Holding On

Chapter Twenty-Four

I paced up and down the hospital halls, biting my nails. Jake was seated on one of the black chairs they had out for the people waiting. He kept pushing his hair back with his hand. Due to how many times he has done it, his hair had become messy. He looked stressed way more than I am. Why wouldn't he be?? His brother is in the Emergency room. I couldn't help but think this is my fault.

Everything was rushing back to me. The texts, the reminders, the threats, everything. I think I know who did this. I can't let Jake know, until I talk to that person. With my mind made up, I pull out my phone, and send a quick text message.

Me: come to the hospital, now!

After the person sent me a message saying they are outside waiting, I told Jake I'm going to see someone and come back. He didn't reply, but I knew he heard me. I went to the elevator and waited for the door to open. When it opened, I stepped into the plain looking rectangular prism and pressed floor one. The elevator door opened. I stepped out and went outside the hospital. There I spotted her standing. I stomped towards her. "What do you want?"

"I already told you what I wanted, but you chose to ignore me. So, you got what was coming towards you." Jasmine replied.

"I told you to leave them out of this, they have nothing to do with this."

"Will you give me what I asked for or not?? This time if you don't give me the money, I'll make sure they finish him."

"Fine. How much do you want?"

Jasmine smirked, "500 dollars everyday."

"No." I sent her a death glare.

"Ugh, what a joy killer. 1 k every week."

"Ok. Now get lost." Jasmine walked away with a big smirk on her face. I wish I could've strangled her. When I went back upstairs to Joey's room, I didn't find Jake sitting outside the room. He's probably inside with Joey. I hope Joey's awake. I knocked twice on the door softly. Jake said, "come in," in a faint voice.

When I stepped in the room, I felt gloominess overwhelm me. Joey was in the hospital bed. His face was pale and emotionless. At his side was a poker faced Jake. He was looking at Joey. Jake was zoning off. I went up to the hospital bed and sat on the edge of the bed. This was all my fault, I shouldn't have got close to them. I should've known they would have used them against me. I rested my head on Joey's chest and just listened to the soft thumps of his heart. Then I spoke up, "what did the doctor say??" My voice came out a bit shaky.

"He's in a coma, he lost too much blood. The doctor said he's lucky he didn't get a concussion."

"When is he going to get out of the coma??"

"They don't know. For all they know he can be in a coma forever. He might not come out of it."

"Oh," my voice cracked at the end and that's when I couldn't hold the tears back anymore. The tears just kept coming and coming. Jake walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me, engulfing me in his warmth. "I really hope he'll come back," I mumbled into his shirt as I wept. "Me too, Rose." He replied and began to rub my back comfortingly.

***

I sat in one of the chairs inside Joey's hospital room sipping at the hot chocolate Jake bought for me as I sniffled. "I'm staying here with him," I looked up at Jake. He just nodded. "Tell your parents and I'll drive you home in the morning." He answered.

"No. I'm staying here until he wakes up." Jake just sighed. I pulled out my phone and texted my mom. I explained what happened and told her I'm staying at the hospital. I didn't wait for a confirmation from her and turned my phone off. I don't care what anyone says I'm staying by his side. I'm not ready to tell Jake that this happened because of me. I didn't want him to hate me, but I'm going to tell him. I have to. He has to know the truth. It's not fair to leave him in the shadows.

"Um, Jake??" I spoke hesitantly. "Yeah?" He looked towards me. "I have to tell you something important, please don't hate me after this. I know who did this to Joey. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have befriended you guys. If you guys were never nice to me, this would've never happened."

"Wait, what are you talking about?? Who did this?? Who would want to do this to Joey because of you?? How possibly could it be your fault?? It was a hit and run situation. That's what the doctor said. It was probably some drunk guy. How would it be your fault??"

I shook my head as he finished talking. "He was hit because of me. I didn't give Jasmine the money. So, she did this to get back at me. She didn't hurt me because she knew she would get nothing out of it so she decided to hurt someone I cared deeply about. She decided to hurt Joey. I'm going to start paying her, that way she won't hurt you too. You probably hate my guts and want me to leave this hospital room. But I'm not taking one single step out of this room. I do care about you guys. Whether you believe it or not. I'm staying, Jake."

I looked at him and then my posture stiffened. He was giving me a cold glare. His jaw was clenched and so were his fists. All you could see was hatred. He hated me, I'm done for. He's going to kill me. I already see my grave being dug up. His face changed in a matter of a blink of an eye. He had a poker face on. It was impossible to read his thoughts. He just stared at me. Not uttering a single word. What is he thinking?