Sophia, who art thou?

27. AVERY

"Sophia?"

It's a question because she's sitting outside Drew's room. She should be inside. Next to him. Holding his hand or reading to him or begging him to wake up. Like they do in all those cheesy TV shows. Instead she's sitting next to her "best friend", Roman. I know this isn't the time to be petty, but I can't exactly ignore his presence entirely, can I?

"Avery, hi," Sophia's voice is low but comforting. She hugs me, her cold fingers sending chills down my spine, as she ushers me into Drew's room.

I have been keeping it together for so long now. And it is exhausting. I am tired and overworked and now, burdened with guilt.

"I know you told me over the phone but how is he?" I spoke with Sophia about an hour ago. A lot can happen in an hour. Drew could've woken up.

"I haven't been in, because he isn't awake yet, but a nurse keeps coming to check on his vitals. So far, everything's good."

Her fiancé was in a car accident and this is the most she can muster? We're at the foot of Drew's bed and she still isn't looking at him. She isn't even crying. If you told me she was standing in front of a stranger, I would believe you.

I clear my throat. "Soph, do you mind if I just sat with him for a while?"

She smiles. "Of course not. I'll be right outside."

Thank god. What I need to tell my unconscious brother is going to be a lot easier without her here. I pull one of the stools closer to Drew's bed. I place my bag next to his arm, sure not to disturb his IV.

"Hey, Drew. I know you're unconscious but I've read up on how sometimes you can retain what people say to you when you're...not so awake. I was hoping you were okay. I didn't know what happened after you ended our call. I should've known. I...I am so sorry, Drew." I should be surprised when I sense my voice break, but I'm not. These are months' worth of tears I'm letting go of. "This is all my fault and it's so ironic because I'm the one who's always telling you not to speak on the phone while driving. Oh, Drew. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't've said anything."

I rest my head on Drew's bed, feeling a sense of regret creep into my skin as I hear the steady "beeping" of machines he's hooked on to. And then I- wait. Did the bed just move? I look up in surprise, letting out a snotty chuckle as I see my brother's mouth twist into what barely passes as a smirk.

"You are never living this down, Avery."

"Don't even joke about that," I whine as I wipe my tears away hastily. Drew's never liked tears. He's liked me to be strong. And I'll be strong for him.

"You sure took your time waking up, didn't you?"

Drew laughs, followed by a cough. This is the first time I've actually looked at his face and assessed the damage. So much for blaming Soph. His eyes have swollen to twice their size and are...red. Like freaky red. And there's a yellowish tinge to them. His mouth is crooked. Half his face is covered with white gauze. Best case scenario, they're just superficial cuts. Worst case scenario, they're burns. I flinch as I make eye contact with him. All of a sudden I don't blame Sophia. And it's...it's not just his face. His legs are elevated, littered with blueish black spots. His arms are covered in the same spots, with added burns.

I think Drew can sense my discomfort. "You certainly took your time getting here, didn't you?" he jokes, trying to make me laugh.

I smile faintly. "Does it hurt?"

"Not that much. I think the morphine is doing what it's supposed to."

"I should go call your doctors. They'll want to run tests or something."

"I don't blame you, Avery. I want you to know that."

"I wouldn't blame you if you blamed me," I say softly.

"I got into the crash half an hour after our call. You had nothing to do with it, okay?"

I smile, tears reappearing. I didn't do it? I didn't cause this? "I am so glad you're okay, Drew."

"Love you."

"Love you," I say as I hoist myself off the stool. "I'll go get Soph too, okay? I think she'll want to see you."

He smiles. I don't have the heart to tell him that she doesn't deserve a smile like that. I kiss the one unwounded spot on his forehead, slightly patting his shoulder. "I'll be here if you need anything. The whole time."