It’s never that easy

Chapter Seven

I thought I would wake up with a banging headache from hell, but I didn’t. Gemma on the other hand not so much. Bed all day by the looks of it until she’s due into work. However, I couldn’t stay in bed forever. Football starts soon, three hours to be exact so I best get ready and message Jamie. But before I had time to message him, there was a knock at the door.

“You ready?”

“Thought we were meeting at the stadium?”

“Didn’t see the point in going in two cars. Besides I have some grovelling to do from what you were saying last night.”

“What for?”

“For being a total prick last night and leaving you.”

“Oh that. I was drunk. Besides I know why you didn’t want to be around us.”

“Why?”

“Mark. You wanted to be away from him and I’m sorry about that. It was the only time I could see him as he’s away next week.”

“Yeahhhh...that’s what it was.”

He didn’t say that very confidently, but I can’t be bothered to argue. It’s the closest I’m going to get to the truth. We got in his car and made the journey to the stadium which took longer than usual with the heavy traffic that’s around. We got out of the car and headed out of the car park towards the stand we sit in, when suddenly I had his arm around me.

“What are you doing?”

“You looked cold.”

“And?”

“I don’t want you to freeze. It’s not like anything is going to happen is it? We’re just good friends, right?”

“Right!”

“Good. It’s only until we get in anyway.”

We got through the turnstiles and headed up towards our seats and sat down waiting for the boys to come out.

“Want a drink?”

“Nah, I’m alright for now thanks.”

“You sure? I’m getting one.”

“Okay. You know what I like.”

“I sure do!” He grinned.

Jamie came back just as they started to come out of the tunnel. I stood up clapping and cheering as they got ready. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole game. It was an action-packed game. I kept looking at Jamie in the corner of my eyes and could've sworn he was staring at me, so I looked at him when he did it next.

“What?

“Nothing! Didn’t realise

you was this passionate.”

“That’s what you get with a football family. Besides I’m very passionate about the things I really love,” I laughed.

Just as I looked at the game, my team scored within the last ten minutes of the game. I raised up quickly and cheered as loud as I could, hugging Jamie too. I didn’t mean to, just a bit of adrenaline I suppose. We quickly let go of one another and continued to watch the rest of the game in which we won with that one goal. We walked back in silence though to the car.

“Want to go for a drink?”

“I can’t. I’m off to my parent’s tonight. Maybe a rain check?”

“Yeah sure. You want dropping off at your parent’s then?”

“Yeah can do please. Dad can drive me home afterwards.”

He dropped me off at my parent’s and I waved him goodbye as I went in. It was a nice family time together. Dad dropped me off at home first as I had to nip to the shops for some dinner for tomorrow and he was going to drop Nick off too. I was longer in the shops than I thought I would be. I got home expecting to find Gemma relaxing on the settee, but when I got home there was no sign of Gemma anywhere. I took out my phone to ring her when I noticed a lot of missed calls from Gemma which is very unusual and a note on the fridge to call her. I rang her back to see what all the fuss was about but now I wish I didn't after hearing what she had to tell me. It was one of my worst fears ever. The worse news I have experienced.

"Keira, where the hell have you been? I've been trying you for over an hour."

"Sorry, my phone was on silent in the car."

"Keira! I'm at the hospital with your mum. You need to get here as fast as you can. Your dad and Nick have been in a car accident. The hospital rang the house phone for you and I said I would try and get hold of you. Your mum couldn't handle telling you."

"Oh my god. Okay...I'm on my way."

It felt like forever getting to the hospital. I parked up and went straight to A&E. I've never felt this nervous in my life. What if it's bad? I ran into the reception area, finding Gemma there sitting with...Jamie?

"Hey...Your dad's fine. He just has some bruised ribs. It's your brother who’s in trouble but your mum wouldn't say anything until you got here. I saw your dad on his way back from having an x-ray."

"Okay...thank you so much Gemma. I'm going to go find dad...Where's mum?"

"She's gone to get clothes for your dad and trying to find you. But don't worry I've rang her to let her know I've found you."

"Well, I was at the shops. I wish I wasn't now and left it until tomorrow. I went straight home from there. I'm going to find my dad."

"Okay" she said giving me a big bear hug.

I walked up to the reception desk to find where my dad was when there was a tap on my shoulder.

"Oh, hi Jamie."

"Hey...Gemma rang me saying you wouldn't be in at work tomorrow, so initially I asked why, and she told me. Hope you don't mind me being here?"

"No... Thanks for being here. But I do need to find my dad, so I'll talk to you later?"

"Sure."

The receptionist got a nurse to take me to him. As I turned the corner I saw him lying there, all purple and blue over his face.

"Oh dad."

"It looks worse than it is, don't worry about me. I just have a few bruised ribs, cuts and bruises on my face and a broken wrist. It's your brother we need to think about."

"What's happened to Nick? Please tell me dad. I can't wait for mum much longer. I need to know."

"Okay...he's in a really bad shape. The impact was on his side of the car and therefore he's broken a few ribs and his leg. But he also hit his head badly that he went unconscious. The doctors have told us that he's in a coma."

I couldn’t hold it in any longer and I just burst out in tears, with dad holding his arms out for comfort. I walked out to Gemma to tell her that I was going to stay the night when suddenly Mark turned up. I felt relieved and ran towards him, jumping up for a cuddle. I rested on him with my legs wrapped around his waist.

"What are you doing here? Not that it's a bad thing or out."

"I rang your phone and Gemma picked up and told me where you were. So, I came down here to check on you" he said putting my hair behind my ear.

