andrew."

"You're not helping" I sniffle with an eye roll.

"I love you enough to tell you the truth boy" she says sassily. "But how do you plan on fixing this mess of yours?"

"I don't know Jen. I mean, will he even be interested in seeing me after I nearly cost him his life?"

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you love being guilty. First you wanted to put the blame on yourself for the death of old man Pat. Now you want to take the blame for your boyfriend nearly dying?" she states honestly. This is the last thing I want to do, argue.

"But you know deep down in you that I may be the reason why he wasn't paying attention on the road, right? After everything I said, I guess he just wasn't in the right state of mind to drive" I say, diverting my gaze to the floor.

"Keyword: 'May'. Stop beating yourself up over all of this" she pleads.

"I'll try my best," I sigh "Can I go to bed now?"

"Okay, shout if you need anything okay?" I nod, and rise from the couch, and drag my guilty ass to bed. Aunt Jenny can try convincing me, that I am not responsible for almost killing Christian, but the reality is that I'm more than responsible. How convenient is it that right after breaking up with him, he was involved in a fatal car crash that almost ended his life? This is in no way, shape, or form, a mere coincidence. I had to drown in guilt because I really am an inconsiderate person. What if Christian had died? What would've happened to Isabella, his sister? He's the only person she has. What would've happened if I had taken the one person that she has in this world? I have no idea, but I sure as hell would've felt a lot worse than I feel right now.

I walk into the basement, which has been my bedroom for the past week or so, and descend the stairs, making it to my bed, and plop down, placing my head on my pillow. After falling on the bed, that's when my thoughts consume me entirely.

How did I do that to Christian after all he's done is show me just how much he cares about me? Why did I do that? Why? I ponder, before reaching a conclusion that seemed to make sense to me. I grew up in an environment where I was heavily neglected. Constantly left alone. Had no one to talk to, or to turn to beside Grandpa Pat. Had parents who'd fail to provide even an intsy tiny bit of emotional support; to an extent that when Christian came along, and showed me love, I had no idea what to do with it. I was sent off the edge by the fact that a person I had known for barely a few weeks, felt so passionate about me. Loved me.

It's just really sad that I'm realizing all this when it's so late. God, I wish I had seen things this way earlier.

*****

Hi Lovelies

Your boy is back, with another Chapter *does silly dance* and I hope you enjoyed it. Now, I'd usually state my views about this Chapter, but I guess that will have to wait till the next Chapter because I just wanted to tell each one of you that Safe Haven has reached 400 Reads. I know it's not a lot to others, but it means so much and more to me, and I can't thank y'all enough. I really appreciate the support you've shown to me, so thank you!

I love y'all.

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Ciao!

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