accident, and that was three and a half weeks ago. He doesnât deserve my attention.
âAutumn, you should really talk to your mom,â Cameron told me.
âNo, Iâm not gonna talk to her. Sheâs not ruining my perfect day like she and Dad ruined my life,â I said seriously, as a small tear slipped out of my eye.
âWhat makes this day so perfect, Autumn-Cakes?â Cam asked, while wiping away the tear.
âWell, Cammy-Boo, I am getting out of the hospital.â He nodded with understanding.
âReady to leave, babe?â Hayes asked, walking over.
âYes! Yes! Yes!â Everyone started laughing, and I started to giggle.
Bailey helped me over to the bathroomâwhich was pretty hard, considering Shaelyn was at the cafeteriaâthen handed me my clothes.
I changed into a Marvel cropped hoodie, some sweatpants, my Vans, my glasses, one of many Vans backpacks, and, to top it off, a messy bun.
After I did my bathroom routine, I wobbled out and was about to fall, but Hayes caught me. Thatâs the second time in twenty-four hours!
âThanks,â I said, kissing his cheek.
âNo problem, Auts,â he said, kissing my lips. I blushed while I tried to stand up, but epically failed.
He picked me up bridal style and set me down gently in my wheelchair. He acted like I was a piece of glass, about to break at any second. Which I really was. I was physically and emotionally unstable, but Hayes being there helped. A lot.
Hayes
I canât wait to meet Ella officially. She makes Autumn so happy. It makes me jealous at times, but then I think back that Autumn hadnât even met or seen her in thirteen years, so my jealousy dies down. I just want my baby to be happy.
I carried Autumn over to her wheelchair and sat her down gently. I didnât want to drop her and hurt her any more than she already was. I hate seeing my girl in pain.
As I wheeled her down the hallway, we stopped to visit Callie. We told her we would see her after Autumn gets settled back at home. Sheâs going to be staying at our house for a while because she and her parents arenât on speaking terms. We already have her clothes and everything in my room since all the guys who are visiting are taking up the guest bedrooms.
Cameron offered to let Aut share his room, but she declined, so Ella can stay with Cam when she gets here from her hotel. I heard that Ella liked him when they were younger, and he supposedly likes her.
Hayes
Ella, the girl who came by a few days ago, was walking over toward our group. Autumnâs smile brightened as she approached. Ella wrapped her arms around Autumn tightly, gently kissing her forehead. Everyone smiled at the sight.
But Cameron was a different story.
He stood there, pale as a ghost, not moving. You could barely tell he was breathing. I then remembered that he hadnât been at the hospital when Ella first showed up.
âHey, guys. I want you to meet her officially. This is my sister, Ella, or Ellie,â Autumn said with a huge smile. You could tell she was really happy. Everyone introduced themselves, knowing that we had barely gotten to speak to her for the short time she was here a few days ago.
âE-Ellie? I thought y-you left!â Cameron stuttered, stunned.
âI came back because I was concerned about Autumn, and I missed you a lot, Cam,â Ella said, looking at him intently.
Cameron
âE-Ellie? I thought y-you left!â I stuttered, stunned. Itâs like a baseball bat just hit me square in the face.
I canât believe my Ella is back. I thought she was gone.
âI came back because I was concerned about Autumn, and I missed you a lot, Cam,â Ella said, looking directly into my eyes.
I ran up to her and pulled her into a tight hug. The next thing was unexpected because I never do this, but I started to cry. I cried only when Ella left and then when Autumn went into a coma.
âIâm so happy
William R. Forstchen, Andrew Keith