A New Beginning (Jai Brooks Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

Beau's POV

When we finished breakfast, Shyler and I put the dishes in the sink and started washing. I told her tha her help wasnt necessary but she incisted. "So, umm, Beau. I was wondering if, maybe you would like to do something later? A movie or something?" I looked over at her, astonished.

I honestly didn't know what to tell her. I liked Maria, a lot. But I knew Maria liked Jai, or at least I think she does. Shyler was pretty and all, but I don't think I'm ready for a commitment.

"Look, Shyler. I like you, you're really nice and gorgeous. But..." I hesitated, not knowing how to finish my sentence. I looked into her eyes and they were sad. The usual sparkle was dulled and the corners of her lips turned down a bit. "I understand. We barely know each other anyway, I just thought maybe you wanted to hang out sometimes." She said struggling to put a faint smile to mask her disappointment.

"We could hang out. But as friends okay?" I said. I could tell she was embarassed, so I tried not to make it any more awkward than it already is. I tried to make small talk as we finished up the dishes. Shyler went along with it but didnt really talk much. Only occasional head nods or head shakes.

As we washed the last dish Jai, Luke, and Maria walked back in from the patio.

"LET'S GO SWIMMING!!!!!!!!!" Jai yelled suddenly, throwing Maria over his shoulder. She screamed and laughed. A pang of jealousy hit my chest. I looked away, pained. When I looked back, Luke was staring at me, a pitiful expression on his face. He shaked his head and ran after Jai and Maria. They were already in the pool. They didn't even change into bathing suits.

"Let's do one of those things where there's two people with a person on their shoulders, and the people on top have to fight. The last one standing wins!" Luke suggested. We all agreed excitedly.

Maria was on Jais shoulders ans Shyler was on mine. Luke was the referee.

"ONE! TWO! THREE! GO!" Luke yelled. Shyler and Maria started swatting at each other and pushing. Jai and I struggled to stay on our feet, swaying back and forth as Shyler leaned forward to push Maria. Maria swatted Shyler and laughed hysterically. Shyler gave Maria one last push, and she knew that Maria was about to fall. "VICTORY!!!" Shyler laughed and struck a pose.

But we made one crucial mistake in tis game. We did not think how close to the edge of the pool we were. Maria fell off of Jais shoulders. Shyler screamed as we watched Maria's head hit the edge of the pool, making the pool water scarlet. I took Shyler off of my shoulders and rushed over with Jai and Luke. Maria was already out cold. We had to get her to the hospital. Shyler was crying.

I'm so sorry, it's all my fault, Im so sorry!" She kept saying over and over again. Luke rushed over to her.

"Shhh. It's not your fault calm down, shhhh.'' Luke tried to calm her down. But that's not an easy task when you just almost killed a friend. Shyler's sobbing slowly reduced to sniffling. Jai carried Maria to the car and we all were silent all the way to the hospital.

Maria's POV

I woke up with a throbbing in my head. Where was I? There was a beeping near my ear that certaintly was not helping the pain. The last thing I remember was being on Jai's shoulders, playing in the pool. I don't remember anything. "Is she..... When can we... How long..." Was all I heard of a nearby conversation. It sounded like Jai, or maybe it was Luke. Right now, I didnt have the strength to decipher which twin it was.

Before I knew it, I was out cold again.

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Beau at my side. "Oh my god Maria you're awake! How are you feeling? Hows your head? Does it hurt? Do you need anything? Should I call a doctor? Do you want water?" I chucled, but stopped quicly as it hurt too much. My heart warmed at the thought of him caring so much.

"I'm okay, thanks Beau." I felt my head, there was a bandage around it.

"The doctor said you have a mild concussion, and that you should stay in bed for a little while." Jai told me. He was standing on the other side of the bed. I didn''t even notice him there. I turned my head to look at him and winced at the pain.

He smiled at me and my hear skipped a beat. "Luke and Shyler went home to go get some clean clothes for you." As if on queu, they walked in the room with a plastic bag in Luke's hand.

"Maria, I am so freakin sorry I didn't mean to. I didnt know we were that close to the edge, I'm so sorry this is all my fault.:" She started crying again, "Hey, hey look at me. It's not your fault okay? It wasn't anybodys fault. No major harm was done and I'm going to be okay. The details dont matter." I said, wiping the tears from her cheek.

"I just talked to the doctor, he said we can go home as long as we make sure that you stay in bed." Luke said.

I nodded, but then realised that moving my head up and down wasn't a very good idea considering the injury.

I stood up to change into the clothes Luke had brought me.

Once I had changed we got in the car to go home. It was already getting dark, but unserprisingly, it was still hot. I couldnt wait to get home. Did I just say home? Is it safe to call Jais house home? Considering how they worried about me today. I think it is safe. I finally have a permanent home that I can rely on. Friends I knew would stick with me, and I didn't have to worry about leaving them. Because there was no way I was moving away from here. That's the only thing I have ever wanted.