The Streets

37. Aftermath And Somewhat Normality

Trish's POV

The next week after the accident was hard. We took shifts to watch after Jacob, who was getting steadily better. He was able to stand and sit on his own but walking or running he was struggling. The rest of us could easily walk up the stairs in thirty seconds or less but Jacob  took a few minutes. When he did make it up, he was out of breath. Jamal told us and Jacob that it was only natural. His breathing was a bit better but still painful he told us. He coughed a lot more, which made the pain worse. His ribs have started to heal and within the next month or so he would be healed. Jacob would still have to get Jamal to check in on him for infections but he would be okay.

He should be coming back to school within the next week or two, which he was dreading. People had started to talk. I wanted to know what they were saying so we could get a laugh out of it but I didn't bother to this time. The only thing I was glad about was that Jacob was on the mend.

My concussion took a few days to heal but it got worse before it got better. I ended up throwing up a few times one day, making everyone worry a lot more. I tried my best to keep it down, only doing so twice. We all took the week off from school and throughout the week Cole had barely left my bedside. We talked more,  when everyone had gone to sleep.

"You've never been paintballing?" I whispered one night to him.

"No. I've wanted to go but I never gotten around to it." He replied.

"That's it, I'm taking you." Paint balling was one of my favorite things. It hurt like a bitch to get hit but with the adrenaline it's not noticeable.

"Are you asking me out?" Cole asked with a smile on his face.

I laughed. " Sure."

That's how the past week had gone. Flirting back and forth until one of us fell asleep.

The competition that both Jacob and I missed went okay. It wasn't complete with just the five of them dancing  but they came in third. The next one wasn't until after New Years. Everything would be back to normal by then.

I had yet to tell everyone, besides Cole, that I had gone to Wiz. Dakota, Thayer, Theo and I were  at the same pizza shop where we told Cole about The Raiders. It was here that I was planning on telling them.

"Remember when I wasn't there after the accident?" I asked.

"I'm still angry at you for that." Dakota said with a glare. "But we all remember."

"I talked to Wiz."

Thayer, who was about to take another bite of his food, dropped the slice back onto his plate.

"What the hell Trish! You could've  waited and all of us would of went with you." He spat.

"Would you have let me go with you? I don't think so." I answered right back.

"Doesn't matter Taze. We would of went and told you what happened or waited until we were all back on our feet." Theo said with a small shake of his head.

"If I didn't go right away he would've thought he had beaten us. He only damaged us."

"Still going to kill him the next time we see him." Thayer mumbled.

"We won't be seeing him again. I told him that after what had occurred, we would not be working for him. It was only initiation so he has no contract or leverage over us to make us work for him."

Dakota nodded her head with a pout of her lips. "I understand why you did that. But what about the money? I thought we were going to use it for college."

"We've always been fine working for Reeker. It's only a little at a time but it's something." 

"What I don't understand." Theo began. "Is why he did what he did. I mean he needs a gang to work for him but why do something so crazy for initiation? I would've waited if I were him."

"He's fucking insane that's why." Thayer answered. "I don't need any other explanation."

I couldn't help but nod my head, agreeing.

"I'll talk to Reeker soon. He's missed us." I said. Reeker was family.

After that our conversation was minimal, the only sound of others talking and laughing filling the building. I saved some pizza for Paul who hardly left his brother. Dakota has had to force him to shower and take care of himself.

"Food for you." I murmured as I handed it to him. He was hovering over Jacob, who was asleep. He was one to snore but since the accident, not one sound has come out of him.

"Thank you." Paul said as he put it on the table and took a bite of one of the slices.

"What are we going to do to get back at The Raiders?" Paul asked suddenly.

"I haven't had any ideas. "

"Ask Cole. You and him seem to be closer." He said with a smirk.

That was the closest thing to a joke he had cracked all week. I only glared at him before turning to leave. I heard his quiet laughter float after me, bringing a smile to my face.