A/N: Benjamin's faceclaim is above the chapter↑

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Benjamin had rose from the chair he was sitting beside my bed, reaching his hand to the side of my face. He had a concerned look, mixed with surprise and of happiness, on his face which sparkled in his electric blue eyes, that made my heartstrings tighten. He looked speechless, struggling with what to say or what to ask, but leaned down, his face over mine and his other hand stroking my hair on top of my head.

“Hailey...” Benjamin sighed calling my name. “I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.”

“Hey,” I called him softly, but my throat hurts when my voice came out. I reached out my hand to his face from below the blanket.

Benjamin pulled back a little and then looked down at me, that's when I saw unshed tears in his eyes. “How... how do you feel? Any pain? Anything hurts?”

Yes, my heart. I ignored the answer that came first into my head. “Can you give me some water?” I asked, running my fingers over my throat.

“Sure,” Benjamin nodded, eager to help me. He turned to the small table beside the bedpost, where there was a flask of water and a glass was set on. “The water is cold.” he said after pouring into the glass, frowning.

“It's fine.” I said, and tried to get up.

Benjamin suddenly threw himself beside me after setting the glass back on the table, “You didn't had to get up, the wound will hurt...” he said, supporting my back as I sat up.

“Nothing hurts.” I told him, and brought out my hands from beneath the blanket towards the glass of water Benjamin lended me. But when my eyes fell on my both hands-top, I was taken aback with wide eyes.

There, on top of my both hands, into were struck a needle on each.

I looked at it with eyes filled with horror, and then at Benjamin, before returning my gaze back. This was something I had wished never happened to me, but here I am. There was a tube on each needle that went all the way up to each side of the bedpost, where hung two bottles of... I don't know what.

I tore my gaze away from it and reached out to the glass from Benjamin, who was staring at me with concern. I took a sip from the glass and then devoured the whole water within the next moment due to my thirst and asked for a bit more.

Only when Benjamin had moved aside to refill the glass, did I saw realize that I'm not the only one who has occupied this room. I saw a few beds, a bit further from mine, in three of them laid three men, with their bodies connected to some machine. My heart raced at this sight and I felt thankful for Benjamin's presence here, or else what would have I done?

I looked around on the other side, there were beds too but they were empty. “Where am I?” I asked Benjamin, my voice still hoarse, as he gave me the refilled glass of water.

Benjamin's eyes furrowed as he glanced at me, and sat on my bed, facing me. “Don–don't you remember anything?” I didn't miss the tension in his voice.

I gulped down the water halfway through, before answering him, “Of course I do, why did you ask?”

Benjamin let out a sigh of relief, which made me tilt my head at him. “To answer your question, you're in the ICU.”

I blinked at him before my eyes travelled across the room once more in disbelief at his words. “Why? Was my situation that critical?”

Benjamin nodded solemnly, “Listen Hailey, I–

“Then how come you're here? No one is supposed to enter into the ICU, aren't they?” I asked, cutting off his words, of which I was sure it's an apology.

Benjamin sighed, “It's a long story.”

“Tell me.”

“Doesn't your wound hurts?” Benjamin asked, gesturing to my right shoulder.

“No, now tell me.” I asked, a bit impatiently.

“That can wait Hailey but your wound... hey, no don't touch...”

But I had already sent my hand to where I had got shot with the bullets. And when my fingers brushed that part over my shirt, I knew it had a bandage on. Nevertheless, I couldn't feel any pain even when I pressed over the injured spot. “It's all fine, I guess.” I said.

Benjamin smiled softly at me, with relief visible on his face, before wrapping his arms around me, hugging. I stiffened in his arms but that didn't last long as I rested my chin on his shoulder and placed my hand on his back.

“I missed you.” Benjamin whispered. Upon hearing his voice only I understood that he's silently fighting back his tears.

That brought me close to the edge of crying as well, but I didn't respond to his words.

“I'm so sorry, Hailey, I–”

“It's alright Ben, I told you, I forgive you. I do, I really do.” I assured him, fighting back my tears.

