Scrambled

Chapter 11; Suprise

"Mom what's going on? How's Mattie?" I asked. My voice started to shake. She sighed into the phone and sniffled.

"Well, at first he got worse, honey. A lot worst. They even threatened to take him off life support." I gasped, tears clouding my vision. She continued. "But it's okay. Honey they ended up taking him off life support..." I didn't hear her. Her voice got quieter and trailed off. I shook my head violently.

"No. He's not... He didn't... Mommy?" Hot tears fell down my cheeks. I looked away from my friends and into my lap. Their horror shook faces were not helping.

"Noah. Honey, listen to me. Mathew is fine. Do you understand me? Your brother is fine. You didn't let me finish... He began breathing on his own and so that's why they released him from the extra support. Mathew is just in a regular coma. His vitals are good. He's going to be okay." I sighed and wiped my face.

"Okay... Did they tell you how it happened? They didn't tell me when I found out..... Maybe me knowing can calm my nerves." I had to know why he left. Mattie was not a morning person. Not even in the military. So why'd he leave the house that day? After our talk I figured he would go back to sleep..

"Do you really want to know honey?" I nodded then realized she couldn't see that so I said 'mhm'. "Well... The morning it happened.. He came upstairs to talk to me, and told me you were really upset about the whole divorce idea.. Then I noticed your bag and ran out to give it too you... Mathew asked why you needed it and I told him you had a pep rally this afternoon....so being the awesome big brother he is, he went to the store to get you flowers and candy to surprise you that afternoon before he forgot...but he didn't make it home or to your school to give them to you...." I think I just about died.

So this was my fault. Mattie was about to die because of me. He was going to surprise me? And then the water works came. I cried. My chest shuddering. Two strong arms pulled me into their lap and rubbed my back. I felt a small hand in mine.

"I'm so sorry Noah." I heard that through the phone but I didn't respond. I hung up and set my phone on the table.

||Aaron's POV||

I kept Noah in my lap for a while. Dakota was holding her hand and Demi looked at her pitifully. I really hated watching Noah like this. I feel like she was always crying. I couldn't imagine how rough her life was. I'd only seen glimpses of her not being sad. It was very rare. But I think I was brought into her life at this moment on purpose. Like I'm supposed to make it better, and that was my goal. Because I really wanted to make her life better, because I think I might be falling in love with her.

Demi and Dakota cleaned up our table and Noah sat shaking in my lap. I picked her up and carried her bridal style, being cautious of her foot. I tried to put her in the front seat of Dakotas car but she wouldn't let go of my neck.

"Noah babe. You need to let go..." I told her. Dakota was ready to start the car and Demi was again impatiently waiting on me in the car.

"Don't leave me.." She whispered. I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"I'll stop by in an hour or so. Does that work out for you?" She nodded against my chest.

"As long as there's no Netflix and Chilling while your at the house that works for me too." Dakota chirped in. I laughed.

"Yes ma'am." I said to her a wide smile on my face. Noah got down from my arms and sat in the car. I watched them pull off before I went to my car.

I pulled out and started off to my house.

"Poor girl, it looks like she has a rough life." Demi said, more to herself than me. I nodded keeping my eyes on the road. "The fact she cried in front of all of us said it all." I sighed.