Switched

Chapter 15: Drew

“I need a favor,” I said walking into Meghan’s room.

“Why would I help you when the last time you screwed me over?”

“Because your my sister and you love me and you will really love this favor,” I said smiling.

“Forget it,” she said annoyed.

“Look, if you help me I’ll take you with me to see Kriss,” I bargained.

“What?” she asked shocked.

“I’ve been a bit of a jerk lately, and I’m blaming that on love. I love Kriss and have made some really bad decisions lately and I need to make up with her before anything else happens and I want to go to Aristole and be with her or at least see her but I want you to go with me as a way of saying sorry,” I ranted.

“You want me to leave my husband here and go halfway around the world with my annoying, kid brother to see his fiance?” she asked skeptical.

“Yeah, basically.”

“If this conversation was happening with anyone else the answer would be no in a heartbeat, but if it means I get to see Kriss then, yes,” she answered finally. “When do we leave?”

“As soon as we get passports. I’ll pay for everything, and don’t tell Kriss. I want to surprise her,” I warned.

“Fine, but you need to talk to Mom to see if your allowed to stay here. She’s pretty mad.”

“Are you mad?”

“Kinda, yeah,” she said. “You can’t take it out on everyone when you’re upset and you had no right to say what you did about me not being able to have a family.”

“I’m sorry, I just thought that-”

“No,” she interrupted. “That’s your problem you thought something without regard for anyone’s feelings. I can forgive you as long as you don’t let it happen again,” she scolded.

“It won’t, I’m sorry, Sis,” I said sincerely.

“Now go to talk to Mom and make sure it’s okay with her.”

I walked into the living room and saw my mom crying on the couch. I panicked. Mom didn’t normally cry.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. The TV was on playing the nightly news.

“Kriss-” is all she could choke out before   she started sobbing.

“What about Kriss?”  I asked panicked. My heart stopped as I listened to the TV.

“The Princess of Aristole has been shot. Her injuries are not yet known, but the suspect has been detained. Stay tuned for more information.”

    My knees gave out and I collapsed on the floor.
    “God, you listen to me. I need her to be okay! Do you hear me? If you are real, keep her safe.” I prayed out loud. I’ve never really prayed out loud before- or at all, but it seemed like the right thing to do.

    “Mom,” I breathed wiping my still falling tears away. “I can’t lose her,” my voice cracked.

    “Call her,” Mom said holding me, her tears were falling on my hair the way they did when my dad left, “maybe they made a mistake.”

    I fumbled for my phone in my pocket and dialed Kriss’ number. It kept ringing. With each ring my heart shattered more and more. The only thing I could think of was the first time I told her I loved her.

Kriss ran over to the glass to look at the fish inside the aquarium. She was mesmerized by the colorful fish swimming in a million different directions.

“Look at that fish, babe!” she screamed pointing to a little clown fish. “It looks like Nemo!” The people around her looked at her with disgust, but her face radiated light.

I walked and stood next to her grabbing her hand.

“I love you,” I said blushing.

She looked at me and blushed. The people around us started to stare and I didn’t care. I pulled her close to me and kissed her forehead.

She didn’t answer the phone when I called and immediately I began to fear the worst.

“Meghan!” I shouted through tears.

“What?” she asked walking into the living room.

“Call Kriss,” I said frantic.

“Why?”

“Just call her!” I cried.

She pulled out her phone confused and called Kriss.

“She didn’t answer,” Meghan said. I started to shake. My world was crashing down around me. “What’s going on?”

“There was- an- an incident at the palace,” mom sniffed.

“What kind of incident?” Meghan asked.

“There was a shooting and-” a salty tear rolled down my cheek.

Meghan gasped. “Is Kriss okay?”

“We don’t know, honey,” Mom sighed. “All we can do is pray that she is.”

“No,” I cried. “She has to be okay. She can’t die!” I yelled.