Because of You

Chapter 14

After my mom left the room I sat silently for a few minutes. Jayden waited patiently by the door with his hands shoved in his pockets. I glanced at him. He smiled sadly meeting my eyes. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. He meant it.

"I know. You understand don't you? But how?" I whispered the words. I was way to shy, it frustrated me sometimes, but I couldn't help it. He looked like he was warring with himself, trying to decide what to say to me. Finally he gave up and sighed.

"I can trust you." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. "I used to have a little sister like you. She—"

I gasped. "Used to?"

He nodded sadly. "Her name was Jinni. She was actually almost just like you," he smiled softly at the memory of her. "Dance was everything to her. Everything. Because she was scared of... well everything else. She didn't get in a car crash like you. I almost wish she had instead of what actually happened. She... well she got cancer. Leukemia to be exact. Usually it can be treated, but we didn't find out she had it until it was too late. The doctors tried, but she just got worse and worse until finally... she died."

"Are you okay?" I whispered in shock.

"Yeah. It was 4 years ago. When I was 17. She was... just 15."

My eyes widened. He had lost his sister that young?! It was so terrible I didn't have any words. I worked my mouth trying to find something to say, but nothing came out. He gave me a small smile. "You really would've liked her I think," he said softly. I felt tears in my eyes and sucked in a shaky breath so I wouldn't start crying.

Just at the wrong moment, the doctor walked in again. I wiped my eyes quickly with a hand and looked up at him. "Sorry to bother you, I just have some medications for you Wendy."

I rolled my eyes. Couldn't this happen at any other time than right now? Jayden smiled at me again and left the room. I glared at the doctor. "Whatever," I whispered. I was too shy for anything else although there were things I would like to say. He gave me some water and pills and then left the room informing me that I could "holler if I needed anything". Well what I needed was to be able to move my foot. Can you do that Doctor?

I pressed the heel of my hand onto my forehead. Don't cry Wendy, I thought, scolding myself. I didn't usually cry where others could see me. Like most other things, it was because of my severe social anxiety. I took deep breaths and finally regained my calmness. I would be fine. I would be fine. I repeated the phrase over and over in my head until I slowly drifted into a deep sleep.

***

The next day the doctor cleared me and I was so glad to be back in my own clothes. Except when I went out to the parking lot I realized I couldn't drive. Not only was I a bit broken, but so was my car. In fact, it was slightly more broken than I was. I found that out when my mom told me. My favorite little car had been t-boned by none other than a drunk driver. At least it hadn't been my fault.

I stood in the middle of the parking lot, leaning on my crutches and holding now useless keys. My mom had thoughtlessly left me at the hospital instead of offering to drive me home. She clearly wasn't used to having me back yet after all the years of putting me out of her life for my dad. I didn't really know what to do, so I just continued standing in the parking lot, staring at nothing.

After a couple minutes of that ridiculousness, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Jayden standing behind me. "Need a ride?" He asked.

I smiled awkwardly. "Kinda." He laughed and grabbed my hand, apparently not realizing how stiff I got as soon as he did, and started pulling me over to his car.

Am I the only one who thinks Jayden and Wendy are sooo cute like come on😍 ok I'm done now lol hope you're enjoying the story don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me!