Behind the Glasses || a.i.

Chapter 27

 I wake slowly, surrounded by white walls. I feel numb, mentally and physically. My eyes are stationed on the ceiling, and I can’t move. I let out a moan, as I feel an excruciating pang in my head. “Trin?”

 I turn my head toward the voice. Ashton sits in a navy blue plastic chair at the side of the bed in the center of the strange room with his phone lit up in his hand. I can’t find my voice, so I send him a weak smile. “How are you feeling?” he whispers, scooting closer, as if it was possible. I shrug. His large hand goes up to my face, pushing back fallen hair. He frowns, making me want to kiss his lips to spin them upside-down. “What happened to you?”

 My eyes dart down, looking toward the tip of my button nose. “I don’t know.” My voice comes out hoarse. The scratchiness of it hurt, and I cough.

 “Does anything hurt?”

 “My throat as of right now,” I say. “Where am I?”

 “The hospital,” he informs me nervously. “Sierra’s mom sent you here after she came over to look at you. She’s not working today, though.”

 “Where’s Sierra?” I ask.

 “Um,” he mumbles. “She knows you’re here.” I squint at him, knowing there is another piece to the story. “She didn’t say much; just that she needed to speak to you as soon as possible. She didn’t seem happy.”

 I close my eyes. “I give up.”

 “What do you mean?” he questions me.

 “I’m so done with life. I’m living in hell. God hates me.”

 “Don’t give up,” he pleads. I shake my head. “Trin, I care too much to let you go that easily. Why would you let go that easily?” He is upset, I can tell.

 “I sick of living like I’m not alive, Ashton. I’m sick of having problems with the people I love. I’m sick of crying all the time. I just can’t do it anymore. I’m down to the last straw.” Magically, some weight is lifted from my chest.

 “Well,” he sighs. “How about, next time you think you need to leave the world, tell me. And you and I, we can take a break from everything.”

 I smile at him, nodding. “Sounds good.”

***

 They let me out a few hours later. They had wrapped the upper portion of my left arm, due to the fact that I had just gotten stitches there. I had stitches in both knees because of the glass shards. Ash drives me home, and comes inside with me, as he plans to spend the last few hours of the day with me.

 We get back to my apartment, and Sierra is waiting on my couch. I groan, flopping down on the arm chair in the corner. Ashton sits on the opposite end of the couch which Sierra occupies. Her eyes are cast down, not once have they flickered up from the moment the door opened. I follow her gaze to the coffee table, feeling guilty when I catch what she is looking at. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

 She shakes her head. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

 “Sierra, let me explain.”

 “Well your explanation better be damn good, Trinity!” she shouts, her watering eyes snapping up. “You betrayed me!”

 “Sierra, please don’t shout,” I plead her.

 “Don’t shout?” she asks, thick sarcasm laced into her voice. “Are you freaking kidding me right now?” I open my mouth to say something, but she reaches in front of her, picking my book up from the table. “You knew I would read it! You knew I would find out! Why wouldn’t you tell me?” Her voice cracks. “Why wouldn’t you let me help you?” she whispers.