Conflict

Julie entered the intensive care unit. As she got closer to her parents, Mrs. and Mr. Harper could immediately tell that their daughter had been crying. They rushed over to her with a concerned look on their faces.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Mr. Harper softly said as he gently touched Julie's arm.

"I am fine." Julie calmly replied.

"Are you sure, baby? Your eyes looked puffy, and it seemed like you were crying?" Mrs. Harper stated.

"I said that I am okay! Please stop all the interrogations, okay! I am tired, and I need to rest." Julie harshly said, even though she did not intend for her voice to come out harsh.

Rose was now concerned since she too could tell that Julie was definitely not okay. She stood from the bench and joined Mr. and Mrs. Harper.

"It's okay if you are tired. I know the past few days have been rough on you, so I understand your stress." Rose gently said.

"I am not suffering from anxiety either. I just need to sleep, then I will be better." Julie replied.

"Okay, no more assumptions from us. You can go home and have your rest."

"Thank you for your understanding. I am going to say my goodbye to Jackson, then I will leave."

Julie walked past her parents without her eyes meeting theirs and walked into Jackson's room.

"Hey, brother." She softly said when Jackson stared at her with a slight smile on his face.

She pulled the chair closer to Jackson's bed and sat down. She then clutched her hands together as her eyes gazed downward out of nervousness.

"How are you keeping up?" Julie mumbled.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question? You look terrible." Jackson said.

He burst into a tender laugh after his remark, and at that moment, Julie felt tears flowing out of her eyes.

"Hey, hey. What's going on?" Jackson gently stated as he reached out and rested his palm on Julie's hands.

"Nothing. I am just so happy to hear that laugh again. In the past, I got so afraid during each passing day that there might be a chance that I won't hear your voice, see you staring back at me, or listen to your terrible jokes." Julie cried.

"My jokes are not that bad."

"Yes, they are."

Julie and Jackson awkwardly stared at each other for a brief moment, then they both burst into laughter.

"I am sorry for making you guys worry. I have learned my lesson not to drink and drive at the same time." Jackson said.

"You better because I am not going through this again." Julie stated.

The lobby door opened, and Steven ran inside, almost out of breath.

"What's going on, son?" Rose worriedly asked.

"Julie. Where is Julie?" Steven asked.

"She's in there with Jackson. Son, what happened between you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she came in here looking a bit down. Did you guys get into an argument?"

Steven gazed at Mr. and Mrs. Harper's curious faces. He then looked at Rose.

"No. We didn't get into anything of such." Steven replied.

"Okay. If you say so." Rose stated with doubt in her eyes.

Steven could not stand the pressure of everyone doubtfully staring at him, so he headed into Jackson's room.

"Hey, you two. What are you both cheerfully talking about?" Steven asked with a smile.

"Oh, it's nothing much. Julie is just filling me in on the crazy stuff that has been happening around the company." Jackson replied.

He turned his focus back on Julie, and it was clear to him that something wasn't right between Steven and her because her expression had turned sour.

"I... I've got to go." Julie said.

She stood up to leave, and as she walked past Steven, he grabbed her hand.

"We have to talk." Steven mumbled.

"Is there anything to talk about? If you can't let go of your ex, then tell me sooner, so I can stop wasting my love on you." Julie whispered back.

"You!"

"Let go of my hand. I don't want to create a messy scene in front of Jackson."

Steven's fingers slowly slipped off Julie's wrist. She then walked out of the room without looking back.

Jackson patted the seat as a signal to his friend to sit down.

"What mess have you gotten yourself in with Julie?" Jackson asked after Steven was seated.

"It's nothing. Just a little bump situation. Nothing a conversation can't fix." Steven stated.

"Little! Did you see how puffy her eyes were? Does that appear like a little situation? Don't play dumb with me! Even though I didn't hear your brief conversation, I know when a relationship problem has reached an escalation state, and that's where you and Julie are!" Jackson lashed out.

A second later, he felt pain from his stitches, and his face expressed that pain, causing Steven to notice it instantly, even though he tried his best not to make it noticeable.

"You are in no condition to be screaming at me! You just beat death, and I will not allow you to do anything to put yourself into death's hands again. Now, lay down and rest." Steven angrily said.

"Hey, don't change the subject!"

"I am not. I promise you that we will have a full discussion on this matter once you are okay. But for now, please rest. I need you out of this hospital soon. Every day, when I walk in here and see you in that bed, it messes with me."

Jackson did not reply. He laid down and stared up at the blank ceiling.

'Leaving the hospital. What am I going to be returning to?' Jackson sadly thought.

Steven pitifully gazed at his friend before turning around to leave.

"Hey, don't mess things up with Julie. Not everyone gets the chance to fall in love again after a heartbreak." Jackson said.

"Haha. I am not letting go of her even if she plans to leave me." Steven mumbled with his back turn to his friend.

He then walked away, and Jackson watched as his buddy's back faded through the doorway.

'That's good then. At least one of us gets to live a happy life.' Jackson thought as a teardrop rolled down his face.