How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 147: A stranger among friends

Thursday at school fucking sucks. The lessons suck. Carla tells me about Harry still not feeling better. Adam ignores me. It sucks. It just sucks.

I'm relieved when I'm home only for the day to suck some more because I have to spend my evening at the police station, answering questions and being asked about what happened in the video. To my relief the audio in the recording wasn't good, so I'm assuming what Noah told us about Adam can't be heard. Harry also cried a bit while Noah said some stuff in the video probably.

_____

Friday morning I sit next to Austin, spending time together before I'm gonna pack my things and leave in the afternoon to visit Kevin.

"You're gonna eat cake for the both of us, alright?" Austin says.

"Yeah." I answer and nod.

"Two pieces." He states.

I chuckle a little. "Yes Austin!"

He hugs me and kisses my head. "You'll have a lot of fun. I hope next time I can meet all your old friends."

He pulls away and we smile at each other. I wish we could make out, fuck. Being at the hospital sucks. It obviously sucks a lot more for Austin, but it just sucks.

"Are my bruises still visible?" I ask Austin. They're mostly yellow and green now. My cheeks, my jaw, my lips, my eyes, my throat. That's where I have bruises.

"Dude. Yes." Austin answers amused. "They're so obvious."

I sigh frustratedly.

"When can you leave the hospital?" I wanna know. I stroke Austin's cheek softly. "I really wanna be alone with you."

"I'd also prefer that." The guy in the other bed says.

I chuckle and give Austin a quick kiss before moving a bit away from him.

"I'm advised to stay till sunday and have to come for checkups a couple of times." Austin explains.

I smile wide. "That's great. How's the pain?"

He shrugs. "It's okay. I still have a headache."

I nod my head. I hope it's soon getting better.

"What about your lungs? All good?" He asks.

"I'm still taking antibiotics, but it's all almost good now." I explain.

He sighs relieved.

"How are you feeling mentally?" I ask him hesitantly and take his hands in mine.

"Huh? All good." He answers.

I give his hands a squeeze. "Nora mentioned that you're not feeling so great." I admit.

"That bitch." He says angrily. "No, I'm fine. Just concerned about you. Are you alright?"

"Me? Yeah, of course. I mean I feel pretty guilty for all that, but-" I say, but he of course cuts me off.

"You're not at fault for what happened." He insists. "Sammy. We're all alive and okay. Because you called Carla and gave them the address. You saved us. And you saved me again afterwards by risking your own life. Don't ever do that again."

I can feel a lump in my throat and tears threatening to well up in my eyes. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

"I just- Noah would have never hurt you like that if it wasn't for me." I tell him.

"That might be true, but it's not your fault." He points out.

I sigh and nod my head. "His death is my fault then."