i sat in the passenger seat of the car, my mom and i are on our way to the university of michigan. they transported annie there by helicopter because it is the best hospital and medical program in the state. it is about two hours from where we live but much faster by helicopter.
as we drive all i can think about is annie, i sat there scrolling through my camera roll looking at pictures of annie and i.
here is one of them
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this was from our first date, we were only fourteen it's hard to believe that that was almost four years ago. i still remember that day like it was yesterday; our parents have always been best friends so we have known each other our entire lives and we often go on vacation together. this happen to be around valentine's day and i had had a crush on annie for so long but i had finally worked up the courage to ask her out. our mom's took us to universal studios on valentine’s day and i asked her to be my girlfriend and we have been dating ever since.
as i scroll through my camera roll all i can think about is annie and how she has to be okay, she isn't even 18 yet. her birthday is in three days, i just don't understand how a person could do such cruel things to innocent people just trying to enjoy themselves and make the most of their teenage years. i didn't even realize it but i started crying again, “hey ash, she is going to be okay there is a reason they took her to the best hospital in michigan.”
"o-okay” i said, i played with annies scrunchie that i out on my wrist before we left my house to go to the hospital. i was texting our group chat
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i was so relieved when katie texted us. after what felt like hours we finally got there. billy met us in the lobby and took us to the waiting room where katie, hayley, and caleb were waiting. i didn't know caleb was already here (he goes to college in new york). i greeted them all and caleb told me he got on a plane as soon as be heard. waiting for her to get out of surgery was the scariest and most nerve wracking thing i have ever experienced. i couldn't sit still i was pacing back and forth walking around.
“hey asher, why don't we go take a walk" caleb said getting up.
"okay” i replied. we left the group and went for a walk outside.
we went and sat at a bench “i want you to listen to me okay?"
“okay"
“i know you are scared, we are all terrified but we just have to stay hopeful and i know that is especially difficult for you. i see how much you love her and to have to witness such a terrible thing happen to her and to other people you care about has to be one of the hardest things a person can go through. but you have so many people that you can talk to and i want you to know that i am here if you ever want to talk, you are like my little brother and i care about you a lot and you shouldn't have to go through this alone.”
“we were listening to happier by marshmallow which is annie's favorite song dancing. people started to scream and annie turned to see what was wrong and her beautiful smile faded from her face and turned into fear. then within seconds the bullet was going in her chest and she fell to the ground. all i did was stand there watching what if i could've done something more to help to prevent this.” i said starting to cry.
“hey, asher there is nothing more you could have done, there's no way you could have known this was going to happen. no one in that building could have known that this was going to happen. so no matter what happens to annie i want you to promise me that you will never ever blame yourself for what happened.” he said giving me a hug.
i just nodded and once i stopped crying we went back inside and sat with everyone.
Hey everyone! I'm finally publishing chapter 3, I've been really stressed about research papers for school and things like that. Anyways thank you so much for all of the reads and votes it means so much to know that you guys are enjoying the story. Also ashannie was confirmed yesterday! That is crazy! Don't forget to vote and comment down below what you think is going to happen Xoxo
