The week passed with stupid conference lectures, mom taking me out to dinner just her and I for my birthday, and phone calls with Dante every night that turned my irritation from the day into a relax contentment and even sometimes pure happiness. Saturday came and I was so excited to go home and see my two favorite people the only problem was we weren't leaving until tonight. Dad had said we were checking out at six pm and heading to the airport. So, I stayed locked in my room all day messaging Char and Dante.
When six pm finally rolled around, I groaned and got up off the bed glancing around the room to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. As I left my room, my phone pinged alerting me to a new message. Pausing outside the door, I checked to see a new message from Char. Opening it, my heart dropped.
[Char: Sweetie, I'm sorry to worry you before you come home but I haven't heard from Dante since Wednesday and he wasn't at school yesterday. I'm really worried about him.]
Taking a deep calming breath, I wrote
[Har: I talked to him last night and he seemed fine though I knew something felt off. I'll call him and let you know what I find out.]
Without waiting for a response, I immediately dialed Dantes number. As I waited for him to pick up, my heart thundered against my chest as worry gripped me until he answered.
“Hey babe, what's up? You don't usually call this early” he said sounding fine.
“Char said you hadn't been at school yesterday and she hasn't heard from you since Wednesday. She's really worried. Want to tell me what's going on?” I asked hoping he'd open up to me. Taking a deep breath, I heard him wince telling me this beating was worse than the rest even before he spoke.
“This one was worse than the rest. I may or may not have intentionally pissed off one of the bigots that like to abuse me earning me a few cracked ribs, a few broken fingers, and a lecture or two from both my mom and sister” he said and I could just see him rolling his eyes.
“Geez Dante. Why didn't you tell me about it last night?” I asked and I knew I sounded pathetic but I was too worried to care.
“I didn't want to worry you but I didn't realize Char would be worried too” he said sounding sad.
“We’re both your friends, Dante. So, of course she's going to worry when one of her only two real friends doesn't talk to her for two days” I said rolling my eyes as a maid walked by. I think you should give her a call and let her know what happened. Have you been to a doctor?” I asked sounding like a worried parent.
“Yes babe, mom insisted when she and Grace came to get me Wednesday after the beating. And yes, I'll call Char and let her know what happened but right now I'd rather here you happy” he said sounding more like himself again.
“Well, that's going to be hard since” I paused looking up and down the hall before continuing “the most gorgeous golden haired man I know is currently in a lot of pain” I said knowing he was rolling his eyes at me.
“Alright, two can play that game my lovely teal and black haired friend” he laughed and I heard the slight wince but he didn't let it stop him.
“I like hearing you laugh” I mused as I started the walk towards the elevator.
“Well, the sooner you get home, the sooner you can hear it for real and not distorted over a phone line” he laughed again making me smile.
“Okay, you win” I laughed as I heard him doing a happy “Yes! Finally!”
“Alright, now that you've succeeded. I have to go because I'm about to get into an elevator and then slowly make my way home” I smirked at the added thought of “to you pretty boy” but didn't say it.
“I can't wait to see you Harley” he said sounding sad again.
“I can't wait to see you either Dante. Don't forget to call Char, please” I said knowing I sounded sad too.
“I promise I won't forget” he said before going silent for a minute then added “be safe on your way home.”
“I'll try. See you tomorrow” I said before hanging up the phone.
“I'm going to tell him the truth when I get home. I'm going to tell him how I really feel about him” I thought determinedly. Putting in my headphones and turning on some music, I pocketed my phone just as the elevator doors opened. Stepping inside, I hit the lobby button and mentally prepared myself for the excruciatingly long trip.
As we left the hotel, the door man said “be careful out there, it's snowed several inches and not all the roads have been plowed or salted.”
“Thanks we’ll be careful” dad said before getting into the driver's seat as mom and I climbed in the car as well. We began the, what should have been a twenty minute, drive to the airport only to end in tragedy as the car began to spin and I slowly began to black out I heard the crunch as the front of the rental car hit a tree.
