the boy next door

Chapter 23: He's Gone

Justin's POV:

I watched her sleep peacefully, her ribs poking out every time she took a small breath. She didn't look like herself. She was always full of happiness and smiles, but now she was like...dead.

My breath hitched as the thoughts circled through my head rapidly. I've been trying so hard to help her, but nothing works.

All Dr. Johnson even told us was to make sure i hold on to the pills and gave her one every 3 hours to help with the pain, and to make sure she stays hydrated and eats. It's fucking bullshit.

I felt her arm twitch against my body as i slowly traced my fingers down her skinny, fragile body. She had these nightmares every once in a while and sometimes they were minor, but most of them were pretty intense.

One night she even screamed and pushed me off the bed, not knowing who I was for a split second. It broke my heart.

I snuggled against her hair until i heard knocking on the door. I turned around slowly and spotted Ashley's mom in the doorway. She motioned me over there and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

I slowly made my way out of the bed and towards her. She then shut the door and faced me.

"How's she doing?" she breathed sadly.

"She's been asleep for the past half hour, no nightmares so that's good-"

"Justin, sweetie." she interrupted. "I know you love Ashley and want to keep her safe and comfortable, but I think you could use some rest too."

I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head slowly.

"Joan n-no-"

"Justin please, look at you." she bit her lip. "You look exhausted, have you even slept the past few days?"

I sighed and look down at the ground.

"No." I whispered. "But I want to stay with Ashley-"

"Honey, Ashley doesn't want you to be killing yourself while trying to help her. She wouldn't want that, trust me. Get some rest and you can come visit tomorrow. I'm worried about your own health."

I felt my lip quiver while my hands trembled. "But I don't want to be gone when she wakes up."

"I'll tell her you needed some rest. She'll understand, she loves you." she nodded her head as she pulled me into a hug.

I sighed and pulled away. I opened my mouth to add something but I was interrupted with a familiar voice calling my name from downstairs.

I furrowed my eyebrows and walks down the stairs to see who it was.

"Mom? Dad?" I mumbled as I walked down, Joan following behind me.

"Son, I think it's time to go home." Jeremy sighed as he grabbed my arm and began to pull me towards the door.

"No-no please!" I shouted as I was dragged out the door.

I turned and saw Joan watch me sadly as she shut the door.

"Let me go dad! She needs me!" I hollered as I tried to fight his grasp.

My mom opened the door as my dad pushed me inside.

"Sometimes things aren't meant to be." Jeremy shrugged sadly. "Just let it go."

My heart ached once those words came out of his mouth.

"I-I love her." I croaked, feeling my heart ache even more by the second. "I-I have to be by her side."

"I know baby." Pattie whispered as she caressed my face gently. "We're just suggesting a break. Just wait for Ashley to get better."

My lip quivered as I felt my eyes begin to water.

"God this is terrible." I felt a tear roll down my cheek. "Why do bad things happen to good people? She doesn't deserve any of this."

"I know honey I know." Pattie rubbed my back gently.

Ashley's POV:

His hands trailed up my waist and began to unzip my shorts.

"Get off!" I shouted but instantly felt a hand cover my mouth and another pair of arms hold my arms behind the chair.

I muffled curse words into the hand as I felt him suck on my neck hard, causing me to yelp quietly.

When he slid his hand down my shirt I felt everything black out.

I woke up instantly, out of breath while my hands were all wet and shaky. I placed my hand over my chest as I tried to maintain my breathing again, until I noticed the blank space next to me.

I looked around but no one was here, I was all alone.

"Justin?" I whispered. I felt my eyes widen in realization. He's gone, he left me. He was done dealing with me. I felt a sob overcome my body as I cried violently.

"Justin!" I hollered but didn't hear a response, causing me to cry even more.

I heard running footsteps and saw my mom come running in with a worried look plaster on her face.

I cried as I lied into her arms and sobbed even louder.

"H-He left me." I whimpered.

"N-No he didn't." my mom sighed as she rubbed my back. "He would never."

"Then where is he?" I choked as I sat up as i stared into her sad brown eyes.

She didn't say another word which gave me my answer.

I cried silently and fell backwards onto my bed as i held onto my chest and cried even harder.

Justin's POV:

God what if she's awake? What if she's wondering where I am? Justin calm down, let her be for a while. She needs to heal.

I lied back down on my bed and ran my hand through my hair stressfully, until I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.

I quickly flipped it out, noticing it was Joan. My heart stopped as I instantly picked up and waited for a voice.

"Justin." Joan breathed. "She needs you."