More Than Friends

Chapter 15

Jackson POV

"What happened?" I ask, tears already threatening my eyes. Whatever's happening can't be good. Not if Aria's worried; the girl never worries unless it's something serious or to do with kids.

"Something came in through the window and hit her. I don't know what, but it was something. She was having a panic attack from what I can gather beforehand, and now, I, I, I don't know what's wrong," Aria sobs into my arms. Oh God. No, no, no, no, no, no, she has to be okay, she has to be. If Ramona's not okay, then- no, I can't think like that.

"Hey losers, you coming," Alex shouts, bounding up the stairs before slowing his speech when he sees all of us with tear stained eyes. "What happened?"

"Ramona," I start, before my voice breaks. No, no, no, I have to be strong. No weakness. She's probably, hopefully, fine.

"We need to call an ambulance," Ben says, taking out his phone. I'm grateful that he at least knows what to do and can remain calm. He walks into my room to make the call.

"I'll go tell Kimmy and Fernando," Sky decides, emotionless. She's in shock, I know the look.

"It'll be okay, Jackson. It'll be okay." Alex attempts to comfort me.

This-this is what they told me all those years ago about my dad, when he was in the hospital. That he'd be okay. But he's dead.

Suddenly, a sound that's not human echoes through the house, probably coming from Kimmy. Her daughters been injured after all.

Ben walks into the room, saying that an ambulance is on it's way. But I can't hear anything, I'm not even in this room right now. I'm thinking about all of my memories with Ramona, how special they all are. None the same, each different.

Flashback

It's been a week since Ramona moved in, and we've actually become sort of close. Turns out, we have a lot in common, including friends and Saturday morning traditions.

Seeing as it's her first Tanner-Fuller style Saturday morning, I decide to let her pick the movie we watch. She picks a classic, Grease. I'm not a musical man, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like this movie.

We talk over the movie the entire time, lying in her bed and discussing everything and nothing at the same time. It was one of those perfect mornings.

--

Finally, summer has arrived! That took long enough. I'm looking forward to long, relaxing times on the beach, at the pool, practicing football, and hanging out with my friends- especially Mo. Her and I have become incredibly close and comfortable around each other since the third week of her living here, and now we're closer than anyone in our friend group.

"Jax, come on, I thought you and the boys were joining us trampolining today?" She groans from outside the door, and I emerge, fully dressed, minus Converse.

We link arms and head down the stairs, where, somehow, we both put on the same pair of shoes. It's kind of funny.

--

This is it. First day of eighth grade. Only one more year in this hellhole and I get out to high school. My friends and I were already accepted to the same high school, Bayview High. It's basically a better public school, and it's free.

Ramona and I have decided to just meet our friends on the monkey bars today, not walk to school with them. It's one of those days.

*End of Flashback*

"Hello? Earth to Jackson? Jax?!" Aria shouts, slapping me across the face. It's a good slap, but it hurts.

"Ow! What was that for?" I rub my cheek dramatically and she looks at me through tear stained eyes. I'd forgotten for a minute, being in my own world, what happened.

"I was asking you if you wanted to ride in the ambulance with her. I know you two have unfinished business, but she needs her best friend right now," Mom explains and I nod eagerly, following her after I grab my phone. Can't leave home without it.

"Look, I want you to know, this is going to be the same hospital Dad was at. I know you say that you've moved on from it, that your grief has already been processed, but this could bring back the memories. If you want to go home at any time, we will. Just tell me."

"Okay, Mom. But I think that I'll just stay with her; she needs me now more than ever."

🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️🏵️

It's singles awareness week

Later loves,

~Ry