You are Always There

Chapter 3

It was finally Saturday and I slept in until around 9. April and I had gone to the movies with the boys and it was actually a very fun outing. The boys decided to give us their numbers just in case we ever needed anything. The boys act like brothers and always have each other's backs which is probably why you see them together all the time. I woke up and walked out of my room in my oversized t-shirt and gym shorts. My hair was a mess but I didn't really care. My mom walk in her room reading and my dad was working in the yard. Chance was still in bad and April was already up. "Want to take a drive down to the coast?" I asked, knowing that I was definitely going. "Sure!" She responded enthusiastically. Probably excited to get out of the house. We got dressed and I grabbed my keys and let mom know I was headed out with April. She agreed and told us to be careful.

While driving down the road to the rocky coast I approached a red light and stopped the car. When the light turned green I drove forward. Suddenly time slowed down and I realized someone had just run the red like and t-boned my car. When the car finally stopped I looked over at my sister who was unconscious. We both had gashes and cuts on our arms and legs. Tears began to fall down my face as realization set in. I grabbed my phone and immediately called 911. Once that was handled I tried to get out of the car but my leg had somehow gotten stuck. I reached over towards my sister and winced in the pain coming from my ribs. I lifted my shirt only to see that it was already starting to bruise and I probably had a couple broken ribs. I put my hand over on April's head and stroked her hair until the ambulance came. They said that I should get a ride to the hospital but I immediately said no. They took my sister to the nearest hospital and I remained looking at my totalled car. The driver of the truck who ran the red light tried to apologize and gave me his insurance info. He finally tried to make eye contact with me and apologized again. But this time, something inside me broke. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" I screamed. "MY SISTER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF YOU..." I couldn't continue screaming because I was crying so hard. I could see the shame and guilt in his eyes through my own tears. I called my mom and explained what happened. She went straight to the hospital with my dad and Chance came to get me and take me to the hospital. Once we arrived they placed me on a stretcher and rolled me into a room of my own. They stitched a gash on my right arm and wrapped a bandage around my ribs. The doctor also prescribed pain killers so I could attempt to continue normal tasks. My mom had already called the insurance company and I would have my car completely replaced by Monday so I could still drive to school if I wanted to. Once they allowed me out to the waiting room, I waited with my parents and texted the boys to let them know what had happened. To my surprise, the boys showed up at the hospital 10 minutes later. We couldn't go visit her because no one was allowed in. I zoned out over and over again and again with that scene running through my mind. I felt a strong arm wrap around my shoulder from the seat next to me. I looked to see who it was and It was Wyatt. I looked at him and he pulled my closer to him so my face was buried on his chest. "I'm so sorry Leah" he stated softly in my ear. I could hear the remorse in his voice. I began to cry into his chest, soaking his shirt with my tears. He rubbed my back and whispered that everything would be alright. Once I had finally calmed down I had to turn back to my own seat and lean back. My face was forced into a painful expression as I grabbed my ribs. Wyatt noticed this and leaned over to ask what was wrong. I couldn't speak right not because I was trying to keep myself from screaming. I opened my eyes and looked directly at him then lifted my shirt a little so he could see the wrapped bandage around my ribs. His eyes widened and he stroked my head gently. I glanced over at Asher and to my surprise, he looked like he was holding back tears. Mika and Sebastian were wide-eyed though. I assumed they saw the bandage wrapped around my ribs.

After several painful hours of waiting, the doctor came to the waiting room and said that April's family could come visit at this time. I went to get up but immediately fell back into the chair, clutching my ribs with both arms. Wyatt and Chance got on either side of me and helped lift me so I could visit my sister. Once I had gotten to her room. My family agreed to give me some time with just April and I. I walked into her room and my eyes immediately filled with tears. I went over to the bed and sat in the chair next to it. I grabbed her hand and cried and cried and cried. I apologized over and over because it was all my fault. My job was to keep her safe and I couldn't and now she was laying unconscious in the hospital. All I could think was that it should've been me. I walked out of her room. "I'm going out for a little bit, I'll be back later" I said to my mom. She immediately understood and let me go. I walked through the waiting room and out the front doors. The cool breeze hit me by surprise leaving me chilled in my sweatshirt. Wyatt must have seen me walk out because he came over and asked where I wanted to go. "To the coast" is all I said to answer his question. He drive his truck up to the front to pick me up. Once he had helped me into the car I leaned back and tried to relax. But the accident kept creeping back to my mind. Wyatt drove my to the rocky coast and helped me get out of his truck. I walked out onto the rocks and let the ocean water spray on my face. I cried continuously until I couldn't cry anymore. Then I stared out to the ocean and remembered all the times that April and I would sneak out the the beach back at our old house and we would swim until our arms were so sore that it hurt to move them. I stood up from my sitting position on the rocks and screamed. I screamed until my voice cracked and Wyatt came and held me to his chest. I cried some more and held onto him as tightly as I could without causing too much pain. He picked me up bridal style and took me back to his truck while I laid on his shoulder and let sleep wash over me like the waves. I woke up in the hospital back in my own room. I looked around and noticed an IV in my arm. I noticed Wyatt looking at me intently with Asher, Mika, and Sebastian. They came over around the bed once I woke up. "You were crying because of the pain in your ribs so I had them give you some more pain killers and I also noticed you were dehydrated so I got you some water and hopefully it helped" Wyatt states. "Thanks. How is my sister?" I ask quickly. "Well she..." Wyatt trails off. "She's what?" I ask impatiently. Asher notices this and speaks up. "She's awake, disoriented, but awake." I nod after noticing a hint of relief in his eyes. "I need to see April" I state to them. "You can't right now, you are in no condition to move" Wyatt responds. I stare up at the ceiling knowing that everyone's gaze is on me as I feel more tears come rolling down my face.