Exodus

Coma

"Wake up."
I whisper into Ruby's ear. I small smile appears on his face as I kiss my way around his neck.

"Happy birthday baby."
I whisper, kissing his lips.

"No, not happy, I'm getting old."
He huffs, flipping me over, making me laugh. He cuddles me against him.

"Yes so old, is- is that a grey hair."
I pretend to freak out.

"Shut the fuck up."
His eyes go wide and I stare at him with wide eyes. As he jumps up I start to laugh. He stands still and stairs me up and down.

"I'm kidding, you're as beautiful as ever. Perfect brown locks of hair."
He continues to stare at me.

"What?"
I laugh.

"Why do you look so good? I mean you look good everyday but you lookin a little extra."
He drags his tongue along his bottom lip pulling it into his mouth with his teeth.

"Well."
I pretend to fluff my hair.

"Gotta look cute for my boy on his big day."
He smirks.

"Happy Cherry day bitch!"
I jump at Scrims sudden entry. He holds multiple blunts in his hand and a lit one in the other.

"A year younger than me and already lookin older."
Scrim smiles big, I laugh at his comment.

"Yeah pussy?"
Ruby snatches the blunt putting it between his lips. Scrim puts the other blunts down and throws his hands up pretending to fight Ruby. They go at it for a second as I laugh. Ruby picks him up and slams him on the bed as Scrim proceeds to punch him in the ribs.

"Beat his ass Rubes."
I laugh.

"Got yo shawty cheering you on and yo ass still gonna lose."
Scrim jokes.

"You're the one who's on the bottom bitch."
Seeing them smile and get along makes my heart warm.

"Come on let's celebrate."
I stand off the bed, they stop messing around and stare at me.

"What a beauty."
Scrim smirks, making me blush.

"Back off."
Ruby laughs, hopping up and grabbing me by my waist. I laugh as he picks me up off the ground.

"She's mine."
He kisses my lips.

$
Silence overwhelms me as I pry my eyes open. A bright light blinds me. My eyes are heavy and my body feels numb for a second. I see people but I can't make out the faces. I try to talk but my throat is too dry. The only sound that comes out sounds like a car getting ran over with a bike. I see heads snap up and people swarm around me.

"Cher."
I hear a familiar voice. My brain feels too dead to comprehend anything. I just feel confused.

"Water."
It feels like nails on a chalkboard in my throat when I speak.

"Get her some fuckin water."
The familiar voice says. They put the straw to my lips and I suck the whole cup down.

"Cher, can you hear me?"

"Do you know where you're at?"

"What's the last thing you remember?"
Three different voices say.

When I open my eyes I remember chasing Ruby out of the house. That's the last thing I remember. I look around the room in search for him and when I find him our eyes meet. His eyes are puffy and blood shot. He looks like he hasn't slept in ages and like he's had a mental breakdown. He gives me a small smile and I return it. I look around seeing Kevin, Scott, Courtney, Nick, a couple of people I met once or twice, Even Shyanne, standing all around me. I look back at Ruby and reach for his hand. He snatches my hand in his without a second thought. He just stares at me for a second.

"Let's get outta here."
Scott says, everyone agrees.

"I hope you feel better baby."
Shyanne gives me a hug and I return it the best I can.

"Thanks love."
I smile.

With Ruby sitting by my side I feel guilty for everything that happened.

"I didn't think you were gonna wake up. You were out for so long."
His voice is raspy.

"How long?"
I question.

"A whole week."
He bites his lip.

"No wonder I'm starving."
I smile, he just gives me a little laugh.

"You want me to get you some food?"
He starts to stand but I yank at his hand lightly.

"No, I don't want you to leave me."
I give him sad eyes and he stares back at me.

"I'm not ever gonna leave you, I promise baby."
He puts his face in the crook of my neck and kisses it.

"I'm sorry."
I whisper.

"No, don't ever say you're sorry to me."
He pulls me into him and I wrap my arm around his neck.

"I have a question."
I hesitate.

"Anything?"
He doesn't hesitate.

"That girl, the one you left with in the car. Did you guys do anything? Because you were long gone before I blacked out."
He looks at me with watery eyes and I just know his answer but I refuse to believe it. When he goes to answer Scott barges in.

"Thought you'd be hungry."
Scott says as everyone enters the room again.

"Starving."
I smile, as I sit up letting go of Ruby's hand.