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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Maggie

It was only after the following day I had received a call from Tiffany that I was finally allowed to see Evan.

Not that visitors were allowed to see him, but because Tiffany and Mason had classified me as a family member, and to be honest, I was quite stumped on how to handle being given that title. It just felt so personal and such a huge step from how Evan and I started.

How we literally went from "I'd rather drive off a cliff and land on a field of pointy rocks than to be associated with you." to being legitimately identified as each other's family.

It's crazy how the world works sometimes.

But setting aside the sentimentalities, as soon as I received the call I didn't waste any more time as I jumped out of bed, put on a worn-out sweater, and a pair of jeans and my white converse, booked a Lyft, and hastily got ready before dashing out of the house.

During the drive to the hospital, I called my school informing them I won't be able to attend my classes to which they were more than understanding to allow, especially knowing about yesterday's incident as well as my involvement.

As soon as I turned off my phone and watched the string of cars driving by, did the occurrences of yesterday sink into me again, and not just little sequences of it.

As in all of it, such as me leaving Beth and Emily back at the hospital and only realizing as I got home that day how much of a dick move that was, then again, at least they know what it feels like to be left behind by a friend.

Actually no, me leaving them back at the hospital wouldn't even amount to the pain they had caused me, just walking out on me in a crowd-filled parking lot with a bruised Evan on my lap, and only coming back to reunite under the same goddamn circumstances and not when I needed them the most, and every time I find myself feeling remotely guilty about what I did I just have to remind myself that what they did was ten times worse.

Plus Evan was right, I've let myself be trampled on for way too long all because I fooled myself into thinking they're all I got when in reality, that's not the case.

"You gotta realize who's actually there for you, Carter. Because if not, we'll just end up bankrupt of the choices we could've taken if only it hadn't been too late."

I let out a deep sigh, leaning my head on the side of the car window as I recalled Evan's words from before and how I can't help but agree with him now more than ever.

As soon as I arrived at the hospital I immediately got inside and checked in with the receptionist regarding my visitation and afterward allowed me to go ahead and see him.

I stood in front of the door to his room, for some reason feeling quite anxious about seeing him as I grabbed onto the doorknob, turned it, and silently made my way in.

A cold gust of air instantly hit my face as I stepped inside the room, looking around the clinical space as I tried to adjust to the setting.

"... Maggie?"

Turning my head, I felt my inhibitions falter at the sight of Evan trying to sit up straight as he stared at me, instantly making me rush towards him as I tried to help him.

"Be careful," I scolded him as he groaned whilst doing his best to straighten his posture "It's only been a day since you got your ass beat and you're already trying to break a limb."

He snorted "I've been through similar situations in the past, this doesn't bother me."

"Yes, considering you're such a badass, aren't you?" I deadpanned as he tried to suppress his laughter "Yeah sure, laugh at the fact that you basically got beaten up into a pulp."

"In my defense, I was outnumbered."

"You think?" I bit back sarcastically as he rolled his eyes, though grinning still.

Once we got him into a proper position, I placed my hands on my hips and frowned "Where's Tiffany and Mason?"

"They had to attend a meeting but they said they'll be back as soon as possible. I might've gotten my ass handed to me but that shouldn't disrupt their schedule."

I snickered, "They aren't one of the most highly successful entrepreneurs for nothing."

I sat down on the edge of the hospital bed and wiped all the humor from my voice and my face, trying to sound deadly serious as I spoke: "So how are you feeling?"

He contemplated answering at first before shrugging "Not the best, to be honest. I have a broken nose, a few sprained limbs here and there, and a couple of wounds that won't heal nicely as the time goes, but I'll manage."

"Plus I deserve this. I mean, what I'm about to say next isn't coming from a place of arrogance, but I could've made the effort to fight back, but I just saw that heated resentment in Robert's eyes and knew he was waiting to do this-" he gestured to himself "-for a very long time."

"But still," I argued, "If you would've been able to, you should've fought back."

"I've fucked over his sister during our relationship and slapped her when she didn't deserve it, I think it's only fair that I let him get away with this one. If I were him, I would've done the same thing. If I had a sister, or for my mom or just..." his eyes fluttered up momentarily to meet my own before he quickly looked down on his lap "Or for a girl that really means a lot to me."

I swallowed hard, nodding my head awkwardly in response "Yeah, I get you, but it wasn't necessarily pleasing having to watch you get your ass pummeled to the ground."

"You honestly just know the right words to elevate my ego, Carter." and just like that, I couldn't help but laugh as the strained tension a while ago had immediately gone away.

It seemed to be like this ever since we shared that kiss, one moment we can be casually chatting and the next, we find it difficult to even continue with the discussion because one slip of the tongue manages to get us in such awkward predicaments. This moment right here is an example.

In a way, I'm quite thankful that we never seem to run out of things to talk about due to how our lives never take a break from being ridiculously chaotic, because it's just as easy to bring up any other topic to conceal any forthcoming discussion we're not ready to talk about just yet.

"So when I asked my mom and a couple of nurses how I was brought into the hospital so quickly after the incident, she told me you and two other girls brought me in." Evan said, sighing "I'm so sorry I had to trouble you about this and please tell Jess and Ashley the same thing-"

"Uh, it wasn't Jess and Ashley who helped me bring you here," I corrected as Evan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, lost.

"Huh? Then who?"

