CHAPTER THREE: LEO

The persistent beeping sounds beside me filled the air as I slowly began to wake up. I blinked my eyes open, revealing a sterile setting with white walls. As the beeping grew more intense, I tried to sit up, only to be greeted by a searing pain in my abdomen that elicited an involuntary groan.

So I decided to remain still, scanning the room with my eyes. There, I saw Shane peacefully asleep in Sophia's embrace on a large couch at the foot of my bed. Meanwhile, Austin appeared uncomfortable, dozing off in a chair nearby.

Fighting through the discomfort, I managed to croak, "Hey, Austin... What happened?" Since he was the lightest sleeper, I hoped to catch his attention first.

I wondered where I was as I tried to wake up Austin, who seemed fast asleep. My eyes searched the room for clues, and when my mind became clearer, I realized I was in a hospital. But the question remained: why was I here?

I called out for Sophia, and her eyes opened instantly, locking onto me. Tears welled up as she looked at me, relieved.

"Thank goodness you're awake," she said softly, tapping Shane to wake him. As he regained consciousness, he looked at Sophia with weary eyes.

She motioned towards me, saying, "Shane, Leo is awake." His gaze shifted to me, and I managed a small smile.

He stared for a moment, almost in disbelief, before tears gathered in his eyes. He rushed to me, wrapping me in a hug. His movements woke up Austin, who was confused at first. His gaze landed on me, and something I'd never seen before happened – Austin started crying.

"Hey everyone, why such serious expressions?" I tried to make a joke, hoping to cheer them up. Unfortunately, my attempt fell flat as they continued to look at me with teary eyes.

"You shouldn't be joking right now, young man. We were all really scared. You and Athena got hurt, and nobody knows how or why," Sophia scolded, her anger evident. Suddenly, her expression shifted to shock, as if she regretted her words.

"What happened to Athena? And why are we both in the hospital?" I asked, struggling to recall the events but drawing a blank.

"Leo," Austin began cautiously, keeping his distance, his eyes revealing fear. "Do you remember how you ended up here?"

I replied, struggling to recall. "No, my memories are fuzzy. I remember the game, but everything else is blank."

Their expressions turned concerned. "What's happening? Where's Athena?" I asked, frustration building as their uneasy demeanor intensified. "Did I pass out after the game?"

Austin's response was straightforward. "No."

Confused and agitated, I pressed further. "What's going on? Why do you all seem scared? And why do I feel like I've been hit by a truck? Where's Athena?"

Sophia intervened, her voice pained. "Leo, please stay calm. We'll explain, but you must promise to remain composed. The doctor said it's important for your health."

"I'll try, but please, Aunt Sophie, tell me what's happening," I pleaded.

"Leo, you were shot on school grounds," she revealed.

The shock left me speechless. "Shot? But why? I haven't pissed anyone off in this town to that extent as far as I know."

Sophia continued, her expression grave. "No one knows. The coach found you in a pool of your own blood in the locker room. If we'd been a minute later, you might have died."

"And Athena?" My heart raced, fearing the answer.

Sophia's demeanor changed, and I knew it wouldn't be good news. She hesitated before explaining, "She was pushed off the school roof. They're claiming she attempted suicide."

Outrage and pain surged through me. "What? Athena would never do that! Who spread such a terrible rumor?"

Austin's fists clenched, his anger evident. "We don't believe it either. She was on the roof because she received a text from you, asking her to meet there."

"But I didn't send Athena any text to meet me on the roof. What's happening, Austin?" I asked, my confusion mirrored by his frustrated expression.

"You didn't send Athena a text?" he inquired.

"No, I didn't," I replied, my mind a whirlwind of uncertainty. "So you're saying we both got hurt after the game yesterday?"

"Leo, you and Athena have been in a coma for a month," Sophia disclosed, and a cold shiver ran down my spine.

I was speechless, my heart racing, and breathing became difficult. A month-long coma? What occurred that night? The machine's beeping intensified, darkness closed in, and I faintly heard Austin's urgent plea for help.

Three week later…

It's been three weeks since I woke up from my one-month coma. Doctors want me to do a lot of physical therapy to get better. Athena's condition hasn't changed much. Her brainwaves and heart rate have small fluctuations once in a while but she still hasn't woken up.

Everyone visits Athena every day, including me. I made a deal with doctors to use this as my therapy. Even though I see her every day, I still can't get used to seeing her lying lifeless on that hospital bed. My girl is hurting, and I can't ease her pain. My best friend blames me for not keeping us safe, but I'm stuck in this bed and don't know how to help them both.

Austin continues to carry a haunted expression in his eyes since I woke up. When he visits, he secretly cries at night, thinking I'm asleep, and it fucking hurts to see him like this when he wasn't to blame.

Despite my numerous attempts to reassure him that our accidents were not his fault, he remains unconvinced.

This makes me frustrated because the ones who should feel guilty and pained are the individuals responsible for shooting me and pushing Athena off the roof.

A week after waking up, the doctors told us that Athena was fortunate not to have any brain damage from the fall. They said her thick skull protected her, and she might have a few headaches, but they won't be dangerous to her health. Hearing this made us happy with relief, all that is left is for her to wake up.

Lately, what's been really pissing me off is the detectives who keep coming to ask Austin and me about that night. I keep saying the same thing: I can't remember.

Everything that happened after the game is blurry and it's really annoying. Whenever they come to ask questions, they manage to anger either Austin or Sophie, and they end up being kicked out of my room. But they don't seem to understand that we don't want them here – they just keep coming back.

