ALWAYS || RAFE CAMERON

32

i was in pain.

the worst fucking pain i'd ever been in.

"you're okay, Juno, you're fine." Rafe had one hand pressed on my stomach, and was stroking my head with the other.

he was crying and shaking.

it hurt to breathe.

i was tired... so tired.

"no, keep your eyes open! keep your eyes open!"

i tried to speak, but my mouth was filled with saw dust.

"don't talk... it's okay. we're nearly at the hospital."

i looked down.

"no, stay still!"

almost all of my shorts were stained a beautiful shade of red.

so beautiful.

"i'm..." i croaked.

"what? you're what!" Rafe put his ear next to my mouth.

"sorry..."

"you don't have to be sorry! the only time it mattered, i didn't protect you!"

"it's not... your fault."

"and it's not yours either!"

i closed my eyes again.

"no! no, stay awake, Juno! please!" 

"we're almost there, Rafe." Ward said.

"we're nearly at the hospital, baby." Rafe rocked me in his arms.

i groaned.

"sorry!"

breaks squealed and i was almost thrown off Rafe's lap, causing him to hold me tight.

too tight.

i screamed.

the door opened and everyone was shouting.

i knew they were shouting, i could see their mouths move, but they were too far away.

i couldn't hear.

their speech grew slurred and their mouths didn't line up with the words coming out of their mouths.

Rafe was trying not to stare at my stomach.

i reached for him.

he grabbed my hand and held tight.

"st...ay?" i struggled to whisper.

"stay? of course i'll stay, i'm not going anywhere without you. i lov-"

machines began to beep frantically.

doctors jumped into action, ripping my dress down the middle.

"Juno!" Rafe yelled.

i couldn't speak.

i could breathe.

i couldn't see Rafe, or feel the doctors, and now i couldn't see.

i never even got a chance to tell Rafe i loved him too.