Not a Night for Clowning Around

𝕋ℍ𝕀ℝ𝕋𝕐 -𝕋ℍℝ𝔼𝔼

AFTER JAKE'S AUNT visited him, the four of us went next. It took all of my willpower to not jump on the bed and wrap my arms around Jake. Seeing his current state made me want to cry. Jake was laying in the bed with a hospital gown on and an IV drip connected to his arm. He looked so weak and exhausted, making my heart go out to him.

"Hey, man," Shawn greeted.

Aaliyah handed him an elephant plush. "We got you a little something from the gift shop."

Jake gave us a strained smile. "You didn't have to.

"We wanted to," Shawn cut him off. "We're just glad you're okay."

"How do you feel?" Aaliyah asked.

Jake chuckled. "Like pure shit." He adjusted his position and sat up. "Did the cops get him?"

Shawn shook his head. "He disappeared and no one knows where he is."

"Damn," Jake muttered. "The bastard nearly kills me and still gets away with it?"

"Don't think about that," Aaliyah said. "Just focus on getting better."

I gave Aaliyah a look indicating I wanted her and her boyfriend to leave so I could be alone with Jake. She nodded her head in understanding.

"We're going to go check out the cafeteria," she told Jake.

Shawn furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm not hungry."

She yanked his arm towards the door. "Yes, you are. Let's go."

Once the two of them were gone, I took a seat at the foot of Jake's bed.

"You haven't said a word," he noted.

"I don't know what to say," I admitted.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

I raised my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"When you found me in that room crying." He paused. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to fight him off."

I shook my head, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to escape. "Don't apologize. I'm sorry for getting you in this mess in the first place."

Jake leaned forward and took my hand in his. "None of this was your fault, Carter."

The tears were now spilling uncontrollably. "I'm just so relieved you're alive."

I moved toward him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Jake let out a grunt and I immediately pulled back.

"Oh my God, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Before I could finish blubbering like an idiot, he cut me off with a kiss. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face when we broke the kiss.

"You had the courage to do what I never could," I said with a laugh.

Jake chuckled. "Tonight made me realize I couldn't wait for the right opportunity. Life can pass us by before we even know it, and I don't want to spend the rest of my life dwelling over what could've been." He laced his fingers with mine. "I love you, Carter."

I squeezed his hand. "I love you too."

~*~

Weeks had passed by since the incident, and we were all slowly integrating back to our normal lives. Thanks to the incident, I now had a curfew, wasn't allowed to walk home alone, and I had to call my parents every morning once I got to school and as soon as I got home. It wasn't the best trade, but given the circumstances I understood their fears.

Matt and I didn't end up becoming newfound best friends after the incident, but we didn't ignore each other's existence anymore. The school had increased safety measures, including security who did weekly check-ins of our backpacks and lockers. I absolutely hated it, but if that meant more students were safe, then I was okay with it.

My friends were all at their lockers by the time I got to school. Aaliyah saw me and waved me over.

"Want to come over tonight?" she asked. "We haven't had a girls night in forever."

I smiled at her. "I'd love that."

"Can we come?" Shawn pleaded.

Aaliyah rolled her eyes. "Gross, no."

"I'm hurt," he scoffed.

As the two of them bickered, I saw Jake struggling to get a textbook out of his locker. "Need help?" I offered.

He grinned down at me. "I thought you'd never ask." Jake was on the road to recovery, but he had crutches to use for the time being to avoid putting pressure on his leg. I grabbed the textbook for Jake, to which he thanked me with a kiss.

Shawn fake gagged at the sight. "Keep the PDA to a minimum."

I rolled my eyes. "You're such an idiot."

The warning bell rang, indicating homeroom classes were about to start. We all parted ways, but just as I started walking to my class I realized I forgot my textbook in my locker. I put in my combination and opened my locker to search for my textbook. While doing so, a piece of paper fluttered out. I bent down to pick it up, my heart stopping as soon as I read the first line.

Carter, my love.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