Surrender -Under Re-Write

44

Maya and I were currently attempting to sleep in Leah's room. The bed was a king size, so Leah laid in between the both of us. I knew Maya was asleep, and I was too nervous to see if Leah was. I was worried she'd think we were all suffocating her by constantly being around her, but she didn't say anything. I had expected her to shut down and isolate herself the way she had when she arrived here, but surprisingly she allowed us to stay the night with her.

I turned over on my side towards Leah, and was surprised to see her facing me with her red swollen eyes already looking at me.

Neither of us said anything, just stared at each other till I reached for the hand she had tucked against her chest. She stiffened slightly at my touch, but didn't fight when I just lightly held her hand in mine and gave it a soft squeeze.

I felt awful, I had no idea what to say to her. I wish Daniel was here, I think the two of them had a better understanding of each other than I'll ever have with either of them. It didn't bother me though. I know I couldn't possibly understand what it's like to lose someone I love the way they had, and in such an awful way. I hope it's something I'd never have to understand. I just wish I had some insight to help them. But is there anything that really helps?

Over the few days I've spent with Leah, I feel like the two of us were slowly becoming friends. She seemed to open up more to Maya, Daniel and I, and I was appreciative of it. I'm even more thankful she's allowed Maya and I to be with her while she's going through this. I might not have much to offer her, but I can hold her hand, and listen. Just like I do for Daniel.

"He left me." She says after a few minutes of our silent eye contact.

I squeeze her hand in mine, and take a deep breath.

"I wish I knew what to say."

Leah sniffles and nods. "Just don't say sorry." She says.

I give her a confused look. "Why?"

She lets out a bitter chuckle and wipes her eyes with her other hand.

"Because it doesn't help"

~

The next morning I woke up with almost half my body hanging off the bed. Leah and Maya were still sleeping, so I knew it was in the wee hours of the morning.

I tried to fall back asleep for another 15 minutes before my phone began to buzz. Daniel was calling.

I grab my phone and quickly leave the room, and go back to the one Daniel and I had been sharing before answering.

"Hello?"

"Hey baby" Daniels soothing voice coaxes over the line.

"Hey" I sigh somewhat happily.

"What are you doing up?" He asks.

"I could ask you the same thing." I chuckle.

I hear him laugh lightly on the other line before taking a deep breath.

"I just couldn't fall back asleep. Calling you was a long shot, thought you'd still be asleep." He chuckles.

"I couldn't sleep either." I sigh. "How Seth?" I ask. Realize I had almost forgotten I didn't get to speak to him at all yesterday.

"He's-" he sighs again. "He's fighting. I know he is."

"Did you get to talk to him? Did he wake up?" I ask.

"For a few minutes, but I think he thought he was dreaming. I'm supposed to go back to the hospital this morning."

"I'm sorry Daniel."

"Nothing to be sorry for. I mean, I anticipated this you know? I guess a small part of me still hoped he'd be sitting up in bed with a smile waiting for me." He laughs bitterly. "How's Lee?" He asks.

"God" I groan. "It's awful, Daniel. It was awful." I say, tears beginning to brim my eyes.

"I wish I could've been there..." he says.

"I do too. I don't even know what to say to her."

"Just be there." He says. "And don't say sorry." He adds.

"That's what Leah said"

I hear Daniel laugh bitterly.

"I know it was out of my control, but I still feel at fault." He says. "Arthur would've been fine if I-"

"Don't say that." I say cutting him off. "No ifs, No could've beens." I say.

Daniel sighs again but eventually says okay.

"I miss you, so much." He says, almost sounding pained.

"I miss you too." I sigh.

"Can we stay on the phone? I think I'm going to try to sleep." He asks with a hint of shyness in his voice.

"Of course." I say smiling.

I hear shuffling on the other end of the line, and I make myself comfortable in my own bed. We talk for a few minutes before I start to hear his soft snores on the other line. I tried to sleep, but I didn't feel right. I didn't feel safe, even with Daniel's presence on the other side of the phone.

I think eventually exhaustion must have taken me, because I don't even remember falling asleep.

Helloo my loves. Sorry for the two week hiatus. Just a lot going on right now and haven't had much time or inspo to write. Updates might be coming a little slower on this book but I do intend to keep writing so pleeeaaassseee bare with me 😅

Don't forget to vote and comment and as always happy reading! -Zeri