It Was Always You

Chapter Sixteen

     I sat in the hospital waiting room beside Alec's mother as we waited for any news from the doctor.

     They had rushed Alec into surgery as soon as he got to the hospital and told his mother and I that they would do everything they could to help him.

     I didn't have high hopes.

     We had been waiting a few hours, Alec's mom crying against my shoulder every once an awhile. I was surprised Alec's brother wasn't here, as from what Alec told me they were really close. Plus, their mother could really use the support.

     His mom began crying again and buried her face into my shoulder.

     "I don't know what i'll do if he- if... if he dies. He can't die, Jorge! I can't lose them both!" she sobbed.

     I froze. "Lose them both...?"

     She lifted her head off of me and wiped tears of her face. They were only replaced with new ones.

     "I've already lost Liam... I can't lose Alec too. I'll have no one," she sobbed, putting her head in her hands.

     My head was spinning. I hadn't heard anything about this. What did she mean? She lost Liam? What?

     "Mrs. Bennet... what do you mean you've already lost Liam? What's happened to him?"

     She looked at me with a sad expression. "Jorge, honey, Liam died a few months ago. Didn't Alec tell you?"

      "He... he died? I- Alec didn't- he-"

     She put her hand on my shoulder but I shrugged it off gently.

     "I- I think I need some air."

* * *

I was outside for about fifteen minutes before I finally built up the nerve to call Benji. I had other friends I could call, but, strangely, I only wanted to see him right now. I hadn't told him why he needed to come, though.

He was over in about 10 minutes and rushed up to me with worry on his face.

"What's going on? Why are you here? What happened?"

All the tears that I had been pushing away since I got to the hospital came flooding out and Benji quickly engulfed me into a hug.

"Jey... what's wrong."

I sobbed. "Alec got hit by a truck, Benji. He's going to die."

I clutched the back of his sweatshirt harder and pulled him closer to me. He tightened his hold on me and rubbed circles on my back with his finger.

"Oh my god, Jey. Is he... is..."

"He's still alive... for now," I told him, my voice muffled from being pressed into his chest. "He's in surgery. We haven't heard any news yet."

"Shit. I'm so sorry."

"Don't say sorry. It's not your fault. Can you please just sit with me inside while I wait?"

I felt him nod. "Of course."

He led me into the building by the hand and we sat back down beside Alec's mother. This was going to be a long day.

* * *

Look at benji being such a good ̶b̶̶o̶̶y̶friend.
definitely just a friend. ;))