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“You would have thrown your entire life away.”
“I know.”
My voice breaks. “I would've never seen you again.”
He falls into me as the emotions of today finally start to rack through me. With every breath I take, my stomach aches, but I can't help it. The thought of him spending the rest of his life behind bars, or worse, getting killed himself, is enough to push me beyond the point of calming myself down.
Easton watches from the other side of the room as Zayn tries to comfort me, but he doesn't say a word. There's nothing he can say, because saying anything would be admitting he was wrong, and he's too headstrong for that.
THE NURSE COMES IN an hour later and gives me something to ease the pain. Zayn steps out of her way just long enough for her to give me the medication. Once she leaves, he's right back at my side. Neither of us talk. The tension between us is too thick, and despite how good it feels to have his hand in mine again, and to have him next to me, I don't know where we go from here.
Blade is still out there. He got away. Which means this is far from over. He'll hide out for a bit, but he's bound to come back. He always does. And then what? Is Zayn going to try again? Give me another heartfelt goodbye before walking out the door with no intention of ever coming back? So, as much as I love having him near me, I don't know what to say to him.
I'm hurt.
I'm angry.
I'm absolutely terrified.
The medicine starts to kick in, and Zayn runs his fingers through my hair as I let him lull me to sleep.
THE WORST THING ABOUT hospitals is the food. Some people would say the needles. Others would say how many people die in them. But when you're being told you need to eat something before they can even consider letting you leave, the food is definitely the worst part.
Since I got here yesterday, Zayn is yet to leave my side. Easton comes in between classes. He doesn't say much, but he sits there, and that's honestly all I need from him right now. Kennedy, as much as I love her, got a ten-minute lecture from the doctor when she asked when I'd be allowed to return to cheerleading. Easton, Zayn, and I all laughed as she came back into the room with her tail between her legs. She went to inform the team and promised she would meet me at home.
If I ever make it there.
I stare down at the meatloaf that literally looks like something I saw a dog throw up once. How does someone mess up meatloaf? Is that even possible? The mashed potatoes look like Play-Doh and the soup makes me wish my mom were here.
Wait. My head whips up to Easton. “You didn't call Mom and Dad, did you?”
“No,” he answers, and I sigh in relief. “The hospital did.”
“Shit!”
Zayn rubs my arm gently. “You really think you could get away with them not knowing you were stabbed? Your parents?”
I drop my head and nod in understanding before looking at Easton. “Have you talked to them?”
“Only every five minutes. They won't leave me alone.”
“Are they mad?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “They're worried, but I told them that swarming you right now wouldn't make you feel any better. They're staying on their trip as long as I continue to provide them with hourly updates.”
A small smile graces my lips. “Thank you.”
“Thank me by eating your food. I'd like to get you out of here sometime today.”
I pick up my fork and scoop a small amount of meatloaf onto it before bringing it to my mouth. The second it reaches my taste buds, I cringe.
“It tastes like feet,” I whine.
Zayn chuckles. “It can't be that bad.”
He takes the fork from me and grabs some to taste it. I watch as his confidence diminishes entirely as soon as it's in his mouth.
“Yeah, you're right. That's disgusting.”
