It Smells Like Rain

Chapter Two: Blood & Betrayal

"It Smells Like Rain"

Copyright. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter Two: Blood & Betrayal

I remember one day in particular. I remember it so clearly because it was life changing.

It was late summer the next year, and Jesse and I sat on the floor near the end of his bed, playing video games. I jerked around with my fingers on the controller, my whole body seemingly having a seizure as I tried to beat Jesse in this round of Soul Calibur. I grumbled when he won.

"Jess! Why do you keep beating me!" I complained. I got up and stomped my way to the head of his bed, picking up a pillow and plumping it, eyeing Jesse in a way that I hoped seemed non-suspicious. I chucked it at him, and it hit him square in the chest. His eyes widened noticeably, and he suddenly started to cough. It was so violent that I raced to where he slumped against the bed. I placed an arm on his forearm, squeezing it slightly.

"Jess? Jess, are you-"

A small amount of blood dripped out of his mouth, and my eyes widened as tears welled up. "Jess!" I looked behind my shoulder, in the direction of the open bedroom door. I didn't want to leave him, but I needed help.

"Mrs. Caulifield! Please! Help! Something's wrong with Jesse!" Almost immediately, I heard pounding footsteps, and his mother raced into the room. She had a bottle of water in her hand, and she pried my hand off of him, ushering me to the side as she sat him on the edge of the bed. She twisted the cap off and coaxed the water into his mouth. He was still coughing, but he gulped the water down as best he could. A small stream of water trickled down his chin, and I wanted to help him. I wanted to help so bad, but I couldn't do anything but stand there, both hands pressed over my mouth, and tears spilling down my cheeks.

After what seemed like forever, his coughing finally subsided, and his shoulders moved up and down raggedly. I dared to move closer as he drank the rest of the bottle greedily. I sat down on the bed beside him, staring at him worriedly. My sobs had subsided along with his coughs, and I just stared at him. Not saying anything. Not doing anything. Just staring.

Because I was so confused.

Why was he coughing like that? No one coughed up blood on a normal, everyday basis. He passed the empty bottle to his mother, and she mumbled something about cleaning the blood up before leaving the room. I waited for Jesse to speak, but he didn't. He stared down at his hands, fiddling them in his lap as if he were nervous. I swallowed and grabbed his hands to make them stop. He leaned down and rested his head against my shoulder as our fingers intertwined.

"Jess..." I began. "Are you okay?"

He knew I wasn't asking if he was okay right now. He knew I was asking about permanently. About something more serious.

He swallowed. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I just frowned.

"You...you were coughing up blood, Jess." As if he didn't know.

"I'm fine, okay? Just drop it." He stood up on wobbly legs, and I clenched my jaw.

"Sorry about caring for you."

"I didn't ask you to."

I stood up angrily, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but then I saw his face.

His sweet, innocent, vulnerable face that was ridden with sweat and anxiety. I swallowed back the lump in my throat, and took his hands again.

"I just want you to be alright, Jess." I murmured. "You're my best friend."