Alone

Chapter 14

"Why didn't you try harder? Did you even think of me?" 

"I did, every damn day. I missed you so much Alex. I came back home to see you, but you weren't there because that weekend you had left for a camping trip with your school. I couldn't stay for long and I felt so bad that I couldn't see you. I tried to come back and even called quite a lot, but I always told you were either busy or angry..." He trailed off. His eyebrows furrowed and it seemed like he was trying to piece something together.

God, I really needed my bed right now. I couldn't take it anymore. Greyson would be waiting for me, and I'm sure he had questions.

"I have to go." That pulled him out of his daze. 

"I know no amount of apologies will suffice for leaving you, but you need to know that I tried my hardest. Work was demanding, and a lot was expected from me. Leaving you was my biggest mistake; you're the only family I have left and I'm not going to make the same mistake again. I'm going to make it up to you."

"Don't worry, you won't be making the same mistake again because this time I'm leaving." I said. His head snapped up to look at me. The anguish on his face tore me, but I couldn't just let him waltz back into my life.

I looked at him one last time, he was dejected and crying. I walked away without looking back. There was a part of me that hoped he would stop me, but he didn't.

More tears streamed down my face. I harshly wiped them away; I hated that I was crying over something that I had promised myself I wouldn't cry over. People were blatantly staring at me as I walked past them, I lowered my head and continued walking. 

When I reached the entrance to the hospital, I bumped into someone and lost my balance. A pair of strong arms steadied me before I could fall and embarrass myself even more. I recognized the cologne, Greyson looked at me with a concerned look on his face. The pad of his thumb ran gently under my eye; brushing away the tears that had spilled out.

He cupped my face, "Did he make you cry? What did he do?" His voice was calm, but his eyes were a different story.

I was so pathetic. I shook my head; I didn't trust myself enough to answer. He guided me outside and to the side of the building.

"Are you okay?" He asked me gently.

"Y-Yes." My voice betrayed me.

Needing some sort of comfort, I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head gently on his shoulder, carefully avoiding his wound. He was taken by surprise, but he didn't waste any time in wrapping his arms around me and pulling me closer to him. 

A few tears slipped out and before I knew it; I was crying uncontrollably. Greyson just held me tight and let me cry to my heart's content. Gently stroking my hair, his silent support was enough for me to calm down.

"I'm fine now." I mumbled into his chest. I did not want to let go.

Greyson had other plans. He cupped my face and wiped away the tears from my face; our faces just centimeters away from each other. The gesture was simple, but intimate as well which didn't help my poor heart at all. There was a wet patch on his shirt where I had placed my head.

"I'm sorry." I apologized, placing my hand on the wet patch.

"Oh, that's totally fine. What's not fine is a pretty girl like you crying." He playfully said trying to lighten the mood. My heart raced hearing him call me pretty.

"Eli." He seriously said making me look at him. "You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. I know deep down you're hurting. You're afraid to show everyone the real you because you think that they might not like you, which is why you hide behind the huge walls you've created." He wiped away a tear that slipped out. Giving me a bright smile, he continued, "But I know that when you do feel comfortable and show the people you love the real you, you'll know how much better it is."

"Eli, you don't always have to be strong, other people can be strong for you too. You just have to trust and let them in. No one deserves your tears." He said, tucking my hair behind my ears. "But I do have a lot of shirts in case you do cry." I lightly smacked his shoulder and laughed at his sad attempt to make me feel better.

He gazed at me weirdly, stopping my laughter. "You look so beautiful when you laugh, do it more often." My stomach did backflips and my knees were weak. He was going to be the death of me.

"And also when you blush." He added with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and ignored his statement.  "Let's leave?" I asked.

He nodded and put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him. On the way, he told me about how the nurse who was patching him up seemed suspicious of his reason, but he managed to convince her with his charming personality and good looks.

He sure acted like a child.

He held the car door open for me and then got into the passenger seat.

"And here I thought you didn't have any manners." I teased him as we finally got out of the hospital's parking lot.

"Well, I'm shocked. I do have the whole package though, so when are you going to fall in love with me?" He said with an impish look. I shook my head in mock disbelief.

It was four o'clock when I pulled up to Greyson's apartment complex and cut the engine. He had fallen asleep half-way during the drive. I wasn't going to get another opportunity like this again. I snapped a few pictures at different angles. Once I was satisfied, it was time to wake him up.

I tapped his shoulder, "Greyson, we're here." He didn't wake up, just mumbled and turned his head the other way. I settled for shaking him violently and shouting his name which worked.

He jolted awake. Wide eyes stared back at me in shock and annoyance. "Why did you do that? Scared the shit outta me."

"You weren't waking up, so I did what I thought best." He just glared at me.

"Do you need me to help you up to your apartment?" I offered.

He looked alarmed, but it vanished within a spilt second. "No, I'm okay."

"Are you-" 

"Yes, I'm sure." He said abruptly. Why was he acting so weird all of a sudden?

He got out of the car; every step he took looked painful for him. I got out of the car and stood in front of him. He was leaning against the car for support.

"Does it hurt to admit that you're in pain more than the pain you're in right now?"

"Huh?" 

I sighed, "I don't mind helping you Greyson. Let me help."

He held the bridge of his nose, "I don't need your help anymore. Just go home already." He snapped. Regret filled his eyes the very next second when he realized.

"Shit, Eli. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that." 

"No, I understand. I shouldn't have pushed so much." I said, looking at the ground.

"Wait, Eli-" He took a step forward to stop me, but I backed away. "Eli?"

"It's fine." I said as I got into my car and drove away.