Blandview High Musical

64. The Hurt That Leaves A Mark

The phone screamed on my nightstand in the middle of sleep. I jumped awake, turning on the lamp and answering the phone. "What?" I asked, sighing. It was Jade. "You need to get to the hospital now. Shayne's awake." She said, urgently. I jumped up from where I was laying, shedding my pajamas and throwing on sweats and a t-shirt.

"What's going on?" My mother asked as she saw me leaving the bedroom. "Nothing. Shayne's awake and I'm gonna go to the hospital to see him." My mother creased her brow. "Okay, be safe driving." She said, pushing the bedroom door shut. I tugged my sweater around my shoulders, snatching the car keys from the bowl by the door. I rushed out the door, not even bothering to lock it. I caught myself driving in the dead of night to the hospital on the furthest side of town.

Tommy's feet dragged against the tile flooring as he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets. He was wearing red, black and grey pajama pants that hung loose around his hips. He was wearing an Iron Maiden shirt that had been made into a crop top. His hair was messy like he'd just woken up and he was stepping out of the high tops. Jade hadn't been able to reach Caylie and Damien. "Is everything okay?" He asked, rubbing his eyes. "He's just woken up. I wanted to be here with him." "Did you call Gill?" He asked. "Yes, I called her." Jade said. Just then, I came walking into the waiting room. "Have you seen him yet?" I asked. "They're cleaning him up." Jade said.

We waited for about an hour before they called us. "Only two at the time." The nurse said. "We'll wait here, so you can see him alone." Jade said. I knew it was killing her on the inside. She needed to be near him. It was like they shared half their braincells between the other. I hesitated for a second. "Go on." Tommy said. I nodded my head, moving down the hallway alone. I took a deep breath. Time seemed to slow down again. My feet were growing heavy with each step. Finally, I reached the door to his room and I pushed it open. I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do it. I almost crawfished. Without anymore thought, I shoved the door open and walked into the room.

Shayne was laying in the bed, I could see through the sheer curtain. I stepped out from behind it. "Shayne?" I said, softly. His lids lifted slowly and his eyes shifted to me. "Gilly..." He said, hoarsely. I walked over to him, swiftly. I sunk into the seat by the bedside. I couldn't stop the tears. I grabbed his hand, squeezing it. "Shayne, you're—you're okay." I said. He chuckled. "No. I'm not." Tears streamed down my face. "Don't say things like that." He coughed again. His body sunk against the mattress. "It's true, Gill. I can feel it in my bones. I'm not gonna make it." My eyes squeezed shut, tears falling more now. My head fell forward against the covers, sobbing softly. "No! They're...they're gonna make you better. They're gonna fix you." I said. He was still in the bed. He sighed.

Tommy wrapped his arm around Jade. She could feel it in her soul. Something was wrong. Something that maybe couldn't be fixed. "Do you think she's okay?" Tommy asked her. "She just needs him." Jade said. His grip around her tightened. "What about you?" He asked. Jade shook her head. "I can wait. Shayne would want that." Jade said. He walked her back over to where they could sit down in the chairs.

"Look at me." Shayne said. I didn't want to look up. I didn't want to face what was happening. I lifted my head from where it was, my eyes gazing over at him. "Why wouldn't you just tell us that something was wrong?" I asked. He stifled another cough. He shook his head. "I can't remember anymore now why I was keeping it from you." He said, quietly. "You can't leave me here alone. I won't let you." I said. "You're not going to be alone." He said. His fingers contracted around mine as best as they could. His grip was weak. "I'm always going to be right here." He said. I knew he wasn't talking about physically. My head fell forward back onto his lap as I continued to cry.

When I emerged from the room, I rushed down the hallway. I bypassed Tommy and Jade, leaving the building completely. I could hear them calling to me. They were shouting my name, but the tears were thrumming in my ears so loudly I couldn't respond. Into the dark of night, I went. I got into the car and started it, driving off. I couldn't look back, couldn't think, couldn't speak...nothing at all.