The Boy In The Bow Tie (edited)

8. Regret

The next morning I woke up and saw Brooks lying next to me.

"What the hell?" I asked, shaking him awake.

"What? Oh, shit," he said, both of us realizing what we had done.

"You mix some strong drinks," I joked trying to lighten the mood. I turned on my phone

and read my messages. Some were from Connor. Some were from Laurel, and some from Keaton, and as I continued to scroll, I noticed one from my mom that read, Your grandfather had a stroke. Meet us at the hospital.

I froze. My grandfather had a stroke? I needed to be there. I needed to go. What if he didn't make it, what if it was because of me somehow? Is this why they talked to me about their money? All these questions raced through my mind.

"Brooks I know you're pissed at me, but my grandfathers in the hospital and I need to get there soon." I said, standing up and getting dresses.

"Fine, get your stuff and get in my car." The car ride was silent and we had no idea what to say to each other. We had screwed up. Big time.

Brooks dropped me off at the hospital and I rushed in to find my family. I turned right and saw my mother, father siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles waiting. Suddenly my grandmother entered the waiting room in tears shaking her head. I began to shake with fear of what she was going to say next.

"There's nothing else they can do, he's g-gone," she said, choking on her words. I fell to my knees. Everyone else stood there, shocked. We all couldn't take it. It was so unexpected.

I had spent the last days of my grandfather's life apart from him. I felt so guilty and knots twisted in my stomach. I had flashbacks of all the fun we would have when we were together, we'd joke around and he'd treat me as if I were his daughter. We were bonded together. He used to say that I was his favorite grandchild, and that if I was his kid, I'd be his favorite child too. He's taught me how to tie my shoelaces and he and my grandmother taught me how to ride a bike. He had been one of the most influential people in my childhood, and I couldn't believe that it all came to an end without be being able to say goodbye. I began to sob and shake. My father came and held me. It felt like my whole world was crumbling down around me.