Snow Season [COMPLETE]

Chapter 30

You stop dead in your tracks at hearing Aria say those words. Your body is paralyzed but your mind is going at seven hundred miles per hour. Images of your brother's accident flash before your eyes. You can't move, talk or even blink.

"Hails? Hailee? Are you still there? The doctors are operating on her right now but we don't know anything else."

"Babe? Sweetheart? Hailee, what's wrong? Talk to me, Hailee. Tell me what's wrong."

You just stand there, the phone pressed against your ear. You wanna move but you can't. It's like your body weighs a million pounds and you can't move an inch.

Elijah takes the phone from you.

"Aria?"

"E?"

"It's me, what's going on? What did you say to her?"

"It's her mom, E. She's been in a car accident."

Shock and pain rises in his eyes and he starts raising his voice.

"Is she okay?! What happened?! Is she okay, Aria?!"

"She's in surgery and that's all we know. We're waiting for her dad to call with more news. We tried calling you but you didn't answer."

"Where is she?"

"At the hospital in San Diego."

"We're on the next plane to San Diego, I'll call you later!"

You can't hear a word they're saying. It's like you're under water and can't come up.

Elijah turns to you. You can see his lips moving but there's no sound. Everything moves in slow motion except your mind. When he sees you can't move or answer, he takes you into his arms. Everything is still and silent. Everything but the screams in your head.

"I got you, baby. I got you." Suddenly, your legs fail to support you but Elijah is there to catch you. He always is. He holds you in his arms. "I'm here, baby. I got you."

You heard him.

You turn your head to face him and you start welling up.

"Is she dead? Is my mom dead?"

"No, sweetheart, they're operating on her right now. But that's all we know. We're going to pack and get on the first plane to San Diego."

You still can't move. It feels like your feet are stapled to the floor. You can't move but you're not sure if you even want to move. Cause I f you move, that means reality kicks in and you're not dreaming. And you're not ready for that.

"What if she dies, Elijah?" He presses his lips hard against your forehead.

You hadn't noticed, but by now everyone in the restaurant is watching you. You could hear a pin drop. There's staff surrounding you and everyone looks worried.

The waitress who escorted you to the phone stands next to you. "Is there anything we can do for you?"

Elijah addresses her. "We're gonna need transportation to the airport."

"Of course, Sir. A car will be waiting out front for you whenever you're ready."

"Thank you. Come, sweetheart. We gotta get moving."

Your feet follow his instructions as if they have a mind of their own and you follow his lead without questions and head to your room. You check your phone and see dozens of missed calls. From your dad, Aria, Penelope, Nate and Matt.

"They tried to call me. My dad tried calling me seven times. I wasn't there. I didn't answer. I didn't pick up. I wasn't there." You stare at your phone and just stand there.