I will hold your hand
They parked outside and went into the house.
Anne was already there, Aria Connor's mom and Lydia Aliyah's mom, and Mr.Mohas and pretty much the rest of Pine Hill.
- Shit! Ugh I hate it when it gets crowded like this, it doesn't help
Connor said.
- Yeah, it brings back bad memories. Just a little while ago we were here for Mr.P now..
- Yeah, it sucks .
They went up to the front door.
- Where were you two?
Lydia asked.
- We got some stuff for Rose. Where's Noah?
- Upstairs.
Anne said.
- Sorry, I know you guys just went through this, but everybody wanted to be here for Rose
She was right. Rose wouldn't want anybody here now. But they didn't say anything.
They went upstairs; Noah was sitting down in front of the door of the room.
He got up when he saw the two coming.
- So?
- She gave us a backpack with some of her clothes and her medication. She said she can take only two a day.
- Okay, I think she's sleeping now. But if she gets worse at least we'll know what to do.
What about Irene?
- All she said was that Mrs.Alden is just making sure nobody hears about it
- Typical I guess just don't tell Rose
Hunter downstairs?
- A lot of everybody but not Hunter
- Yeah. Told them to stay downstairs, there isn't anything they can do
- I'll make sure nobody comes up before she's ready to see anyone
Connor said, mostly because he wasn't ready to see Rose yet. He still didn't know what to say to her.
- Okay I'll check on Hunter then
Aliyah said.
They gave Noah the backpack and went downstairs.
Aliyah saw Jack.
- Hey Jack, any idea where Hunter is?
- Home, he said he'll be here in a minute
- Is he okay?
- I don't think so. But he'll be. They both will.
Aliyah smiled and went through the crowd to the front door and out.
She wanted to see Hunter before he joined the crowd.
Outside was dark and a bit cold. She ran a little, the house wasn't far but she wanted to catch him home, where he wouldn't try to pretend to be okay.
She turned the corner and their house was just a few steps away from Zoes.
The lights were off. She checked the gate. Locked.
He wasn't at his house, or at Mr.Ps
She thought for a second.
- Oh God
She said and turned back.
She went to Zoe's house. The gate was half opened.
It was dark.
- Hunter ?!
She called out.
No answer.
- Hunter? I know you're here..
She walked to the front door.
He was sitting down right where Rose was a few hours ago.
- Here you are
She said, she had known he would be here but yet she worried a little. She wouldn't know where else to look for if he hadn't been here.
She said down beside him.
She said nothing.
- I just ..
- You don't have to talk about it. I get it. You were the one who found her. I can only imagine what it must feel like, I'd lose my mind.
- Yeah but Rose lost her mother. And she..
- Hey, listen to me
She said kneeling in front of him and holding his face in her hands.
- Yes, Rose lost a lot tonight, on top of all she has been through now this. She is devastated and honestly I don't know if she will ever recover and I'm scared to death, but this doesn't mean you can't be sad too. What you witnessed here today is unimaginable, it'll be a while till you feel okay again and that is all right. You have every right to not be okay. None of us are, but none of us can understand Rose tonight better then you. If there is a chance she will recover it'll be with us, with you.
He looked in her eyes. She was right.
He took her hands and kissed them then hugged her.
- You're right. You're right.
- You can always talk to me okay? You can let the world come crashing down with me, we'll make it
He took of his jacket and put it around her arms.
- You really need to start bringing your own jacket when we're out
She smiled.
- I just got out in a hurry and I wasn't ..
- Don't worry, you can always have mine
He smiled.
She smiled back.
He took her hand.
She felt like her heart would explode, she felt happy and scared and sad and weird but she held that hand tight.
They walked home together.
Noah knocked on the door.
Rose didn't respond.
He opened the door a little.
She was crouched on the bed, laying there awake but motionless.
- You can sit in this side of the door
She said
- I thought you were sleeping
- I can't
- Mary sent your backpack
She didn't move or look at the backpack he was holding.
- There's sone clothes in it and uhm your medication I guess
- Yeah, leave it there
- What can I do to help? Is there anything you want?
- I want to talk to Mary
- Mary? Yeah, yes sure. wait I'll get your phone.
He searched the room. Finally he found it in the little table on the balcony.
He dialed Mary and gave Rose the phone.
She only moved to take it.
She looked at him.
- Well, I'll be outside if you need anything
- Thank you
He walked outside.
She heard the phone ring then Mary's voice
- Hey honeyyy
- Mary. I need your help
- Sure anything
Noah went downstairs. Anne was serving coffee.
- How is she ?
- I don't know. Numb? Shocked?
- Its only normal baby it'll take a while
- Yeah I know
- Want some?
She said offering a cup of hot coffee.
- No, I just need some fresh air.
- Okay.
He walked outside. The air was cool, a little warm wind swept through the trees.
He felt like his head was spinning, like he was covered in a messy web and he couldn't break free. He sat down on the steps.
He put his face in his arms.
- What a fucking week !
He said in a low voice.
Then he heard footsteps. He looked up.
It was Hunter. Hunter and Aliyah hand in hand.
He wasn't shocked but he was a little surprised.
- She asleep?
Hunter asked.
- No, she's talking to Mary on the phone.
- Still the same?
Aliyah asked, still holding Hunters hand.
- Yeah pretty much.
They sat down.
- When's the funeral?
- Tomorrow I guess
Aliyah thought the boys needed some time to themselves. She took off the jacked and put it in Hunter's arms.
- I 'll be inside.
She said and smiled.
He nodded and let go of her hand.
- So ?
Noah asked as she went inside
- You mean her?
- Well yeah that too but I was asking how you are?
- Well, I can't get that image out of my head. Or Rose's voice.
- Yeah, I can't imagine how it must've felt. I mean after I got there she just laid there in her arms. It just was awful. She was in such pain and I just felt so useless
- Yeah its hard to believe in the fact that there is nothing we could have done
- Yeah. Loss is always hard but when..when they choose to go there is just whole other emotions to deal with
- Yeah, you think she was thinking straight I mean she did drink a lot
- She did but I kind of think it was the first time she was actually thinking clearly.
And I can tell Rose knows too
- Its just such a fucked up situation
- Yeah. Too much to deal with in such a short period of time.
- When mom died, Rose had told me " when you have a bond beyond physical, death isn't a real thing it can't put you apart" Then I'd just felt like she was just trying to make me feel better but later I understood what she meant
- Yeah. I just hope we can walk with her through this
- We will
Noah just felt the world get heavier and heavier.
- So? The uhm, other thing?
- What thing?
- You and her thing
- Aliyah?
- No, I was talking about Mr.Mohas, of course Aliyah
- Well.. I don't know. I think we're holding on to each other through the bad days
- She's the most caring, kind human, but she gets hurt easily so, I know you're my brother but if you ever..
- I never would. I wouldn't hold that hand if I ever thought of letting it go
- Happy to hear that! Or I will have to wash this house with your blood you old crow!
Hunter laughed
- Oh my God, that night, what the hell was that, after that I don't think she needs me or you to protect her
- Yeah , that was surreal, better stay on her good side
But uhm, I truly am happy for you, she is really the one for you
- Yeah I know
They hugged.