twenty four

Alice Jones

My head is buzzing, my body feels sore, my eyes don't want to open but I force them open. The steady beeping of the medical device next to me is the only thing in this room that breaks the silence.

I look down at myself as I slowly sit up in bed, I have grazes on my knees and arms, a plaster on my head and no other injuries. I hate the hospital, it's one of the worst places exciting.

The last time I was here, I was in a hospital was because my mother died. A cold shiver runs down my spine when I think back.

Then suddenly, memories flash back into my mind, Tyler, motorcycle, crash...

I remember the way he shielded my body, his much bigger body shielding mine, his screams of pain, his heavy breathing.

I'm suddenly out the bed, standing in the room. I think I just teared the needle that was in my arm out, I don't care. I run down the hall, looking for any signs of Tyler.

A nurse sees me, stopping me. "Mrs. Jones." She says, look at my bleeding arm and back up at my face. "Where's Tyler. T-the guy I came here with." She tries to calm me but I yell, I yell about wanting to see him.

"Only the closest people are allowed to see him, Mrs. Jones, he's resting-" I don't let her finish. "I'm his girlfriend, isn't that close enough?" The words spill out of my mouth before I even know it. I don't take them back, I need to see him.

The nurse finally gives in, leading me into his room. He's wearing an oxygen mask, he has trouble breathing, a small scratch on his forehead, his body looking pale.

"He broke three ribs, he wouldn't let go of you until he knew you were taken care of." The nurse says. Three broken ribs... I try to swallow the lump in my throat but it won't go away, tears start to blur my vision.

He did this for me. He shielded me. He suffered but still looked out for me, if I'm safe, taken care of.

I drop onto the chair next to his bed. I can't take my eyes off him.

The door opens again, Tyler's brother, he sees me, eyes me, my injuries. Then his gaze travels to his brother, his breath hitches in his throat as he steps closer.

"Motorcycle accident, three broken ribs." The nurse informs him. Cole curses under his breath, "Don't tell me he drove without his fucking gear." He looks at me, expecting that I answer his question.

I just look down into my lap and he scoffs. "Of course, he took a fucking girl on his bike, didn't wear any gear and she didn't either and he ends up in some random hospital in New York. God, I'm sick." He seems mad, mad but worried.

The worry is written on his face as he eyes his brother again. "God, Tyler. What are you doing, buddy..." Cole buries his face in his hands.

"It's my fault." I suddenly choke out between my tears which have been silently running down my cheeks. "He came to look for me, to explain himself... I-" I can't finish my sentence, my sobs breaking through, I cover my mouth with my hand.

I can see Coles gaze softening, he kneels down next to me. "Hey, Alice." I look at him. "It's not your fault, okay? This was no one's fault. You hear me?" I nod, looking into my lap again.

Fidgeting with the thin material of the sweatpants they gave me. "He's so stubborn sometimes, he won't listen to me." Cole runs another hand through his hair, sighing.

"He'll be fine. He just needs rest. He'll heal." I think he's saying that more to himself than to me.

Than he looks at me again.

"My brother really loves you, you know. The night at prom, after you ran away, he broke down. He punched that guy, I had to pull him away. Tyler said that guy lied, Tyler wasn't the one making the bet but that guy was, he made it on a party when he first met you. That guy is the bad guy, not my brother. He loves you so, so, sooo much, Alice. He didn't say anything that night, he couldn't get the words out, he was too shocked. Too shocked that that bastard would do anything like this and he did all of this just because he doesn't like seeing my brother happy, because he thinks he deserves the worst."

His words crash over me, I just listen as he explains everything. Tyler came all the way here to tell me exactly this. Adam made the bet. I should've guessed, I should've trusted Tyler.

Adam was always the bad guy... I was... I was just to blind to see all the time. Tyler has always been so good to me, so, so good and all I did was ignore him, play games with him. I don't deserve him, I don't deserve his love. He sacrificed his live for me, he could've died.

He loves me, he cares for me and he's the one comforting me when I felt bad and all I did was be a total bitch, the worst person ever.

