CHAPTER40

I shifted in my sleep as I slowly began to adjust to the light coming from the sun. Ah, it's good to be back home. My eyes blinked open as I stare outside, a smile etched on my face because for the first time in an extremely long time I could finally sleep with confidence that the next day was going to be better. I finally had my other half with me, the only antagonizing enemy I knew was gone and my friends were good but the only problem was, I haven't spoken to Lexis since he walked out of the party last weekend and last I heard, he bought a plane ticket back home. Ugh from one problem to another. A high pitched scream interrupted me from my thoughts. So I ran to the direction of the scream and oh, it's just Melia. "What is with you and screaming in the morning?" I groaned reaching for the juice pack in the fridge. "I get that Leon's back but do they really have to do shit and still leave their door unlocked? Like people have some dignity" she complained and I give her a look. "Melia, and who says you are any better. Seriously, neither of you have dignity" "You don't need to be so angry, you virgin sister" Lee walks in and I glare at him before giving him a hug and a peck. Ah, feels good to be back. "Are you going to get your things from your house or are you finally going to tell Lexis how you feel?" Melia asked as she wrapped her hands around Carter's shirtless chest. "The first. The seconds not going to happen. Ever." I can't stand being embarrassed for expressing my feelings when I don't know his. So telling him is a no-no. "You really like that dude Raine?" Lee asks, slightly amused. "Ugh shut up" I dismissed. I was just going to get my things and bring them back here because I wasn't too sure if he wanted me to stay or not. But, deep down, I was going to miss everything. "I'm going to clean up then head over dear before I eventually noticed that they were all in their lovey-dovey selves so I was literally talking to nobody. So annoying. **** I entered the house and began sorting my things as well as packing them and a part of me felt super reluctant to leave. It was like a part of me was going to be left behind but there was nothing I could say or do. I eventually finished packing and was now reeling my box out of the room when I bumped into a freshly bathed Lexis with a towel wrapped around his neck. "Hi" I greeted "So you're leaving. I see." He said ignoring my greeting and might I say that there was something different about him. "Yeah well, I figured since Eriel's gone and the whole engagement thing was a jab, so you might want me gone" I let out a breath. "Did I say so?" He questioned and a flicker of emotion passed in his eyes. "Uh-" I stutter. "You know what never mind. You can go" he shook his head and walked away. "What is it again? One minute we are going and the next we are not" I groan. So impossible. "Because for once in my life, I was almost happy but now I'm supposed to have parents. Parents who left me-" "For a perfectly explainable reason" I cut in. "Of course, you won't know I mean you have everything intact, your life's great-" "First, shut the hell up, my life's great because I believed it will be great. But you? No. You finally have your parents but instead, you refuse to liste-" "You think it's easy? Huh? For twenty years I was stuck with that son of a bitch Eriel and they just waltz into my life as nothing happened" he shouted. "Just. Just give them a chance" I said before I got a call from Lee so I cleared my throat and picked it "Hey Lee, what-" "The ambulance just took Carter to the hospital." ***** I ran as fast as I could, sweat claiming against my skin as I ran through the hospital corridors. Man is this place damn big. Finally, I saw Melia and Brooke in the waiting room area, holding themselves in fear as my heart sank. "Hey. What happened" I asked taking a seat. Brooke sniffed and answered "I don't know. One minute we were all having fun and laughing then he started coughing excessively, wheezing a-a-and it was really bad" she gasped. "Hey Raine, so the nurse said we are allowed to see Carter but in room 214 but not for long so-" I didn't even allow him to finish before I ran to the ward and burst open the door. "Macbeth please tell me you were taking the doctor's advice or you totally neglected it" I glared at him "Well.." He dragged. "What do you mean by doctors' orders?" Melia asked and I froze. Uh oh, this isn't my place. "Yeah well, I think there's something you should all know" "That you have Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). What? The doctor briefed me" Lee sounded pissed. Melia and Brooke gasped "And you're just letting us know?. Now?" "I actually told Lorrie about it so that counts. Right?" All eyes fell on me. "You knew?" Melia gasped. "Before you say anything, I panicked when I got the news and I didn't want anyone to worry so I just called her and. I'm sorry, it's my fault" "Whoa, no one's to blame. I'm just angry as to why you didn't tell me" Melia pointed out. "I'm sorry" he hugged her as she smiled sweetly. "Uh enough with your nonsense. But seriously, what the hell is AATD?" "Some respiratory type of shit. You can't understand" Lee brushes her off. "And who says you're smarter?" Brooke defends and we all let out a light laugh. "So, how were things wi-" Carter started to ask before he began coughing furiously and continuously. Fear radiating through my body, I ran to his side while Lee ran to get the doctors. What the hell is happening?