Saving Liam

Explosive

I was released from the hospital on my eighteenth birthday, June 7th. I've been a little sore and tired but youth group made it all better. They had a surprise welcome home party for me. Mary, Claire and even that asshole Colin was there. And Liam, of course. Liam had his arms wide open which I ignored and hugged Mary instead.

"It's so good to see you back on your feet, I was so worried about you." She said.

"I'm good, I promise." I smiled and moved onto Claire.

"Oh Melody, you poor thing. Does it hurt?" She pointed to my forehead.

"A little, it's better now." I said as my eyes took in the place. There were streamers, signs and balloons everywhere.

"This is a little...extravagant." I pointed to all the decorations, feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Have a seat, you're scaring me a little." She pulled out a chair from a foldable table that was in the center of the hall.

"Okay." I sighed, not declining it.

Liam dragged a chair over and sat on it backwards. "You okay?"

"Fine." I said, avoiding eye contact.

"You can't ignore me forever." He said which was causing my blood to boil.

"Yeah, well can you at least give me some space? Stop being all up in my grill. It feels like you're suffocating me and quite frankly, I can't take it no more. I broke up with you for a reason Liam. I'm done with you AND Colin. I'm single and HAPPY. So kindly, back off." I swatted him with my hand and went to go talk to Mary and a old friend.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam and Colin conversing. Liam looked like he wanted to slap Colin's face off for causing so much trouble. And honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing a smack down even though that is so rude of me to think.

"Melody, snap out of it! I asked you if you were coming on the trip back to Africa? We are going to visit that village we went to last time." Mary said, snapping me out of my trance.

"Yes, of course. I can't wait to see Jack and his new family." I beamed at just the thought of seeing them smile.

"Great, come into Claire's office so you can sign the paperwork. We leave tomorrow and we will return at the end of June so you will still have a month of summer vacation left." Mary smiled, handing me a clipboard.

"I heard that Liam AND Colin are newly single." Amber gushed to Mary who just shook her head in disbelief.

"You can't be serious, right?" I heard Mary whisper to her as I pretended I didn't hear anything.

"He's standing alone! I'm going for it! Oh Liam, Amber girl is coming for ya!" Amber literally scurried out of the office and into the hall where the party was.

I looked out the little window as she "casually" walked over to him. He seemed a bit uncomfortable and I laughed.

"What has you laughing over there Miss Grace?" Mary asked, laughing as well.

"Nothing really just Amber. She's hilarious is all." I finished the paper work and handed it to Mary.

"Great, thank you. Can't wait to see you here tomorrow, 6am sharp." She said. I nodded my head and went back to the party.

I just watched as Claire clicked on the music and everybody started dancing. Amber brought Liam to the dance floor and he awkwardly put his hand in hers as they danced. Colin was standing there, rocking back and forth on his feet. He looked over at me and gave me a small wave. I gave a little wave and joined Claire and Mary.

"I hope you're having fun." Claire yelled over the music.

"Of course I am. Thank you so much." I smiled.

~~~~~

I came home and packed my bags. Mom and dad already figured that I was going on the trip, so they had a majority of my things ready to go.

"You need a good night's rest, why don't you just relax for the night. Go change into your pajamas and go wait in my bathroom, I need to change your bandages." Mom said and I saluted her like she was the captain. She laughed and I ran up the stairs, not literally because my head still feels quite heavy.

I dressed into shorts and a tank. I sat on the covered toilet seat and waited for mom to come change the icky bandages. My stomach started to hurt and I clutched onto it.

"MOM!" I screamed, lifting up my shirt to see the wound. I had to look away because of the stench and because of how much it was bleeding.

"MOM!" I yelled, this time standing in the doorway of the bathroom, hoping she could hear me better.

I had to put both hands on both wounds as blood was oozing out.

"CALL FOR HELP!" I screamed, spit coming out of mouth. And that's when both mom and dad ran up the stairs, dad on the phone already.

"Baby, lay down." Mom helped me onto her bed.

"Marvin, is an ambulance on the way?" Mom shouted.

"Yes, let's get her downstairs so it's easier to get her in there." Dad said, throwing the phone. Dad just reached under me and picked me up, carrying me down the stairs. Mom was right behind us with paper towels and fresh bandages.

They put me on the couch in the living room which was just off the kitchen and the main door. They were here practically seconds after I was set down on the couch. They loaded me onto a stretcher. The neighbors all came out of their houses to see what all the commotion was.

"Mrs. Grace!" A familiar voice shouted.

"Liam, not now please." Mom said and hopped into the ambulance. Dad would be following in his truck.

"Mom!" I cried in pain, clutching at my stomach.

"I'm right here baby girl." Mom grabbed my hand and that soothed me just a little.

~~~~~

"Mom?" I whispered, looking around the familiar hospital room.

"Yes?" She asked, sitting right next to me.

"If I don't see Liam, can you tell him something please?" I asked.

"Melody, you're not going anywhere." She shook her head.

"Mom listen to me. If I go and I don't see him, he needs to know that I have always loved him and still will." I let go of her hand then and let darkness overtake me.