Control

Nikki

It's been three long excruciating days. I've been pacing the floor of my room for one of them. I put my phone on the loudest volume when I go to sleep or when I go in the shower just in case Cody calls.

I'm preparing for the worst. I'm mourning the loss of something I've never even had. These have been an amazing few weeks. I was so happy and my world came crashing down seeing him on the floor.

My heart sinks to my stomach imagining that again. In our pictures, he looked so happy, so full of life. I know he was starting to feel better. He was opening up more. If he was found any later, he could've been D.O.A..

I check my phone constantly when I'm out. Shannon, Becca and I are out for brunch. I put my phone back on the side of the table and I tap my mug of coffee.

I'm anxiously waiting for some sort of news. Becca's barely eating and that says something for her. She's always eating. Shannon is taking small bites of her meal and sighs.

"Have you heard from Cody?" Becca asks.

"No. Have you?" I ask back.

"Not since that day. Which I don't hold it against him."

"Tyler said Jay's in rough shape." Shannon says. "He went the other day to see him. His mother hasn't left his side."

"Poor woman," Becca says.

My phone chimes and we all jump out of our seats. I quickly grab it and look at the screen.

"It's Cody!" I exclaim.

Their eyes go wide. I read the text to myself.

"Oh my god," I say out loud.

"What?!" They both say in unison.

"He's awake!" I say.

Becca's face lights up and she smiles.

"That's amazing news!" Shannon says.

"Cody said he just opened his eyes a little while ago. He was talking a little bit and he went back to sleep. And he's asking if we wanna go see him. Kyle is taking his mom back home so she can shower and rest."

I look up at them expectantly.

"Yeah! Of course! Let's go."

We stood up and hurried out of the restaurant.

Moments later, Becca is taking her phone out of her pocket and smiles.

"Yay. He texted me." She said.

We get to the hospital and Cody is standing outside the hospital entrance. Cody takes Becca in his arms and plants a kiss on her lips. My eyes go wide and my neck twitches backward.

"Hi," he says with a smile.

"Hi," she giggles.

He lets her go and Becca looks over at me and fangirls a little bit. We get our visitor's passes and Cody leads the way to the elevator.

The elevator dings and opens up. We get in and Cody presses the number 4. The doors close and I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I reopen them and Cody looks at me with half a smile.

"He doesn't know you're coming. He'll be happy to see you."

I half smile back and the doors open. We step out and follow Cody to Jason's hospital room. He steps to the side, and lets us in first.

Jason's in bed. Wires are connected to his chest, and to his arm. Machines are beeping. His head is facing the window.

I go over to his side and sit on the chair and take his hand. It's warm, thank god. The color in his skin came back. The girls sat across from his bed and Cody sat next to me.

"They had to pump his stomach. He swallowed a handful of his antidepressants and opioids. I don't know where he got those from."

I tighten my grip on his hand.

"How long has he been asleep for?" I ask.

"About an hour." Cody says.

Jason tightens his grip on my hand and stirs. I spring up in my seat and look at him. He turns his head and looks at me with his eyes open.

"Hey," he whispers.

"Hey," I half smile. "You gave us quite the scare there, bud."

Jason swallows hard and closes his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he says.

It's like his voice can't go above a whisper.

"How are you feeling, bro?" Cody asks.

Jason tisks and moves his head a bit.

"Like I got hit by a Mack truck. Can I please have some water?" Jay asks.

Cody gets up and pours him a cup. He reclines the bed so Jay's sitting upright. Cody holds the straw to Jay's mouth and he drinks. Jay winces, pinches his eyebrows, closes his eyes and moans in pain.

"Fuck," he whispers.

"You're gonna be uncomfortable for a little bit." Cody says, putting the cup on the table in front of him.

Jay runs his thumb on my knuckle and opens his eyes and looks at me.

"I hope you didn't see any of that."

"We did. And it was a horrific sight." I said.

Jay's face drops.

"I'm sorry."

"I just wanted to come see you for a little bit. I know you need rest. So we're gonna let you do that, okay?" I say.

"Okay," Jay whispers.

I stand up, still holding his hand and I kiss his cheek and I give him a quick smile even though he doesn't see. I let go of his hand.

"Maybe I'll come tomorrow," I say.

The girls and I walk to the door.

"Be right back, bro." Cody says, walking with us.

Cody walks us to the elevator and stops in front of it.

"I'll keep you posted." He says to me.

He pulls me into a hug, hugs Shannon and gives Becca another kiss. We get in the elevator and Cody disappears.

***thoughts so far? Please let me know!!