The doctor came out, telling me I could go see Nick but had to be careful when I was around him. As the doctor was telling me what they will be doing with Nick next, I noticed out the corner of my eye, Jamie leaving. I can’t believe he’s leaving when I need him the most. Yeah, I have Gemma and Mark, but I want him to be here.

When the doctor finished, Gemma and I went to see Nick. I couldn’t go on my own. As soon as I walked in, I could feel myself shaking to the floor. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Tubes down his throat and wires everywhere. If anything happens to him, I don’t know what I would do, he’s my best friend. I can’t live without him. Gemma picked me up and sat me down on a chair next to his bed. He looks so peaceful but vulnerable. I just sat there, holding onto his hand. The next thing I know; I’m being woken up by my mum. I must have fallen asleep with my head on his bed.

“Honey, you should go home, take a shower and put your head down for a few hours. Gemma’s at your place so you won’t be on your own. I’ll stay with Nick until your father arrives.”

“Okay, thanks mum. How is dad?”

“He’s fine. I sent him home to rest. He’ll be here after dinner.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” And with that I gave a peck on Nick’s cheek, hugged my mum and left.

I was in a daze all the way home. It’s a good job I don’t live far away from the hospital. All I could think about was why did Jamie leave me? If he wants to prove himself, this isn’t the way to do it. I drove up the drive to my house when I noticed a shadowy figure near my front door. I didn’t expect anything unusual as I thought it would only be Gemma waiting for me to arrive. Instead I find Jamie waiting.

“I noticed Gemma inside so didn’t want to knock and get grief off her,” he laughed with a smirk on his face.

“Where did you go? The only time I needed you there. You decided to leave because you’re jealous! You know what? Don’t answer that, I’m too tired for this!” I spoke furiously as I started to walk towards my front door. But suddenly I had his hand around my arm.

“Come here,” he asserted at me, dragging me into his powerful grasp, not letting me go. All I wanted was a hug, so I put my arms around his built torso. I just couldn’t hold it any longer and I broke down right in front of him.

“Come on let’s get you in.”

“No.”

“No. What do you mean no?”

“You’re not taking me inside,” with that I let go of him and walked into my home, shutting the door behind me. He can’t just be there when he feels like it. I am not going to let him manipulate me while I am in this vulnerable state. All I want to do is lay in bed, clear my head and rest up to look sharp in the morning for Nick. All I want to do is have all of my mind and energy focused on Nick until he’s better. No drama of my own. I just want my best friend back.

As soon as my head hit that pillow, that was it. Gone. Everything in my mind gone. It was nice to lay there and just shut my eyes thinking of nothing.

“No…please tell me it isn’t true?”

I awoke with many missed calls from my mother and father. When I saw these, I knew. At first, I didn’t want to phone them back, but I knew I had to.

“I’m sorry honey. He went late last night. The doctors said it wouldn’t have been painful.”

This is my worst nightmare, my brother and best friend, gone. Gone forever and I will never be able to tell him now how much he has been my rock through all the tough times and the best times. I can’t tell him how much I love him anymore.

I ran downstairs and put on my coat and shoes and ran outside. I just ran and ran until I was out of breath. Not looking where I was going, I somehow subconsciously ended up at a park opposite Jamie’s house. I just stood there blankly, unsure on what I should do next. I had a gut feeling that Jamie was going to be there for me and therefore, I decided to go for it and knock on his door.

“Keira, what’s wrong?”

“It’s Nick. He’s gone!” and with that I fell to the floor and burst into tears on his doorstep.

“Keira…Keira…Keira…wake up Keira!”

Suddenly I was getting shaken by Gemma. I realised it was only a dream and I was still in my bed.

“Keira, wake up, it’s your mum on the phone.”

“Oh…hang on. Hi mum, is Nick okay? Please tell me he’s okay!”

“He’s fine, he’s actually breathing on his own now without all those nasty tubes. He also woke up for a few minutes asking for you.”

“Oh, thank god for that. I had the worst dream ever. I’ll be at the hospital in five.”

“Okay Hun, see you soon.”

“Ahh…Nick’s awake!” I screamed jumping up and down, hugging Gemma as tight as I could.

I rushed to the hospital to find Jamie waiting for me.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, I knew you would be visiting your brother, so I knew this was the only place I would be able to find you and speak to you. So please don’t shut me out.”

“I’m going to see Nick.”

“Keira.” He grabbed hold of my arm. I just tugged it away. I’ve got to think of Nick first.

“Just let me go Jamie! When I need my friends around me, you decide to go AWOL! Why would you? Why would I want to listen to you now when you’ve disappointed me?”

With that said, I walked away with him gobsmacked.

“Hey mum. How is he?”

“He’s doing well. Docs say he’s going to pull through and they can’t believe how lucky he is.”

“That’s great. Is dad okay?”

“Yeah, he’s with Nick now, if you want to go see them both?”

“Yeah…sure. Can’t stay long though. I’ve got work in an hour.”

“Okay honey.”

I walked into Nick’s room to be greeted with a massive smile on his face. I went up to my dad and gave him a massive hug telling him I was so relieved that he was okay and that I loved him so much. I then went to Nick and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He had casts on both legs (not one after all) and a scar on his face with a black eye too. He also had a few cuts and bruises on his arms. I am so glad he is out of the woods now. I stayed with him for a while, checking he had everything he needed and mentioned him moving in with me while he recovers (in which he agreed with). After forty minutes or so with him, I decided to leave for work.