Austin and I are in Athena's room, keeping an eye on her. We're waiting for Sophie and Shane to return with better food from home, as the hospital cafeteria food sucks really bad. I wonder how Austin managed to eat that crap while he was here.

Shane's school has started again, but he's decided not to go until Athena wakes up. I understand his pain and won't push him. He's become very close to her over the last few months and loves her like a sister, even though he hides that his hurting by outing on a smile so we don't have to worry about him as well.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Austin suddenly spoke, "I'm going to find and kill the person or people responsible for hurting you both," Austin's words caught me off guard. I looked up and saw the pain in his eyes,

"They nearly took away the only family I have left, the only ones who gave me a chance when no one else did," Austin's voice cracked, tears welling up. "You gave a shit about me, when I came back from juvie, unlike others who labeled me an ex-convict."

"Don't worry, Austin. Everything will be fine. Our girl is strong and will wake up. You'll get to annoy her every day, like you always do, and I'll be there to keep you from fighting." I said as I tried to cheer up my best friend, but he didn't seem convinced.

"Leo, I was the one who discovered her lying in a pool of her own blood. Nobody tried to help or call an ambulance. They just stood there watching and taking pictures, like she was some kind of exhibit at a zoo. The security guard eventually called for help after finding the two of us. Then the coach and assistant coach brought you out of the school with a gunshot wound. I didn't know what to do. You and Sophie were both covered in blood, and I felt helpless as they rushed you into surgery. When Sophie arrived, she mentioned that I was so distraught that they had to sedate me for five days because I kept waking up screaming your names, begging the doctors to save you." Austin explained and I found myself staring at my best friend in shock.

"Why didn't they tell me about what he went through? He went through so much because he blamed himself for our injuries. It was really painful to witness his suffering. Austin used to be the funny one in our group, but now he seems like a mere shadow of his former self.

"Austin, you're my closest friend, and it pains me to see you blaming yourself for something beyond your control. Please, let me know how I can help you, Austin," I said, gripping my palm tightly as I looked at my shattered friend. He had been staring at the ground, but eventually, he raised his eyes to meet mine.

"Leo all I felt was anger and pain for that one month and when you woke up, I felt some sort of relief but the feeling of fear came back when I remembered my little Red is still stuck in a fucking coma and i don't want to accept the thought that she might not wake up"

"Austin please stop blaming yourself, she is going to fucking wake up so stop thinking otherwise, what would happen if Athena woke up and saw you like this? She would be devastated that you're blaming yourself because she got hurt, I don't blame you and I assure you neither does Athena" I half yelled catching him off guard.

"Why shouldn't I blame myself? I was supposed to protect both of you, just like you protected me when I got hurt," Austin said, his voice getting louder. I couldn't hold back, so I walked up to him and slapped him across the face.

He looked up at me, shocked. I didn't intend to hurt him, but it was the only way I could think of to make him stop talking negatively. "Listen, Austin, I want to make this clear," I said urgently. "I don't hold you responsible, Austin. It's not your fault. I blame myself for not being able to protect both of you. Athena got hurt, and you went through a terrible time thinking we wouldn't wake up. It's incredibly painful to see both of you in this state. Athena seems lifeless, and you appear broken. Sophie looks defeated, and Shane has lost his cheerfulness. So, if anyone is to blame, blame me. I was weak and got shot, and I can't even remember who did it," I shouted as I fell to my knees, and Austin just stared at me, his eyes filled with pain.

"I apologize for being selfish," Austin said as he approached me, reaching out his hands. "Please stand up; you're not completely healed. I'm sorry for losing my shit," he added as I held his hand and rose to my feet. "And Leo, don't hold yourself responsible. Remember, nobody here blames you for all of this, the ones to blame are the people who did this," Austin reassured, our eyes locking before shifting our gaze towards Athena.

"It's going to be okay, and we'll make sure they pay for what they did," I told Austin, gripping his shoulder to comfort him in some way. "I'm sorry for hitting you earlier, man," I added. Austin looked up at me and managed a small smile.

"Don't worry, I deserved it," Austin said, his eyes returning to Athena. "Leo, there's something I need to tell you before you hear it from someone else," he continued, his gaze shifting back to me.

"What's on your mind, Austin?" I asked.

"I know who might have caused Athena's fall and your shooting," Austin said, lacking evidence.

"Who? And how did you find out, Austin? Please tell me you didn't do anything reckless," I inquired, my patience thin.

"Leo, I often do foolish things, but this time it was worth it," Austin replied with a playful tone, though I wasn't in the mood for jokes.

"Austin," I pressed, waiting for a serious response.

"He said Dylan and his crew might be responsible for Athena's accident and your injury," Austin revealed, his gaze shifting to the ground.

"I had a feeling that he and those guys were responsible, but actually committing murder? That's messed up. Even if we suspect them, nobody would believe us without proof," I said.

"I understand that's why he offered to assist us in gathering the evidence we need to expose those bastards," Austin replied, clenching his fist.

"And who is this generous person helping us?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Austin avoided my gaze once more.

"It's Silas Anderson," Austin replied simply.

"Who is Silas Anderson, anyway?" I questioned.

"Silas Anderson is the owner of a security company in California, though I can't recall the name," Austin answered.

"And why would he want to help us?" I asked, sensing from Austin's expression that I might not like the answer.

"Because he's my biological father, Leo. In return for his help with finding evidence and covering the medical expenses, I'll be moving in with him and taking over his business."