FATE

39. The Girl Next Door

BROOKE

My heart beats heavily as the evening breeze hits my face. I watch Hailee's mom cry and before i know it, tears start to stream down my cheeks as well. I wipe them off quickly, i know i have to be strong and quiet.

Jonah's father sits next to a window and stares outside. He hasn't said a word since we got into the car but his face is blank, completely void of emotion. It makes me think of how Jonah can be sometimes.

We arrive at the hospital and Hailee's mom is the first to get out of the car. The rest of us follow quickly. Mr Locke holds the door to the building open for me. I enter and I'm met with instant cold from the air conditioners.

"Hailee Hartford", i hear Hailee's father say to a nurse at the counter. He is tall with broad shoulders and a calm composure. Hailee bears no resemblance with him either.

"Collins?"

I turn back immediately. Jonah's eyes meet mine and a sigh of relief escapes my lips. His hair is a mess, he looks like he has been crying but he's okay.

"Jonah", Mrs Hartford rushes towards him quickly and grabs him by his shoulders. He hugs her. "You're okay"

"I'm fine", he says as he releases her, "It was Hailee", his voice shakes, "they won't tell me anything. They wanted me to wait for you"

He really has been crying.

"Take us", she says and he nods. He glances at me and then at his father who is standing next to me. I look at Mr Locke for a moment. He looks relieved, but there's something else.

Jonah walks away with Mr and Mrs Hartford.

Mr Locke takes a deep breath as he moves to sit on one of the couches in the reception. He buries his face in his hands.

"I don't know what i would have done if anything had happened to him"

"Me too", i say and he looks up at me and gives me a small smile.

I thought Jonah was in danger for less than an hour and i felt like i was running out of oxygen, like all it would take for me to break down was to rush into the hospital and see him on a bed, hooked to some machine. I thought about so many things during the ride here and they all ended in one thought.
I should have told him i loved him too.

I notice Mr Locke's eyes leave mine and i turn to see Jonah walking towards us. We both stand up.

"Hey sport, how's she doing?", Mr Locke says softly.

Jonah clenches his jaw, "The doctor says she'll be fine but they're talking to her mom and Dad now", he turns to me, "why are you here?"

"What do you mean why am i here? I thought something happened to you. Did you not see my text?", i ask.

He frowns before reaching into his pocket and taking out his phone. He scrolls through it and looks up at me. "You should have told me you were coming over and i would have told you i was going out"

"Really Jonah?"

"You should go home. It's getting late and we have school tomorrow"

"Jonah, Brooke was worried sick about you", Mr Locke says.

"This is none of your business", Jonah snaps, "just stay away from me, my girlfriend and my life okay?"

I flinch at his tone and he notices. He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the exit. He pushes the door angrily and we're outside the building.

"Do me one favor", he says as he lets me go. "I know how stubborn you are and how you never listen but i want you to respect this one thing i'll ask of you", he stares at me, "don't talk to my father"

"But-"

"Don't get to know him, don't be his friend, don't be anything less than three inches away from him"

"I will if you tell me what the hell is going on"

"It's none of your business"

"You always say that and I'm supposed to just take it and do whatever you say right?"

He doesn't reply.

"I went over to your house to try to talk about this morning but you weren't there. Your dad made dinner for you, he talked about you like you were the most amazing person on earth and you still act like he's a disease every time he's around"

"You don't know what you're talking about", he says softly.

"You don't tell me anything so how am I supposed to know?", i can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. "I was so worried about you because i thought you were in the accident too. I thought something bad happened to you"

"I'm fine"

"You're not", i wipe my cheek with my thumb, "i always see when you're not fine Jonah. Just because i ignore it doesn't mean I don't see it. I'm not foolish"

He watches me as i walk closer to him. "I'm fine", he says again.

"No, you're not", i say, "you're hurt right now"

He looks up at the night sky and blinks as though he's fighting back tears and then he looks back at me.

"I should have stayed with her Brooke"

He's talking about Hailee.

"I shouldn't have left her at all. I said I wouldn't and i did. Now look what happened", he runs his fingers through his hair.

"It's not your fault"

"It is. I swore that i would protect her, I can't do that. I couldn't protect her then, I can't protect her now. She's gone because I couldn't protect her". He moves away from me and runs his fingers through his hair again. He screams and then he bends his legs and buries his face in his arms.

I walk towards him and crouch in front of him, taking his hand and holding it in mine. I hardly understood anything he said but i want to try to be there for him.

"Hailee is going to be fine Jonah. She's going to come out fine and you guys are going to sit on the bleachers again and watch football"

He looks up at me, "you're going to drive to school every morning and you're going to drive home. When you're feeling down, you won't feel alone because your best friend is also the girl next door and i know she loves you. She wouldn't have threatened me because of you the first day we met if she didn't"

He chuckles softly and holds on to my hand, "I'm so sorry I'm an asshole sometimes. I swear i want to be better for you"

"You'll learn"

We stand up and he pulls me towards him before capturing my lips with his. His hands move up to cup my face. The kiss is urgent, demanding, almost like he's begging for something.

"I love you", the words leave my lips as soon as he releases me. "I love you Jonah"

He studies my face and then he kisses me again.

***

When we walk back into the hospital, Mr Locke is standing and talking to Mr and Mrs Hartford. They stop talking when they notice us.

My phone rings and i take it out of my pocket.

"It's Blake", i say, "shit, i totally forgot about him"

"You should go home", Jonah says, "he'll be worried"

I nod. "I'll call a lift", I say as he nods.

"Jonah?", Mrs Hartford calls and we look at her. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah", Jonah says quickly before facing me, "text me when you get home please"

"I will"

"And get some rest"

"Okay"

He forces a smile before kissing my forehead and then he follows Mr and Mrs Hartford away.