What Lies Beneath The Clearing

Chapter Five

"Chelsea, hey."

"Don't 'hey' me, where are you? I woke up and you were gone."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Well? Where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital."

"The hospital?"

"Chels,"

"Are you okay? What the hell is going on? What happened?"

"It's not me, I'm okay. A friend of mine, isn't doing so well."

"Oh. Jesus Jay, you scared me."

"Sorry."

"Well, what happened?"

"I'm not sure yet. She collapsed, I think-"

"She? What do you mean she?"

Jay's eyes closed as he tensed, taking a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Would you not? Please? She's 16."

"16?"

"Yes."

"Well...you didn't say that."

"I shouldn't have to. You shouldn't just jump to the conclusion that I'm with another woman."

"Look I'm sorry, alright? But if you don't want me to jump to that conclusion you should explain yourself properly. More importantly, why are you friends with a 16-year-old?"

He just sighed. "She's someone I arrested a couple times. Her dad and I get along and I've kept in touch to see how she's doing, that's all."

"Oh. That's kind of weird Jay."

Jay's eyes rolled out of frustration at her misunderstanding the situation.

"What were you doing with her this late anyway?" Chelsea questioned.

"She called me alright? She just lost a close friend and she needed someone to talk to."

"Well where's her mother? Or parents in general, why did she call you?"

"You know what it's none of your business, Chelsea, she doesn't deserve to be judged for needing a friend and neither do I for being there for her."

He leant against the wall, closing his eyes with regret at his tone.