“I can't forgive myself yet,” He shook his head against my shoulder, “only if you could let me explain everything...”

My heartstrings tightened again, I pulled back my head from his shoulder and looked at him, “It's all over–”

“No it isn't.”

“I'm sorry but I don't want to talk about it now.” I said, lowering my gaze.

I heard him sigh, “Okay.”

We sat like that for a couple of moment before I broke the silence, “So, how did you enter here?” I asked as I remembered the topic we were about to discuss earlier.

Benjamin shrugged, “Long story.. your mom helped me.”

My eyes that were staring into the space, shot up to him when he mentioned my mom. “My mom? Is she... here?”

“Waiting outside, yeah.” Benjamin nodded.

My heart leaped as I glanced over the exit door, “Can you call her, please? I want to see her.” my lips slightly trembled from the lump that formed in my throat.

“I will,” Benjamin said, glancing down at his watch, “Just... seven minutes.”

“Ben, I want to see my mom!” I moaned.

Benjamin looked up at me with the same pleading eyes as mine, “Please love, I've got seven more minutes left and I don't want to lose it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The doctor has given me twenty minutes to see you, well I'm sure they had no idea you'd wake up, but anyway,” Benjamin paused and sighed, “I won't get to see you again if I go back out there now; your brother don't like me near you.”

“My brother? Is he here too?” my heart rose at the mention of my brother.

“No, no, no, he isn't; or else I couldn't have been here now.” Benjamin said.

“Well, I think you owe me an explanation than giving me riddles from here a bit and there a bit, since I can't see my mom until the seven minutes have passed.” I popped up my knees and wrapped my arms around them beneath the blanket, because it was cold in here.

Benjamin shook his head slightly, “I dunno if I should... the doctor, your godfather of course, might not want me to put you under any pressure.”

“Come on, what's the big fuss about this? I'm totally fine, okay?” I argued, but kept my voice low because of the patients who were in this same room, conscious or unconscious. Probably unconscious, I guess.

Benjamin reached out his fingers to stroke my cheek, “You just woke up from a long coma, Hailey.” he said gently.

“I... what?!”

Benjamin nodded sighing, “You were in a coma for twenty six days.”

I stared at him in disbelief, and shook my head, massaging my face. “Twenty six days? What happened... to me?”

Benjamin sighed for the hundredth time, rubbing his forehead, “Hailey... I don't think I should–”

“Tell me everything, come on, I deserve to know!” I argued.

“I just don't know if it's okay for me to tell you.” Benjamin said, helplessly.

I raised an eyebrow at him, “Why not? Because you think it'd make me under pressure?”

“Yeah, something like that...”

I tilted my head, “Really? But you weren't thinking about it when you wanted to discuss the other thing with me, which, by fact, would've put me under this pressure you're talking about.” I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Benjamin thought for a second and sighed in defeat, “Fine.” he said.

I straightened up myself and he opened his mouth to explain everything that happened, “By the time the ambulance arrived, you passed out, but I feared I was losing you; that was until I checked your pulse and knew nothing has happened.” Benjamin's hand came beneath the blanket and held my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. I felt shivers running down my spine as he did this and wanted to pull my hand away, but his face, that was broken with emotions, didn't let me do it.

Benjamin continued, avoiding my eyes, as I was avoiding his. “We brought you straight to here when the ambulance arrived, since this was in our nearest reach. I had no idea this hospital belonged to your godfather and his family until the nurse who assisted us recognized you.”

“What nurse?”

“Ariana Elton. I saw her name on her badge.” Benjamin said. “Do you know her?”

“Of course, she's my godfather's niece.” who had a crush on my brother so I do remember her.

“She asked us if it's really you because she couldn't believe it was you, laying motionless on the bed, covered in blood, all frozen and pale.” Benjamin's gaze hardened on my blanket he was staring at, as he recalled that scene. “She immediately called your godfather and your brother, who wasn't answering her call twice but at the third time when he did, she told him to come to the hospital. He asked her why, but she didn't tell him the exact reason but told him it's urgent. He came immediately and when he saw me, he understood, that it was you the reason he was called.”