I bit my lip, my fingers fidgeting slightly with the white sheets of the hospital bed. "Believe it or not, it was Beth and Emily who helped me bring you here."

His eyes widened, causing him to sit up straight in shock as he let out a pained groan "Seriously?" he questioned through gritted teeth.

"Be careful, you dimwit," I said as my hand instinctively went to his arm to see if he was alright.

The coldness of his skin because of the room's temperature combined with the warmth of my own caused slight goosebumps to arise on his arm, a visible shiver running up his spine "Your hands are so warm." he murmured.

I swallowed, pulling my hand away. "Sorry, I was in a hurry to get here and the sun was practically frying me from inside the car."

His lips curled up into a small smile before glancing back down on my hand as it sat inches away from his on the hospital bed as he slowly but surely, took it back into his own and intertwined our fingers, causing a fiery blush to creep from down my neck all the way up to my ears.

"It's okay, I need it, after being trapped in this hospital room for nearly 24 hours. It feels nice." he said, tightening his hold on my hand "Again, you were saying? About Beth and Emily?"

"O-Oh right." I stuttered, clearing my throat "A-As I was saying, they helped me seconds after the Greasers left us at the parking lot. Not gonna lie, I almost couldn't believe that they were there. After so long of not speaking to me, it was practically equivalent to seeing the ghosts of past loved ones, and it didn't help that I was still trying to pull myself from the shock of it all."

"Beth even helped identify who the Greasers were considering I had no clue who the fuck they were other than the fact one of them is Mandy's brother. Robert, right?" Evan nodded in confirmation "Long story short, the school is still considering what to do with them."

"Knowing the Davis family's connection with Henderson High, I wouldn't be surprised if they'll only receive a quick suspension or two. Those guys literally hoarded drugs once during the playoffs last year and they only got a week's worth of community service."

"To think our school is considered prestigious amongst the public." I retorted which made Evan chuckle in agreement.

"With our astounding students being the future leaders of today," he said, mocking the school's well-known motto as I snorted at the irony.

"With nobility, intelligence, and perseverance representing our students and their principles, here in Henderson High, we shape future successors." I shake my head "Bunch of horseshit."

"Though in their defense, we aren't a picnic in the park either."

"Who's we?" I quipped "I didn't attend school for nearly 2 weeks and I remain the top student in my class. I am nothing like you losers."

"Okay, princess. We get the point, us common mortals cannot compare to your greatness." he teased.

"Damn straight," I bantered. "Imagine having to deal with your fiance getting beaten up, your ex-boyfriend and friends abandoning you while maintaining straight As on all my exams, homework, and projects? I am powerful."

Evan could only let a rumble of laughter vibrate uncontrollably throughout his entire body as he suppressed the chuckles trying to spill past his lips.

With that, I couldn't help but emit a few giggles of my own, basking on the lighthearted moment as we just sat there, his hand still toppled against mine, the feeling of the moment so precious, so personal, and just so... delicate.

As if despite everything that's happened, in the end, we're still okay, and that's all that matters.

"But to be real here though," he said as soon as his laughter died down "Are you okay?"

The question was sudden, but in a way, I was kinda hoping he'd ask it. That anyone would ask if things were alright with me for a change because, to be frank?

"No," I answered faintly "When they arrived shortly after the ambulance brought you here, it was just painfully awkward because I pretty much broke down crying in front of them. Everything just felt so overwhelming that I couldn't help but get emotional."

"Plus it's been so long, you know? It's been so long and I didn't know what to feel let alone how to handle them being there, right in front of me, actually talking to me. Which yes, I know it's overdramatic but..." I murmured, feeling almost regretful that I'm telling him all of this.

"No, it's not." he commented mid-rant "If I were you I wouldn't know how to feel either. Like if Mandy had cheated on me with Sean and Jasper just took their side instead of mine, I'd be conflicted too because, on one hand, it's fucked up but on the other..."

"We're no saints either." I finished as Evan nodded.

"They've been closer with Levi and to their knowledge, you cheated on him. But that's no excuse to just abandon you when you needed them the most and when you were more than willing to explain your side of the story."

I nodded my head, feeling it hard to breathe all of a sudden because everything he said just hit way too close to home. The fact he worded it all out so accurately to how I truly felt.

It was astounding, how he can just... understand me. Like that.

I felt his fingers glide over the wet patch from underneath my eyes down towards my cheek as I leaned towards his touch as he stared at me.

"It's okay, it's not your job to know everything, Carter." he said softly, "It's not your job to handle everything all at once, even though you think you can."

"I know. I'm just tired, that's all."

His hand moved slowly to caress my cheek to support the back of my head as he guided me to lay on the side of his bed, moving his body to make space for me.

"Yeah, you look like you haven't had much sleep either," he teased.

I chuckled softly at that "Because I spent all night worrying about you, you dick."

"What's to worry about? I'm fine and I'm here now."

My eyes fluttered shut at the feeling of his rough hands rubbing against my shoulder as I nestled my head on his chest, feeling him pull up the covers of the bed to cover both of our bodies as I let out a sigh at the tranquility of the moment.

With the AC on full-blast and his body being pressed up against my own, although it is lean and muscular, the way he wrapped his arms around me made me feel like I was on cloud nine, and how the atmosphere of the room just felt so nice, comforting, and peaceful.

"I know," I whispered moments before I felt myself dozing off "And thank you."

"For what?"

"... For being here."

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