Chapter 16

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Chapter 16

Daniel’s POV

“Daniel?”

I didn’t stop when I heard Iris’s voice. I stumbled to my room and slammed the door shut before she could stop me. When I locked it, I slid down to the ground against it, taking a swig of the bottle of beer I’d managed to get from Kane’s house before I left.

I clenched my fist at the thought of him. I may have thought of him as a friend, but not anymore. No one touches Jenna.

I heard knocking on my door and sighed.

“Daniel! Open the door!” Iris shouted at me. “Why did you have a beer bottle? Where have you been?”

“Leave me the fuck alone, Iris!” I snapped, throwing my now empty bottle across the room. “I’m not in the mood for your bullshit!”

“Stop screaming or you’ll wake up…”

“Is Danny home yet, Iris?”

I completely sobered up and moved out of the way so I could open my door. And there she was with her favorite purple teddy bear in her hand. She was wearing her Backyardigans pajamas and I couldn’t help but smile. I never understood why she liked that show.

She rubbed her eyes with her free hand and then they opened. When her eyes landed on me, a big smile appeared on her face. “Danny!” She squealed and hurried to wrap her little arms around my neck.

I hugged her tightly into me and pecked her forehead. “Hey, Pheebs.”

I looked over at Iris to find her frowning down at me. I got to my feet, picking up Phoebe along with me. “Iris, I—“

She cut me off. “I’m just going to go.”

“You’re leaving now Iris?” Phoebe asked softly, turning towards her.

“Yeah, but I’m next door. Remember that.”

Phoebe nodded giddily. “We’ll see you tomorrow?”

She nodded hesitantly. “Of course. First thing.”

“Okay!”

Iris smiled and glanced briefly at me before frowning. “Goodnight.”

I dropped Phoebe gently on her feet, muttering for her to wait a minute, and hurried after Iris before she hurried out the door. “Iris, I’m sorry for screaming at you.”

She turned to me, glaring. “I don’t care that you screamed at me, Daniel.” She lowered her voice a bit so Phoebe wouldn’t  hear. “What I’m fucking mad about is that you came home piss drunk when you have a little sister to look after. Do you even care about her anymore?”

I glowered at her question. “I care about her more than anything.”

“Then start showing it.” She snapped at me, slamming the door shut behind her.

I was left staring at the door. Iris was right. If I’m taking care of Phoebe, I shouldn’t be coming home drunk. I shouldn’t be drinking at all.

“Danny, is Iris mad at you?”

I glanced behind me and saw Phoebe there staring up at me with tear-filled eyes. I gave her a weak smile. “No way. She’s just tired.”

“Oh.” She yawned. “I’m tired too, Danny.”

“Then let’s go to bed.” I said and scooped her up, throwing her over my shoulder. She squealed in surprise and giggled the whole way until we made it to her room. I gently set her on it. She pulled the bed sheets over herself. “Goodnight, Pheebs.” I murmured and kissed her forehead.

Jenna’s POV

I rushed through the doors so fast that it was hard for Lei to catch up to me. I hurried to the receptionist desk where a middle aged lady was sitting behind. “I’m looking for an Elena—“

“Jenna.”

I turned around and found Uncle Leo there. I felt my heart stop when I got a look at him. He looked completely worn out. And his eyes, I noticed, were rimmed red with tears.

Suddenly, Lei finally came up behind me with her hands on her knees panting. “Is your mom okay?” She asked me. When I didn’t answer, my attention only focused on Leo, she looked at him. “Her mom’s okay, right?”

He slightly shook his head, the tears in his eyes slowly falling down his face. “She passed away a couple of minutes ago.”

I could feel the tear start to fall as I looked up at him in surprise. “She can’t be dead.” I said in disbelief. “She’s still alive. I have to see her.” I told him and started down the large hallway before us. Uncle Leo stopped me before I could even move an inch.

“Doctors won’t let you in now.” He told me sternly. “She’s dead, Jen. You can’t—“

“I want to see her!” I screamed at him, ignoring the looks I got from the people in the hospital. “She’s just still in the coma! She still alive!”

“Jenna, you’ll see her.” Lei mumbled to me through her tears. “Just not right now, okay?”

“No! I want to see her now!” I shouted at the both of them. I tried to pull away from Uncle Leo’s grip, but that made him only hold me tighter. He tugged me into him so that my face was dug into his chest. I struggled to pull away, even punching him a couple of times.

“Let me go! Let me go!” I snapped at him angrily.

I need to go see my mom. She needed me. She needed me. She needed me. She…

I started to sob then when Uncle Leo’s words sunk into me. I felt my heart tug. She passed away a couple of minutes ago. There wasn’t anything I could do.

I’d just lost my mom.

I’d lost both of my parents.

I curled up into a ball in the bed my mom’s been sleeping in for the past couple of months since she’s gotten into the coma. I’d stopped crying after a while last night, probably because I’ve grown too weak to.

“Jen, do you want to talk?” Uncle Leo asked me.

I didn’t move.

I heard him sigh. “Can you at least eat? You haven’t eaten since last night and it’s already noon.”

I still didn’t move.

“I’m going to make you some food, Jen bear. I’ll leave it in front of the door, alright?”

When I still hadn’t spoken, I heard shuffling and then felt the bed dip beside me. His hand suddenly ran up and down my arm gently. It was a nice gesture, but I didn’t have the strength to react to it. After a couple of moments, I felt the bed shift again and my back was them pressed up against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tightly into him.

I couldn’t help but let a sob escape my lips at the warmth he gave me. He reminded me of my dad.

“Is she really gone?” I whimpered as he rested his chin on top of my head.

He nodded reluctantly, his chin brushing against my hair. “I’m so sorry, Jen.”

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Pretty sad chapter, guys. Sorry if I ruined your mood for the day...

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