I listened to Benjamin, holding my breath as he was talking about my brother; my heartstrings tightened as I thought about him, how much pain my brother must've felt..

“We told him what happened,” Benjamin continued, “but he couldn't believe it; by the time the bullets were being removed from your body, your parents arrived. My dad told me I should go to home but I couldn't, I just couldn't leave, with you having a surgery in there.”

I felt him squeeze my fingers. “But what made my brother–”

“–to not let me come to you?” Benjamin asked, finishing what I was saying, looking up at me once, “He saw that video you took. Your friends send it to him when they heard this news, thinking... this has something to do with me...”

My jaw dropped, the video... I closed my eyes for a moment and opened them to see Benjamin's eyes already on me, “I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it.” I apologized, slightly feeling guilty. “I just... I didn't record the video to put you into trouble but... your words which you said about me to Meghan caught me off guard and I wanted to record and treasure it, to be honest.” I lowered my gaze before continuing, “But when it happened, I thought I could use it as a proof to you, if you ever deny –I know you wouldn't but I don't knoe what got into me then– and had to send it to my friends, to make sure it stays safe.” I confessed, skipping the part where I showed that video to Diana.

Benjamin let out a sigh, “It's okay.”

I held back onto Benjamin's hand that was holding mine, due to the guilt I was feeling, “No, it isn't. It's not your fault I got shot, and I know it. I–I can tell my friends what really happened.”

Benjamin had a sad smile on his face and he looked at me, “At least you know, and that's enough.” he said. “Your friends too, didn't allow me to see you.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, not catching what he was talking about.

“Your friends, Harry Canfield and Emmy where here... to see you.”

My eyes widened, Harry and Emmy? Here? To see me? “Really?”

“They dropped by Saturday morning, yes.” Benjamin nodded.

I didn't know what to say, my two best friends were here... but I didn't know.

“Emmy didn't show up anything much of any hatred than agreeing with your brother to keep me away from you, but Harry...” Benjamin let out a sad chuckle, “let's say, he wasn't pleased to see me at all, since I was here to get a chance to get in and see you... I just wanted to see you, but no one allowed me, even your cousin Archer was mad at me, finally I had to convince your cousin Bonnie for your mother's phone number, to Whatsapp her and ask her to let me see you, since she was nice to me than your brother or dad.

“I really owe her so much Hailey, your mother is the most gracious woman I've met. She replied to my message, telling me not to worry and assuring that she'll help me to see you. She was the one who kept me updated on you, you who wasn't reacting to any medicines or treatments, but was in the coma, scaring us all to deaths. She has been trying for some days and today, she succeeded in sending back your brother to home to take rest, who haven't left the hospital since the day you were brought up. Your mom already got the permission from your godfather and let me in here. After waiting twenty six days, when I came in here just some minutes ago and saw you like that... it hurt me like the hell, Hailey, but I never knew, God would be waking you out of the coma this soon.”

I looked up at Benjamin's wet blue eyes, “I'm so sorry...”

Benjamin shook his head, “Don't apologize, I'm just happy to have to back.” he said, wiping away the single tear that escaped my eye.

My heartstrings tightened again when I heard those words from him; I wanted to tell him what Jesus has told me but before I did, he spoke first, “It's time, I should go.” He said, glancing at his watch. “I'm so happy to have you back than you could ever imagine, Hailey, I love you.”

Benjamin moved closer to me, holding the side of my face with his free hand, “Yes, Hailey, I love you.”

My lips trembled as I bit back my sob. Benjamin leaned in, his eyes fixed on my lips, but before our lips met, I reached out my hand from beneath the blanket and placed my finger tips on his lips. Benjamin's eyes suddenly shot up to meet my eyes, “I'm sorry.” I whispered shaking my head and released my fingers from his lips before turning my head away.

Benjamin inhaled deeply and pressed a kiss on my temple before getting to his feet, “I want to see you again.” he said, looking down at me. “We really need to talk.”

