Breaking Free

Chapter 45

I sneak into Carter's room, but find him asleep. Sighing, I plop down into the chair beside his bed and put the tv on, turning the volume down low.

The channel it open on is the news, and my jaws drops when I see the screen. A fuzzy, outdated picture of me sits in the corner of the screen, as a peppy reporter is talking authoritatively.

"This just in- Taylor Evans, the girl who came back from the dead, has been spotted at Landstin Regional Hospital, and our journalists got a statement from her."

The screen flashes to a clip of me outside the hospital. I groan at the sight if my disheveled hair, sunken eyes, and otherwise broken appearance.

"What?" Carter croaks from beside me. I try to snatch the remote to change the channel, but he gets to it before I do, turning up the volume.

"I'm Taylor Evans- the girl who came back from the dead-" the TV-me states, before going off into the speech I gave not even an hour ago. But I don't look at the screen- I glance warily at Carter, awaiting his reaction. He hasn't got the full story yet, and he's mostly in the dark about this whole thing.

Once the whole scene is over, the screen cuts back to the perky reporter.

"This was all she said before she was whisked away by a young man, probably one of her many friends who are supporting her during this difficult time. More updates on this breaking news story as we get more information."

A commercial comes on, and I turn the tv off.

"Carter?" I address, walking up and sitting on the edge of his bed.

"How long did you know? That you were going to leave?" he asks.

"Carter, that's not impor-"

"How long," he cuts me off.

I sigh, and whisper "A week. I wanted to tell you I just- couldn't."

His gaze softens and he opens his arms, signaling for me to come closer. I do.

I lie beside him, and he wraps me in a hug, his chin resting on my forehead.

"This isn't going to go away, is it?" I whimper, my voice cracking.

"I don't think so- not for a long time," he solemnly states.

I sigh, and bury my head in the crook of his neck.

"Then I guess we just have to grin and bear it," I murmur.

"I guess so- we're national celebrities now," he chuckles.

He's right, but I can't seem to register it. I can't believe that I, Taylor Evans, was just on National Television. On six different channels.

A/N

So sorry for the short update. I only have one chapter left- the epilogue. But stay tuned because I still have that surprise to tell you about! No, I didn't forget!

Oh, if I don't respond to your comments, it's not because I don't care. It's just so hard to keep up with everyone! But I do read every one and they make me smile!

And a big happy birthday to kaily11!!!!!