half/closer

half / 8

........

Those flashback drizzled out of my mind once I parked my car on our house garage. The machine of my Jaguar died down and the silence reborn in the surroundings. The air became so thick and cold in solitude. I assumed my parents were already on their way back home with news about Tiana. I dreaded to hear any possible outcome from all the raids which occurred all over the town.

But it was very weird.... It was odd that I was reminiscing about Khloe during this severe moment. It might be due to the level of insanity of the events. It was nothing of ordinary and it reminded me of her. That must be it.

After the promise I had made after the party, I went to a mission to prove her that I wasn't a bad kisser. However, each of our encounter resulted to the same exclamation - that I'm truly the worst kisser. Which contradicted the make out session inside the girl's bathroom during third period. The tongue-tied war between us inside the guest room of the Valentine's Italian mansion after their revelation at dinner. Opposing the wet lips battle during freshmen's Week inside the Rec room, lips locking at the movie theater when we had a double date with Alec and Xander, while they went to buy together new buckets of popcorn for us and also behind the tall hedge of green grass at Quinn's family estate during our visit there. Include the recent snogging in my art studio at school yesterday.

So on and so forth that it developed into a hobby- a guilty-pleasure-kind of hobby.

Worst kisser, my ass!

Still, I felt that something had changed between us. Not that it bothered me anyway...

Shaking my head, I hopped out of my car with my bag and took a glance at my smart phone. I didn't answer her call because I had no idea what to say. I was stress enough to even think about her because I had no idea why I was thinking about her in the first place at all times. Yeah, it doesn't make sense at all.

Sliding down my notification bar, I discovered that I received a message from her. It was just 'Materials ready at tree house' text at 6:07 am that I didn't notice this early morning because I was too dazed in the course of my trip to school.

One note, I haven't decided yet what would I do with her incomplete canvas. But she told me last night that I was free to visit the tree house anytime I want. She gave me a full access for my convenience as long as I inform her for safety measure. Damn! Reminded me to second note, I needed to call her back to figure out if she's fine or what. Rumors has it that her group were potheads so there is a chance that she was in trouble. Maybe it is the reason why she was calling me.

Putting my bag on the center island, I dialed her immediately, placing my knuckle on my hips while waiting. It was on the fifth ring when she answered.

"Timothy was detained," she firstly said without pause, "Maggie and James are panicking."

I frowned at her dull tone but was relieved at the same time. "Why? I mean, are you under the eyes of the officials? Where are you? So it's officially true that you're a user."

"What are you talking about? Are you saying that I'm hiding from the police because I'm using illegal drugs?"

"Yes? Are you not?" I asked in confusion as I paced back and forth at our kitchen.

"No, of course not," she denied. "James and Maggie are panicking because Timothy might open his sick mouth about the ritual prank last night."

I tensed up at her statement and I began to panic. "What?! Wh-What are we going to do?!"

"Nothing."

"What nothing?" I asked in disbelief.

"Don't tell me you're also freaking out right now?"

"Why shouldn't I?!" I exclaimed, running my fingers through my hair. "In time, we're going to be under attack. I still have dreams and ambitions, for Pete's sake. And I'm not ready to live inside the jail."

She burst out laughing. Khloe literally laughed at me. "Oh dear gracious! Relax, will yah? I don't think the police will believe him in case he talked about it. Jet already cleared and burned all the evidences and the police might think that Timothy was just hallucinating. The drugs is still in his blood and it's enough proof that he would make things up."

"You'll never know what they will think. What about his bruises and those bullet marks?!" I argued. "And who's Jet anyway?"

"Doesn't matter and just don't think about it anymore. I called to check if you're okay... You know, from what happened at school. That's it," she said with finality but there was a little hint of hesitation in her voice.

"Well, I'm not okay," I claimed with a deep sigh.

"You'll be okay. Look, I gotta go. I left my two friends inside the café pondering about the end of their world. So ciao...," she said and then cut off the line.

I stared at my phone with narrowed eyes. I feared that the police would find out our little prank last night but Khloe was right, I better not to think about it. Moving slowly towards my bedroom, I collapsed on my bed in exhaustion. I looked at my ceilings, my mind was swirling at slow yet terrible pace. I couldn't think anymore at all.

I was pretty beat from all the events. It was still morning but it felt like a week. Due to tiredness, my eyelids slowly fell down, taking me to a silent slumber.

******

"Hilary, darlin'. Wake up," the voice of my Mom pulled me out of my dream state. I heard the uncertainties in her voice causing me to open my eyes and look up to her, brows furrowed in concern.

"Hey," I mumbled, sitting up and resting my back against the headboard. My Dad was standing at the doorframe of my bedroom and it seemed like they brought something terrible at house.

"Darlin', we have a very bad news," Mom started and there were tears in her eyes that were about to fall on her cheeks. It made my heart pound so loud against my chest.

"W-What news?" I asked in fear and my Mom instantly averted her eyes from mine.

"Tiana, your friend, had an accident. She-she's in the state of coma right now," Dad dropped the news like a bomb.

I froze but a low gasp escaped from my mouth. Then tears raced out of my eyes. I stared at both of them in confusion, "H-How?"

My Mom's tears were already streaming down on her face and my Dad kept quiet. In shock and in disbelief, I moved out of the bed and ran out of our house. I heard them calling my name but I was too dazed at the moment because all I ever wanted was to find Tiana as soon as possible.

