What am I missing?

The nurse told us that Alex was shifted in the room and we could meet him. I ran towards the room number she told us without listening to any further details which the doctor was giving to his mom.

I reached the room and saw Alex laying on the bed with his hand in a big white plaster belted on the side of the bed. His face had multiple bruises and a black eye. It broke my heart seeing him like that. He didn't deserve this.

I smiled at him trying to hide my puffy eyes and broken heart. He smiled back, his eyes half closed as he raised his uninjured towards me.

I immediately set the juice boxes down on the table next to his bed and took his hand in mine, sitting beside him. I kissed his forehead, some tears escaping my eyes. He always kisses Sandi's and my forehead when he tries to comfort us so I did the same thing to him.

He once told us that he had an elder sister who had the same long, dark hair like me. She passed away two years ago due to an overdose of alcohol. He said that I reminded him of her when he saw a boy vexing me at a party. After that he has always been like a big brother to me and Sandi. We never saw him any less either.

He protected me...

But I failed to protect him!

Maybe If I went after him this wouldn't have happened.

He didn't say anything and I didn't push him to speak either. He was still under the affect of anesthesia. His mom entered the room a few moments later. I gave them some space and came out of the room finding Sandi and Lara.

I found them sitting at a bench in the little lawn outside, with Raven, giggling over something. My brows furrowed. I called Sandi and told her to come over.

"What the hell Sandi?" I questioned her looking at Raven who was tickling Lara. "Why are you guys sitting with him?" 

"Don't get me wrong Bells. He was sitting there on that bench. I told him to go away when Lara started crying. I couldn't make her stop crying. He told me that he has experience with little children so I let him sit with us." she explained all in one breath. 

"Well, he did a good job cheering her up." I said looking at Lara who was now laughing in his lap. A smile crept over my lips.

Maybe he is not as bad as I assumed. It was not his fault after all, it was his friend who did this. Also, he was sitting here waiting for several hours even after our cold attitude towards him. My heart softened. He was now looking at me with hope glistening in his eyes.

I told Sandi that Alex is shifted in the room and asked her to take Lara with her while I walked towards Raven. She nodded and left with Lara, leaving me and him behind.

"I think you should leave now Raven." I told him trying to act cold. 

His hopeful face fell and he looked hurt.

I immediately wanted to take back what I said.

"No, I meant you already spent several hours sitting here. You may be tired so please go home. You don't have to pay for your friend's mistakes every time." I tried to sound polite but the last part of the sentence changed my tone.

"I am not here to pay for his mistakes." he said looking at me expectantly. "I was here for you. I didn't want to leave you alone because I thought we became friends. But I guess I was wrong. Please accept my apology for being an unwanted bother." he said looking down.

With this he turned back and I stood there finding my lost words. Before I could have called him, he stopped himself and turned his head towards me.

"I know what Xavier did was not exactly the right thing to do but he didn't start this. I am not defending him just because he is my friend, but also, because I know his side of the story too, while you are looking at everything from only one angle." 

"What am I missing?" I asked him, confused by his words.

"It's not my place to tell you. Ask your friend or boyfriend?" his last words sounded more like a question than a statement.

"Alex is my friend, not boyfriend." I cringed at the thought. He is like a big brother to me.

"Well, ask your friend then Bells. I hope that will clear things up." he was now turned completely towards me.

"I certainly will," I told him.

I immediately knew there was more to the story and I wanted to know what it was.

"Okay, I guess, I should leave now. Take care Bells." he waved his hand at me smiling. He easily forgot about my early behavior.

"Take care Ravs." I smiled back at him.

His smile brightened at me calling him with the nickname we gave each other. With that he left and I stood there wondering what exactly happened that my eyes failed to catch or it didn't happen before my eyes.