I blinked away my tears and glanced up at him, nodding. “We really need to,” I said. I wanted to tell him about what Jesus told me, and I knew I couldn't now. What seemed like easy, has now become hard for me; breaking up with Benjamin, the boy I loved.

As I saw him walking towards the exit and sparing me a glance before heading out and I unknowingly asked God, why isn't he the one who's meant for me?

I hugged my knees and rested my chin on top, staring at the exit door, expecting my mom to burst in to see me; but when the door opened, it was only Ariana. She walked towards me with a smile on her face and asked me how am I feeling. I answered her shortly, saying I'm fine and not feeling any pain, and asked for my mom.

She assured me that I can see my mom after they check up my health and things, and kept telling me how much my brother was worried about me. I wasn't sure, whether I should frown or roll my eyes at her as she kept telling, or maybe flattering about my brother and my brother only. Not that I don't love hearing about him, but only because she's the one who's telling them to me, still having a huge crush on my brother, and couldn't feel a bit annoyed. Maybe this is exactly what my brother feels about me, when there're boys out there who likes me; I couldn't blame him anymore because I feel the same for him.

When I began to get annoyed further, I asked Ariana if she could remove the bandage from my shoulder as I could feel it getting itchy or at least remove the needle from my hands, which was indeed a shuddering-worth sight to me whenever I glanced at it. She apologized saying I should wait until the doctor comes, and when was about to ask, who is this doctor, the door opened and my godfather Michael Elton entered.

Uncle Mike had a surprise look on his face when his eyes found me; he smiled widely as he walked towards my bed. He was an amusing cool man around my dad's age with dark brown hair, which was probably dyed because I couldn't find a single grey hair among them.

Uncle Mike hugged me and asked how do I feel. I gave him the same reply I gave Ariana, but more cheerfully as I always used to be whenever he's around.

“You know what, my dear? When your boyfriend told me you're awake, I only expected to find laying tired on the bed when I come in here, but what my eyes witnessed really made me surprised.” He said.

I shrugged smilingly, avoiding the pain in my heart upon hearing him mentioning Benjamin as my boyfriend. So, Benjamin must've told everyone that we are or we were in a relationship? I frowned at the thought.

I wanted to skip the matter and asked uncle Mike if I could have the bandage and the needle removed. He told me it's okay to remove the needle but not the bandage. I told him I don't feel any pain, but still, he wouldn't allow. So I had to prove him and rolled, shook and shrugged my injured shoulder frantically, trying to tell him that I have no pain at all.

Ariana commented something foolish in between, asking me if it's the right shoulder. Both uncle Mike and I rolled our eyes and gave her a look, which made her smile sheepishly.

Uncle Mike turned to me, “Are you sure you don't feel any pain, any pain at all?” he asked, rolling his own shoulder as I did, much to my amusement. No wonder why be both became friends immediately when my parents first brought me to him to deal with my bruises and health problems years ago when I had freshly ran into them out of the Mafia. And since dad noticed how much I've liked uncle Mike, who was his best friend, and that he liked me as well, he asked him to be my godfather, which, uncle Mike gladly accepted.

“Of course, I don't. Come on, godfather...” I whined, grinning at him.

He chuckled softly and told Ariana to free me from the bandage and needles, as he excused himself to the other patients there, who were still unconscious.

Ariana first took off the needles from my hands and then helped with the bandage. As she slowly untied the bandage and I began to feel coolness brushing my skin, I heard her gasp.

“Uncle! Uncle Mike!” she lifted her head and called uncle Mike, who hissed at her to lower her voice and came to us with an alerted face.

“What's it?” I asked as uncle Mike asked the same when he reached us.

“Th–the... wound... look!”

“Wh–what's wrong? What happened?” I asked, slightly panicking. Has it gone worse with some kind of flesh worms or... I shuddered at the thought.

“It's... gone..” Ariana whispered under her breath.

“What?!” my head shot back to uncle Mike and Ariana, both staring at my wounded shoulder with wide eyes.

Uncle Mike glanced down at me, “The wound is gone, it's not here, not even a bruise or even a single shade.” he answered me in awe.