Charlotte's pov
“Shouldn't they have been home by now?” I asked mom as I paced the living room waiting for my phone to ring. Just then her phone went off and I could tell by the look on her face that it wasn't good news. As she hung up the phone, she turned to me and said “Charlotte, honey I have some bad news. Harley won't be coming home today. His family was in a car accident on their way to the airport and he's currently in the ICU. He was lucky but his parents weren't as lucky. They died on impact and we were listed as his emergency contact. So, I've got to go to New York later today and take care of him but I need you to stay here and look after Annabelle, okay?” As I collapsed into her arms and tears slid down my face I whispered “whats going to happen to him now?”
“Well, I was thinking that if he'd like to we could let him live with us” mom said gently as I clung to her.
“I think he'd like that. I'm scared mom, I don't want to loose my best friend” I sobbed against her shoulder.
“I know sweetie and with any luck you won't. I think you should call Dante though and tell him before he finds out another way” mom said stroking my hair. Sitting up, I wiped my tears and said “yeah, you're right. I'll do that now.” Moving to sit on the couch as mom sat next to me with her arm still wrapped around me, I called my other best friend.
“Hey Char, what’s up?” he asked sounding happy which only made this harder. Taking a deep shuttering breath, I said “Harley's not coming home today. His family was in a car accident on their way to the airport. He was the only survivor but he's in the ICU. Mom is going up there in a few hours to take care of him since we're his emergency contacts. I've got to stay with Annabelle but if you want, you can come stay with us so that when I know something you will too.”
“Actually, why don't you guys come over here that way we're all not alone and you can have help with little Annabear” he said sounding sad too.
“Yeah that sounds good. I'll have mom drop us off on her way to the airport” I said as more tears streamed down my cheeks.
“Listen Char, I know you're scared I am too but we've got to look on the bright side. He's alive, whether he'll be the same lovable goofball or not when he gets home is something we'll just have to figure out when the time comes, okay?” He said trying to cheer me up.
“Yeah, we can only hope for the best right?” I said trying to smile.
“Right, I'll have mom and Grace make up the spare room so you won't have to be alone tonight” he said gently.
“Thanks Dante” I said as more tears slid down my cheeks.
“Anytime sweetie. See you in a few hours” he said gently before hanging up the phone. Turning to mom, I said “can you drop us off at Dantes' on your way to the airport?”
“Sure sweetie. I take it he suggested you two come stay with them while I'm gone?” She asked.
“Yeah, he said it was so neither of us have to be alone tonight” I told her.
“Smart man. Anyway, let's go pack” she said rubbing my back before she got up and held out a hand for me. Taking mom's hand, we made our way upstairs to go pack bags for the three of us.
Several hours passed and it was time for mom to go to the airport. Dropping us off at Dantes', she said “thanks for taking care of my girls tonight. I really don't think they should be alone right now.”
“No worries sweetie, Dante explained everything to us and we agree that the girls shouldn't be alone right now. We're all hopeful that Harley will be okay and can come home soon” Katherine said as Dante held me tight and Grace held Annabelle who was still crying since we had just told her Harley was in the hospital and mom had to leave.
“Bye girls, I love you. I'll let you all know when I know something” mom said as she moved to get back in the car.
“Okay mom, we love you too” I said as Annabelle added “I love you mommy.”
“Alright, let's get the girls in the house and get them settled” Katherine said as Dante just kind of shuffled me towards the door.
When we were all inside, Katherine said “here let me take the bags up to their room, why don't you guys take the girls into the living room?”
“Sure mom, come on Dante” Grace said as Annabelle snuggled into her shoulder still crying.
“Yeah, let's go sit down” he said gently tugging me along. When we had finally sat down in the living room, Dante asked “will you be okay for a minute? I'm gonna go get us some drinks, okay sweetie?”
