Chapter 23

My eyes slowly lifted, the lids heavy as if to make me just go back to sleep. I felt off. My limbs felt heavy and my head pounded. I felt sick and groggy from my messed up scheduled in my new sleeping pattern.

Then I heard a voice.

"She's awake!"

Christopher?

"Really? Does she look okay?"

Jonathan?

"No dumbass. She passed out in school. Of course she doesn't look okay. Even sleep isn't enough for this."

Drake?

"You don't have to be so harsh idiot."

Jake?

There was a laugh that sounded like Sebastian's voice.

"Shut it cave troll. This is your fault too."

Alex? I had no idea he could sound harsh like that.

"What did I do?" Sebastian replied.

I felt the tension in the room and knew they were going to start fighting. If only I could open my eyes to stop them.

"Quiet, all of you. I don't want there to be any fights here, you got it?"

Christopher's voice boomed like he was use to doing this.

Finally my eyes opened and I saw that I was in my room, laying in my bed, with all of the guys surrounding me.

Great. Just what I wanted.

I was too drained to do anything though. I just payed there, looking at all of their worried and scared expressions.

The first one to talk to me was Christopher.

"Hey. Are you feeling alright?"

I didn't want to answer , or really, I couldn't as my mouth was dry and my head pounded at the thought of speaking. They all peered down on me waiting for a response. I tried my best to get ready my voice and did.

My voice was quiet, very quiet and raspy.

God I needed some water.

I saw as the guys expressions got worse.

Seriously? Why were they acting like such wimps?

"You scared us idiot. What were you thinking pushing yourself?"

I looked at Drake along with everyone else and just wanted to snap at him. My pounding head said otherwise.

"Why are you making it seem like this is her fault? it's ours," Sebastian countered.

"Oh so you finally admit to doing something!" Alex yelled back looking disgusted at Sebastian.

"Haven't all of us though?" Jake said rolling his eyes as if tired of this. Jonathan opened his mouth as if to say something but seemed to have shied out. Sebastian noticed.

"What was that pipsqueak? Say something already."

"Shut up, Sebastian. You have no right to speak to him like that," Alex sternly said to Sebastian only to receive a glare.

"Yet you do to me?"

Their fighting was making my headache worse.

I knew this would happen. They just had to compete when with each other.

Christopher must have saw my pain when he got up, grabbing all of their attentions.

"Will you all just please leave? She obviously doesn't feel good and you guys fighting isn't helping."

The others looked down and Drake mumbled something to himself.

"Well? What are you all waiting for? Leave."

They took the hint and left one at a time leaving me and Christopher alone.

He looked at me and smiled. I mouthed thank you back to him not wanting to speak.

"I'll leave too if you want."

I kind of did want to be alone but then again some company didn't sound too bad. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out.

Water. I needed some water.

Christopher noticed and immediately caught on.

"I'll get you some water. I'll be right back."

Just like that he left.

I was so tired. Not even hungry or thirsty really. Just exhausted. I felt weak and wanted to never have to move again.

What was this?

Was I sick?

They say I passed out in school.

Is that what really happened?

I tried remembering but my head hurt too much to even do that task.

What was taking Christopher so long? It was just water.

Then as if on cue he came in with a cup of water and aspirin in hand.

Oh. The aspirin. That's what took him so long.

I tried sitting up, my whole body pounding with the movement making me extremely dizzy.

Immediately Christopher walked up to me and steadied me before placing the aspirin and water in my hand.

"Careful! Don't push yourself."

I smiled at him and took the aspirin and drank all of the water. It felt good feeling that cool water running down my throat into my stomach. If anything the only word to describe it is refreshing.

Christopher sat back down at a chair he most likely pulled up while I was passed out.

Passed out.

Right, that happened. How again?

I strained myself and tried clearing my throat but felt awkward doing so.

"I'm sorry."

I looked at Christopher shocked at his words.

Why was he sorry?

"And I mean that for all of us."

But why?

"You passed out in school because of us, didn't you."

I tried nodding my head, only doing it very little.

"We stressed you out so much your body couldn't handle it."

That's what happened? The stress knocked me out? Was it the sleep? The pressure? The annoying questions from them?

"We didn't just stress you out physically though. We also did emotionally. May I ask why though? I can't seem to figure out why."

Should I tell him? That they reminded me of my brother? That they played with my emotions and made me confused all the time?

No. They didn't need to know everything.

I'd tell them half. If only my voice would let me.

Still I stayed silent. I just wanted to sleep if anything. I was drained and really didn't want to talk in the end.

Christopher sighed from my silence and looked off to the side.

"I'll tell them to back off. We'll give you some space. I know that it must be hard to handle six guys after you."

I scoffed and looked down.

"Make that seven."

I quickly looked at Christopher surprised at what I said. I didn't know I'd actually say that out loud.

His cheeks were lightly flushed from his recent comment and it dawned on me that they did all like me.

And that I just made things worse.