Chapter Twenty: Help
That night was all so surreal for Beatrice. After going on stage and pretending like she knew how to play Luke's guitar, she was emitted to the side of the stage - where Hayes was accepted to be when he told the guard they're together - to watch the show. But all good things come to an end.
Hayes and Beatrice got to the hotel around midnight -seeming as the concert ended at eleven - and they both collapsed on the bed as soon as they walked in. As uncomfortable as it was, Beatrice didn't change out of her black jeans, but she was too tired to even rummage through her suitcase, much less change.
It was five in the morning when Beatrice's phone began vibrating with Lily's name and picture taking place on the screen. The picture was taken back in elementary school - about sixth grade - beside the swing set with Beatrice on the swing and Lily counting furiously by the side. It was a staged joke, but it still brought back great memories.
With much hesitance, she answered the phone, "Lily?"
Hiccups and sobs erupted from the once silent line, "Bea!"
Beatrice was finally awoken from her groggy state when she heard her best friend's plea for help. "Lilian, calm down. What's going on? Am I being Punk'd?"
"Beatrice, you do t understand. I messed up, I really messed up," another rack of sobs transmitted through the device.
"Lilian," her tone was firm, "calm down and tell me what's wrong."
Hayes began to stir beside her before sitting up and giving his not-so-full attention to the worried female beside him. His blue eyes tried to connect with hers as he tried to figure out what was happening, but she'd look away every time.
"Taylor called me," she sobbed again, a hiccup following soon after. Normally, she found hiccups funny and shed laugh at the weird noise and movement they'd cause, but Beatrice knew this wasn't a game when not even a wry chuckle escaped her mouth.
"Is that bad? I thought you guys were doing good. Am I missing something here?" She grabbed Hayes' hand in an attempt to explain that she was okay, but if it really came down to it, she wanted someone to lean on.
"You don't get it, Bea! I knew you wouldn't get it! You just don't get it," and another rack of sobs.
She sighed heavily, "you're right; I don't get it. It would help if you'd explain though."
Lilian took a minute and calmed herself, blowing her nose loudly as she sat in her room alone. Her room was thrashed, obviously stealing the aura of the cellphone call. "Taylor called to tell me I might have AIDS. Beatrice, I have a chance at HIV and if I do, my life is over- literally."
She didn't know what to do; console her friend or yell at her for being so defiant against the middle school lesson of protection. But even that wouldn't help anyone, it's too late now.
"Am I being Punk'd?" she repeated.
A sniffle, "I was kinda hoping this whole thing was a dream, but obviously if I'm talking to you and getting a reply, no, this is not fake."
She was speechless, surprised even. Lilian wasn't the rebel of the family - that title was given to her brother before he mustered up the courage to join the Army to straighten up - and her parents raised her right.
But she had it coming; all of those nights going out clubbing and coming back with a different guy every single time (with the exception of Taylor), she was just one male closer to the disease.
But even with these reasons for why and why not, her best friend had a chance at the disease and she didn't have a slight clue what to do.
"Can you say something? Anything?" Lilian pleaded. Beatrice wasn't her family - not a mother not sister - but her opinion mattered and she needed a shoulder to cry on; even if that shoulder wasn't in close proximity.
"Do you want me to come home?"
Hayes cringed. He was having a fun time with this girl (and he was even out of the spotlight, a major plus), but he was hoping they'd have at least two more days to visit the places he knew she'd enjoy. As bad as it sounds, he was silently wishing that she's turn down her friend's request and decide to let her stay.
Lilian hesitated. She knew he friend was having fun with a guy she was admittedly trying to get her to see for ages, but she needed company and if that company was about to rain on her plans, that'd actually be okay. "Please."
With a shake of her head, she was out of bed, throwing her makeup supplies back into their bag and chucking it in the duffel bag. Hayes followed in suit, disappointed, but not showing it.
"I'll get the taxi ready," he spoke, dragging his bag behind him.
"Hayes," Beatrice pulled on his arm and brought him to a halt, "thank you for this. For the concert and getting to know you aside from those tabloids and just thank you in general."
Hayes nodded, a crimson blush crawling to his cheeks. And he was out the door.
I never know how to end these omg but hey an update and yee! 1000+ words wow this deserves at least some comments :-))))) happy late thanksgiving um yea ily
