I laugh humorlessly. She wouldn’t even be wrong. My last best friend was clocked over the head with a gun. And that’s not something you easily forget.
Moping in bed, like I’ve been doing all day with the guilt eating me alive, I’ve debated about going to visit Noah or not a half dozen times. At the top of the cons list is what worries me the most: finding out Noah hates me. Right now, by not visiting, I can prolong finding out and can live in denial a little while longer. He’s such a fun, goofy guy. Hurting him is like kicking a puppy, and I can’t face the fact that hate would fill his light-green eyes when they looked at me.
When the doorbell rings, I barely get it open before Charlotte pushes it open the rest of the way and walks in like she’s lived here forever.
“Why haven’t you answered your phone? And why does it look like you haven’t moved from bed since yesterday?”
“I lost it,” I say, leading her into the house. “And because I haven’t.”
“Why?” Charlotte sits down on the couch opposite me and crosses her legs.
“It’s my fault Noah’s in the hospital.”
“What? No, it’s not, Ameli—”
“Yes. It is.”
“No, seriously, it’s not. You didn’t do anything. Tha—”
“If I had just handled things with Dave differently, or not punched that guy when he lunged at Noah, or not gone at all; if I had done anything differently, things would have turned out differently.”
“Stop interrupting me!” Charlotte looks at me sternly. “You’re new, so let me explain how things around here work. The K. C. High boys and C. S. High boys have never gotten along. Since ever. They’ve been fighting since freshman year. Whether you went to Noah’s party or not, a fight would’ve broken out. The Silvers use any excuse they can to fight Aiden and them—it all goes back to some rivalry between Ryan and Aiden. The Silvers would have crashed Noah’s party and fought with them no matter what. You just happened to be the thing that they decided to start the fight over this time. Shit happens. But it’s not your fault.”
She takes a breath, and I sit there staring at her, trying to process. There’s that name again: Ryan.
“People who saw told me what happened between you and that guy, Dave?” she continues. “You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to, but I know he slapped you and started choking you before Aiden pulled him off. That was not your fault, you understand me? No victim blaming here. The Silvers are assholes who go looking for trouble.” She finishes her rant and gets up from the couch. “Now, get your sorry ass up, go shower, and get dressed. Noah’s awake and we’re going to visit him.”
I look at her with wide eyes, and slowly get up from the couch. Crossing to her, I throw my arms around her, and she easily hugs me back.
“Thanks,” I say.
“What are friends for? No moping on my watch! Now hurry up before visiting hours are over.”
On our way to the hospital, I realize something and look at Charlotte. “I thought you hated the Boys?”
“They’re not that bad,” she mumbles, not taking her eyes off the road.
“Yeah, they’re starting to grow on me too.”
“I guess in his own way, Aiden’s not that bad either,” she admits.
I gasp theatrically. “What? Has the alcohol from Friday permanently damaged your brain?! Should you be driving? This is not good—the delusional should not be operating heavy machinery!”
“Shut up.” She laughs. “For real, though, he pulled that first guy off you. He beat up, like, six guys by himself to protect you. When they all lunged at you, he pulled you behind him. I’m just saying I don’t hate the fact that Aiden was at the party. Not that I want to invite him to my house for a sleepover-slash-movie marathon.”
At the hospital, I hesitate by Noah’s door, nervous to go in. Charlotte assured me that Noah wouldn’t hate me, but I’m still worried. Taking a deep breath, I walk into the room behind Charlotte.
“Charlotte! Amelia!” Noah’s happy expression reassures me, and I exhale the breath I hadn’t realized I’ve been holding. He’s sitting up in bed wearing comfy-looking sweats.
Despite being in the hospital, he still looks cute, his dimples never disappearing beneath the slight bruise on his cheek.
“Hey, Noah.” We smile at him. “How are you feeling?”
“Better now that you’re here.” He winks at us.
“I’m glad to know this isn’t a setback for your flirty attitude,” I laugh as Charlotte and I sit beside his bed. “For real though, how are you?”
“I’m fine. I have a slight concussion and needed some stitches, but I’m feeling good. Really. I don’t even need to be here anymore, but we’re waiting for some test results. I should be discharged soon.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I say.
“Why didn’t you come to visit me earlier?” Noah asks.
“I—I was scared.”
“Scared of what?” he asks.
“She was scared you’d be mad at her,” Charlotte explains. “She thought it was her fault you’re here and that you’d hate her.”
Noah looks at me, looks at Charlotte, then looks back at me, and bursts out laughing. “What? I’d never hate you, Amelia! And this isn’t your fault. It isn’t anyone’s fault. The Silvers hate our guts and are always starting fights.”
Charlotte gives me a look, as if to say Told you so.
“So you don’t hate me?” I ask in a small voice.
“Never! I’m glad you’re not hurt, or any more hurt since the rest of us jumped in.” Noah says, indicating the forming bruise on my cheek. “Where did you get the idea that I’d be mad at you anyway?”
“Aiden—” I look down at the floor, ashamed of myself for being so easily convinced by him.
“Aiden’s just really protective of the people he cares about.” Noah sighs. “He didn’t mean it.”
Letting the subject drop, the three of us talk and laugh until Aiden walks into the room.
“What are you doing here?” His eyes narrow at the sight of me.
“I came to see my friend,” I say confidently, done moping around and blaming myself.
“Seriously, Aiden. Don’t be all hostile right now. I’m happy she’s here,” Noah says.
Aiden glares at me, and then tosses Noah a fast-food bag before taking the seat on the other side of the room.
“You have just made me the happiest man in the world!” Noah exclaims and digs into his burger.
Aiden rolls his eyes, but I don’t miss the small smile he’s trying to keep from forming.
Mason walks in slurping from a fast-food cup. “K-bear!” He hugs me and Charlotte, and sits down next to Aiden.
“Hey, that reminds me!” Noah announces and looks at me. “Maybe hospital trips can be our thing? You were here last time, and now me.”
Out of the corner of my eye I see Aiden tense up.
“Maybe we should keep looking?” I say and everyone laughs, releasing any tension in the room.