17 17-Retribution (1/2)

My dad took mom and Arriana home so they could rest and get changed. He brings me fresh clothes while I stay with Zayne's parents to be here when he wakes up. It's almost three in the morning when he starts stirring.

The three of us jump up as his eyes flutter open, his mom races to his side, ”Momma?” his voice is raspy and dry.

”Oh my baby,” she starts crying as she runs her hand over his head, ”I thought I lost you.”

Tears well up in all of our eyes, even his. His parents hold his hands tightly and throw all the love they have at him. Slowly I step forward. He sees me and his face becomes one of despair.

”Josh, I...” he shakes his head lightly as I come to his bedside.

I look at him for a second, taking in that he's alive, and suddenly start crying. I reach over and hug him tightly, not caring about the rail in my stomach.

”I thought you were dead, I was so scared.” I whisper as I cry and hold his hospital gown in my fists. He returns my hug.

”I'm so sorry Josh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to do,” he starts crying too, ”Everything was happening so fast and I got scared and I thought it was all my fault. When you didn't answer I thought something had happened and you were ignoring me.”

I pull him tighter into my hug, ”Don't ever think that! I would never ignore you if I knew you needed me, I was coming to cheer you up. I had no idea about your apartment, I found you lying there and I didn't know what to do. I was so scared you were going to die right on that floor.”

We hold each other until the doctors come for his evaluation. I get sent home to sleep, even though I know I can't.

Come morning, I'm still awake and I go to school just so I don't sit at home worried. The school has been made aware of what's happened and that Zayne's evaluation makes it clear he needs to be under constant watch for close to three weeks. The police link with the school to try and find the culprit of the attacks, thinking it's connected to the bullying at school. The school throws together an assembly to alert the student body to what has happened and the consequences.

Mrs. Jennings explains the police presence and assures the school that if anyone is tied to these incidents, there will be very severe punishments. She then invites me up to talk about Zayne's condition and the situation, as his parents wanted to be at the hospital with him.

I step up to the microphone and stare at the crowd. All the anger and fear bubbles inside of me, ”At four forty five last night, I discovered Zayne Daveen lying in a pool of his own blood in the ruins of his apartment. Yesterday morning, I came to school to find him beaten mercilessly, all because he doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold. Because of the ignorance and cruelty many people, many in this very room, inflicted on him daily he attempted to take his own life. As he lay their dying, what would have been his final thought, weren't that he was finally giving into the hatred that was spewed at him, it wasn't the hope that the pain would end... It was disgust in himself, thinking he brought this on his family and friends by being himself. Those of you who brought him to this, who do think he brought this on himself, I hope you know how disgusted so many of us are with you. Not me, nor his family or mine would change Zayne for anything. We would rather happily stand by him and face the cruelty you force on us than tell him to change and surrender to you. You have accomplished nothing but bringing attention to what you have done, you've accomplished nothing but hurting a family that did nothing to you. I can speak for those in that waiting room that night, I can tell you how long we cried, afraid we would never see him again. I can tell you the fear we faced until near dawn, waiting to see if he would wake up. I can tell you, that in the end, you accomplished nothing. Zayne is now recovering, and with the hell you're bringing down on yourselves, and the number of people standing with him, you have no chance of beating him. Never again will any of you lay a finger on him, never again will any of you force your harsh words on him, because now,” I make eye contact with Conrad, ”Now he has the resources to finally tear you down and become stronger that you will ever hope to be.”

I leave the stage and the auditorium to go sit in the office. Mrs. Jennings comes over and puts a hand on my shoulder, offering to call my mom to take me to the hospital. I take the offer graciously as I cool down.

I get there while Zayne is sleeping, so I pull one of the room chairs by his bed and wait. In that spot is where I stay until his birthday.

That day I leave when he sleeps after breakfast to go to the car. I pull out the box that was left there since finding him. Tonight he goes to the psych ward for his two weeks. There will be visitation but it won't be the same as getting to stay by his side during this process.

I bring the box to his room, surprising him when he wakes up. By that time Arriana has joined me with her gift. I see a tired, weak smile spread across his face, but it is a real one. He opens her present and smiles at the iTunes gift cards, books, and candy. He gives her a hug before turning to my box.