“Yeah, I'll be okay for a few minutes” I said wiping away more tears. Getting up, Dante left the room for a few minutes and came back with a tray holding several bottles of water and a couple mugs of hot coca. Handing Grace the smaller mug, he turned and handed me one too and said “I figured you'd want something comforting.” Nodding, I said “you’re right, thanks hun.” Taking a seat next to me, Dante wrapped his arm around me again as we waited for any news from my mom.
Several hours passed before mom called and I put it on speaker phone as she said “he woke up about an hour ago. I wanted to give him a little time to be checked out and process what happened. Unfortunately, he hasn't stopped crying until he fell back asleep about five minutes ago.”
“What did the doctors say?” Katherine asked.
“He had a little brain swelling which is why he was in the ICU but it's gone down significantly. His memory seems to be in tact right up until the accident but the doctor says that's just shock. I should be able to bring him home the day after tomorrow since the doctors want to keep him one more day for observation” she said as Dante wrapped me in a hug as I cried more. After a pause, she added “just be aware that he won't be himself for a while after I bring him home since he is grieving. He may even shut down emotionally and become just a shell. If that happens just try not to hold it against him and give him his space until he comes to you, okay?”
“Yeah, we can do that” Dante said still holding me.
“Mom did you have the chance to ask him if he wants to live with us?” I asked through my tears.
“Not yet sweetie. I wanted to give him a little time to process the loss first but I'll talk to him about it when he wakes up. However, when I tell you were on our way back can you and Dante use the spare key and get some of his things and take them to the house?” she asked. Glancing up at Dante, he nodded and said “we'll take care of it.”
“Thanks Dante” she said before pausing and then adding “I've got to go, he's awake again.”
“Okay mom, give him a hug for me” I said as Dante hugged me tighter.
“I will sweetie. I love you girls and I'll call with an update as soon as I can” she said before she hung up.
“Why don't we put the girls to bed?” Katherine gently said as she glanced over at Grace and Annabelle, who was asleep in her arms. Nodding, Grace stood up and carried Annabelle to the bedroom we were supposed to share. As Dante walked me up the stairs, I asked “I know this is going to sound weird but can I snuggle with you. I need someone to hold me tonight.”
“It's not that weird sweetie because honestly, I feel the same” he said pulling me into a side hug.
“Thanks Dante” I said going into our room to check on my sister and change into pajamas. Coming back out, Dante led me to his room and we curled up on his bed and fell asleep. The next morning we woke up to my phone ringing. Answering it still half asleep, I said “hello?”
“Hey sweetie, did I wake you? Someone wants to talk to you” mom said before I had the chance to say anything else there was a shuffling sound before a very rough voice said “Char.” Gasping, I sprang up into a sitting position as I covered my mouth just as my tears started again, I shakily whispered “Har, is that you?” Sitting up next to me, Dante wrapped his arm around me as Harley said “yeah it's me sweetie. Sorry if we woke you but mom said she talked to you about me living with you guys and I was curious how you felt about it.”
“Oh sweetie, do you really need to ask?” I chuckled on a sob as Dante rubbed his hand up and down my arm. Pausing for a second, Harley said “no, I guess not. Does Dante know what happened?”
“He and his family do, yeah. Actually, Belle and I are at their house right now. Would you like to talk to him?” I asked gently glancing at Dante who whispered in my ear “I won't be upset if he doesn't. I know we're not that close so I'll give him space and time if that's what he wants.” Nodding, I told Harley what he'd said which surprised him into asking “is he there next to you?” Glancing at Dante again, I said “yeah, we were both so upset about what happened to you that we spent the night comforting each other and please don’t get the wrong idea about that sweetie. You know us both better than that.”
“You’re right, I do know you both better than that and I didn’t assume anything bad. Is he okay?” he asked curiously.
“Are any of us really okay, sweetie?” I asked as Dante extended his hand for the phone. Handing it to him before Harley can answer, he said “no babe, I’m not but I’m more worried about you than me right now.” It got quiet for a few minutes before we heard a sob and mom saying “it’s okay sweetie. We all love you and are worried about you right now. Everything else can wait. Go ahead and let it all out, we’re all here for you” as more tears streamed down my face.
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