Disturbing the Peace

Chapter 11

I sniffle. "I...uh...well, you know how Leo and the rest of us have had problems with drugs."

She nods her head understandingly. "Yes, hun, we do."

"So," I take a deep breath, "we were all high and I...said some things..."

Mr. Silver looks at me. "We won't be mad. Just tell us."

"I was kissing Marc," a tear trickles down my face, "and Leo came over. I yelled at him for always getting in the way of things. Bu-but I never meant any of that. I had no control over what I was saying. He got mad and ran, but since he was high, he just kinda ran out into the street. A big truck hit him." I sob, no longer able to see through my thick stream of tears.

"How do you know all this happened?"

I freeze. "Uh...uh...there were, um, security cameras. I know a guy who works at the office where they watch the security cameras. He's my cousin. He promised not to turn us all in." I give a weak smile.

"We did it!" I hear a loud and masculine voice cheer.

I round the corner to find the doctors flooding out of the room. Leo's room. A big smile plants on my tear stained face. They figured out why he wasn't breathing and having seizures and they fixed him. C'mon, Willow, celebrate, I think. Act like one of your best friends' lives was just saved.

But I can't. I just need some time for everything to settle in. So I stand in the middle of the hallway, smiling like an idiot.

My stringy hair tickles my forearms as I rock back and forth in place. I unwrap the rainbow scarf tied around my head and begin wrapping it around my arm for something to do. Finally, I bring myself to take a step forward. And another and another, until I reach the doorframe of Leo's room. His parents are talking to him. He's hooked up to all the machines, blinking but barely moving otherwise.

A few minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Silver exit the small room, leaving me to talk to Leo.

I walk cautiously over to his bed and sit down next to him. The first thing I do is wrap my small hand around his larger one. "Leo, I was so afraid we lost you. Move a finger if you understand me."

His index finger lightly taps the side of my hand. I almost die from euphoria.

My smile widens, if that's even possible.

He looks at me with sad eyes, a gloomy expression clouding his face. I've never seen Leo sad. He's always been cheery, upbeat, and energetic, especially with me.

I look back at him, searching his blue irises for something, anything. All I find in there is despair and misery. Is living like this making him depressed? "Leo, you're not thinking about giving up, are you?" I ask, not sure if I want the answer.

His shoulders slowly move to form a shrug. I hear his breathing in the oxygen mask.

Guilt surges through me. Tears fill up in my eyes. I screw them shut, causing the tears to spill, and shake my head. "No, Leo!" I cry. "No, you can't leave me! Don't give up."

His hand tightens around mine as if to tell me he won't.

I nod slowly and sadly. Then, I get an idea. "If you ever feel like giving up, and I'm not here," I pull my scarf off my arm and tie it to the side of his bed, "just look at this to remind you that I still believe in you. Don't give up!"

He squeezes my hand again.

I force a smile at him and get up to leave. I look at Leo one last time before exiting.

He's not a supermodel but I've always loved his looks anyways.

His dark brown hair is messy and splayed across the pillow. His blue eyes are bold and bright and always dancing just like his personality. He's 5'10 with a lean stature. All-in-all, he's pretty breathtaking if you don't know him like a brother. And if you're into hippies.