The Day I Met My Romeo

Hospital

I opened my eyes.

I looked around the room I was in. White walls…it smelled like medicine. I tried sitting up, but a sharp sting of pain shot through my ribs, immediately making me lay back down.

"The doctor said to take it easy," I heard a voice say.

"Aaliyah?" I asked

"The one and only, Mister," she replied.

I looked around and finally saw her on the left side of the hospital bed. I gave her one of my signature grins. She rolled her eyes.

"Well...that was one way to end a hangout, huh?" I muttered, trying to lighten the mood. She could only shake her head with a serious expression which made the playfulness in my tone die down.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"Police custody," Aaliyah replied. "Thankfully, some security guards were around when she stabbed you, otherwise I don't even know what would've happened. The doctor also said that had you been another few minutes late to the hospital, you wouldn't have survived. The stab wound went really deep, almost puncturing your right lung."

I could only listen to Aaliyah as she told me the horrific news. I couldn't believe that Lily would do that. Lily, of all people. I thought I knew her. I looked at her, studying Aaliyah's expression. She looked...worried. Upset, maybe? But I didn't pry into it.

"How long was I out?" I asked instead.

"It's been around a week," came her reply.

"A week?!" I exclaimed, surely she was overexaggerating it. There was no way-

"A week," Aaliyah confirmed.

Before I could say anything more, the hospital room opened and my parents, older brother Yungo and baby sister Julia came in.

"Oh my poor child! Who dares to do this to my son? I shall file a lawsuit against them!" came my mother's booming voice, echoing through the room. She was a middle-aged woman, but tall and lean. A world-famous fashion designer and now retired model, she still looked like she was in her prime years with her brunette waves falling onto her shoulder blades and tall structure. My father, on the other hand, was a cold and unemotional man. Just picture those Alpha billionaires, guys. That, but my father, with dark brown hair, a lean build, and wearing a suit wherever he goes. My brother, on the other hand, had inherited my mother's genes. Soft facial structure but sharp cheekbones and jawline, with brown hair similar to mine and a muscular body. Julia, though? An absolute sweetheart. Best sister ever. Would not trade her for anything in the world. Cute and bubbly, she had just turned 4 a month ago.

"Mom-" I started, but she interrupted.

"No, no no! You tell me who did this. Andrew!" she called out to my father, who only grunted, but I could still see a flicker of concern within those eyes. God bless my father, he did care about me after all. I could cry!

"Mom. I'm fine. See?" I said, lifting my hand and waving.

"Nonsense, you got stabbed! Who did it? Did you?" she asked Aaliyah. Before she responded to my mother's astounding words, I interrupted.

"No, mom. It was Lily. And this is Aaliyah, one of the friends I made at the academy."

My mother looked at Aaliyah in disdain, wrinkling her nose and letting out a disgusted huff.

"Doesn't she... I don't know... looks a little poor, son?"

My mother's words were harsh and full of pure, unadulterated disgust. I turned to see if Aaliyah had heard her, hoping and praying she didn't. But I guess luck never worked out for me. Aaliyah's face was stoic. But I'd known her for long enough to know her tics. Her eyes were downcast, and she was fidgeting with the strap of her worn-out purse. She had heard the words. I was sure of it. Before I could say anything though, Aaliyah stood up.

"I should go. I don't want to interfere in any family discussions, you know?" She said with a forced smile. She gave me a glance and practically rushed out the room. I was furious. I looked at my mother.

"Mom, you don't say that aloud. That was extremely rude of you. She's my friend!" I said angrily.

My mother could only roll her eyes and mutter something about poor people being sensitive. She was a stubborn woman, always thinking she was right and everyone else was wrong. It gets to a point, you know?

For the next few minutes, Julia and Yungo accompanied me. Little miss Julia climbed onto the hospital bed and slapped both of her chubby hands on both my cheeks. She was so cute. I loved my little sister.

"Bubba! Yang Yang said bubba was got an owie.." Julia said, she called Yungo Yang Yang because it was hard for her to pronounce his actual name. She was still learning though.

"Yes, Julia. Bubba got an owie, but bubba's fine now. See?" I said with a bright smile as I attacked her sides with my fingers, sending Julia into a giggling fit. Yungo on the other hand, was less talkative in general and only patted my shoulder in comfort. I appreciated it and gave him a smile. People usually tell me I'm too openly emotional for a guy. But I didn't mind. People have emotions for a reason, right?

For the rest of my family's stay, it was mainly the three siblings talking and chattering while the parents tried to file a lawsuit against Lily.

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It was around 8 pm when I heard the door to the hospital room opening again. This time I saw Aaliyah, Myra and Mikael. I still felt bad about what my mother had said about Aaliyah and was planning on apologizing for it. But not now, not with company. Maybe when we're alone.

"Well, if it isn't my best friends," I stated in a cheery manner, the two girls rolled their eyes. They roll their eyes a lot. Was that a girl thing? Mikael gave me a smile, came up to my bed and patted my shoulder. Is that how all guys comfort their friends? Everything was so confusing..

"Best friends my ass..anyway, we're here to update you on Lily," came Myra's voice. I put on a fake frown and clutched at my chest as if I was in pure agony because of her statement.

"Ugh, none of you consider us best friends? How could you? After everything we've been through..." I only earned a snort from Mikael who gave me a fist bump. The girls, once again, rolled their eyes.

"Whatever. I'm just going to spill it. Lily's under arrest for disorderly conduct, possession of a deadly weapon, one count of attempted murder and illegal use of drugs. After testing, the police found out that Lily had quite a severe amount of methamphetamine in her system during the stabbing. Which explained her behavior. We don't know how much time she's getting in jail," Myra dropped the bombshell. "The investigators also found m*******a and other illegal drugs at her house. All of this also included her basement being decorated with pictures of you, letters she wrote about how she would murder you if you ever left and...you can probably guess the rest."

I could only stare at Myra in complete and utter shock.

I should've broken up with Lily sooner.