The tears spill down my cheeks again.

"I'm such a terrible person" I cry, not being able to look up. I wipe my tears away with the back of my hand, sniffling as I try to calm down a little. I can feel myself getting dizzy, I forgot that I teared a fucking needle out of my arm. That I was still losing blood.

My vision was slightly getting blurry, someone was calling my name but I can't figure out who it is. Everything goes black again...

___________________________

I don't know how long I was out, I'm wearing a different t-shirt. I hear someone shifting in their seat and I don't know who it is, I don't want to open my eyes.

"Alice, darling." I suddenly hear my uncle's voice. Matthew is here. I open my eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the white light. I slowly sit up in bed. My head spinning a bit.

"Got you got me scared for my life. I let you out of sight and you end up in the hospital." He sighs, his hand running through his brown hair that's slowly turning grey. "I'm sorry..."

"Didn't know you had a boyfriend. The nurse said you and your boyfriend got into a motorcycle accident." Shit, yeah, I told the nurse I'm his girlfriend to be able to see him...

"I uh, it's- we've been together for a month or so... Not that long." My uncle just nods, sighing again. "I was worried sick. I saw the accident in the news and immediately came here."  Great, I'm in the news...

"I didn't think I'd be in the news." I run a hand through my hair. He doesn't really respond to that, switching the topic. "I brought you some clothes, I don't know how long you have to stay here." He seems mad, mad but worried. Same as Cole.

I'm wondering how Tyler is doing right now. The nurse came into my room. "You're awake again, Mrs. Jones." She smiles, setting a tray with food onto the the night stand.

"Can I see Tyler?" She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Jones but Mr. Anderson needs to rest. No visitors." I sigh, nodding. She tells me I should call her if I need anything and then she leaves.

"Eat something. You've been here for two days and haven't eaten anything yet." I've been here for two days? How long have I been out...?

I don't argue tho, digging into the super disgusting hospital food... Better than nothing I guess.

"How's college going?" Matthew asks, scrolling on his phone. "Pretty good, I met some people I've already spent some time with when I was in Boston and the new people I met are pretty nice too. I enjoy college." A smile appears on my uncle's face.

"I'm glad you do, Ali. I'm proud of you for doing so well." He places a soft kiss into my hair. "Thank you. I'm really glad you're here to support me." He smiles, his smile saying "of course".

______________________

"God, Alice. Where have you been?!" Luna has a panicked look on her face as I enter the dorm again after four days.

"I saw the news..." She admits, biting her lip. "Cool." I shrug, sitting down on the couch, a heavy sigh leaving my lips. I hate being on the news. Fuck America. Always posting everything on the news.

"Are you okay?" She sits down next to me, studying me with a worried expression on her face. I nod, my mind is on Tyler. I'm not able to see him at the moment. The doctor wouldn't allow it.

"That guy risked his life for you." I glare at her as she mentions Tyler. "Don't talk about him." I warn, still glaring at her. "Don't you dare talk about him even for a split second." I raise my voice a little, she's completely shut up.

"I'm sorry..." Luna looks down into her lap, fidgeting with her skirt. My phone buzzes. Message from Cassie.

Cassie : Are you okay? Is Tyler okay? I saw the news.

Me: I'm fine. Tyler seems fine too. Broke his ribs.

Cassie: I hope he gets better soon :(.Chris wants to go to NY now and see him.

Me: no visitors allowed at the moment. His brother is here tho. He'll be fine.

Cassie: Okay, I'll try to calm Chris with that a little... You know how he gets...

Me : you guys good again?

Cassie: Kinda...

Me: good to hear. I'm sorry for being an ass Cassie :(

Cassie: I'm not mad. I swear. Just don't ignore me next time.

Me : I won't. Promise. Love you.

Cassie: Love you too!!

I turn my phone off and turn my attention back to Luna. "It's okay... Just... Don't mention him again." She nods, clearly feeling guilty. "I'm glad you're fine." She manages to get out with a small smile.

"I'm glad to be back." I return her smile, offering her a hug which she takes.