⭐️

Alexandra lied on the hospital bed in front of me. The young girl that always greeted me with a hug when I came home from work late at night. The girl that insisted on sleeping in my bed because it was "scary" sleeping alone. Alexandra the girl with the biggest smile in the world, my light and my happiness.

It's been years and she has changed. The glasses and braces are now gone, her once chocolate coloured hair now Raven black. In front of me lied a stranger, but still she shared my DNA. I never cared if she was a little chubby or didn't like to go play with other kids. To me she was absolutely perfect, a beautiful little angel and nothing in the world could change that.

Tears were now streaming down my face as I let it all out. I haven't cried since my parents funeral so it felt kinda weird doing it now. I looked down at her small frame lying in a hospital bed. Alexa's once bright glowy skin was now pale and bruised. I pulled my phone up from my pocket and hesitantly looked at the messages. 23 missed calls from Colton, 13 unopened messages from Damon. I want to tell them, but a part of me doesn't think they deserve to see her. I shouldn't have, but I blamed them. Maybe because it was easier to blame someone else, I don't now. but I still knew deep down that I had failed her just as much.

I gently cherished her cheek as I whispered

"Alexandra it's me Mason, your big brother. I am so sorry for not always being the best brother for you. I should have been there to protect you, but I wasn't. Promise that you will get better and come back to me. I don't think I can handle losing you again" Sobs escape my mouth as I feel Axel's presence behind me. "I love you, Angel"

When her so-called brothers came in and told us to leave my heart shattered. She didn't need me anymore, I was now being replaced with someone that was probably a lot better brother than me. I don't blame her. I was acting like a coward when I didn't stand up for her, but I need Alexa and soon enough she will be back in my arms again.

I slowly tried to open my eyes as blurred figures were talking in front of me. My mind was clouded with memories of the accident. I remember pushing Olivia out of the way before everything turned black. My vision cleared up and I blinked away the black dots. Soon enough my vision turned normal again and I met with the sight of my best friends; Olivia, Xander, Blaze, Lucas, and Leo.

Xander quickly stood up from his seat and pulled me into a gentle, but an emotional hug. His shoulders are shaking and I can tell he is crying. He pulls away to look at me

"don't ever do that again, we almost lost you" he whispered.

My eyes drifted to my other friends who had also risen from their seats and gathered around my bed. A sobbing Olivia was currently being held up by Blaze. Leo and Lucas looked down at me with concerned looks on their face.

It only took Leo's hand on my shoulder to remind me of my terrible nightmares I had while sleeping. I've had so many bottled-up emotions, memories of my childhood and sibling messing with my brain recently. The worst is that my dream could have been true. I could have died without ever seeing my family again.

I don't know why I hadn't thought of thatbefore, but when I left I knew there was a chance that I would never see them again. The idea of not playing video games with Axel or having a movie night with the twins again is depressing, but most important what if Mason is not there on my wedding day? They will never experience me graduating or being overprotective brothers when I get a boyfriend. Look

My sniffles calmed down when Leo stroked my hair carefully. Just like Mason used to do.

"What's on your mind sunshine?" He asked softly.

I hesitated for a moment. I don't want to mess up all I have managed to build her in New York. I have the best friends ever and two "brothers" that will love and protect me no matter what. They didn't care how I looked or what I liked. They loved me for me and that's more than I ever got from my brothers.

FLASHBACK

I ran down the stairs and into the living room to prepare for tonight. It was movie night and tonight I was going to decide what movie to watch. "Colt are you ready yet?" I yelled as I started to put the popcorn and soda on the coffee table. I was disturbed by the sound of the front door being opened. In came Damon followed by a group of loud and intoxicated teenagers.

"Damon it's

movie night, aren't you coming?" I looked up at him and his friends as they started laughing at me. One of the girls that clung around Damon's neck spoke up "Are you seriously going to hang out with the fatty? Who even is she?"

Damon gave me an unsure look before a smile spread across his face "of course not, she is a nobody"

I grabbed my stuff and ran upstairs as fast as I could. Tears streamed down my face as I locked the door to my bedroom. I grabbed my bag of chips and lied down on my bed. I stuffed my face with food to make the pain go away, but it didn't go away. Even my own body hates me.

FLASHBACK OVER

My doctor came in to check on me and agreed with Xander that I should go live with him and Leo while I recover.

It turned out that I had a small concussion and a couple of fractured ribs so they had to keep an eye on me until I could finally be realised tomorrow. I was happy that I could get out of here soon. I've never liked hospitals.

I also knew Olivia was feeling guilty about the accident because of all the endless apologies she was giving for not noticing the car, but honestly, I didn't care. I would rather it be me than her. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my friends.

They are the only thing that is keeping me together and they will always be by my side.