If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Twenty Five

Nathan’s POV

I turn to Sophie, pulling her into a tight hug, it’s times like these that make you really appreciate what you have.

“Will she be okay?” She sobs against my chest, and I don’t know what to say; do I lie and risk getting her hopes up, or do I tell her the truth, which will offer her no comfort at all? And how long can I carry on being strong for her sake, when I care about Anne just as much?

“I don’t know.” I whisper against her head, my voice breaking as I settle on the truth.  “But we need to get to the hospital. Tom shouldn’t be on his own, especially if...If...” I just can’t bring myself to say it, not that I need to, Sophie know exactly what I’m trying to say. “I’m going to get someone to call us some taxi’s.” I mumble, before turning away and taking a deep breath, trying to steady myself without much luck. I make my way towards some of the restaurant staff who are trying to quietly reassure some of the other people who were eating a little way away from us.

“Hey, please could you call us two taxis?”

“Of course sir.” One of the waitresses says to me. “And don’t worry about tonight’s bill, it’s on the house.” She smiles at me as if this is the answer to all our prayers, as if I care about the price of our stupid half eaten food.

Roxie’s POV

“Do you mind going to the hospital on your own?” I ask, while wrapping my arms around Siva’s waist. “I want to go and find Charly, see if she’s okay.”

“Of course not, keep you’re phone near you I’ll let you know if we hear anything.” He replies while gently kissing my head.

“I’m sure we’ll meet you there in a bit, but okay. And on your way to the hospital please try calling Max? I don’t think he’ll pick up but someone needs to try and let him know.”

“Sure. See you in a bit.” He leans down and kisses my quickly before leaving with everyone else to wait for the taxis, whilst I head off into the loos to find Charly.

Siva’s POV

I slide into the back of the taxi next to Nathan, while chewing on my lower lip as I worry about how to break the news to Max, not that I think he’ll even pick up the phone, he’s probably halfway to Manchester again by now.  Sighing deeply I pick up my phone and dial his number, hearing the phone ring multiple times before reaching his answer phone.

“Hey Max.” I start, not really sure how to continue. “Something bad’s happened and I swear it’s not some kind of sick joke this time.” Please believe me, I sigh. “Anne’s taken a turn for the worst, she collapsed just after you left, it’s not looking good. Please if you get this get to the hospital quickly.” As soon as I disconnect the call I instantly regret my last sentence, is Max and Tom round three really what we need in the halls of a hospital right now?  Because with the mood they’re both in I doubt Anne would be the only one needing a Doctor after it.

Charly’s POV

Sitting on the loo, starring at the back of the cubicle door, I try not to be too disappointed that Max didn’t come after me. I just thought that because we used to be so good friends he would care about me enough to not rub Anne in my face like that and to not leave me alone when I run off crying.

Looks like I was wrong.

But he’s screwed up this time because next time he comes looking for me when Anne’s busy having fun with Tom he can forget about it. I think angrily as I wipe the tears from my eyes. I shouldn’t still be crying over him, now I think properly about it I lost him a couple of days ago, and if he’s willing to use me like he clearly is, then he’s not good enough for me and he obviously never valued our friendship like I thought he did.

“Charly, you in here?” Roxie’s voice suddenly breaks though my inner monologue and I jump as I didn’t hear her enter the loos. I swallow once trying to dislodge the lump in my throat.

“Yeah I am.” I sniff.

“Are you going to come out?” I get up and open the cubicle door, walking out into the main part of the loos. I wince slightly as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Red, puffy eyes, mascara half way down my face.

Not a good look.

I turn to face Roxie and I can tell straight away that something more serious has happened. As my mind starts racing through all of the possibilities, I wonder who’s hurt, whether it’s Max or Tom. Who would be better in a fight? But I honestly have no idea; I can’t actually imagine the two of them actually hitting each other hard enough to do any real damage.  

“Are you okay babe?” Roxie breaks through my thoughts once more, making me think that maybe I read the signs wrong and she’s just more worried about me than I thought. I mean she’s one of the lucky ones, Siva’s a gentleman and their relationship is perfect. She could never doubt his love or affection for her because he quite clearly shows her everyday. I was kidding myself that Max would ever be my Siva.

“I’m fine.” I laugh ironically, as Roxie hugs me.

“Now you listen to me. Max is an idiot, if he can’t see the beautiful girl right in front of him; he doesn’t deserve to have you. We’ll find you the perfect man and you’ll soon be thinking ‘Max who?’.”  She smiles at me, and I smile back half heartedly.

“Thanks, that helps a bit.” I say back.

“No problem, but right now we need to get to the hospital.” Hospital? I was right.

“Tom or Max?”  I ask in a whisper, as much as I hate Max right now I still don’t want to see him hurt, and I feel sick to the stomach at the thought of one of the boys needing the hospital. But Roxie’s shaking her head which just confuses me. Who else is there?

“Anne collapsed just after you left. She wasn’t breathing.” Roxie says sadly, and I feel my blood run cold, this is worse than I thought. And I bet that stupid prink tries coming back to me now.  As much as I was hating the girl for taking me guy away from me... My girl, I laugh to myself quietly, he was hers first after all. All of that’s forgotten now, and been replaced by worry.

“Was she breathing before she left in the ambulance?” I ask, praying for a yes, but Roxie just shakes her head at me again.

“Her heart wasn't beating either.” She chocks out.

“Oh god.” I whisper as the tears start falling again. “Poor Tom.” I can’t begin to think what he’s going through right now. “Why are we still here?” I ask in desperation. “Let’s go!”