Lost In Her

FORTY-FIVE

*Dani's POV*

It's only been an hour until my phone rings. I smile, skipping towards the phone to see Abby's name light up my screen.

"Hey Angel."

"Dani!"

Only the voice on the other end isn't my girl's. "Henley?"

She sobs on the line."

"Henley what's wrong, where is Abby?"

"Please Dani come to the hospital, there's been an accident," she heaves.

"What wrong?" I shout again. "Where is Abby?"

"Shes hurt real bad," she cries again.

"I'm coming! Where should I meet you?"

"In the surgery waiting room."

I drop my phone on the floor, running barefoot down the hall. The stairs are underneath my feet before I can even recall putting my shoes on.

Shoving past every door and employee in my way, I eventually make it into the waiting room. My ears ring while I scan the room; everything stops when I find Abby's best friend slouched in a chair, clothes riddled with blood.

I began to heave, my chest tight; my vision becomes hazy when the room begins to spin.

"Dani?" Henley croaks, eyes meeting mine. She stands to step toward me. This only allows me to see the rest of her clothes covered in more blood.

"Is all that hers?" I whisper, sinking into the closest chair.

She shakes her head. Her eyes are puffy and red and begin to fill with tears. "Her mom didnt make it."

I choke. Jill meant the world to Abby, I could see that from the moment I first saw the two of them together. Even after everything that Jared put the two of them though, she never blamed her mom. Abby was always compassionate and took on way more that she shouldve had to.

"And Abby?" I ask.

Henley bites the inside of her cheek. "It's not looking good. The doctors haven't said anything, but I was in the ambulance with the paramedics and they were ashen at the apartment." Her eyes fall to her fidgeting hands, "I've never seen so much blood."

I rest my hand on her knee, "She'll be okay."

"That's the thing, I don't think she will be this time. She was strong for Jill, that what kept her up, but now- I don't know what shes gonna do; she doesn't have any other family."

"You're her family," I assure her. "You- you and Collin are her family." I exhale deeply at my own words,knowing that I can never have the bond with Abby that Henley and Collin do.

"And you," she adds, breaking my thoughts. "I don't think I've ever seen her so happy over the last week. I know I gave her shit about you two knowing each other for so short but there's just something between you two."

"Do you want to go home to change? I can stay here." I suggest looking once more at her clothes."

She look down at the stained fabric. "I can't leave," she cries softly.

"Maybe someone around her can give you something." I stand up, scanning the room. A nurse walks by and I catch her by the arm.

She jumps while turning to look at the two of us.

"Can she have a change of clothes?"

The lady swallows hard, "Of course, I'll be right back."

"Thank you," Henley chimes behind me.