My jaw fell and I reached out my hand to my injured shoulder back and when my fingers brushed the part, the feeling was exactly how I felt back in paradise, when I couldn't find the wound when I was brought to there. I remember Jesus' words and gasped; this must be the sign he told me about, to make everyone believe that I was indeed taken to paradise.

“B–but how? I mean, it's impossible.” Ariana's words trembled.

“It's not impossible, Aria, look,” I pointed my index finger towards the framed writing on the wall which read, We give the treatment, but God is the one who heals you. and continued, “that, is what exactly happened; a miracle.”

Ariana was shaking, but Uncle Mike had a genuine smile on his face, “That's perfectly right, you are indeed a child of God.” he told me.

I felt my heart gear up, you are indeed a child of God, I smiled with tears in my eyes, thanking God in my heart. I did wanted to tell my godfather about what happened to me in paradise but I thought not to, I want to tell it to my parents and my brother first.

“So, does this means, I can go home today? It's been ages, isn't it?” I asked.

“How do you know that?” Ariana asked me in double shock, probably thinking this could be another impossible miracle from God.

I felt to laugh but bit it back, “I squeezed out the details out of poor Benjamin, who wasn't sure if it's okay to fill me in the things I've missed.” I said, partly defending Benjamin because I don't want any more blames to get to him somehow, than a lot already have.

“You can be moved to a room from here but can't go to your home yet.” Uncle Mike said.

I frowned, “Why not? I'm already fine and fully healed.” I'm pretty sure God wouldn't heal just one part and leave the other bit for someone else to heal.

Uncle Mike clasped his hand over mine with a gentle look on his face, “I know how you fell, you want to go to the comfort of your home and family, but there are a few check ups we need to do before you get discharged; you had a huge amount of blood loss after all.”

I sighed in defeat and agreed with my concerned godfather even though I knew I have no physical problems at all. At least, I'm free from this freezing ICU room.

Ariana and Uncle Mike led me out of the ICU. Uncle Mike was in front of me, big enough to cover my small figure from anyone's view, and when the door opened and he stepped out, I heard my mom's eager voice.

“Mike, how is she?”

I walked from uncle Mike's back and revealed myself to my mom, a bit taken aback to see Benjamin standing next to her, with the same question as my mom, written visible across his face.

Mom gasped as she saw me and I ran into her open arms. She held me close to her, stroking and kissing my hair and whispering a lot into my ear.

“She's alright, just wants some check ups.” I head uncle Mike say.

“How's her wound?” Benjamin asked.

I heard Uncle Mike sigh happily, “Let's call it a miracle, shall we?” he asked. “The wound is not to be found.”

“What?” both my mom and Benjamin asked together.

I pulled my head back from mom's shoulder and looked at her, “I'm completely healed, there's no wound or a mark at all.” I said, glancing at Benjamin as well, who was staring at me with his jaw slightly dropped.

Mom stared at me in disbelief and shifted her gaze to my godfather, “But, how?”

“Jesus, of course.” I smiled at my mom.

Mom smiled back nodding, believing our words and hugged me again.

“How's Dad, Jonny and Nicky?” I asked over her shoulder.

“Maybe you should discuss all that and do the catch up talks in the room.” Uncle Mike suggested, cutting in before mom spoke, and turned to his niece, “Take them to room no.42.”

“Sure,” Ariana nodded at her uncle and motioned us to follow her.

But mom didn't move from there and turned to Benjamin, “I think you should go, Benjamin.”

“B–but...” he stuttered, glancing at me at once before glancing at my mom, “I'll leave after you both get to the room.”

Mom smiled at him, pleased, “Thanks dear, I have no problem with that but Haxsel will be arriving soon since I texted him that Hailey is awake, and... I think it's better if he don't see you now.” mom said, giving him a helpless smile.

Benjamin didn't want to leave at all; I could know it from the look on his face. He glanced at me, our eyes met, and I nodded, “We'll meet again, I promise.” I assured him.

