Chapter 22
I was biting my inner cheeks as I kept on speaking and without realizing it, I reached up to brush the strands of hair away from my face only to find my cheeks wet, dampened by the tears that were already trickling down my face.
"When the crash happened, I was sleeping and he shook me awake to alert me but before I slept, we were bickering about who was the better driver. He was obviously the better driver but it seemed to me that he wanted to prove himself and he did." My smile was cold as I remembered the events that happened that night.
"He proved himself. He could've come out of that crash unscathed but instead he put my safety first before his and it took his life." I squeezed my eyes shut as I wrapped my hands around myself and held in the sobs.
"When the crash happened, he swerved the passenger's side away from the truck and launched his body on top of my curled up one to shield me from the crash." My body shook as I held in my desire to scream and beat up myself for it.
I had to take in deep breaths to calm myself and I felt hands wrap around my body and warmth engulf me as I was pulled into an embrace.
"He died protecting me," I sobbed as I thought of my dear brother.
"It would've been what he wanted. He died a hero. He died protecting his sister from harm. If I was him and my little sister was in danger, I would've done the same thing without having to think twice about it. If he was given a choice on how he would die, I know for sure that he wouldn't choose anything else. He loved you, Case. That is what matters most. He loved you enough to sacrifice his life for you." Adam comforted me as he whispered this to soothe me.
Ironically, I cried harder and turned my head and wept into his shirt, accepting the comfort he was offering me.
"His body- After the crash, I saw his body bloody and battered, beyond repair. I don't want him to sacrifice his life for me, I want him to be alive and to be there for me whenever I need him to calm me down, to bicker with me, to chide me off on my horrible habits of cursing. I want him to be here with me."
I knew what I was saying was selfish but Adam didn't comment as I poured everything out. He sat there, keeping his arms wrapped around me and rubbed soothing circles on my back and rested his chin on the crown of my head.
Eventually, I stopped crying and though my eyes were swollen and blotchy, Adam gave me a smile and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His hand trailed to my cheek and caressed it, still staring into my eyes and I kept his gaze.
A second before, he was 5 inches away. A second later, he was an inch away. I snapped out of it and pulled my head back. I shuffled back onto my spot on the couch, keeping a safe distance away. I could feel my cheeks heating up, my face flushed at the thought of how close our faces were and silently swore to myself that there's no way I'm going to let that happen again.
A hand grabbed mine and pulled me away from the couch and up to my feet. I looked up and met Adam's warm smile. "Let's go somewhere."
I eyed him in confusion, "Okay..." I trailed off, letting him guide me to his bike and followed him out the warehouse. He took the bike with him and got on.
I strapped the helmet on, swung a foot over the bike and hitched my feet on the footrest. I held onto his jacket as the bike lurched forward.
We arrived in a meadow after a 15 minute ride and another ten minutes of walking through a thin forest. I admired the scenery before me. It was as if I just stepped into a fairytale book. Everything was so beautiful and there were no traces left by man.
The valleys under the hills and the green meadow were picturesque. The flowers fluttered and waved as the wind passed and greeted them.
I stared at the view before me, entranced in an enchantment of nature itself; white dandelions flew by, riding the wind. I was snapped out of my trance the second I realized that I was stepping forward and lost my balance while my arms flailed. My body hit the uneven ground only to roll down the side of the hill. Adam's laughter falling behind me.
The rolling finally came to a stop and I cradled my head in my hands trying to stop the world from spinning around me. I shook my head, trying to shake the dizziness off and looked back to see Adam walking towards me leisurely.
I once again took the time to admire my surroundings, falling back on the grass. I felt the blades tickling my skin, my dark hair spreaded out under me. The sky was blue and I watched as the clouds pass by, trying to figure out what form they might resemble.
I heard a soft thud beside me and I turned my head to take a short glimpse of Adam leaning on his arms to gaze at the skies.
A flock of birds flew by us, cawing at each other and over the flaps of their wings, I heard him start talking.
"I found this place a week ago when I was trying to clear my head."
I quirked my eyebrow at his statement and turned to him. I tore my gaze from the sky and stopped my mind from appreciating the beauty that is Mother Nature.
I frowned as I finally noticed the deep bags under his eyes and how his hair was sticking out everywhere. His eyes were wide with a wild look to them.
"What happened, Adam?" Concern laced my voice and I was shocked as to how caring I sounded.
"My mother," he paused, seeming like it pained him to even think about her. "She was diagnosed with kidney failure and my family's financial state isn't at its best right now," he whispered in anguish and I instantly knew that it was bad.
I didn't get a good look on his mother the other day but I did notice something off about her and how pale she looked. It was amazing how happy she remained even when she was diagnosed with a kidney failure.
In the blink of an eye, I knew I grew some sort of respect for the woman. She's really strong.
I surprised myself and Adam at what I did next since I honestly didn't plan to do it. It was a spontaneous action but when I did it, I felt my heart skip a beat.
I hugged him without hesitation.
It was a bold gesture coming from someone like me but I couldn't say I regretted doing it. I was consoling a friend and nothing more.
Adam tensed up under my touch but eventually his muscles relaxed and his whole body slumped, relying on my petite form for support.
"Everything's going to be alright. It's going to be alright." I whispered.
I'll figure something out to help you, Adam. I promise.
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