everything about you •• jj maybank

nineteen

I sat up in my bed the next morning, with my mom sitting next to me, checking my blood pressure and my heart rate. Topper stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest.

"What's your name?" she questioned me, flashing a small light in my eyes.

"Josephine Belle Thornton."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen years old."

She nodded at my words and mumbled under her breath. Taking the blood pressure cuff off of my arm, she reached over me and handed me the glass of water that was on my bedside table. I thanked her quietly before sipping on the water.

"Do you know what day it is, sweetheart?"

I furrowed my eyebrows together at her question, swallowing the water before responding. "Um, Monday?"

"Good," she smiled weakly, brushing my hair behind my ear. She sucked in a deep breath, glancing at Topper briefly before bringing her attention back to me.

"I think you more than likely have a concussion. I'll get you an appointment for later today at the hospital if I can, to get some imaging done," she explained, watching me intently as I leaned my head back against my headboard. "Topper, how did you manage to let this happen? You're supposed to look out for her."

I peered over at Topper who blinked slightly in response. He hadn't said anything to me really since it happened. At least, from what I could remember. After I got in the Jeep, I just remember not being able to hear anything, and then I was laying in my bed with Rafe and Topper staring at me.

"You're right, I'm sorry," he mumbled, shifting the weight on his feet.

"I mean, seriously, Josephine. I don't even understand how this happened," she stressed, putting her head in her hands.

"I told you, we were playing volleyball and I just fell backwards and... hit my head. It was an accident, it could have happened to anyone," I explained quietly, pinching my eyes shut as the light was beginning to cause me pain.

My intention wasn't to protect Rafe or stopper with my story. It was to protect my own ass. I didn't need another lecture about my bad behavior, when all I was doing was saving my friends from Topper and Rafe's behavior. But she wouldn't see it that way, even if I spelled it out for her.

"The both of you have been getting yourselves into a lot of 'accidents' recently," she spoke, standing up slowly. "Josie, no screens for the next few days if you can avoid it, okay? Just try to take it easy and drink plenty of water."

I nod softly and pull the covers up to my chin, "Yes ma'am."

She begins to walk out of the room, stopping when she reaches Topper. "If she needs anything at all, I expect you to get that for her. Do you understand me?"

Topper avoids eye contact, but nods his head slowly. "Yes ma'am."

"Good," she grinned, patting his shoulder softly. "I have to get to work. I'll see you two later. Your dad should be home by this evening."

With that, her heels click along the hallways until we hear her exit the house. My eyes are closed as I lay there, but I can feel Topper's presence still in the doorway.

"I don't need anything, you can go away now," I muttered, my eyes still closed.

I hear his steps come closer and open my eyes to find him sitting at my vanity, staring at me now with his elbows on his knees.

"I'm the worst brother ever, huh?"

He laughs quietly to himself, shaking his head back and forth.

I shrugged lightly, "Your words, not mine."