Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Getting to Jay's place, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He was wasted out of his mind. The guy reeked of liquor and was having quite a breakdown if I ever seen one. His hair was disheveled, his clothes were soaked, and I couldn't tell what it was soaked in. This was not the Jay I knew, and I don't think I wanted to know this, Jay. It was scary seeing him like this. I was happy I spoke up to Cyrus when I did. Otherwise, who knows what would've happened?

Jay was slumped in a corner not listening to a thing Cyrus was saying to him. I almost couldn't speak because I didn't know what to say. He was slurring his words and being very dismissive of the whole ordeal. Reason wasn't something he wanted to hear or even listen to for that matter. Was this something Cyrus always had to deal with? The question remained though, where were his parents? Or any of this family for that matter?

Bending down towards him, Cyrus had this look of concern etched on his face. "Come on, Jay, we need to get you help before you go down that road again." He kept trying to pressure him.

Jay wasn't listening though. "Wha-what do you-you know?" Jay spoke through burps. He was trying to stand up but was failing each time.

"I know that you're going to regret this, Jay. You've been doing so well." Cyrus reassured him.

Jay scoffed. "And I-I'm still going, doing well. You-you don't kno-know me." He argued.

It pained me to see this happening in front of my eyes. I still didn't know what caused him to spiral like this. That didn't matter though. The fact that no one else seemed to care to help him but Cyrus was the problem. It looked to me that Jay's support system was solely Cyrus. Anyone who was a part of his family was nowhere to be found. He was alone and going through all sorts of emotions. Something nobody should have to go through.

Cyrus looked up at me not knowing what else to do. There wasn't much I could do either, but I was going to try. I couldn't stand seeing this happen. He wouldn't want to talk to me since I was the one that told Cyrus. But that didn't stop me from getting down to his level looking him dead in his eyes. They were glossy and his cheeks were completely flustered. The liquor smell hitting me full force. It was so bad, but I was going to stick it out. For Jay.

Jay looked back at me, a small smile spreading across his face. "Hey, it's you. Um...Autumn." He said, sounding happy to see me.

I nodded. "Jay, can you come with us please?" I asked straightaway.

"What? I'm fine. I'm fine." He repeated, knowing he was far from fine.

Trying to reason with him was difficult. "Please listen to me Jay. This isn't healthy and this isn't you." I say worried. "Let us get you somewhere to help you."

He scoffed again. "You don't even know me." His tone softens.

"So let me get to know you."

We fell silent for a minute waiting for Jay to say something. He didn't want to stare at me or even look my way. I was willing to wait however long I needed if it meant helping Jay in anyway. We've barely known each other for more than a couple of weeks but if he was willing to share his story, I was going to listen. A friend of Cyrus was a friend of mine.

Sighing, he still didn't look at me but was willing to at least explain to me what was going on. It was eye-opening when he did. I understood why he was stressing as much as he was. I would do the same thing if I were in his shoes.

"A few years ago, my mom and I were having a heated argument." He began to speak. "Don't ask me what it was about. I've blocked it out at this point." His voice changed quickly in a matter of seconds. His eyes fill with water. "Of course, I was dumb and not paying attention all while arguing with my mom. We were coming down the street and next thing I knew we were hit."

I could feel the hurt in his voice, and it broke my heart hearing this story. It made sense why he was spiraling out the way he was. Stuff like that could be very traumatizing. There was nothing I could relate to regarding his situation. However, I felt his pain and I wish there were a way to take it all away. Make things better so that he wouldn't have to deal with it in this way. Drinking wasn't going to solve the problem.

Sniffling, he wiped his eyes trying not to let the tears fall. "And then I woke up in the hospital to find out that she was dead on arrival." He started to sob. "I was such an idiot. If only I were paying attention. If only we...it's all my fault."

Jay couldn't stop himself from crying. So much so that he fell into my arms, his tears soaking my shirt. I felt how torn apart he was about this. Even though he hadn't known that would happen, I could see why it was eating him alive. Imagine arguing with your mom and the next minute she's gone. That kind of pain is something I would never be able to get over either. Everything about this situation made sense now and I was going to do my best to be there for him. Especially because I know what it's like to lose a parent.

Looking over at Cyrus, he nodded gaining confirmation that this was the reason Jay was in such despair. Leaving me to grab one of his hands and force him to look at me. I wanted him to know that there was someone who could understand his situation. Although not to this extent but we could relate on an emotional level.

"I know your pain, Jay, but trust me your mom would not want you to blame yourself for that." I reassured him. "She would want you to continue to be happy and rejoice about the memories you've had with her."

