Chapter 14 - 14. love blooms

Alex is standing at the leftmost corner of the terrace, which is square-shaped, almost burning during the calidity of the dog days. After seeing James come through, Alex is exasperated. He grabs James's collar; James is not able to process it; he tries to tilt Alex's hands. Alex shouts at him, "Why did you try to put Emma into your trap? How d dare u?" James pushes Alex and questions him, "Who are you to interrupt?". Hearing that Alex becomes very angry, he punches James with extreme force, and James tries to defend himself; the fight turns uglier. Jack and Eric come shouting and separating both of them; Hailey comes and tries to tackle the situation, but Jack tells her to go. Alex was not ready to leave James; as a result, his shirt is torn, and his chest has cuts. Alex: " how dare you talk to Emma like this? She isn't Julie." James: " shut up. Who are you in between? Oh,Oh so you got everything I wanted, huh?" Alex: " everything July does with girls is haha.". Alex, bleeding from his wrists, manages to snatch James's phone in the tussle, and James tries to stop him by locking his arms around Alex's chest. Hailey could not tolerate it; she runs to rescue, and James holds her wrists, which leads to Jack slapping James; Alex also joins. Jack's father, Eric Harrison, becomes furious, and finally James and Jack are stopped. Emma, who witnesses the scenario, galls on the ground hearing the fuss. Hailey and Lyla carry Emma. Alex stops fighting and carries Emma in his arms to the hospital. Hailey comes along. Jack is thrown out of his home; James is suspended. Jack's mother was tense. What would be the outcome if Hailey's parents could know, and she wasn't well? It must not be hidden. The only excuse was dehydration. Scenes at the Maxwell Qatar Hospital. The doctor prescribes rest and temporary medications for anxiety and blackout. Emma was given injections. She is sleeping. Hailey and Alex are waiting on the next couch for visitors. Hailey cries, and Alex tries to calm her down. Alex goes near Emma, pats her on the head, looking at her. He touches Emma's dark circles and cheeks. He murmurs a bit. Alex: "Emma, I won't let anything happen to her." Emma: "I am so tense right now.". Alex: " don't worry; I managed to damage his phone, and we will figure out something." Alex: "Emma, I promise. That's the first and last time your face is losing your glow. I will never let anyone harm you; these cheeks will always be plump, and eyes won't be puffed. Thank God, Emma became conscious after an hour; we all were relieved. Alex fed her with his own hands and helped her get off the bed; the marks of the drip were blue; there was no way we could hide it. I wonder what If we were actually sincere about college, we would not here creating unnecessary mess. Alright, that was a part of growing up. I needed to calm down. Days before, I was happy when everything was eased with Jack, when we went to the culture village, when I read poetry randomly. I sent the location of the hospital to Jack after 10 messages from him. There he came. Exhausted, tired, and thrown out. The reason was again me. He hit his own brother for me. Jack apologized to Emma, and he came towards me; he looked for James's 'fingerprints on my wrist. Luckily, it was faded. He rubbed my hands for almost 5 seconds. I saw a sense of realization in his eyes. He was in a hurry. Before going to our home, we needed to figure out what to say to our parents. We all needed to talk; I was wondering where Jack would stay now. After the hospital, we decided to go to the Burger King nearby the hospital. We had no other option. We entered inside and spotted a green sofa with a wooden table for four people. Nobody was concerned about the order. Alex: " how are you feeling now?"? Emma: "Better. I am sorry, Alex, everyone " Alex: " for what? I never said anything.". Jack: " are you mad? We are going to care for you.". Hailey: "Don't make me feel shameful by saying these lines, Emma; you are my responsibility, best friend, and sister ". Alex: " alright guys, Emma What would you like to eat"? Emma: " cheese burger with Coke.". Alex: " I will order 4 of it; is that fine with you, Jack and Hailey?"? Jack:" Yes.. Jack: " Hailey we need to talk.". Emma: " I will feel awkward. I am going to the counter with Alex.". Jack: " thank you, Emma ". Jack: " Hailey listen to me carefully." ( sits next to Hailey, holding her hand ). I have no idea when we are going to see each other next; days are turning more difficult than I ever imagined. I will have to live in our old villa, close to Almeera Hypermarket. I think what we have is somewhat more than a genuine friendship...I... (a long breath)... couldn't take you off my mind. I imagine you in your absence; I am eager to meet you, to know you... well...I miss you". "You can say if you want to say anything.". Hailey: "What the... how will you be able to live alone and manage all the things? Do you mean you won't come to Gordon?" "I miss you too." Jack I need more time to process, but I agree I feel strangely attracted to you; even I think about you when I act stupid in front of my mirror, talking to Rumi's poetry book, stargazing". Jack: " I will try to come.". "Oh really, that's not stupid; that's cute, Hailey... Rumi poetry? I have heard about one;I would definitely explore each of the tasks you do, think, andlive if we had enough time." Hailey: "Jack, I hope good days come soon.". Alex brings the tray and serves everyone after having a quick bite. We decide to go back home. Alex: " bye, please take care of Emma." Hailey: "Sure, do visit us.". Emma: "I will let you know if I come to Gordon.". Jack: " bye you all, Hoping to reconnect after shifting into my new home, the punishment garage lol "Take care, Hailey; keep your phone on ring.". (smiles) Hailey:" Sure..( blushes )