Benjamin nodded slightly and thanked my mom for her help on letting him visiting me and before he turned back and left, he held my hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze, our eyes meeting once more. And then he walked off with his hands in his pocket, unwillingly, and I stared after him with tightened heartstrings.

*****

Ariana led us to room no.42 and before leaving, she asked if she could buy anything for us from the canteen. Mom kindly refused the offer, saying Haxsel would be bringing us food from home. Once when she left, I excused myself from mom to the bathroom for a shower.

I took a look at my previously-injured shoulder in the mirror, once I took off my shirt. I couldn't help but glance at the spot where there has to be a bad wound and thanked God over and over again. When I turned on the warm shower and stepped under it, I wished if all my worries about Benjamin could wash off like this easily and smoothly. But that wasn't going to happen, an I knew, I should lean on God to get over with it.

When I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel, I suddenly remembered that I had my period when I got shot that day. Benjamin told me it had been 26 days since I was in the coma; so surely the bleeding was over by a week. But who must've dressed me every now and then? Or maybe my bleeding might've eventually stopped when I lost a huge amount of blood? Yeah, that makes at least some sense.

Before I had more to think, there was a knock on the room's main door. I listened closely. I heard footsteps entering the room and the door closing and the voice of my brother.

“Where is she?”

My heart jumped at the sound of his voice and wanted to run out of the bathroom immediately. But them I realized, I'm only wrapped in a bath towel. A knock sounded at the bathroom door a minute later and mom left me a pair of my dress, which my brother has probably taken out of my suitcase from home.

I fastened my pace on dressing up and brushing my hair and when I got ready and reached my hand to the handle of the door I paused. I could hear my family talking in hushed voices and in my head I imagined them and their seating positions. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped out; all three of their heads shot towards me.

I froze in my spot, guilt washed over my body as I glanced at each one of them. I was hiding my relationship with Benjamin from them, I got them into this chaos, I broke their hearts... could my apologies ever be enough?

Haxsel rose up to his feet from the bed he was sitting on. My gaze lingered on his face, he had dark circles under his gorgeous blue eyes that were now swollen, his eyebrows were furrowed as his gaze lingered on me, I noticed that he has gotten thinner than I last saw him, and my guilt was increasing from moment to moment.

I watched as my brother walking up to where I stood, and my own legs were forced to go to him. When I collided into his arms, I broke into helpless tears. I sobbed into my brother's chest as he wrapped his hands around me tightly, holding me like he'll never let me go out of his embrace again.

“I'm so sorry, Jonny, I'm so sorry!” I choked out in between the sobs as I remembered my last moments with my brother, when he dropped me at the church that dreadful day.

Haxsel didn't say anything but kept rubbing my back and squeezing me to him; he was fighting back his own tears to

“It's not your fault, why are you apologizing, honey?” I heard dad's voice near me and his hand on my shoulder.

“It's all my fault, everything is.” I wasn't sure if he heard me at all, because another sob has already escaped my lips along with my words. I pulled back my head from my brother's chest and glanced at my dad with my tears-blurred eyes. I hugged him as Haxsel's arms loosened from me; and the next moment, we all were in a group hug, with mom too joining in.

I couldn't stop crying, it was too overwhelming; a family who still loves me despite the chaos I've brought them into, there was nothing else I could be grateful for.

I wanted to confess everything to them about what happened to me then, and also my experience in paradise. But mom told me to have food first. Other than my favorite Matzo Balls mom had prepared that day at home, there was also a few of unleavened bread. I stared at it with a confused look as dad blessed and broke it into pieces, giving us, and then I realized, it's the Passover week. I felt too disappointed that I wasn't able to be in part of my most favorite biblical festival of the year, but my brother assured me, it is all right.

“There is something I want to tell you.” I spoke up, with the food in my mouth.

“We know you do, but you need to rest first, love.” Haxsel said from beside me.

“But this is important,” I said, “There is a reason why Jesus made my wound disappear.”

Dad looked up me and smiled gently, “Of course dear, He loves you, that's why.”

“Yes, but also because it is a sign, a proof.” I told him.

