My Riptide

Chapter 31: Tried

-River

It's been a few days since she first woke up now. She's been complaining of headaches and a bit of memory loss but that might just be the medication. She still has yet to question about Reef.

She'll get really close but then forget how to form a sentence around his name and then she forgets what she was going to say.

It sucks but I can't tell her now. I don't think she'll emotionally able to wrap her head around everything.

When the police and ambulance finally showed up at the trailer it was like if it was a horror movie haunting the guilt I laid with.

The paramedics hurried Reef into the stretcher as the feeling of worry overcame me like fog. I had asked them who was the crash from earlier was as Peach wouldn't answer her phone.

I thought she was probably lost somewhere not far in a ditch bleeding out. But when I had sat in her hospital room after hours and finally saw her eyes open I knew I couldn't have saved both of them.

I still don't know how to even say it. My stomach aches at the feeling. The doctor's checkup on my shoulder knowing Peach is hurting worse and her twin brother is dead.

I know they tried. I tried. I tried for Peach. Nothing will ever be the same again. I can't believe it that nothing will ever be the same again. And that's why I have to stay. I was going to fight for us no matter what but this was the deal breaker.

Long distance wouldn't work. I can't even stay 10 feet away from her for more than half a minute.

She needs me. Whether or not she wants me or not but she needs me and I need her to go through this together.

I exit her hospital room, pull out my phone, and hit the contacts. I ring my mom and she immediately answers.

"What is it you have to disappoint me with now?" She speaks out. She's infuriated.

"Mom, I need your help." My voice is slow.

"Bullshit, why should we help you and why am I receiving hospital bills? Fucking ridiculous."

"Mom please can you just be a mom for one second please. I know you had a whole future for me. I know this is what you wanted but I can't fucking success at the damn future of its not what I want. And now for the first time in fucking years I have finally chased after what I've wanted. And you would never know because you never seem to care." My voice breaks as silence is heard on the other side of the line.

"And now I'm in the hospital with a girl I really care about ma. And I can't leave her. She needs me more than you need me just to complete your fucking pathetic rich life. She needs help and I've helped her all summer. She's grown and I've grown. I don't know what I would do without her ma and it's scary. And promise me I need you a lot momma. She just needs me more..."

"You love her?" Is all I hear.

"Sometimes I wish I didn't as much as I do."

And that's when I told her everything. My whole summer and how much Peach has been through. I think this was the first real conversation I've had with my mom since my cousin Gavin died. It felt normal.

I watch the front doors open and watch Hannah and the boys come through. Well at least three of them. Jamie, Tjay, and Jackson.

Before Peach ever first woke up the first day in the hospital I called her and told her about Reef. I didn't want to. It broke me seeing her historically crying and on the floor on her knees holding herself. I knew she and Reef had something going on. But seeing her walk in the hospital for the first time today since I've told her aches me even more. 

"How's little momma been doing?" He comes up and ask me as I end the call with my mom. 

"She's been sleeping more than usual but the doctors said it's normal." I motion them to her hospital room and let them take a peek inside to see if she's awake or not.

Peaches eyes widen when she here's the boys whispering and I smack all three of them on the back of their head. God they can't keep quiet for one second?

"Hi." Is all peach says. And the boys and Hannah walk in but Hannah stays a bit more distant with Peach, taking in all the stitches and bruising over Peach's face.

After a while of making Peach laugh the boys head out and now it's just me Hannah and Peach. Hannah finally comes closer.

"What's wrong?" Peach asks as I watch a tear escape Hannah's eye.

"I'm sorry you couldn't tell me. And I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I knew what was going on but I didn't know it was this bad. And I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about River." Tears flood to Hannah's eyes and rush on to her hands.

"You look more rough than I do. It's not your fault. And you don't have to apologize I think being in the hospital is enough of an epilogue for everyone. I missed you though." They reach in for a hug.

"Did Reef not come with you?" She looks Hannah dead in the eyes and guilt overflows my body. I can't lie to her.

I step up and sit in the chair beside her bed. Thinking of the words to say. Can she handle it? I have to to tell her this is where everything starts.

"Peach, I wanted to tell you when you asked." Hannah walks out the room with tears in her eyes. "I-I tried Peach, he's gone." The slight smile dropped on her face as she closed her eyes.

She grabs my hand and rubs it. "Why does he always take people away from me? He was a- all I had left River." She cry's out. I close my eyes as the guilt haunts me. "I can't keep losing people River, I don't understand."

I carefully wipe her tears and comfort her. Her body shakes as I scoot her over and lay with her. I play with her hair letting her process.

I couldn't imagine it. I couldn't imagine being in the situation she's been put in. It's horrible to watch. I can never imagine living it.

"Please River please please don't leave me." She mumbled out.

"I'm staying." She leans her head on mine and we both drift off to sleep.

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Okay guys I think that's enough for today... I'm actually heartbroken it's unreal. If I had a rough time writing this I know y'all had a rough time reading it. Which I would hope at least. Also I'm pretty sure I'm only going to make about a few more chapters left of this book so BE EXCITED!!

ILL UPDATE SOON!!!!!

Wordcount: 1191 (it's short for a reason...)

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