You All Over Me [BxB]

Seventeen

Theodore and his friends learn that Austin is hospitalized the next day.

As soon as Theodore arrived at his unit the night before, he called Austin's cell over and over again. It rang a couple of times before stopping and redirecting him to an automated message. Though anxious himself, he told Stella not to worry—that maybe Austin was too busy to pick up. Stella also tried to reach him, but to no avail.

Both succumbed to fatigue and had to give up eventually. It had been a long day.

Then, around 3 a.m., Stella receives a call from Austin's parents.

Austin has gotten entangled in a fraternity war. Brotherhood and loyalty have demanded that he drop everything and join a fight that he has nothing to do with.

After the frantic discussion with his parents, Stella calls Theodore immediately, barely able to finish her sentences as she sobs profusely. Theodore throws on whatever clothes are on top of his closet and rushes out of his place in panic.

On the way to the parking lot, he dials Jacob's number.

"Hmm? Theo?" Jacob yawns. "What's wrong...? It's 3 a.m—"

"Austin is in the hospital," Theodore pants as he paces faster, his forehead slick with cold sweat. "I'm going. Stella's on her way, too. If you want to come with me, I'll wait for you—"

"I'll go. Of course, I'll go," Jacob responds instantly. "I'll see you downstairs."

"Okay," Theodore murmurs, the tension in his body dissipating a little.

His chest feels incredibly heavy, however, because he knows that it was a mistake to let Austin go. He should've stopped him. He could have.

Theodore starts the car and without putting on his seatbelt, he rushes to Jacob's place.

In the car, Theodore fidgets restlessly, his temples throbbing from lack of proper sleep. He's pushing the speed limit but maintains a smooth drive to keep Jacob from feeling anxious.

Jacob taps at his phone, and as the call goes through, he turns on the loudspeaker.

"Hello, Jake? What's going on?"

"Mom, are you at the hospital right now?" he asks urgently.

"Yes, why—"

"A friend of mine was taken into an operating room. His name's Austin Diaz."

"Okay," she replies. "I'll look into it."

"Thank you."

Jacob slips his phone back into his pocket and threads a hand through his hair. "He's going to be alright."

Theodore tightens his grip on the steering wheel. "Stella... she sounded so frustrated and upset. And it's been four hours since Austin went into the operating room. He took a severe blow to the head—"

"He's going to live," Jacob says firmly. "And it's not your fault. Not mine. Not Stella's. No one knew this was going to happen."

"But we could have stopped him. The three of us felt something was off when he left." The pain in the back of his throat intensifies. "I should have done more to convince him not to join the frat. He could've avoided this if only I..."

"If only you what?" Jacob interjects. "You tried, Theo. Austin chose for himself and you supported him as his friend. This is not on you. Don't be hard on yourself."

Theodore purses his lips and draws a sharp breath.

"Sorry, Jake."

"Don't apologize."