Situations Are Irrelevant Now

Best Friends and Hospital Beds

Chapter 17: Best Friends and Hospital Beds  

Lizzie’s body fell to the floor with a thud. The next thing I heard was the gun going off…and then I experienced an immense amount of pain as my own body fell.   

The bullet skimmed along my calf and caused an immediate flood of blood. I wanted to cry out in pain, but it was as if something was constricting my vocal cords and preventing me from doing so. My hands flew to the wound with the hopes of slowing down the bleeding, yet blood still seeped through my fingers.

“MEGAN!” Lizzie cried, crawling over to me.

Before she could ask if I was all right, I bit back the pain and looked her straight in the eye. “Don’t worry about me. Get the hell out of here. If I die for nothing, I’ll never forgive you!” I gritted out.

Evidently, my words struck her to the core. She stared at me with a look mixed with fear and concern before finally nodding and scrambling for the stairs. As she opened the door, light flooded into the basement and illuminated everyone’s reactions. No one seemed to notice that I had been shot.

“How the hell did she just get away like that?” Ronnie growled. “I know I shot someone! I don’t have bad aim.”

As much as I would’ve loved to respond to the disgust and frustration that was boiling inside my gut, I had to instead focus on stopping the bleeding. After all, I wouldn’t be able to kill Ronnie if I’m dead.

I grabbed a shirt that was on the floor nearby and wrapped it around my leg. The shirt immediately soaked through with blood, causing me to curse under my breath. With as much strength as I could muster, I used the TV stand to pull myself up off the ground.

“You definitely didn’t miss,” I spat.

All of their heads turned in my direction. Max was the first to respond. “Jesus, Megan!” he said, running to my side. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I used his shoulders for support. “You’re bleeding way too much. We need to call an ambulance!”

After hearing those words, the rest of them snapped out of their trance. Omar immediately whipped out his phone and dialed 911. While everyone did their best to help until the ambulance arrived, Ronnie isolated himself in a corner, not bothering to apologize, let alone look at me.

For the first time in years it seemed that my head and heart reached the same conclusion: Ronnie Radke is an asshole. What kind of person shoots someone and can’t even appear remorseful. Suddenly guilt overwhelmed any sort of physical pain I should’ve been feeling. I should’ve listened to Max all along.

+

We had exactly fifteen minutes to formulate a plausible explanation of how I came to be injured before the ambulance arrived. The paramedics only allowed one person to accompany me to the hospital; I chose Max.

He held my hand during the entire ride and told them our bullshit excuse. Something about me sliding down the staircase banister and impaling my leg on a sharp, exposed piece of wood. I was fading in out of the conversation, but from what I could gather, it seemed they believed him. 

Upon arriving at the hospital, I was rushed to a room where several needles and wires were inserted into my skin as the nurses took note of my blood pressure and bleeding while assessing the wound. I’d need stitches for sure.

Max waited in the hall, though I desperately wished he could’ve remained by my side throughout the procedure. All I could do was grip the bedside railing as they cleaned the wound and sewed me back together. 

Considering the amount of blood I lost, the doctor insisted that I spent the night in the hospital. I couldn’t have agreed more. The last place I wanted to be right now was that house.

Max called the others and let them know what happened. They came to visit just before visiting hours ended. Not too surprisingly, Ronnie did not join them.

+ Ronnie’s POV +

My plan was flawless. No one would’ve known what happened to Lizzie. No one would’ve questioned how we got all that money.

I hadn’t accounted for Megan developing a conscience last minute for someone she should’ve hated.

Regardless, of course I was shocked when I realized she was the one I shot. It’s not because I love her. She is my friend and someone that I care about in a way, so yes, I was upset that she was hurt because of me.

I couldn’t understand why I was unable to speak or look at her, though. Maybe I feel guilty – she’s always put up with my shit and forgiven me over and over again. Something told me this would be the exception.

“Hey dude,” Bryan said, almost hesitantly. “Max just called. They’re keeping Megan overnight just to make sure she’ll be okay. We’re gonna go visit. You coming?”

There was no way I could see her with the guys there. I still haven’t come up with a decent apology. A part of me was just angry at her – she ruined my plan and risked all our lives by letting the hostage escape. Then again, I am the one who put her in the hospital. The clash of anger and guilt was completely consuming me.

“No…I’m good. I’ll go see her tomorrow. Maybe I’ll bring her home.”

As difficult as it was to admit it to myself, I knew I’d be crushed if she cut me out of her life. I don’t need her to love me…but I can’t have her hate me.

After an hour or so passed, the guys returned from the hospital. They were all understandably depressed and retreated to their own rooms, completely ignoring me as I slipped outside and drove to the hospital.

I managed to get to the floor that Megan’s room was on before a blonde nurse stepped in my way. “I’m sorry, sir, but visiting hours just ended.” Though she was trying to sound professional, there were evident hints of lust in her eyes as she looked at me. Naturally, I used this to my advantage.

With a bit of flirting and a sob story about Megan being my little sister, the nurse personally led me to Megan’s room, though said that she could only give me a few minutes before I’d have to leave.

A few minutes would be all I need.

+ Megan’s POV +

Although I wasn’t surprised that Ronnie didn’t show up, there was no denying that a part of me was completely devastated. I hated feeling that way. After everything he’s done to me, he’d be doing me a kindness by never showing his face around me again.

I rolled over on my side and attempted to get comfortable in the stiff hospital bed. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard the door creak open. Assuming it was a nurse or someone from the hospital staff, I remained facing the other way.

“It might be a little hard to fall asleep without this.” It was Ronnie.

Still, I didn’t turn around or respond. When he realized I was ignoring him, he approached the bed and placed my favorite stuffed animal next to me.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

Sensing that I wasn’t exactly engaging the way he wanted me to, he walked around the bed and stood in front of me. His hands were stuffed into his pockets. His eyeliner was smeared and runny. I could tell he was finally starting to feel something.

“I’m sure me saying sorry isn’t going to make you feel better…so I’ve been trying to find the right words to say, but it’s so hard,” he said, laughing nervously.

“There’s a difference between saying you’re sorry and meaning it.”

That seemed to add to his guilt as he avoided making eye contact again. “Of course I mean it,” he said softly. “Why would I ever want to hurt you?”

I propped myself up on the pillows so I could cross my arms over my chest. “Are you kidding me? Are you really that ignorant to your own behavior? All you’ve ever done is bring me up, then send me crashing right back down. It wasn’t ever as physically painful as this, but it still hurt.”

For the first time in his life, Ronnie Radke was speechless.