To Live Forever

Chapter 33

Jason felt like death.

He hadn't slept a wink in two days, tossing and turning as he thought of the girl lying in the medical room, injured and realized how much he cared for her.

He knew he would come to this. Acknowledging his feelings for Aria, but to say that he was scared was possibly a huge, huge understatement.

He hadn't felt anything like this. Not when he had developed a puppy crush on his elementary school friend, Nina. Not when a girl at his highschool had asked him to be her date at the homecoming.

This was different. This was real. She was real.

The past two days, when Aria had been in the medical wing, unconscious, he had some time to ponder over it. He had this strange kind of epiphany that he indeed did care deeply about the green eyed girl.

And even though he was positive that she returned the feeling, a part of him couldn't help but think of what would happen if she decided otherwise?

If she realized how dangerous all this really was. If she realized that she was far more better without them. Without him.

The mere thought of her going away from her made him panic. She was too important. She had become a dominant part in his life. And he hoped that it would stay that way.

"Jason. She's awake." A voice said from the door and Jason jumped.

"What?" He stared at Nathan, who was smiling as he said, "She's awake, Jason. She wants to see you."

Jason felt his heart race as he imagined Aria being fine and conscious, away from danger. He thanked God and almost stumbled to Nathan due to nerves.

"You okay?" Nathan laughed, steadying the taller.

"I...I think I'm sleep deprived." Jason laughed, not really joking.

"Wow. That's unfortunate. I think you'll forget about sleep when you're talking to Aria." Nathan sighed as Jason ran out of the room, not before yelling a loud 'True!', which made the elder shake his head and laugh.

***

"No murders?"

"That's what the reporters are saying."

"I think I would trust my grandma who is half senile rather than the reporters, Max."

"Hayden, we don't have any reports of murders, members from different gangs have been patroling major areas all the time. Queens, Downtown, the Avenues. Everywhere. There is no new news."

"I call bullshit." Hayden crossed his arms, pursing his lips, "They want us to give them a loose leash so that they can do bigger things."

"I don't know, Hayden. Maybe...maybe they have understood that there are enemies everywhere for them?" Max scratched his head.

Hayden rolled his eyes, "Yeah, right."

"Well. I think I want to go out for a while." Max sighed after a few minutes of sitting in silence.

"To do what?"

He shrugged, "Need some air."

"Can I come with you?"

Max nodded and both the boys got their coats, walking out of the house.

It was maybe a week after Aria had gained consciousness, the girl surprisingly seeming pretty fine after getting shot and loosing so much blood. Max worried if she was exerting herself, walking around the house and trying to help Hayden in making meals. Then Max remembered how he had walked in on Jason and Aria making out the night before and rolled his eyes, scoffing at him worrying.