“What sign? What proof?” Haxsel asked.

“That I was taken to paradise.” I said.

“Excuse me?”

I told my family about what happened to me in paradise. I told them everything, everything Jesus told me about Diana, Meghan, Benjamin and also about my true love warrior.

And my family sat there, listening to me, awestruck.

They had no idea Diana was a terrorist, no one has; and I believe, God has a purpose on not letting the world know who she truly is.

My family had no idea about what exactly happened that day either; and until I told this only they accepted that nothing was Benjamin's fault. Dad felt bad, mom felt pity, but my brother... he didn't say a word out; which made me wonder what's going on inside his head.

Later that day, I had to attend some health check-ups and once when we got the all results except one–which needed time, I guess–  all fine, Uncle Mike said we could leave the hospital by the next evening.

When I came back to the room, mom was talking with her sister on phone, about me, telling how miraculously the wound had disappeared. Dad stayed outside, talking on his phone to our grandparents about me, while Haxsel and I cuddled up on the bed.

“I love you.” I suddenly told him as I recalled our last conversation before I got shot that day.

My brother placed a small kiss on my temple, whispering, “I love you the most.”

I sighed, “I'm not going to deny it again, I think you really do.”

“Glad you came to your senses.” Haxsel teased me, chuckling softly, making me chuckle as well. “I think it's time you have this back.” he said, reaching into his pocket, making me glance at his pocket curiously. “I've been keeping this for days, you know.”

When Haxsel pulled out his hand, he had my phone held. I gasped and straightened up, glancing between him and my phone, “How... wait, it was... the screen was broken... and Diana...–”

“Yes, I know. Diana had it with her when the police caught her, and they gave it to me.” my brother replied. “And I got it fixed.”

I took my phone from my brother and turned it on; appeared on the lock screen was a picture of him, Nicky and I. “How's Nicky?” I asked as I stared at the picture.

“Pretty sick.”

“Sick?!”

“Without you around, if I may say.” Haxsel sighed, “There's nothing to worry though, he's doing fine, just... I think he kind of guessed something has happened to you. You know our Nicklaus, he's pretty genius.”

I smiled a tad at my brother's sarcasm, but I couldn't help but feel a bit worried for Nicky even though Haxsel told there's nothing to worry about. I can't wait to get to home tomorrow and cuddle with him.

“I'm sorry I got you all into this with me.” I said.

“What are you talking about?”

“You and dad had work, but you didn't leave to Chicago because of me! I got you all worried and waste of money–”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Haxsel cut off my words, “hold on little girl, you're going too far with that.” he said, turning my face to him, to look at him as he spoke, “You, Hailey, matters to us, me, dad and mom, more than anything in the world. When are you ever going to understand that? That was the most rubbish thing I've heard you say.”

“That was rubbish?” I asked, slightly amused, blinking back the unshed tears in my eyes.

“Absolutely rubbish.”

“I'm sorry.” I said.

“Just don't mention such things again, okay?”

I hummed in response and laid my head back on his chest. “When are we going to see Diana?” I asked.

“This week itself.” my brother replied, “Dad said he'd talk with the jail inspector for the permission.”

I nodded to myself. The police wanted to report this news of Diana's attack on me to the public media and even to file the case, but my family didn't went after it, saying, they forgive Diana and don't want this news to be spread out. Haxsel mostly, because he feared that, it might not be a safer way for my identity in the public. He said, what if Bobby Khuller hears this? Or what if my old best friend Emery aka Magdalene recognizes me? But, on the other side, something was telling me that, my brother fears something else than this, of which I have no idea.

I heard Haxsel sigh after a moment.

“I'm sorry.” I mumbled, feeling guilty all the time I hear him sigh.

“Sorry?” Haxsel asked.

“I promise I won't do these things again.” I sighed.

“You did nothing.”

I looked up at him, “I lied to you a lot, hid my relationship with Benjamin, still how can you say, I did nothing?”

