RAINDROPS

Chapter 23

Ally storms out of my room. She looked so flustered and angry when I finally finished telling her. She hates me now. I knew I shouldn't have lied to her, but why did I? I can't believe I am so stupid. The panicked, pained look she had on her face is engraved in my mind. I see her every time I close my eyes and every time I feel like I'm getting stabbed in the heart. She has become so important to me, yet I still did this. I can't let her walk away, I need to keep talking to her. I need to help her. I need to tell her...

I get out of the hospital bed and rush towards the door, ready to run through the entire hospital to catch up with her. But before I can even get out of the room I get stopped by two policemen. Shit. They're here for the questioning. There's no way past them. What am I going to do? I can't just leave Ally alone. She angry and afraid. I'm also pretty sure she is going to look for Nick to get the truth, she won't care if it's dangerous or not. She probably didn't even believe anything I said. I want to hit myself over the head, why couln't I have thought about a better way. Why didn't I just immediately tell her?

'Where are you going?' one of the officers says. According to his nametag his name is Marquez. The other one is called Derrick, I recognize him. I met him because of my dad.

'I was just going out for some fresh air.' I lie. I don't want to have to explain what is going on with Ally.

'No, I think you're staying here.' Marquez answers me. 'We need to question you.' His face is completely serious. Derrick elbows him in the side.

'This is Jack, Mason's son. He knows how this works.' he half whispers half says to Marquez. 'How are you doing Jack?' He says now directing his attention towards me. I guess his partner must be new or something.

'I'm okay, just a broken arm.' I say nonchalantly. I really want to get out of here as soon as possible. I don't know how Ally plans on getting out of here, but she probably has some kind of plan already.

'Good. Then you won't mind if we ask you a couple of questions, do you?' Derrick asks me now, although it sounds more like he's telling me. I sigh, they kind of got me in a corner here. I slowly retreat back to the hospital bed and sit down. They follow me further into the room, but stay standing.

'Could you make it quick though? The doctor told me I need to rest.' I tell them, trying to still save some time. Hopefully they'll go for it.

'You were in an accident right? Can you tell me where you came from and where you were going?' Marquez asks me. The fact that he's even asking me this further backs up my theory thar he's new at this.

'We were at the police station last night.' I say, sighing internally. 'My dad picked us up and we were driving home.'

'Alright.' He says, while scribbling something in his notebook. I never understood why they do this with everything. I mean this fact is not that specific or small, can't he just remember it? 'And who was with you in the car?'

'My friend Ally and my dad.' I say, trying not to sound irritated. This is taking way too long. 'Her full name is Alex Thomas.' I add,, almost sure that was the question he was going to ask next.

'Why was she with you? Is she your girlfriend?' he asks. As he asks this Derrick puts a hand on his arm, gesturing for him to stop. But the comment still made me angry. Why does everyone keep assuming that? It makes me feel worse about lying to her and only reminds me that she probably hates me.

'No! She is a friend. Her parents died and now she lives with us.' I say in a rant. 'Shouldn't you know this by now? It was a pretty big thing.' My tone suggest I don't at all think he's doing his job well. Trust me I don't usually think I can do someone's job better, but come on, who makes assumptions like that? Even though a small part of me wishes it were true. Shut up! I tell myself. No. I can't think like that.