Chapter 11 - Risky Choices

I stood tense.

"Relax, I'm not gonna hurt you.'' Jake said as he sat down in the open chair and crossed his legs. "I'm just here to talk. So, I heard from a little birdy that you're thinking about going to college, am I right?" He said, leaning forward, elbows on his legs. He was resting his head in his hands. Like a villain. His piercing eyes were locked on mine.

"Yeah. What about it?" I asked suspiciously, crossing my arms across my chest.

"Why leave?" he sits straight. "I mean, everyone you love is here. So why leave?"

I stood stiff, not answering. He looked at me and continued:

"Don't you trust anyone here? Don't you love anyone?" he asked slyly.

My facial reaction changed when he asked the last question, it changed from suspicion to fear.

I have a lot of people here that I love, and protect…..

An image of Lyra appears in my head. She turns to me and smiles, while giggling.

Especially her.

I looked back at Jake as he continued. "I see there are people here you care about… hm, very well. And I see there is someone specific you love." he repositions himself. "Could it be Lyra?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Jake stands up. "Hmmm that's a shame. She is a good person. Lovable, strong, vulnerable… perfect for you. Someone you can protect. Oh what's this? Is she hiding things from you?"

My facial expression changed to rage. "Don't talk about Lyra like that." I spat. I tense up even more. Ready to fight if needed.

"Oh, so you do know her? Shonny, it hurts when you lie, Shonny." He folds his arms across his chest, smirking like the Cheshire cat. "It's a shame she doesn't trust you completely. Otherwise, she would tell you everything." he shook his head, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, and his voice had a sharp, metallic sound to it. "It's no wonder you want to leave so bad." he walked towards me and put his hand on my shoulder, patting me unrhythmically. "Well if you leave, just know she's mine for the taking." I looked at him, enraged, worried, disappointed, and protective. Some of the things he said were true.

"Is that all you have to say?"

Jake looks surprised. He nods his head. "Yes, that is all." He leaves without turning to look back.

I stood there thinking over what he said. He stayed later than I wanted him to, now it has become dark outside. I thought about what he said as I fell asleep.

Lyra is going to talk with me today around lunch time because she's going to make us something. She's going to visit her Aunt while I get discharged, then we're going to hang out with everyone later. I got dressed into my normal clothes and out of the stupid hospital gown, and waited for her to come. As I was rethinking what Jake said yesterday, a knock at the door came. I opened it.

"Hey Shon! I haven't seen you for a while!" Lyra was dressed up which made my face hot and red as she jumped into my arms. I scratched my neck and looked away.

"Yes it has, please come in." Lyra smiled and walked over to the bed and sat down.

"I made your favorite!"

I looked at her and smiled. She's here and that's all that matters. When she's with me to feel complete and I can protect her. I sat down next to her as she organized her cooking. I came close to her face to smell the food.

"Hmm delicious." I looked at her and smiled, but I didn't realize how close our faces were. We both blush. I know we both love each other, but something was missing. Lyra shoves my mouth with her food. She laughed. Moments are precious. Moments like these are unforgettable, moments with her are always moments worth living, fighting, and protecting for. I smile as I chew her food, and she feeds herself.

"So Shon."

"Yes?"

"What did you want to talk about?"

"Oh. Well I was thinking….."

"Yes?"

"Thinking about going to collage."

"But there's no collage here."

"Yeah, that's where the problem comes in. I will have to leave."

Lyra

Leave. Those words stabbed me in the chest. Shon leaving? That can't happen. I won't allow it. "Oh leaving.'' I thought this was going to be a happy talk, but it's more depressing.

Shon

I looked down at Lyra, her facial expression changed from happy, to depressed. I want to see her happy all the time, not like this. I wrapped my arm around her as I ate the food off the fork.

"I know it's difficult, but I will return to you."

Lyra looked like she wanted to say something but stayed quiet.

"Lyr." I moved her closer to me. "I know it's hard but…"

She stayed quiet until. "Shon?"

"Yes?"

"I have to tell you something, something that might change your opinion on me." she tensed up. She was anxious to speak, huddling up like she was scared. I hugged her close to me.

"You can tell me anything, you know that right?"

"Yeah. Well, how do I put this?"

Suddenly a nurse came into the room, looking worried.

"Lyra?"

She stood up.

"It's your Aunt."

She started to shake. "Ok I'll go check on her. Shon? Can you finish my food for me? I'm not hungry anymore."

"But Lyr, you didn't eat anything."

"I know. I'm just, I have a lot going on right now.'' She hugged me before saying something I couldn't hear. Then she left.