Black Rose

Chapter 15

*Flashback continues*

They all sat there sniffling. Trying to stop the tears. Bright was holding on to Saint who had fallen completely apart at the sight of Gulf's bloody body. Mild was shaking, he couldn't believe this had happened. He had just seen his best friend smile at him a couple hours ago and now he was fighting for his life in the OR.

"You guys did so well tonight" Bright's dad said looking at them from across the room.

Mild felt like that was a lie. Empty words. When he realized who caused all of this he felt anger rise within him. Gulf had asked him if he should tell the school, and Mild had told him yes, it was a big deal, Gulf was too nice, when the man had cried begging him not to destroy his career he had let it go. That man, that bastard had not given up on chasing Gulf, he had tried to kill him. He clenched his fist, squeezing Gulf's friendship bracelet in his hand.

He remembered how uncomfortable Gulf had been when he finally told him the Gym's Teacher Aid had asked him out on a date. How he had politely turned him down cause he was already in a relationship with Jimmy. How he had kept showing up in different places Gulf was, leaving love notes, or taking advantage of gym class to touch and grab at him. He remembered Gulf's panicked call that he was sure the guy was following him home after soccer club one day, so he had been walking in the opposite direction, Mild had shown up and yelled at the prick and then he had disappeared like air. They had all thought it was over and now they were here.

He should've told someone, anyone. Maybe Brights dad or Auntie and Uncle Traipipattanapong , maybe they would still be here if he had. The tears he was holding back began to fall. They were gone, and he was so terrified he was gonna loose his best friend as well. He had known Gulf his whole life, his father and uncle Traipipattanapong had been best friends since college. Gulf and Mild were inseparable, he felt so guilty for not doing more.

"Family members of Gulf Kanawut?!" Spoke a doctor grabbing everyone's attention.

"I'm his uncle" stated Mild's dad who was just walking in.

"The patient was severely injured, we were able to repair his broken arm and ribs. One of the ribs had perforated his left lung, we were able to repair it as well but he is currently having trouble breathing on his own. Also he has a lot of brain swelling due to the fractures in his skull. We are afraid because of the severity of the injuries he may have some problems once he wakes up"

The boys all looked at each other and fresh tears began to pour down.

"I'm sorry to say this but you should brace yourselves, he may take a long time to wake up and once he does he may not be the same person he was before. He will be in ICU for now, we will let you know once you guys can see him"

The doctor continued to talk to his father but Mild was no longer listening. Sobs racked his body at the thought of never getting his best friend, his brother, back.

*Flashback ends*

"Family members of Gulf Kanawut?" said the nurse breaking Mild's trip to the past .

"I'm his brother" he answered in a hoarse voice.

"Patients fever has come down, he's still on oxygen for now. He hasn't woken up just yet but he can be discharged once he wakes up" Mild nodded.

"Make sure to feed him as well, and he needs to take lots of liquids, I'll bring the paperwork over in a bit" she turned and left.

"I hate hospitals" Saint whispered when Mild sat next to him again. " I hate the memories it brings me" he said clenching his hands together.

Mild grabbed his hands and squeezed. He wasn't the only suffering for Gulf. We all were.

"How is he?!!" Said and out of breath Bright as he reached them.

"His fever is down he will get to go home as soon as he wakes up" Mild repeated what he was told.

Bright took a seat next to them and rubbed his face. He had been so worried when he received the call from Saint.

"When will he stop giving me heart attacks" he mumbled. Mild smiled and Saint chuckled. They were in this together.