desertion

27

It's been about a week since my argument with Miles and I haven't talked to him. He's been calling but I've been ignoring them. I can't handle anything else right now.

"Lydia!! Dinner's ready." Dad yells from the kitchen. "I'm not hungry!" I reply, lying on my bed with a sigh. My phone rings again and I sit up. Athena is calling me. I look at my phone confused before picking it up.

"Hello?" I say. "Hey, baby. Uh, what are you doing right now?" Athena asks. "I'm just sitting on my bed, why?" I ask. "There's been a situation.. with Miles." Athena says. "Oh god.. what happened?" I ask. "Mostly it's his little sister, Dahlia. Their parents got into it and she's hurt." Athena says. "What?!" I say a bit loudly.

"Yeah.. they're at First Presbyterian. Miles is hurt too." Athena says. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Thanks Athena." I say before hanging up the phone and grabbing my wallet and shoes.

I walk out of my room and go to the kitchen. "Dad, can I use your truck please?" I ask. Dad looks up. "Uh.. why?" Dad asks. "Miles and Dahlia are at First Presbyterian. Their parents got into it and they are both hurt." I say. "Yeah. Go ahead. Do you have your license?" Dad asks.

I hold my wallet and he nods. I got my license a few months ago after Mom died. I just never drove due to the whole car accident thing.

I've gotten over it, at least I think I have.

*********

I walk into the hospital and I see Athena. I walk over to her. "Hey.." Athena says. "Where are they?" I ask. "There in room 23 sweetheart. The hallway on the left. Their room will be on the right side." The receptionist says.

They have a room.. that's never good. That means they're admitted. I nod at the receptionist before walking through the double doors. I go to the left and find room 23.

When I find the door I knock on it softly. "Come in." Miles says from in the room, his voice shaky. I open the door and walk inside. "Lyds?" Miles says. "Hey.." I say, rounding the corner of where the entryway ends.

That's when I see Dahlia. She's hooked up to machines and she's bruised and bloody. "Oh my god." I say. "I tried stopping her, Lydia. But then her little boyfriend started helping. Dad tried stopping them, but they shot him. I- I tried to protect her, but she was terrified." Miles says.

I walk over to him and pull up a chair beside his. He leans onto my shoulder, starting to sob. "Shh, shh. It's okay." I say, resting my hand on his head as I lean my head onto his. "I'm sorry for how I treated you. I was so mad and so angry at my parents that I took it out on you. I shouldn't have- have said what I said." Miles says.

"Don't worry about that right now, alright? You need to worry about Dahlia, not me. Okay?" I say, picking up his head so he's looking at me. He just nods his head. "Have you eaten?" I ask. "Not since we've been here." Miles says. "Have you eaten anything today?" I ask.

"No." Miles says. "We've only been here for a few hours, I'm fine. I'm not hungry." Miles adds. "I'm going to the cafeteria and getting you food." I say, standing up. "No, it's fine. I promise." Miles says. "We don't need the both of you in a hospital bed, Miles. I'll be right back." I say before leaving the room and heading down to the lunchroom.

Athena stops me in the hallway. "How is he?" Athena asks. "As good as he can be. I'm just going to get him food." I say. "Okay.. don't stay here long, baby." Athena says.

"I won't." I say before continuing to walk to the cafeteria.