My brother sighed again, “It's all in the past, and we shouldn't dwell in it. Yes, I was sad, mad and disappointed that you didn't tell me anything at all, but only to Emmy and Rex. They are the ones to who told me everything and send me the video.”

I suddenly remembered Benjamin's words from earlier that day about my friends, “Is it true that Harry and Emmy came here to see me?”

“Of course,” Haxsel shrugged, “Max brought them because Harry was restless about you and wouldn't give him a rest. And when they got here, Harry got so furious upon seeing Benjamin, that he nearly choked him.”

I gasped with my hand on my heart, “Harry choked Benjamin?!”

“Nearly choked, Max and I had to hold him off.” my brother said, as if it's not obvious. “I think he deserves it.”

“No he don't.” I spoke firmly, “It's not Benjamin's fault I ended up in the hospital!”

“Not his fault?” Haxsel's eyes burned, “None of this would've happened if he hadn't snogged that girl! Can you deny it, dear sister?”

“Jonny...”

“Don't try to defend him in from of me Hailey, do you have any idea how such we all were sick about you? I thought... I thought I lost you!”

“I'm so–”

“Oh, and not to mention Rex, she was... I have no idea what to say, she shut the whole world out of her room and didn't let anyone in other than Nathan; he told me she's always crying and wouldn't eat or get out of her room.”

“What?” I asked, worried for my friend.

“What? She couldn't accept what happened to you.” Haxsel sighed again. “And finally I had to talk with her, and convince her to come back to the normal her. For a week, she was like that.”

Guilty, guilty, guilty.

I couldn't help myself but to be mad at me even though I couldn't find a reasonable reason. My coma situation didn't just devastated my family, but my friends too. I asked Haxsel if it's okay I could call Rex now. He told me he had texted her saying I'm fine and healed, but I couldn't feel satisfied. I told him, I do want to call her, but when he reminded me about the time difference between America and Israel, I gave up; Rex might be asleep by now.

“I have a favor.” I told Haxsel when I found I couldn't talk with Rex now; he didn't even let me call Emmy or Harry, saying I need to rest. If had the data in my phone, I didn't had to ask him for his permission to call my friends at all, but too bad, I had to depend on his phone.

“What's it?”

“It's about Benjamin.” I said.

“What about him?”

“Remember what I told you about Jesus' words about me and him?” I asked and my brother nodded, “I need to tell them to him.”

Haxsel stared into the space, thinking.

“We need to talk in private.” I added.

“And breakup?”

I felt my heart skip a beat, “Yeah,”

Haxsel nodded again in acknowledgement, “What about tomorrow then?”

I shrugged, ignoring the hardness from my heart, “Sounds okay to me. Can he come here?”

Haxsel almost nodded and was about to say something when his phone rang. “Yes man?” he answered the call immediately, before I could read the caller ID. “Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.”

Haxsel hang up the call and got up to his feet, “Where are you going? Who was it?” I asked, not wanting him to leave my side to anywhere now.

“Oh, I'll come right now.” Haxsel gave me an assuring gesture of his hands, “Just need to go down and catch up somebody.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. Could that be Charlie? Oh no! Jesus, I don't want Nott to be with him, please!

Haxsel just smiled sheepishly at my raised eyebrow and ruffled my hair, before walking out of the room. Mom, who was still talking on phone, raised and eyebrow at me, jerking her head at Haxsel's back, mentally asking me, where is he going?

I shrugged both my hands and shoulders and quickly went to the bathroom to check if my hair is messy or not, and came back, waiting for my brother to come, with a somebody.

Maybe it's just me thinking, there might not be anyone to see me.

But I was proved wrong when the door slowly opened after a five minutes, revealing Harry and Emmy, at whose sight I gasped out loud and jumped to my feet.

—— • ——

A/N: I'm so happy to announce that, The Runaway Girl won the second place in The Berries Awards, which was hosted by sweet kirstyt97

All thanks and glory to God alone! I wouldn't have been able to write this book without His help! Everything you see and read in this book is all by Him, not me. I'm nothing without Him.

And thanks to all of your for your love and support! I'm so grateful to God for each and everyone of you!