Unrequited Love ~Lams~

38

*in the hospital room, Alex was waiting for John to wake up when Peggy and Angelica visit. Mary comes next*

I sat next to John, waiting. It's been a few hours since I was able to see him, and he's still not awake. Laf's head laid on Herc's shoulder, both of them sound asleep.

Henry had arrived a few minutes before us, and stayed for most of the time, before I forced him to go home and rest. John's dad hadn't visited yet, neither have any of his other siblings. Henry said that Martha and James were asleep, but never said anything about married.

I started to drift off until the door swung open.

"JOHN!" Peggy exclaimed, rubbing towards him. Her face was covered in tear-smudged mascara, and her eyes were red and wet. She turned to me. "I-I heard what happened. Why the fuck would he do that?!"

"I don't know..."

She started sobbing again, as I hugged her. She sobbed into my chest. This shocked me a little, since she was always so peppy and happy. But, then again, who wouldn't be like this when your best friend attempted suicide.

Angelica quietly came in behind Peggy. Despite seeming calm, she looked worried. Ever since prom last year, she has been like a guardian angel to John. I don't know why, but was like a mother figure to him.

I noticed Eliza wasn't there, which I guess makes sense. Her and John weren't very close.

"When's he going to wake up?" Peggy asked as we pulled away.

"Henry said that he didn't know."

"Henry?" Angelica said, getting tense.

"Y-yeah? His brother?"

The tension was immediately gone as she let out a breath. "Oh, alright." She said, her voice shaky.

I decided that I would ask her later, and put it aside.

Peggy looked over at Laf and Herc, who were somehow still asleep. She wiped the tears off her face and reached into her bag, grabbing a marker. She started to doodle on Laf's face.

"Are his siblings coming soon?" Angelica asked, ignoring her sister.

"Not sure... Henry has been the only one so far."

"Oh, okay... do you know why he did it? What pushed him over the edge?"

"I have no idea... Henry told Laf, which is why he called Herc. They both won't tell me."

She nodded, looking solemn. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, he'll be okay."

"I know. He's strong." She said, smiling to herself. "One of the strongest people I know."

I'm not exactly sure what she's talking about, but I didn't comment.

We sat there in comfortable silence for a few seconds until she spoke up.

"Peggy and I should go... we just wanted to stop by."

I nodded. They both hugged me before they left. They shut the door behind them, and I sat back down, anxiously tapping on my leg.

Tap tap tap.

I heard footsteps outside the door.

Tap tap tap.

The door creaked open.

Tap tap tap.

I turned to see who it was, expecting a doctor. Instead, I saw two young kids staring at me.

"Go in, guys..." Henry said, motioning for the two kids to come in. I immediately recognized them as the youngest Laurens kids, Martha and James. They both looked slightly older than last time I saw them.

They both look scared, which made my heart break. They were too young to go through this.

"Jacky?" James called out, expecting a response. When there was none, he looked at Henry, confused.

Laf started to stir, and sat up slightly. Herc must have noticed the lost of his presence, and also opened his eyes.

"Qui est là?" Laf asked, rubbing his eyes.

(Translation: "Who's there?")

"Just us, Laf." Henry said, leaning up against the wall.

"Us?"

His eyes focused and his eyes landed on the two kids.

"Jemmy! Marthie!" He exclaimed, smiling.

"Laffy!" They both exclaimed, running towards him. The both jumped on top of him, hugging him.

Laf ruffles James hair, and set them both down.

"Hey guys..." Herc mumbled, still tired.

"Mully!" They exclaimed, hugging him just like they did Laf. He lazily hugged back.

"Mully?" I asked, raising a eyebrow.

Henry laughed slightly. "Well, Herc is already a nickname, and we couldn't give a nickname another nickname, so we just did his last name."

"Seems legit." I answered, satisfied with the answer.

Laf looked at Henry, and mouthed to him something along the lines of "Where's Mary?"

Henry mouthed back "She stayed home."

Laf nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Why wouldn't Mary want to see John? John's always praised her, so it's not like they have a bad relationship. Did they figh-

"Aren't you the guy from Christmas?" James asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "The one that cuddled with Johnny?"

I felt my whole face turn red. "W-what?"

"We all saw it, we just never mentioned it." Henry said, smirking at me slightly.

"Oh..." I said, still red.

"Where's Johnny?" Martha asked, still not seeing John on the bed. "Why are we in a hospital? It seems like old people."

The smiles that were on our faces immediately faded.

"He's... asleep." Henry said, cautiously. He motioned to the bed.

They both looked at the bed.

"Is he okay? Why is he in a hospital?" James asked, worriedly.

Henry looked pained. "I'll explain to you in the hall..."

He grabbed both of their hands and brought them into the hall way.