Unexpected | ??

42- The Text

I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to call for Dean because he'd know I was eavesdropping. There's no doubt he'd kill me if the bullet wound didn't. Besides, I'd distract him and he could get hurt too.

Obviously, I couldn't call the police. I wasn't about to throw them in jail.

Instead, I just sat there, flinching every time a gun was fired. I was panicking on the inside even though my face looked blank.

Why did I come here? Dean's really in a gang. I'm so stupid, I could have gotten killed. Why did I listen to a stupid text?

I'm going to bleed out here and die without telling my parents I loved them. My friends won't know I loved them. I didn't even forgive Andrew. I mean, I'm not ready for that but I don't want him to have a guilty conscience forever!

I didn't have a heart to heart with Justin and give him dumb girl advice. I never encouraged him to be himself and not a parent-pleaser.

Oh God, who's going to find my car? My baby?

I just wanted one more vibe time, and I'd even let Jaz stay for it. I wanted one more hangout with the gang, with all of us playing Mario Kart.

I moved my arm to grab my phone from my pocket, but a new type of pain ripped through me. I clamped my mouth shut to stop myself from screaming. Tears of pain streamed down my face.

"Dean, they have too many men, we need to leave," the girl yelled, sounding completely badass. Her voice had a certain authoritative tone to it, very different from the whining she was doing earlier.

"No," Dean growled, sounding even more authoritative. At that moment, I could picture him being a leader. "If we back down now, they'll see us as weak. Until one of us gets hurt, we're staying."

No one argued with him and kept shooting. Even though I could no longer see their faces, it was obvious they all respected him. It was weird, especially because I was sure some of those men were older than him. Either way, they all seemed to accept him as their leader.

A seventeen-year-old leader. Huh.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the noise. My ears were still ringing from the initial shot.

Using my uninjured hand, I pat down my arm to find the pain. Maybe I wasn't shot and just injured by something else, or even just had phantom pain. It all hurt equally bad, but when I drew away, my hand was sticky.

My eyes widened at the red substance covering my hand. There was so much blood. I was definitely shot.

Oh crap.

I started feeling dizzy, but my heart was alert. The reality of being shot was setting in.

My ears were pounding and I barely realized the gunshots stopped until one of Dean's members spoke. "Boss, I think we're in the clear for now. We should go before they bring backup."

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the tree trunk. It was over. My head was still pounding, but feeling lighter at the same time.

"Uh, Dean?" Reece called, sounding very nervous. "We have an issue."

"What?" Dean growled, annoyed.

I wasn't sure what was happening because they didn't talk anymore, but I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes. Instead, I focused on my breathing.

"Shit," Dean cursed, sounding much closer now. "Arabella, open your eyes."

I furrowed my brows. Why did it seem like he was talking to me?

A cold hand cupped my face and I opened my eyes, regardless of how hard the action was. Dean's hardened green eyes were boring into mine.

"What are you doing here?" he lowly asked.

My eyes flickered behind him to see Reece. He had a guilty look on his face.

"Dean," I smiled, attempting to grab his face. The pain ripped through my arm and I whimpered. Regardless, I finished my thought. "Your eyes look pretty."

No, that's not what I meant to say!

"Did you get shot? Are you crazy?" he whispered frantically, looking at my arm. "Why didn't you scream?"

"Your lips look so kissable," I grinned. His brows furrowed as I closed my eyes. "I'm a little tired. It's late and I have school tomorrow."

"No, Bella, I need you to keep your eyes open," he ordered in the same authoritative tone and I did as he said. "You're shot, I need to take you to the hospital." He looked panicked, which should have worried me. If he was freaking out, I should have been too.

But my mind was fuzzy and I couldn't focus. It felt like I gulped down six glasses of my parents' most expensive wine.

"Oopsies," I giggled, looking back at Reece. "I'm supposed to hate you right now. Bad Dean, stay away from me." I winked, letting him know I was kidding.

"Okay, I'm going to pick you up," Dean told me slowly. I nodded and almost lifted my arms up for him to carry me, but remembered my wound at the last second.

He skillfully slid his hands under me and lifted me up bridal style, avoiding my bleeding arm. He mumbled something to Reece, who looked over to the other members of the gang.

My face turned red, remembering they were here and witnessing all of his. "Hi guys," I grinned regardless. They all looked stone-faced and I snuggled into Dean's chest.

Tough crowd.

"Dean," I muttered into his chest. He didn't stop walking and I was very aware I was getting blood all over his shirt. "Can you kiss me?"

"Where's your car?"

I rolled my eyes and answered him, letting him know I walked a little bit. He groaned and muttered some profanities before walking in the direction.

It was quiet after, and I listened to his heavy breathing. Based on the tenseness of his body, he was angry.

Without even asking for permission, he fished out my keys from my pocket and I attempted to smack him. It was unsuccessful though, and I missed him completely.

He put me in the passenger side of my car. Before he could close the door, I grabbed him by his jacket.

"Dean, I might be dying so it's your last time to kiss me."

He rolled his eyes. "You're not dying, Arabella." Regardless of his annoyance, he leaned in and kissed me. It was a short one, but still sweet.

Definitely not last kiss worthy though.

He closed my door and I leaned against the window.

I couldn't die now, especially after that kiss. I wanted our last kiss to be special, longer, more tongue.

So, I'd live just to get that. I owed it to myself.

And with that final thought, I closed my eyes and let the coolness take over my body.

~

Dun dun dun! 

I won't be able to update for a few days because I'm swamped with finals and lowkey panicking :):):)