The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}

The Point of No Return {sequel to The Arbitrary life of Avery Blake [teacher]}38

“…

‘It’s…it’s Kiren,’ she spoke slowly.

My heart may as well have stopped beating.

…”

Chapter 38

I ran past dozens of people, none of which I paid the slightest bit of attention to.

Kimberly and I located his room before long; adrenaline pumping through my veins, tears cowering behind my lids. Kimberly held my hand tightly, afraid to let go. I was unsure whether it was for her sake or mine. I didn’t care. There was only one person I cared about right now. And, as I discovered, he was laying silently motionless on top of the hospital bed.

I stopped outside his room attempting to contain my tears before I entered the almost too silent room that confined my best friend.

But in that moment I knew, it wasn’t these walls that confined him, it was his body.

How could I have been so stupid? How could I have overlooked all of this? It was evident, now, thinking back, how sick my best friend had previously been. But I think I chose to overlook it. I think I repressed the bit inside of me that was screaming Kiren’s fate.

I knew…I had just been too afraid to admit the truth to myself.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

‘Kiren,’ I whispered in a painful sob that arose from my throat. After there was no response, I spoke his name again. ‘Kiren?’ I asked in anxiety.

My cheeks became damp from the immortal tears that wouldn’t stop.

‘Shh…’ whispered an all too familiar voice as Cole took me in an embrace, allowing me to cry into his shoulder. I regained myself before long, deciding I wasn’t to wallow in this until I found out the truth.

‘Tell me what happened,’ I said softly, gazing at the bed in which beheld my best friend’s still body.

Cole stood beside me with his arm around my shoulder. ‘Kiren…he didn’t want me to tell you, to tell anyone. I’m sorry that I didn’t, we just thought you had too much on your plate. He, he didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. I’m aware that he was wrong in thinking that, but I couldn’t convince him otherwise.’

A painful sigh escaped my lips. ‘What’s the diagnosis, doctor?’ I joked stupidly, deciding to take out my frustration in the form of mocking. It was either that or throwing punches.

‘Cancer,’ Cole said simply.

I heard Meghann sob in the corner; it was then that I realised she was here too.

‘Oh, Meghann,’ I whispered as we embraced.

‘Oh, I see how it is then,’ a crackly voice said from behind us. We both turned and realised it was Kiren to whom had formed those words.

Kiren.

‘Kiren,’ we both whispered in unison before going up to his bed and including him in the embrace. I felt him weaken in the embrace before long which is when we let go of him.

‘I’m sorry, Kiren; I should have known. I should have been a better friend for you-‘ I attempted to continue but Kiren stopped me before I could.

‘Don’t start, Avery; I’ve already been over this with Meghann. Don’t you dare apologise; I won’t hear it.’ Kiren whispered.

I nodded, looking down at my feet.

‘I’m just sorry you had to go through this alone…’

‘I wasn’t alone,’ he smiled softly, turning his gaze to Cole.