Broken

Chapter Twenty One

Payton Morn's POV

Seeing the fear in Brooks's eyes was scary. I didn't know if he would jump at any moment. After knowing him for ten years, I still didn't know. Skyler's blue eyes were full of scared. Brooks must've started her when coming into the room. He immediately went to Emma's side.

"Hello to you too." Skyler scoffed to Brooks. I was standing in the doorway, unable to process what is going on. Emma has a caste on her leg and Skyler seem sad. Brooks on the other hand was pissed about something.

"Sorry. I was just worried." Brooks frowned, not even taking his eyes of Emma. From the looks of it, nobody has even seen me, slightly hidden behind the door. When I finally got enough courage I walked in. I hated seeing Brooks all upset and Skyler scared.

"Hi." I mumbled before sitting next to Skyler on a small stool.

"Hey. See, why can't you be like Payton? He has manners." Skyler joked. Emma, who wasn't even saying anything, let out a frustrated sigh.

"It'll be ok, Em." Brooks reassured. Skyler rolled her eyes and got up. She left the room without a word. Brooks didn't even notice, so I followed her.

"You ok?" I asked her. Her blonde hair covering her eyes as she slid down the wall out side the room.

"No. I could've prevented this. It's all my fault." She softly cried. I wrapped my arms around her frail body.

"It wasn't your fault. Hell, it wasn't even Emma's. It's the Nome association. They didn't put up a railing to prevent this. You have no idea how terrifying it was to run the track with you here." I explained. She lifted her head up slightly. Her bright blue eyes met my brown ones. Is it a bad time to say she is gorgeous?

"Being here reminds me of my mom. I miss her so much." She cried more into my shoulder. Don't cry, please. Seeing her in pain made me hurt, a lot.

"Skyler, please don't cry." I was begging now. "I can't sit here and watch you in pain. Why don't we go on a walk to get you out of here." She nodded and I helped her up.

I held her soft hand in mine. We went outside and walked for a bit. It was fall, and quite chilly. She was wearing the girls uniform that consisted of: tight spandex that fit her body perfectly and a loose tank top that showed of her muscles. I knew she was a hockey player on the boys team, so I wasn't surprised about how muscular she was.

"I'm sorry." She said as she wiped her eyes. I stopped under a tree, causing her to stop as well. Her blue eyes a shade of grey. I took her other hand.

"There is nothing to be sorry about, Skyler. I completely understand losing someone. Just know that your mom died loving you." I whispered into her ear, fighting the tears forming in my eyes.

"Can we just stay here for a while?" She asked, burying her head into my chest.

"Only if you want to." I said as I walked both of us over to a bench. "Emma is a tough one. She'll be ok." I added. Skyler sat close to me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"I know." She paused. "It's just I hate hospitals. The smell, the nurses, the doctors, everything reminded me of the day my mom died." I tilted her head up to face me.

"It's ok." I whispered before kissing her forehead. "It's ok." I repeated. She rested her head on my shoulder again and we sat in silence.