LA Big Break

Chapter Nineteen

‘I won’t let go of your hand, promise!’ Cody said, obviously picking up on the fact that I was scared. I nodded and planted a kiss on his cheek, and then everything switched into fast forward. The door of the limo swung and a bodyguard held it open. There was no time to thank him. Cody squeezed my hand and pulled his arm above my head. We slowly ploughed through, when suddenly I was separated from Cody by a large journalist. I was still holding Cody’s hand, but I felt that grip loosen when he reached the hotel doors. He must have thought I was still by his side. I tried to get past the man who was blocking my way but was stopped by a sharp elbow in the ribs. It winded me instantly and I couldn’t help but fall to the floor. I tried my best to call Cody but I was struggling to breathe. I tried to stand but was crippled by the pain in my right side.

‘HANNAH?’ I heard Cody shout.

‘He…here!’ I managed to get out before creasing over. I heard Cody shouting but he couldn’t find me, and I couldn’t speak. I tried again to stand but could only scream at the pain. There were people everywhere, so sitting on the floor wasn’t a very safe hiding spot. My scream must have directed Cody to me because I soon felt his arms tighten around me and lift me up. I coughed as I slowly regained the ability to breathe. We got inside the hotel doors and they slid shut, guarded by security.  I continued to cough as Cody put me down.

‘Hannah, Hannah are you okay?’ Cody blurted, desperately waiting for me to stop coughing. He pushed my hair behind my ears and held my face in his hands and looked me in the eye. ‘I’m… I’m fine.’ I finally said. ‘I’m fine!’

He hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe, especially in my current condition but I hugged him back.

‘I’m so sorry! I thought you were by my side and…’

‘Babe, I’m fine!’ I said. I could speak again, but there was still pain in my ribs. I knew there was no serious damage, just bruising.

‘You screamed, I was so scared, I couldn’t find you!’ He said and he was clearly panicking. There were tears formed in his eyes and I could tell that he was trying to hold them in but one escaped and rolled down his cheek. I leant up to wipe it on my sleeve but winced and touched my ribs. Not the smartest thing to do.

Stupid girl.

I repeated this with my other arm and wiped the tears from his face. I hugged him and he rested his head on my shoulder.

‘I’m so sorry.’ He said in between sobs. It broke my heart to see him like this. He was shaking with either shock or fear, I wasn’t sure which but I did my best to comfort him.

‘It wasn’t your fault okay, if anything, I overreacted!’ I laughed, stroking his hair. He cracked a bit of a smile, which I guess is a start.

‘I let go of your hand.’

‘Well, not technically. I also let go of yours right? And you thought I was there with you! It wasn’t your fault.’ I reassured, because it wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault… well; maybe the fat journalist had some part to play in it.

‘Guys, are you okay? I just got a message from the guards telling me what happened!’ Matt said as he rushed towards us.

‘I’m fine, but Hannah’s hurt!’ Cody said, indicating to my ribs.

‘I’m fine honestly! I was just winded.’ I said.

‘Well, we better get you checked out, just in case.’ Matt said, dialling a number on his phone.

‘There’s no need, I’m fine!’ I squeaked. Cody looked at me and I knew that for his sake I should cooperate.

‘Take her up to the room, the doctor will be there in around ten!’ Matt said, walking over to the receptionist.