Hopeless - The sequel to Breathless. A Janoskians fanfic.

22. "Join me?"

Skip's POV -

"I'm so sorry baby." I whispered to Isla, and held her tightly in my arms, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes and she nestled her head into my chest. This was all I wanted, forever, she made me feel invincible. Her hair smelt like fresh apples, I could feel her heart beating fast against my body and she wrapped her arms around me tighter, I never wanted her to let go. "Shut up faggot! They're having a moment!" I heard Jai yell at Luke, Isla and Sierra laughed, and we pulled away from each other, smiling like idiots. "So the street fair, you're coming right?" Luke asked again, I'd completely forgotten about it, I'd planned to go with Tabby, but clearly that wasn't happening now. "Um, I need to get myself sorted, but I can meet you there?" Isla said cheerfully, I was glad she felt better, I told the others I'd have to go home and get myself sorted but I'd see them there later as well. "No funny business!" Sierra raised her eyebrow, "it starts in two hours." she winked and hugged Isla goodbye. The three of them got back into the car and sped off, out of Isla's drive way.

"We need to talk." Isla mumbled, gazing at the floor, not wanting to make eye contact. I didn't like the sound of this, not one bit. I knew this was the moment, the moment I had to explain everything to her, the moment I had to hear all about Benji. "Okay." I answered, she looked up and smiled slightly walking towards her house. I followed her, both of us silent, she struggled with the key in the lock and dropped them on the floor. I quickly bent down to pick them up and she burst into tears, "Isla, what's wrong?" I asked panicked. She pulled away from me, snatching the keys and opened up her door, I didn't know whether to follow her or not, but took a deep breath and followed her in. The house still smelt like burnt pizza and I reminisced over the good memories we had made the day before. "So?" I questioned her, as she began climbing the stairs, she gestured for me to follow her and I did. I was nervous, and scared, I just wanted to make sure she was okay but she was making it pretty hard. She sat down on her bed and I sat next to her, both of us staring at the floor awkwardly.

Isla: I just, I just wanted to-

Skip: Wanted to?

Isla: clear everything up. I need to know why you left me Skip and you need to know what happened at the station yesterday.

Skip: Okay, we'll, I'll go first I guess, but this isn't easy.

Isla: just try?

Skip: I stayed there, for two weeks, day and night. I sat by your bedside, begging for you to wake up, praying that you would be alright, but there was nothing. I cried every single day, I waited for the doctors to tell me anything, and one day, they did. They told me you were going to die.

I began crying, I tried so hard not to, but telling her she was going to die made me choke up. I thought I was going to lose her forever. Isla looked at me and took my hands in hers, wiping away my tears. I could see she had slight tears in her eyes but I took another deep breath and continued.

Skip: They told me if you were there much longer eventually your body would collapse, and they'd have to turn the life support off. They didn't have an explanation as to why you hadn't woken up, you were healthy, but because you couldn't eat and the food supplements weren't working the way they were supposed to, your body was frail and could deteriorate at any time.

Isla: I, I didn't know it was that bad. I knew there was no explanation for me being that way but I didn't know how close they were to letting me die.

Skip: it was hard Isla, it was so, so hard. I couldn't do it, I couldn't watch you die. I hadn't slept in days, all of my emotions flooded in at once and I snapped, I had to leave. I kissed you before I left, your cold, lifeless lips didn't kiss me back and I walked out of that room. Once I'd left, I couldn't find the strength to go back. Knowing I'd left you when you needed me made me feel useless, I broke down, I couldn't leave the house. I stayed there for a week, no one heard from me, I didn't talk to anyone. Finally Beau managed to get me out. He introduced me to Tabby, she made me forget about you. I waited, and waited, to hear something from the hospital, but nothing. Months passed, I never stopped thinking about you, I asked Sierra and Luke about you, but they didn't like talking about it. Then I saw you that day, at the mall. I fell in love with you all over again, but you were with Benji. It angered me so much, he was supposed to be one of my closest friends, he knew how I felt about you. I'm sorry Isla, I'm so, so sorry. If I could go back to the day I left, I would. I'd stay by your side every single day, every second, every scan, every drip and every beep of that machine. I love you.

Isla: I'm sorry for being so hard on you, I didn't know how difficult things had been for you. I was selfish, I didn't think about anyone else's feelings, only my own. I love you too Skip, I don't want to lose you, ever. Yesterday with you was incredible, everything was perfect until Benji turned up.

Skip: Look, Isla, you don't have to explain. I understand it's not something anyone wants to talk about. Thank you for helping Beau and I though.

She smiled, and kissed my cheek, she looked relieved and both of us had been crying. Isla got up and walked towards the bathroom, "join me?" she asked playfully and of course, I couldn't say no.