Fragile Heart

Chapter Seventeen

RILEYS POV
Auggie and I were cuddled up to each other on the soft,plush bed with blankets protecting us from the cold outside world. His impressionable eyes were glazed over and wouldn't move from the screen. His mouth was drooped towards the floor as if it was about to fall off. We were watching lilo and stitch, it was Auggie's favorite movie. That kid would watch it over and over until he knew every single world and stage action backwards and forwards.

My phone started to buzz and Auggie screamed "stop disrupting my movie Riley!"
I quickly pressed the answer portion of the screen before Auggie could slice my head off.
"Hey Riley." My father said as serious as a businessman in a conference.
"What's wrong?" I asked while my mind jumped to conclusions and my heart progressively vibrated.
"Shawn's at the hospital with Maya. She got into a car accident.Mom and I are going to come pick you guys up. We should all be there when she wakes up."
"Yes," I said not coming close to facing reality.
In the hospital? Is she okay? Wake up? Where's Josh? My mind throbbed with each question squirming for an answer. I needed to stay strong, Maya is strong.

JOSHS POV
I grabbed her hand forcefully and dragged her behind the carnival where the lights were dimmed and I could hardly make out the shape of my hand.
"Why are we here?" She asked all giggly and sweet.
I clutched her wrists and generously moved my hands all over her voluptuous body, enduring all of her curves.
I pressed my lips against her plump,soft lips and our toungs did the tango.
All of my past feelings swept me up into a tornado, I was demolishing everything in my way, including Maya. The girl I wanted so desperately to believe in me, to believe I wasn't this guy and here I was proving her wrong. My heart clenched in my chest.
"I really like you josh." She whispered wrapping her arms around my neck tightly.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket and read "Cory".
I reluctantly clicked answer.
"Josh, where are you?" Cory said frantically.
"Bro, chill. I'm at the carnival."
"Topanga and I will swing by there on our way to the hospital. Stay put."
Hospital? My heart ceased beating.
"Is Riley okay?"
"Riley's fine Josh.,"
"Auggie?"
"No, it's Maya." Cory said with a cracked voice.
This wasn't real, it couldn't be. She was just right there. How could I let her out of my sight? How could I be so selfish? Anger swelled up in my head and I felt like I was going to detonate. Tears swam down my fear stricken face like a fast current. I couldn't face her, I didn't deserve to. I've never been this afraid in my life. I can't be here when she wakes up. I need to get out of here as fast as I can. I hastily dashed away from Olivia without a goodbye. I made my way to the nearest train station disregarding my left behind clothes. I didn't need them but I needed Maya to be better soon.
Once I was safe and away from anyone modifying my choice, I dialed Riley.
"Josh! Where are you? We are at the carnival looking for you!"
"Riley, I'm going back to Philadelphia. I'm on the train, I just need to be home."
"You weren't supposed to leave until tomorrow?" Riley asked breathing heavily.
"I'm sorry, I'm only causing bad."
"Josh, you're a selfish idiot. You don't want to see Maya in the hospital? Stop using that as an excuse. You're causing bad by not being here!" She screamed.
"Riley, She doesn't need me. She needs better. She needs you. I made a mistake."
"What mistake is so big you can't see Maya in the hospital? You should've been with her! She wouldn't be unconscious in a hospital bed if you would've paid attention to her. This is all your fault and you know it. You're being a coward!" She screamed in between crying.
There was a sharp knife hanging in my heart, each word Riley spoke twisted the knife leaving me in agony. I just wanted the knife out of my heart, I wanted this all to stop hurting.
I hung up and threw my sweaty hands into my hair pulling it aggressively. I'm an idiot.

MAYAS POV
The suffocating walls around me were a dark, ebony. I attempted to move but all of my limbs felt like they were tied down by thousands of pounds. I helplessly kicked and twisted my dainty wrists in hopes of an escape. I opened my mouth to scream but I didn't have the energy, I was gasping for air and words. Nothing seemed to come out. I felt so empty and completely surrounded by an eternity of no one or nothing.
"Open your eyes please Maya." I heard a soft,familiar voice. The voice of my angel,my anchor, my best friend.
"Riley." I tried to manage but once again no words managed to escape my bruise,tender lips. I was trapped in another realm where I felt asleep and at peace but alone. All of the sounds from the outside world were audible but no one could hear me, it was the most frustrating feeling.
I heard the aggressive sobs spilling from Riley's mouth and the flood of tears hitting the floor. The soft touch of a hand wrapped around mine and squeezed it tight. Her grip was so strong that I felt my hand go numb and loose blood circulation.
"Maya, please open your eyes. I guess this is the point where I give a good pep talk for you to wake up. If you wake up I promise to stop questioning your feelings. I know we haven't always agreed when it comes to boys. I love Lucas, he was the first boy I kissed, the first boy I developed feelings for.. My first boyfriend. I'm intimidated by you Maya, you're beautiful inside and out. I want Lucas. I like Lucas. But I don't NEED him, Maya. I NEED my best friend. I love you. I know you're a fighter and you'll be wide awake soon. I also know that your future holds so many great things, regardless of what you say or think. Maya you'll exceed your expectations and get everything you want in life because you deserve it and you're a fighter. So wake up, please. I need my best friend."
She squeezed my hand tighter and dug her head into my unconscious shoulders. I wanted to open my eyes but I didn't want to see josh. I patiently kept my ears out for the sound of his mesmerizing voice that never failed to put me in a trance, but I heard nothing. He was probably off playing house with his new victim.
The next person to enter the room was Shawn. I could sense his warm,broken smile from the hallway.
He leaned down and slicked my blond hair back with his hand. He slowly pushed his lips against my smooth pale forehead delicately. I felt less alone in this pit of darkness.
"Hey kiddo.. Wake up soon, we all miss you and I need my partner in crime. I know you feel like everyone leaves you Maya, but I swear to you I'm not going anywhere. I don't know what we are, what you should call us, but I'm here for you always. It kills me to see you lying here with the life sucked out of you. You're strong Maya."
His eyeballs filled with water and became all glossy. A single tear rolled down his face and I felt my heart ache. That's all I ever wanted to hear but he didn't know I could hear it. I want to unchain my wrists from this world and give him a long meaningful hug but I was trapped. He kissed my forehead one more time before leaving me alone, I wanted Josh's voice to be the next one I heard, the one I woke up to.