Drowning

Chapter 18: Hold Me

Song//Rise Up by Andra Day
Highly recommended//put on repeat

(A/N: Idk if I've mentioned this or not but, just so you know, I try to make the songs match the mood and "setting" of the chapter. You know, so you can get the full effect? Yeah, well idk if this song matches this chapter or not, but it does to me so yeah I hope it sets the mood 😂)

(OKAY PUT IT ON NOW!!!)

Your POV
The hot rubber screeched when the red and white decorated automobile carried your unconscious mother away. Yes, you were able to sit with her until the drivers reached the hospital, but you couldn't find the heart to do so.

You couldn't stand to see her like that. You knew for sure that you'd have a serious brake down if you did; but for now, only a few tears strolled down your warm cheeks.

Your world just shattered before you, and you couldn't do one thing to change that.

And it haunted you.

You sniffed and watched as the large white box, vanished into the distance

You stood there; frozen. Still unable to process what had just happened before you.

Your trembling feet carried you back into the comfort of your home and into your room. Once your fragile body collapsed onto your bed, you swiped your phone from your nightstand and brought it up to your face.

You dialed a familiar number and instantly knew what to do.

"Hello, welcome to the Heritage Hospital hotline. How may I help you?"

Ethan's POV
"So you really came over to visit me, huh?" I smirked at y/n.

She gave me a weak smile as she nodded and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her big bright eyes feel from my glance as she turned around and sat on my bed; making the silence awkward.

"Yeah well I just wanted to let you know that I'm gonna be filling in for my mom. Just until she can come back." She sighed.

"Really? What happened?" I asked scrunching my eyebrows at her.

"She um...she's in the hospital." Her voice cracked.

My eyes instantly widened and I rushed to her side. Once I sat down beside her, I grabbed her hand and held it close to me. I looked into her eyes and they seemed so dull and empty. She didn't even look at me.

I heard her quietly swallow her nerves and continue staring at absolutely nothing. I rested my chin on her shoulder and leaned my head against hers. Still no response.

"Hey, look at me." I said with a ginger voice.

Her head turned to me like a slow hand on an old clock. Her eyes still refused to make any contact with mine, and weren't even glossed over. It seemed as if she was trying her hardest to hold back. This doesn't seem like her and I'm not okay with that.

Both of my hands cupped her delicate cheeks and I moved my face closer to hers. Once our noses touched, I stopped moving and just kept looking into her non-responsive eyes.

"Please?" I asked quietly.

She took a deep breath and backed away from my face. Her hands grabbed onto mine and pulled them off of her face. Once my hands dropped to my lap, she got up and walked to the door.

Her shaking hands hesitant to make contact with the cold metal knob. And out of nowhere, I heard a quiet sniff. Inaudible, almost.

I heard it again, but a little louder this time. I got off of my bed and hesitated to walk over to her, not knowing how she'll react to my soothing act.

Without any warnings, I hear a louder sob come from her mouth and she rushed towards me. She made a swift move and almost jumped on me. Y/n's weightless arms wrapped around my torso as she began sobbing on my shoulder.

Shocked, I stepped back and fell on my bed. Her grip around me just got tighter by then, so I decided to try and comfort her as best I could.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here." I whispered in her ear while I spread my fingers on her back and rubbed it in attempt to comfort her.

"Sh-she was just l-laying there!" She couldn't even say without letting out a small blubber.

She just broke down right in front of me and I have no idea what to do. I feel so drenched with guilt even though I'm not to blame for this.

Hell, I'm about ready to start crying too. Seeing her cry is the most awful thing to witness.

"Babe, do you think cuddling will make you feel a little better?" I said to ease her while I had a short mental panic attack.

I just called her babe for the first time ever and I don't even know if she's okay with that now. I just don't wanna ruin anything.

She nodded while still face planted into my chest. Her tight grip loosened and she crawled near my pillow.

I followed her actions and did the same, laying beside her and scooping her into my grasp. We were just laying there now; engulfed in each others presence. Her face buried into my chest once more as she curled up into a ball; laying in the fetal position.

My heart sunk to the bottom of my stomach as she continued to cry in my shirt. She held herself while also covering her face; she looked so miserable and broken.

I clenched my jaw and tried my best to choke back the tears. Once her quiet sobs slowed down, I decided to ask her something.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" I asked cautiously.

"I just want you to hold me right now." She weeped.

"You sure?" I asked.

Her head shook in response and I knew well and clear that she wasn't ready too.

So I just held her.

Knowing nothing else would take the pain away right now, I just held her.

I wasn't going to make her explain all the details to me or anything. That'd just make matters much worse. Especially because I know how unpleasant it is.

No.
When she's ready to talk about it, then she will talk about it and tell me.

So for now, I'll just hold her.