“Hello, beautiful. Have you missed me? I sure have missed you.”JamieThings have been hectic with classes and assignments. Having just finished a paper, I make sure to save the document before I close my laptop.
Stretching out, I get up from behind my desk and grabbing a smoothie and fruit cup from the fridge, I go sit on the couch. I switch on the TV and go to Netflix so I can watch an episode of V Wars before I turn in for the night.
Midway through the episode, I begin to feel sick. The dizziness and nausea remind me of the food poisoning I had, and I quickly check the expiration date on the cup of fruit I just ate. When I see it’s not the fruit, I check the smoothie and then wonder what I could’ve eaten during the day that would make me feel so ill.
I only had pasta earlier when I had lunch with Layla and Kingsley. Reaching for my phone, I’m unable to pick it up the first time. The second try I manage, and I struggle to see through my blurring vision as I search for Layla’s number.
Pressing dial, I bring the phone to my ear as I lie back down on the couch.
“Hey,” Layla answers, sounding cheerful.
“Hi, are…” I swallow hard on the nausea, “are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I feel sick like I have food poisoning again.”
“Oh, no. You want me to bring you something?” she offers.
“Please.”
“I’m with Falcon. Give me twenty minutes, and we’ll come by.”
“Thanks.”
I drop the phone back on the coffee table and stare at the TV even though I can’t see much with my vision blurring.Waking up, I feel absolutely horrible.
“Jamie?” I hear Della’s distressed voice.
I force my eyes open and wonder why Della’s so worried as she stares down at me, her face tearstained from crying.
Feeling drowsy and nauseous, I clear my throat first, then ask, “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
Della shakes her head and cupping a hand over her mouth she lets out a strangled sob.
Carter comes into the room, and it’s only then I realize I’m not in my own bed, Glancing around my heartbeat speeds up when I see I’m in the hospital.
“What happened?” I ask, trying to search my mind for any clues.
Not answering my question, Carter comes to stand next to the bed, placing his arm around Della. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine… I think.” Confused, I wiggle my toes and work my way up my body. My arm feels stiff and tender, and it has me glancing down. Seeing the bandage, I ask again, “What happened?”
Della swallows past her sobs, then asks, “Why would you try to take your own life? Why didn’t you tell me things were too much? I would’ve been there for you and let you come home.”
What?
“I didn’t,” I say, confusion and fear whirling in my chest.
Looking at Carter and then Della, I know this is serious from the deep worry on their faces. I sit up and stare down at my bandaged arm.
The last thing I remember is working on my assignment.
I shake my head and look up at Carter and Della again. “I wouldn’t try to commit suicide. Something else… someone else…”
It feels as if ice is being poured over me as my thoughts begin to race.
What’s happening?
Was I attacked, and I can’t remember?
Della sits down on the bed and takes hold of my hand. Her trembling fingers skim over the bandage, and she struggles to keep from crying.
“Layla and Falcon found you. They said you called saying you weren’t feeling well. When they got to your suite, you didn’t answer, so they had someone open the door for them. They found you in time. Why would you do it, Jamie? Why hurt yourself? Tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll fix it.”
I shake my head, not understanding anything, and feeling frustrated.
“Why would I call Layla if I was going to commit suicide? I didn’t do it, Della. Something else happened. Did I slip and fall? Maybe I had an accident. I can’t remember anything.”
“A razor was broken in pieces and found next to you.” Carter’s voice falters, and he leans over me, wrapping his arms tightly around me. “How can I fix this? How can I help you?”
I hear the agony in his voice, and it makes tears spill over my cheeks.
“You can believe me,” I whisper, starting to feel desperate because they’re not hearing what I’m saying. “You can believe me when I tell you that I wouldn’t try to take my own life.”
I cry in Carter’s arms as a hopeless feeling weighs down on me. It’s too heavy, and unlike anything I’ve felt before.
I’ve always had someone, even when I lost my parents and Sue.
Della never doubted me before.
Carter thought the world of me.
And I just know whatever happened changed all of that. It shook Della’s faith in me and changed how Carter sees me.