January Dreams Carrigan Richards (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

“Casper.” My heart breaks at the horrific sight. I can’t believe it. What did Vincent do to him? He never mentioned putting him in the hospital. I move in a daze toward him. He seems heavily sedated, or my worst fear is that he’s in a coma. My mouth waters, but I can’t swallow. Tears brim over and I wipe them from my cheeks. I want to hold him, or kiss him, or be like the Megan in my dreams.

I have to leave, but I don’t want to leave him alone in this place. I reluctantly walk back toward the door and close it behind me. I don’t remember getting on the elevator or walking past the front desk, but I step outside into the cold night and inhale a shaky breath. The rain has slacked. I can’t believe it. Casper’s in the hospital, beaten to a bloody pulp.

“I never pegged you as a stalker.” I stop mid-stride clutching onto the strap of my bag that crosses my chest.

“I never pegged you as a liar, but here we are.” I twist around and see Vincent sitting on a bench under an awning, arms stretched along the length of it. His dark blue eye focuses on me though he isn’t angry, but sad.

“Liar?” He gets up and moves toward me. I stand my ground but tense. “My dad sent me a text telling me that Mom was admitted again. She isn’t awake though.” He frowns and his eye waters.

I feel like the lowest of low. I feel my shoulders sag. I’m a terrible person. “I’m so sorry, Vincent. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because. I already don’t like being known as the kid with the cancer mom. I don’t want people to pity me. I blame myself. I worried her so much with all my reckless shit that she got sick. I’m sorry I don’t tell you every little thing. It’s still hard for me open up to people.”

“But it’s me, Vincent.”

“I know.”

Here I am getting upset with him over something so trivial and his mom’s in the hospital, dying of cancer. Maybe he’s so angry and Casper came at the wrong time. “Were you taking out your anger on Casper?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

He tilts his back and gives a hard laugh. “If I took out all my anger on him, he’d be dead,” he says. The look in his good eye tells me he means it.

I shudder. “You almost did.”

“What? A couple of bruises and a black eye hardly seems like death. Why are you so worried about him now?”

“He’s in the ICU.” I point back to the hospital. “I know you’re under a lot of stress, but Vincent, that’s no reason to beat someone up like that. Why did you do it?”

Vincent narrows his eyes and his face contorts with confusion. “ICU? For what?”

“He’s got bruises and bandages all over his face. His arm is in a cast. He’s wearing a neck brace. You didn’t have to put him in the hospital.”

He holds up his hands in surrender. “I didn’t do that. I got a couple of punches on him before the coach pulled us apart. We went to the principal’s office and they suspended us both. I went home after that.”

Maybe it’s best that I don’t have contact with either one of them. My life was fine until these stupid dreams and visions and fights. I’ve seen more violence in the last month than ever before. I have school to focus on. I have to get a scholarship and get out of this place.

“But you’re so quick to accuse me and defend him.” He shakes his head in disappointment.

Remorse overcomes me. I don’t know why I’m so quick to blame Vincent. He’s had such a hard life and I’m not making it easy on him. I love him with everything I have, but I don’t treat him well. Worrying over Casper doesn’t help him. “What do you think happened to him?” I whisper as a small tear rolls down my cheek. I’m crying at what Vincent said, not Casper. Or maybe I’m crying for both.

“I don’t know.” He lets out a defeated sigh. “We can go find out if you want.”

I shake my head and my heart drops. “No. We aren’t friends anymore. He hurt me. Vincent, I’m so sorry for being the worst girlfriend ever. I’m such a terrible person.”

He takes my hand and brushes it against his lips. “You are anything but. You gotta learn to trust me though. And you gotta stop worrying about him.”

I swallow the lump of guilt in my throat and wrap my arms around him. His arms wind around me and instead of feeling the cold mist of the rain soaking us, I feel his warmth. “You deserve better.”

“No, I don’t,” he says with conviction. “I love you. Probably more than I should, but I do. You keep me grounded and out of trouble.” He clears his throat. “With the exception of today.” He pulls back to peer into my eyes and cradles my face in his hands. “I promise I will never hurt you or fight anyone.” Vincent kisses me and it brings another vision. We are standing in the rain, somewhere. I’m crying and he’s comforting me. He whispers something, I can’t hear but I read his lips. Don’t forget me.

When we pull apart, I whisper, “I won’t forget you.”

He tightens his arms around me. “You should get home. I don’t want you getting sick.”

“Are you staying here tonight?”

He scratches his head and avoids my gaze. “Yeah. I’m gonna sleep here.”

“Tell your mom I said hi.”

He gives a pained smile. “I will.”

I stand on my toes and kiss him. “I love you.”

He walks me to my car and on my