Chapter Twenty Nine

"I've seen your heart. I've seen your tears. I've seen your light. You are one of the most beautiful people I know."

- J. Lynn

Dylan's Point Of View

I crossed my arms and tapped my foot angrily as I stared at the two.

Why, why is that cat cuddling with Lyla?

My nose twitched in irritation as an arm wrapped around my shoulders.

"Aren't they adorable?" One of the dogs asked me.

Ten or something.

"Yeah, just great." I remarked and stormed off.

-Two Weeks Later-

Lyla's Point Of View

I held onto Dylan's right arm and Peter's left as we walked slowly out of the hospital.

"I'm so excited!" Ben skipped in front of us, beaming brightly.

"We get to go home!" Elisa jumped, propelling himself off of Ben's shoulders, adding to Ben's excitement.

I laughed.

"I'm excited too." I held on to Peter and Dylan's arms tighter, smiling at the booth of them when they looked over at me.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better Ly." Dylan held my hand, looking me in the eyes.

"I am too." I smiled gently.

It's been a long two weeks, but man. The happiness and encouragement from all of the boys really helped me through it.

I refused the therapists six different times before she finally left me alone. I hate when people think they can just come and fix me. It's not going to be that easy. I've tried.

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep

We all stopped walking and looked towards Dylan.

He released my arm and pulled out his walkie talkie thing or pager or whatever it's called.

"Yeah? Where?" Dylan pressed the side button and spoke into it.

The man on the other side gave an address and gave him some information.

"I gotta go Ly." He put the pager back on his belt and looked towards me, looking a little frazzled.

"Keep her safe." Dylan pointed at the boys.

Elisa stood up straight and saluted him. Nalla whacked his head as Elisa erupted into giggles.

Dylan turned to go but I grabbed his hand. He turned to face me.

"Be careful." I told him, my eyes wide.

He nodded and ran off.

I watched him go, fumbling my necklace.

Someone hooked their arm around my left arm.

I smiled up at Nalla.

"You okay?" She asked me gently, smiling softly.

I nodded.

"I'm ready to go home."

—-

The boys all surrounded me in a tight circle as we moved through the city. Dylan used his car to go to the crime scene. We were left with walking.

That's fine. I needed to get back on my feet again anyways.

I learned that they are quite scared of the city. We are all tripping over each other's feet because they're so close.

Peter let Jameson hold onto my right arm as the poor boy was shaking.

Nalla has also let go on my left arm. But not because she wanted to. But because it has started to hurt slightly. She apologized at least 20 times. It wasn't her fault at all though.

"You guys okay?" I called out over all of the noise.

"I wouldn't say okay." Sammi told me, glancing backwards for a second. "More like overwhelmed."

"We're almost there." I reassured, making eye contact with Jameson.

He swallowed and nodded.

"Make a right he-oh!" My feet got tangled with Nick's.

He started going down.

But I grabbed onto Nick's arms, leaving Jameson.

Then we both started going down.

I fell on top of Nick's chest, closing my eyes tight as we made contact with the ground.

"Are you okay Lyla?" Nick asked me the same time I asked him the same question.

I laughed.

"Of course." I took Peter's outstretched hand and he pulled me up.

I offered Nick a hand as well.

He smiled and took it.

I stumbled forward a bit as he was hoisted up.

"Sorry." He apologized with a sheepish smile.

I laughed and nudged him slightly, earning his beautiful smile.

The boys laughs drowned out all other noise. I could only hear their song of happiness.

And I added to that melody.

—-

"So I'll get you all copies of the apartment key just in case you get locked out or something." I faced them all as they stood around me and the apartment's door.

"You can make a copy of a key?" Jameson asked with wide eyes.

I nodded and smiled.

"I thought you could only do that with paper." Jameson smiled, chuckling to himself.

I smiled as well.

"Who wants to unlock the door?" I asked, holding up the key.

Elisa lunged for it, grabbing the key.

"No!" Ben shouted, reaching out for the key.

"I wanna do it!" Nalla whined, pouting slightly,

"Fight me!" Elisa taunted the others, holding the key tightly to herself.

Nick smiled and jumped onto Elisa's back and struggled for the key.

Everyone joined in for the fight except Sammi.

We watched them with smiles on our faces.

I picked up the flower pot which stood by my door and picked up the spare key.

I handed it to Sammi.

Her smile grew. "Thanks." She told me and unlocked the door.

I whistled, making the boys freeze.

"Are you coming or not?" I asked from inside.

Sammi waved the spare key in front of them.

They all dropped their mouths and Nick slid off of Elisa's back.

Sammi replaced the key underneath the pot and walked inside.

The bothersoys all grumbled and walked inside.

"Aw come on." I teased. "Smile you guys."

A reluctant smile grew upon all of their faces.

"That's better." I smiled as well.

—-

"Bingo!" Nalla shouted, standing up in triumph.

Multiple groans spread out throughout the table.

I chuckled from my spot on the couch with Peter.

We were reading a book together as the boys all played some games behind us.

"Oh hi Nick." Peter spoke in the middle of the sentence he was reading.

I looked up and saw Nick sitting down beside Peter.

"Hi." Nick acknowledges Peter, but he focused on me. "Lyla, can I talk with you for a moment?" Nick glanced over at Peter. "Alone?"

I nodded and got up, my blanket still wrapped around me. "I'll be back in a little bit Peter." I promised.

I walked into the hallway with Nick.

"Can we actually go on the rooftop?" Nick asked, playing with his fingers.

"Yeah, of course Nick." I nodded.

I began to get worried.

Nick really doesn't want the other boys to hear what he's about to tell me.

"Give me a second please." I told Nick.

He nodded and stood waiting by the door as I walked into the kitchen area.

"I'm going to be with Nick on the rooftop for a little bit. We'll be back." I told the boys.

"Is everything okay?" Ben asked as he cleared his Bingo board.

"Yeah. We're just going to talk." I reassured and walked back to Nick.

"Do you want a coat? It's pretty cold." I asked Nick.

But he shook his head with a small smile. "I'll be fine." Nick told me.

We walked to the rooftop.

Nick walked towards the ledge, his back facing me.

"Is everything okay Nick? I'm a little worried." I stepped towards him, wrapping myself tighter with my blanket.

"Honestly Lyla. Everything is not okay." Nick's voice cracked.

I bit my lip worriedly, stepping closer to Nick.

Without another word, Nick took off his jacket, and then his shirt.

"Nick, what are you doing? It's freez- Oh my gosh." I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm sorry Lyla."