A Tragic Love Story

Chapter Five

Caleb's POV

Beep, beep, beep, beep

I couldn't sleep in the chilling hospital. Between the smell of death, the constant noise of heart monitors, and the flicker of the light above me, I couldn't bring myself to sleep. Josie was in the corner, curled in a little ball in a chair. She looked adorable when she was sleeping.

Flashback, that afternoon

I was rummaging through my pockets, looking for my keys. I was in the middle of the parking lot after soccer practice. I was one of the only people left, for school had gotten out three hours ago. I was sweaty and tired, barely able to hold myself up.

"Aye, Caleb!" I heard Ian yell behind me. I groaned, knowing this meant trouble was coming. 

"What do you want Ian?" I ask, annoyed.

"My money. You better pay up," he accusingly barked. Reggie, I think that was his name, was standing next to Ian, trying to look "macho." Ian was the same size as me and Reggie was smaller than me. Come on Ian, better preperation was obviously needed.

"I told you, I don't have that money. I have to save up," I pleaded. They both grimaced at each other, then back at me. Before I knew it, I felt Ian's fist crush into my jaw. Really? Cheap shot. I punched Ian and bloodied his lip. Reggie then got up some courage and tried punching my gut. As I was beating the shit out of Reggie, I felt Ian punch the back of my head. I immediately fell to the ground. I felt my skull make contact with the hard asphalt.

"Come on Ian. We gotta get outta here!" Reggie yelled.

"Oh, shit," Ian mumbled to himself. He started running towards his car and drove off, leaving me there. I vaguely remember a teacher finding me, calling the paramedics, and being loaded into the ambulance. After that, I remember waking up in the hospital, doctors surrounding me.

Present time, 11:45 PM

I sat there, lying aimlessly. Every once and a while, I heard the sound of a nurse's shoes click down the hallway or a heart rate going flat. People were literally dying by the minute. This shit was depressing.

My parents had gone home earlier, but Josie insisted on staying. Her parents obliged, not really putting up an argument.

"Hmmmmm, hey Caleb," Josie yawned, uncurling from her Rollie-pollie state.

"Hey my lil' Pineapple. You can go home you know, I'll be fine," I said. She didn't need to see me like this.  I hated her seeing me weak.

"No, I'm not leaving you. We can have our break AFTER you get out of the hospital," she said while rubbing her eyes. Shit, I had completely forgotten about our "break." She said she needed to figure things out. I didn't want to go a week without my best friend, but it's what she wanted. 

"How do you feel?" I winced as she went to touch my swollen eye. She quickly brought her hand back, not wanting to cause me any pain. I reached out for her hand and held onto it.

"Thank you for being here. I love you," I said, tears welling in my eyes. She was the only person who has ever seen me cry. She was there when I cried about my grandma dying, my dog dying, and so much more.

"Don't you fucking cry, asshole. I'm gonna start crying!" She whisper-screamed, tears dripping down her face. She had taken her glasses off when she was sleeping, and she looked beautiful. Well she always looked beautiful. 

"Josie, I'm in love with you. I always have been and I always will be. This has nothing to do with Ian's dumbass dare. I, love, you," I let out, tears flowing down my face still.

"I love you too. I just need time," she whispered, most of her tears dried up now. She pushed my brown hair away from my face and placed a kiss on my forehead. She lifted her head, still hovering over me. She lightly kissed my lips, not even making full contact.

"You need to get some sleep," she said when she sat back in her chair. "Good night, sleep tight," she said before curling back up in her ball. I was still stunned by the kiss. Her soft lips against mine, her beautiful body against mine, Josie being mine. I wanted her more than everything. 

Josie's POV

I sat down in the uncomfortable chair, trying to fall asleep. I had just kissed my best friend for the second time in a week. What was wrong with me? I have been able to contain myself for 10 years, what's happened?

I drifted off to sleep, thinking about everything that has happened lately. A week ago, I was just a normal girl who was in love with her best friend. Now I've shared two kisses with the love of my life and now he's in the hospital. I was scared for what would happen next.

7:00 AM, the next day

"Josie, sweetie, wake up," I heard Caleb's mom say while lightly shaking my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes to find Caleb's whole family standing there. There was his mom, dad, sisters Elliani and Merila (the nine year old twins), brothers Joseph (fourteen years old) and Max (twenty years old), and his various aunts and uncles. 

"Oh, yeah, I'll be out of your hair," I fumbled, getting up from the back-breaking chair. I placed a kiss on Caleb's forehead, feeling his warmth glide throughout my whole body. I shuffled out of the cramped space before leaning my head on the wall outside of his room. I found Jose in the waiting room.

"Hey, um, what are you doing here?" I asked, still a little dazed.

"Mami wanted me to check on you. How's your little white boy?" Jose asked, showing how inconvenienced he was.

"He's doing... better. You can go now, I have to give Brittany her car back anyways," I say, trying to walk past him. He grabbed my shoulder.

"Don't worry bout it. Mami already came by and got the keys from your purse," he instructed. Jesus Christ, I could smell the weed from two feet a way. "Pon tu trasero en el auto, Josie. Ahora," he said, almost threateningly. (A/N translations will be at the bottom of the page)

"José me dejó ir. Por favor," I cry, tears running down my face. I was terrified of my brother. The abuse was getting to be too much. I was too afraid to tell my parents in fear that he will seek revenge on me.

I swiftly made my way to the car and pulled myself into the passenger seat. We turned on the radio, listening to some Spanish rock. I had no control over what my brother picked. Finally, we made it home. I ran inside and went into my room. I closed the door and started to fall apart. I began to shake and sob, falling to the ground. 

"Bebé, ¿estás bien? ¿Qué pasa?" My mom questioned from the other side of the door.

"Sí, estoy bien mami. Solo cansado No te preocupes," I fake. I was honestly tired, so I flopped onto my bed. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Translations:

Pon tu culo en el auto, Josie. Ahora: Put your ass in the car, Josie. Now

José me dejó ir. Por favor: José let me go. Please

Bebé, ¿estás bien? ¿Qué pasa?: Baby are you okay? What happens?

Sí, estoy bien mami. Solo cansado No te preocupes: Yes, I'm fine Mommy. Just tired Do not worry