It wasn't much that I could tell him that would make him understand. Words don't bring back those you love and if it were me, I wouldn't want to hear words either. Who would want to in that situation? This kind of stuff was hard to deal with. But he wasn't alone. Not only did he have Cyrus, but now he has me as well. There was no way I was letting him stay in this runt. Not on my watch.

Smiling, I slowly stood him up wiping away tears for him. "You're stronger than this Jay. But refusing help isn't making your mom proud. She would want you to be safe and healthy not like this." I tell him. "Now please, let us help you, Jay. We're friends I can't see you go down this path."

Not saying a word, he looked at me trying to see if I was serious. I never dropped my gaze, letting him get a good read on me. Anything to make hm realize that we had good intentions for him. Nothing was being done out of malice. There was genuine worry about his safety, especially from Cyrus. All the lengths he would go to for Jay was really something to be admired.

Reluctantly, Jay frowned knowing that he had lost this battle. Without saying another word, Jay slouched over on Cyrus allowing him to drag him to the car. He was listening and cooperating now, which was a good sign. I was glad that he was in the right head space as of right now. I doubt it had to do with my talking to him but either way, he was in the car.

After getting him settled, Cyrus and I also climbed inside as he started the car. Cyrus sighing a sigh of relief.

"I really appreciate you coming with me. I probably would have been here longer than I needed too if you hadn't." Cyrus looked at me with joy in his eyes.

I put my seat belt on, giving him a half smile. "It's nothing really. I know what he's going through, and I can relate to the pain he's feeling." I say looking back at Jay who's falling asleep.

Cyrus looked at me with concern in his eyes. "Anything you want to talk about?" He asked me attentively.

I shake my head over the sadness for one day. "Maybe some other day. Let's take care of Jay first."

Understanding, he pulled off getting Jay where he needed to be in no time.

************

Getting back to the house, I was able to get in without being seen with Cyrus and swiftly to my room. Only to be surprised to see Bradyn waiting in there for me. This felt like another Twila situation that I was not prepared for. However, this time I knew she wasn't going to question me about Cyrus. She was going to question me about Jay. Since at breakfast I said he gave me the bracelet. This is what happens when you put your foot in your mouth.

We stared at each other which felt like for ages. Not saying a single word to one another it was hard to decipher what she was going to say to me. I wanted to avoid talking about Jay as much as possible, but I knew that was inevitable. If only Jenna knew how to keep her mouth closed. None of this would be happening right now.

Breaking the ice, I closed my door walking over to her. "Where's Twila?" I asked as she wasn't here with her.

"Oh, she's just taking a nap." Bradyn shrugged her eyes boring into me again. "So, um you're seeing Jason?"

She sounded nervous when asking me. The way she hugged herself told me she didn't want to be doing this. But at the same time, she wanted answers. I haven't been talking to her a lot recently. I've been disappearing without notice. And even though it was with Cyrus, she thought that it was with Jay because of Jenna. Now here I was having to lie to her since I couldn't tell her the truth. It made things so difficult, and I'll lose my friend.

I sat on the bed not sure how to go about this. Lying wasn't going to get me anywhere. But in this case, telling the truth wouldn't either.

I giggled, putting a fake smile on my face. "Yeah, I was just with him actually." It wasn't a complete lie.

"Are you guys like a thing?" She kept asking questions with a nervous feeling in her tone.

That wasn't something I could answer right away because we weren't. Cyrus and I were a thing, but Jason and I were not. It felt so gross lying to her like this. This was out of my character and not something I would do as a friend. Bradyn has been nothing but kind to me this whole time I've been here. Betraying her was really the dumbest thing I could do.

At the same time, it was the only thing I could do now. No one could know about Cyrus and me. Jenna, having found out on her own and I Twila would've seen right through me. Bradyn on the other hand could not know. So, the lie shall persist. I know she'll understand one day.

Not wasting another moment, I looked at her wiping any uncertainty from my eyes. "Yes, we are sort of a thing." I shrug not confirming it.

Suddenly, a shrill came out of her mouth and I was taken back by her sudden outburst. This was Bradyn for you. Always excited about anything her friends do. Whether it be love interest or a simple self-discovery. Bradyn was going to be happy and wanted to know all about it. She really was a great friend.

"Oh my gosh! I'm waking Twila up right now and you're giving us all the details." She was way too excited.

I laughed nervously. "Are you sure you want to do this?" I wasn't too thrilled about getting Twila involved.

Bradyn turned to me with pleading eyes. "Come on Autumn, you've been M.I.A for who knows how long. I deserve this girl time with you."

Ugh, I couldn't argue with that because I have been missing for quite some time. I guess I've been too caught up in Cyrus to spend time with them. In this case, I've been too caught up in Jay. When will the lies end?

"Alright, wake her up."