NEIGHBORS • Why Don't We

Chapter: 23

Chapter song: Count on me by bruno mars

Saturday

2 hours later

I wake up as the plane lands. I exit the plane and get my bags. Once I take my phone off of airplane texts and missed calls flood through my phone. 

38 texts and 5 missed calls from Jack. 20 texts and 3 missed calls from Daniel. 8 texts and 2 missed calls from Zach. 7 texts and 1 missed call from Jonah. 5 texts from Corbyn. And finally 4 texts and 1 missed call from logan.

 I sigh and put my phone on do not disturb so my phone won't go off. I can't deal with giving them explanations right now. I duck into the bathroom and put on a hat and large sunglasses. Im practically unrecognizable now that Ive gained a healthy amount of weight and dress bolder.

 I grab my bags and meet up with my grandparents, loading my bags in the car and driving to the hospital. Be strong through this Aria. They're going to be okay. I take a deep breath as we pull up. We get out of the car and I spot reporters surrounding the entrance. We try to sneak around them but they spot us and we run for the door. Security comes out and tries to hold them back. 

"Aria how are you enjoying fame!" a reporter yells. "Aria what are you going to do when your parents are taken off life support!" another yells. I shove my grandparents inside then rush to the desk. "Vitali." I tell the receptionist. She types on the computer and writes something on paper. 

She hands it to me and it says 'third floor, talk to the nurses station to find out what room they are in.' I nod and thank her. We head to the elevator and go to the to the third floor, heading to the nurses station. We show her our ID's and she makes us badges to get into the ICU. 

"room C102" She says. We walk down to the ICU and I scan my badge. The doors open and we find their room. There is security posted outside of the room. "Names." One of the guards ask. "Aria, Gabriella, and Vincenzo Vitali." I say. 

He looks at the list and nods to the second guard. "ID's and authorized badges please." the other asks. We show them and they let us in, only to find the room empty. "Where are they?" I ask the guard. "They're in surgery Miss. Vitali" he responds. I sign and look down. 

"You should get some rest dear, you've had a long day." my nonno says as he sits down in a chair next to a big pull out couch. I sigh and nod, not feeling like arguing. I lay down on the couch and unlock my phone. I was supposed to call Jack.. I mentally groan, getting up and walk ingout of the room. I dial his number and he picks up on the first ring.

 "Aria? God I was worried about you. You didn't answer anyones calls or texts and I was about to book a flight down there to make sure you were okay." He says, clearly distressed. "Im fine Jack, stay with your family. Im with my grandparents and there are guards outside of our hospital room. Im safe." I say, mentally drained.

 "Any news on your parents?" He asks hesitantly. "They're in surgery. One of the reporters asked what I would do when they were taken off of life support..." I lose my train of thought. "Aria listen to me. Your parents are going to pull through. Don't listen to any of those low life reporters." He says sternly. 

"If the reporters knew it was me its only a matter of time someone from my past tries to get a dig at me.I just need to ignore them and stay in the ICU." I start to feel very overwhelmed. "I-I can't deal with this right now Im turning my phone off." I say shakily.

 "Aria no listen to me don't push us away we're here for you unconditionally no matter the circumstance. Let us help you." He pleads. "I'll call you if I hear anything else, I promise." I say numbly. He sighs. "Okay... I-I love you Aria Grace, I just wanted you should know." I furrow my eyebrows. 

That sounded like it came from behind me... I turn around and lord behold, there he is. He hangs up the phone and opens his arms. I run to him and he envelops me in a tight hug. "And I'm not leaving you alone when you need someone most." He says gently. 

Tears stream down my face as I look up at him. "Since the first time I saw you I knew you were something special. You make me the happiest person alive and you make me want to push to new heights with my music and anything I dream of doing. I know we've only been dating for about two weeks and its pretty early to be saying I love you and you don't have to say It back if you don't feel it yet but I've never cared for anyone more in my life than I do you Aria. So I just wanted to tell you that I love you, and I will never stop. No matter what happens, Im not going anywhere." He says looking into my eyes. 

He leans down and kisses me softly. A burning sensation that starts in my heart moves through every inch of my body and all of the affection and love I have for this boy flows through me. I break the kiss and look into his eyes. "Thank you." I whisper. 

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OOOOOOOH DAMN. This chapter was originally over 2000 words so I decided to split it into 2 chapters hehe.

Stay cloudy loves

-McKenna ((July 25th, 2017))