Broken (Brown Eyed Boy book 2)

Take Some Time (Carlos POV)

With Jessie's memory gone, none of us could bring ourselves to leave her. We all slept out in the hall that night and if I was being honest part of me hoped that I would wake up in the morning to find it was all a bad dream. I would wake up sitting next to Jessie's bed again and when she opened her eyes she would smile and remember me and every memory we had together. Only when I woke up, I was still in the hall with everyone around me sleeping. Everyone but Cassie. She had been next to me when I fell asleep but now the chair was empty and Cassie was nowhere to be found. There wasn't any movement in the halls and I guessed it was still the middle of the night which meant she couldn't have gone far. Whether we were inside or not, Cassie didn't like walking around on her own at night.

            Getting up from my chair and rubbing the last of the sleep from my eyes, I started to walk in search of Cassie. I didn't have to walk far before I heard Cassie's voice coming from Jessie's room. I moved into the doorway, preparing to go inside, but paused when I heard Jessie's voice too. “I didn't mean to make you cry,” Jessie said. “I'm sorry.”

            “It's okay,” Cassie said. “My mom said you could remember us again. I can wait.” Jessie didn't say anything and I wondered how her face looked as she watched my hopeful sister. Again, I moved to go inside but stopped when I heard Cassie's words. “Do you really not remember Carlos?”

            I held my breath, some of that hope inside bubbling up. “I'm sorry, I don't.” I exhaled, her words even more crushing than the first time. “I wish I could say different but I can't,” she continued. “Was I close with him or something?”

            “Uh huh,” Cassie said quickly. “You were best friends and hung out all the time and was always at our house or yours. And you were like Cinderella and Prince Charming.”

            “Cinderella and Prince Charming?” Jessie said skeptically.

            “Uh huh.”

            The silence this time was too much for me and I walked in before they could say another word. Jessie looked at me in surprise and I couldn't help but stare back at her for a minute until she glanced away. “Loco!” Cassie said from next to Jessie's bed and I looked at her.

            “Cass, what did we tell you about going somewhere without telling me or mom?” I said.

            “Not to,” she said quietly. “I'm sorry. But I woke up and everyone was sleeping I really wanted to see Jessie.” I saw Jessie look at her from the corner of my eye and it hurt to have her so close but not even be able to hold her hand.

            “I get that,” I said to Cassie. “But you still shouldn't go anywhere without telling one of us. You worried me.”

            “I'm sorry,” Cassie said again. “Are you mad at me?”

            “Of course not,” I sighed. “Just don't disappear on me like that again, okay?” Cassie nodded and I glanced at Jessie before turning back to her. “Come on, let's go back outside. Jessie needs to sleep.”

            “Okay,” Cassie said, getting up from the chair and looking at Jessie. “Goodnight Jessie.”

            “Good night,” Jessie said as Cassie walked over to me. Cassie took my hand and we started walking out when Jessie stopped us. “Carlos, wait. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

            I turned to her in surprise and nodded. “Sure,” I said. “Cassie, why don't you go outside. I'll be right out.”

            “Okay,” she said, letting go of my hand and walking out.