My hands were shaking when I started the ignition of my car. I swerved back in a hurry and hit the road with only one thing in my mind. The biggest and most accessible hospital I could think of was Hopedale Hospital and I had no doubt that Tiana was there.

Once I reached my destination, I sprinted at the reception area. Thank goodness, I saw Zoey, Tiana's best friend, was there talking with one of the nurse. My heart was still hammering against my chest as I approached her.

"Where's Tiana?" I wheezed out from all the running. Zoey and the nurse paused and turned to look at me. "Where is she?!"

Zoey tilted her body to acknowledge me. I got to see her state- her eyes were red and she looked like she was too tired to even argue with me just like we used to. "S-She's in the ICU right now but the doctor suggested that it's probably the best if we stay outside for now until they are certain that she's stable. Bailey is outside the room, waiting."

I bit my lips, silently appreciating her answer before I headed into the elevator as I noticed the direction the signs were pointing for the ICU. When I got to the second floor, I saw Bailey was sitting on the hospital waiting chair with her father.

My feet dragged me heavily towards them. Mr. Collin had noticed me at first because her daughter beside him was staring blankly at the space. I rubbed my tears from my eyes and nodded lightly at him.

He nodded back and shifted his eyes to glance at Bailey with sympathy on them. With hesitation, he stood up and walked towards my spot. He placed his hand on my shoulder to give a small comfort because he could see that I was also in chaos. My heart was breaking at the sudden news and seeing my friend out of her usual light was giving me a lot of feels deep inside me. I couldn't imagine how much Bailey was suffering at this moment.

I loved Tiana as my very own sister and I knew Bailey loved her more than anyone.

Mr. Collin left us both in privacy. With tears in my eyes, I kneeled in front of my friend. I placed my palm on her knee, causing her to look up.

Once she realized it was me, the tears on the edge of her chocolate eyes awaiting to fall had finally dropped down on her face like rivers. A heart-wrenching sobs escaped from her and I pulled her into my arms, sharing the unfathomable pain between us.

"I c-can't- I can't l-live without her," she managed to say as she held me tight. "I love her s-so much," her voice in a hush whisper.

It made my heart ache.

I shushed her, stroking her back to comfort her trembling body. "And she loves you, too," I claimed strongly and then cupped her face to make her look at me. "Tiana loves you and I'm sure that she'll come back to us, to you. Because she's strong, stronger than any of us. So don't lose hope, okay? Arisa and I will be here for you no matter what. Everyone will be here to support you, everyone knows that Tiana will eventually going to wake up with her bright smile on her face, the smile that nothing can beat even the sun."

Bailey nodded, our hands were intertwined together as we cried together.

We held each other on that place for a while. I wanted to see Tiana so badly but Zoey said that the doctor hadn't permitted it yet so all I could do was to wait patiently. I messaged my Dad and my Mom that I would stay until the end of visiting hours and that I was fine, barely.

Zoey and her mother joined us with foods in their hands. Bailey's father was in the other room with Tiana's Mom who was involved with the car accident. We were all too exhausted to even have a proper conversation and in my relief, we managed to convince Bailey to eat a little bit.

I couldn't even stare at her miserable state anymore. I, too, wanted to cry so loud a while ago but I had to be strong for my friends. I must not show any weaknesses because I had to be in one piece for my best friends. I wished Arisa was here to give me strength. She was the only one who I could pour my soul with. However, she was with Quinn, away from us. I didn't even know if she already heard the news.

Excusing myself, I headed to the nearest bathroom. Once inside, I leaned on the marble sink and looked at the mirror. And then I let go...

Dropping my head down, I covered my mouth with my palm to conceal the weeps of my aching heart. Of all person, why Tiana? She was a good soul, nothing sort of dirt in her existence. She was so upbeat like rainbows above the clear waterfall surrounded by nurtured meadow. She was always bringing joy at any moment, at any place. She was the happiness itself.

Why she had to suffer more?

The thoughts forced me to be in deeper agony. My cries were heard by nothing but the bathroom tiles. I was alone and all I needed were arms holding me back. To support my weak knees and give me the courage to stand at my own spot.

The sound of the door opening caused me to tilt my head up. My heart skipped once I recognized who had enter my space of suffering.

Her hazel-forest eyes were staring back at me. They were solid, tougher unlike mine. Khloe's presence filled me with something I've never felt before. I had no clue what it was, I couldn't name it but it didn't matter to me anymore.

Without wasting any time, she skipped the space between us and placed my body inside her arms, just what I wanted.... Just what I needed.

Burying my face in her neck, I broke the invisible walls around me and let myself be cradled with her gentle touch, with her relaxing fragrance. The heavy sting in my heart was slowly pouring out as I cried to her. I began to feel calm and I felt so safe inside her embrace like nothing was going to harm me. That all that had happened was only a nightmare I would wake up to.

She was holding me, caressing my hair in concern. And I let her to comfort me, to fill the pain with serenity and peace. I let her stroke the side of my face, to brush her finger on my lips lightly.

She pressed a kiss on my head like a feather and the words she uttered in my ear brought a profound contentment inside me.

"I'm here, Hilary. I am here for you."

Just like how I needed her...

........