AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Julian
The doctor watchedme hover as he dressed Piper's hand. Apparently, it was a minor burn. I could have treated her at the restaurant with burn cream and covered it in gauze. I wasn't taking any chances, though.
When I heard her scream, I panicked. I didn't give it a second thought before ushering her out the back door. I didn't even look at the burn. Had I, we wouldn't have spent the better part of the last three hours waiting for her to be seen.
All I cared about was the fact she hurt herself. And it was my fault. I was the one who pulled the pan from the oven. I set it on the stove when I should have taken it directly to the dishwasher. I forgot to warn her it was hot. And I'm the one who got distracted.
Two minutes.
That's all it took.
Because Piper is a hard worker. She's constantly helping, cleaning. And I left a dirty pan on the stove.
As the doctor explains to her what she needs to do the next few days to ensure the burn heals properly, I try to calm my racing heart. Alexis is sitting beside her, holding her good hand. Micah is standing behind Lex, his hands possessively on her shoulders.
I've been avoiding eye contact with both of them since they walked in. I didn't want them to see the guilt I felt. But I have a feeling they can see it anyway.
The doctor finishes dressing Piper's hand, and a nurse comes in with discharge papers. We shuffle out of the curtained area, Piper and Lex leading the way to the door. I try to keep my distance from the rest of my friends, but Micah catches on to what I'm doing and pulls me aside.
"You look like shit," he starts.
"It's my fault she burnt herself." I don't need to say more. My confession sums up everything he needs to know, and guilt is written on my face, in the hunch of my shoulders. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a sign on my forehead.
"You can blame yourself all you want, but that's not going to change the situation. Her hand will be fine in a few days. It was aminorburn, first degree. The doctor said you didn't even need to bring her in to be seen. Stop beating yourself up. You've seen worse; you've burnt yourself worse."
He has a point. I have multiple marks on my arms and hands from burns I never got treated. Second degree, at least. Burns that have left behind scarring and discolored skin.
"You guys up for a late-night snack?" Lex asks once Micah and I catch up to them. They've stopped just outside the doors. Piper has her arms wrapped around her upper body, hugging herself. The temperature has dropped significantly since we arrived, and I rushed us out of the restaurant so fast, I barely let her grab her purse. I'm not even sure if she wore a coat to work today.
"I'm not. I'm exhausted." Piper doesn't make eye contact with Alexis. Her gaze is directed at the ground between her feet.
"Okay. Want to ride back to campus with us?"
"I need my car. Can you drop me off at the restaurant?" Piper shifts on her feet, running her uninjured hand up and down her arm.
"Sure. We parked over here."
Lex and Piper start walking toward the parking lot, and all I can do is stare. I'm willing my feet to go after her. I want to apologize and beg for her forgiveness, but I'm frozen in place. And it has nothing to do with the chill in the air.
"What the hell are you doing, Julian? You're going to let her walk away? Just like that?"
Micah's words seem to zap me out of my trance. I didn't even realize he was still standing next to me.
"What am I supposed to do? I've been trying to win her over for weeks. Years. She doesn't feel the way I do. I think it's time to let her walk away. I've hurt her enough."
Before he can reply, I turn the other direction and walk to where I illegally parked when we arrived. I'm not surprised there's a ticket on my windshield. I don't really care. I was more worried about Piper than I was about a seven-dollar parking ticket.
I contemplate going back to the restaurant. We've been closed for hours, but it's my happy place, and I'm not even the slightest bit tired. If I go home, Brady will mostly likely be waiting up, considering our conversation before I left earlier.
"Today's the day."My declaration makes him roll his eyes.
"You've said that all week."
"I mean it this time. After work, I'm going to talk to her."
"About what? You've already told her how you feel."
He has a point. I told her weeks ago, and since then, I've tried to show her every day. With little, insignificant gifts. Her favorite coffee, pastries, pens. I even ordered her a personalized chef coat with her name on it for work.
