Popular Freak

Chapter 23

Aaron looks at me confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Sweetie my parents and your dad didn't make it. They died in the emergency room." I say squeezing his hand as tears start falling down my face.

He looks at Nik. "Nik, tell me it isn't true."

"I'm sorry Aaron, but its true."

"No! You guys are lying! They are fine!" He starts crying. "You guys are lying to me!"

"AARON!" I grab his face in my hands and force him to look at me but he keeps his eyes shut. "Look at me Aaron." He shakes his head. "Look at me!" He opens his eyes and looks at me. "We are going to get through this. We are going to be fine." I grab Nik's hand and Aaron's and hold them tight. "As long as we have each other, we will get through this. We have to be strong for one another." They squeeze my hand. "I believe in us. I need you guys to believe also, because you are the only family I have left. And I am going to need both of you to get through this. My babies will need both of you. So do not lose hope. Do not give up on us. We can do this. We can do anything."

Aaron looks at Nik. "You got one hell of a wife here, little brother."

Nik laughs. "Hell yes I do. And I wouldn't want it any other way." He squeezes my hand.

"You guys are going to make my head big." I say with a laugh. We all laugh. "Aaron, are you up for some visitors?"

"Umm... you mean our friends right?"

"If your not, I'm sure they will understand."

"Actually, I don't think I should be alone right now."

"Ok. I'm going to step out into the hall and call them." I give him a big hug, I kiss Nik, then I head out to the hall. When I step out into the hall and close the door behind me, I start crying. I stand there crying for a few minutes. When I have pulled myself together I call our friends and tell them to come on up to Aaron's room. I wait in the hall for them. When they arrive I give them all a big hug. "You guys can go ahead and go in. I'll be in a minute." They walk in except for Vanessa.

"Hey are you ok?" She asks as she puts her arm around me.

"No, I just need a couple of minutes."

"Ok, hold on just a sec." She walks into the room then comes back out. "I told everyone we were going to get something to drink and then we would be back." She links her arm with mine and we start walking towards the cafeteria.

"Ness, what am I going to do?" I start crying. " I just lost my family. I know I have Nik, Aaron, and the twins, but I just lost the only two people who have truly been there for me. I just don't know what I'm going to do."

She stops walking and turns me to face her. "Look at me Ri. I know you feel like you only have Nik, Aaron, and your babies. But you don't. You have Ashley, Brittany, Michael, Brent, Damion, and I. We are your family too. That's what you keep telling us. We are going to be here for you. Just like you have been for all of us. We are not going to let you go through this alone. Your parents raised a strong woman. You will get through this and have everyone there to help you when you need it. Also I called my parents, and Damion called his. They are willing to help also. You have got so many people who love you and want to help. So let us."

I pull her into a hug. "Ness...thank you. I needed an epic pep talk."

"Well I did learn from the master." She says with a smile. We both laugh. "You ready to head back."

"Yeah." We walk back to the room. Everyone looks at me. "I just want to say that I love you all so much. I cant imagine going through this with out all of you. And I just want you all to know that I appreciate every single one of you. So thank you." Nik pulls me over to Aaron's bedside and everyone gives us a big group hug. Just then the door opens.