Ben's condition wasn't as bad as Alixies except for his bandaged leg after the bullet was taken out; he was just fine. The doctor had asked for him to stay for a couple of days so to check its progress of which he had been subjected to a wheelchair for the time being. After the doctor had excused himself, leaving him with his stepfather, Ben asked.
" How is Alixies?... Any news?" His calm gaze spontaneously fixed on Drake who noticed the guilt, fear, and nervousness which lingered in his eyes~ the fear of losing someone dear to your heart and the guilt of being the cause of their pain. This was like a new part of him which he had never seen before.
" Oh, um...yeah" He stuttered. " She made it through the surgery " With this, Ben instinctively flung his legs off the bed as he reached for the wheelchair and settled in. Drake stared at him with flickering eyes as he spontaneously closed in.
" Hey...hey, take your time~ where are you going?" He intoned with an attempt to stop him from moving out.
" To Alixies' ward... I want to see her~ I want to know why she did that" He opted for an explanation to which Drake bluntly objected.
" Hey... you must rest now. She's not even awake yet " He said in an attempt to convince him but he went on anyway. Drake growled in frustration, his eyes closed as he edged on the bed with fingers gently caressing the bridge of his nose.
" These kids....so stubborn, you can't even understand them." He intoned but then a ring from his phone instinctively drew his attention. Reaching for it, he jerked to his feet as he wound his way out. " Yes, Melissa~ I'll be right there...okay" his voice faded with the closing of the door.
On reaching her door, he noticed her mother seated next to her with her gaze fixed on her which made him pause, peering at the two from the glass panel. For a moment, he missed his mother; it was a beautiful site that brought a soft smile to his face which brightened up his gloomy, worried look. Drake who took notice of him from the distance, still attending to his call, sighed with a smile as he stared at him ~ it's his first time seeing him with such a smile which clearly drew out his handsome figure. He was not a type to smile or laugh at even a joke; always with a cheerless and ruthless gaze, cold.
" For the first time in many years, Delia, he finally smiled. " He expressed, warmth filled his chest and his heart felt light. Drawing back his focus, the voice echoed over the phone, making him turn on his heels.
" He's fine, Delia~ he'll be staying in for a couple of days, that's what the doctor advised" He briskly faded out of the corridors of the hospital.
As he stared on, Ben noticed Alixies' mum approaching the door. Swiftly, he turned back towards the other end of the corridor as the door racked open as if going to the next ward. Lena sauntered off towards the doctor's office without noticing him. Ben, on seeing her leave, hurried in. Closing the door behind him, he made a halt, glancing at the motionless body with pale face and tubes before his eyes. His heart sunk and he crumpled inside; seeing her in such a state wasn't what he'd wished for even though he wasn't on good terms with her.
Inwardly, he felt empty within; that day at the field when she'd offered a handkerchief to him~ his heart skipped and hence, he'd kept thinking about her. He soon realized he'd fallen in love with her but then, his stubbornness wouldn't allow it.
Now, seeing her like that, just tore his heart~ it felt like a knife to his heart. In faltering steps, he neared her bed and settled in on the chair beside it~his eyes still fixed on her as he took her hand into his, his lips curved in a faint smile.
" Hey..." He stuttered and paused. " Are you just going to stay like this?" The words just popped from his lips as his thoughts kept wandering off in devastation. Lena, who was then coming in, on hearing his words, hung back~ silently locking the door behind as she peeked from the door.
" We still have a lot to talk about here.... you must wake up, please....you have to." He cried and gently rubbed his hand over hers while he kept glancing at her. Lena smiled from where she stood and not ready to interrupt, she left off from the hospital after seeing to all that was needed of her; with the hope to check up on her the next day.
********************
It had been already three days after the whole tragic incident and Hansel's arrest. The news spread through the school like wildfire with the daily visit of investigators and police officials of which Patrick, Ben, and Fred had been their main suspects in Laura's case. All evidence was gradually retrieved to which Ben and his friends were soon to be picked to the juvenile for a couple of months. Following this news, Ben had planned to pay his last visit to Alixies before the due day. He thought she'd return before but from the look of things, he'll have to leave before she does.
Right that afternoon, he left off to the hospital. On his arrival, he first went to Laura's ward ~ with a deep nervous breath, he slowly turned the knob as he pushed the door open. Mya was with Laura when he entered. The two seem to be having a hearty chat which was suddenly turned to a roar of displeasure at the sight of him.
" What do you want here?... Are you here to finally finish what you'd started?" Mya roared with rage which rendered him speechless. Numbness infused his body and guilt consumed him from within. Regrets and dejection laced his features and his eyes expressed his remorse.
" Get out of here, now!" Mya quivered with indignation, her every muscle tensed as her glaring eyes sunk through him.
" Please, just this once " He pleaded after finding his voice. Laura who watched all along noticed the sincerity of which he spoke.
" Let him in, please... Want to hear want he had to say." She pleaded with Mya as she tapped her with a restraining hand. She hesitated for a while but gave in with Laura's assurance. With an inaudible sigh, she stated.
" Alright... let me know when you need my help, I'll be right at the door, huh?" Laura nodded and she sauntered out, leaving the two alone. He looked so relieved that her heart went out to him.
" Yes?...what do you have to say?" Laura braced herself up.
" I just came here to apologize for what happened that afternoon... I'd never wanted for events to turn out so. Hope you find a place in your heart to forgive me." He stuttered almost in tears. " I wanted to do this before my sentence at the juvenile."
Laura's eyes instinctively flew wide with the news. " You're leaving for the juvenile?" She faltered.