BONNIE (BOOK 3)

Chapter 19

Jayla Santiago's POV

"Hey, Jayla, it's good to see you" my 'grandfather' Jerome says, pulling me into a big hug.

I hug him back, resting my head on his chest for a bit before pulling away.

He shows me his arm, which has a dark brown plaster on it.

"I've just been tested and so has Alfonzo. He should be out in a minute" Jerome says to me.

I nod, feel completely drained.

Elijah, Eleanor and Ruben were tested last week.

They weren't a match.

Nor were Leo, mom or myself.

Natasha and Amos aren't a match.

Dana isn't a match.

Joshua isn't a match.

I'm slowly losing hope...

I haven't been able to sleep for days.

I'm constantly up thinking about how to help my dad.

Leo is the same.

Arguing with doctors all over the country to make them move his name up the organ donor list.

But finding someone with his blood type is crucial.

We can't have his body rejecting it.

That would make it worse.

I walk up to the other side of the room, trying to pace out my breathing.

I run a hand though my dreads and close my eyes, ignoring the dull ache in the back of my head.

I need some air.

I take the stairs down to the bottom floor and through the back door.

I breath in the cold fresh air, leaning back against the wall.
I take out a packet of cigarettes and put one in between my lips.

I flick on my lighter and hold it up inches away from the cigar.

Then my mind moves back to the first time I started smoking.

It was after I had broken up with Luis.

I remember, my dad found out when I came home reeking of it.

He was not at all impressed.

But he wasn't angry...

He was upset, which is so much worse!

He told me that he didn't like what I was doing.

And as I usually do, when I'm in emotional pain...

I shut him out, walking right back out of the house.

Of course I had my own apartment, so I went there and continued to smoke.

It tasted like shit but it was no longer a physical thing.

It's mental now.

My brain snaps back to the present.

I take the cigarette out of my mouth and drop it on the ground, stepping on it, putting it out completely.

I sigh to myself and look over the skyline.

The orange and purple cloud cuddle each other, mixing together and they fade into a dark twilight blue, night time stars beginning to peak out and make an appearance.

So beautiful, yet so limited and it causes me to pose the question...

Does anything beautiful in this life last?