We sat, waiting for the news. Waiting to find out if my brother was alive or dead. Tobias held me tight, I couldn't stop myself from crying.

I glanced over at Eros. His eyes were bloodshot red. He looked at the ground while shivering. I was sad. But most importantly, I felt guilty.

Anteros did this for me. He went in there for me and got hurt. And now he could be...

Athena don't think that way.

I sighed. I felt Tobias kiss the top of my head.

"Oh my God. I'm here." Valeria hurried in. "Why didn't y'all tell me at the party?"

Eros broke down crying.

"Ah, mi amor." Valeria rushed to his side. She hugged him. "My baby, it's okay. It's okay, Anteros is a fighter, he'll fight. I promise."

"You don't know." Eros managed to say. "My brother man, my twin. I can't do this without him. I can't."

I sunk deeper into Tobias' chest.

"The doctors aren't telling me anything. No matter how much I threaten." Beverly walked in. "Can I grab you guys something?"

I remained quiet. I felt sick. So sick. This was my fault, this was all my fault. I got Anteros shot. He was just trying to help me.

"Where's my son." Kaelyn walked in. "Where is my baby boy!"

"Kaelyn," I said.

"Stand up girl." She grabbed me by my arm and pulled me up. "You! This is your fault! You stupid girl!"

She cried.

"You are the reason my son is hurt! You should have sat your stupid self down and out of my business! Yet you sent my son! My son! You got my son shot!" She shook me. "I hate you! I hate you! Why my boy huh? Why not you!"

She sobbed.

"You get your hands off of her." Beverly harshly removed her hand. "You get your hand off of my girl!"

"Excuse you." Kaelyn sniffed.

"I said get your hands off of her. You won't push her around and you won't blame her. I won't allow you to do it." Beverly angrily said. "So either leave or act civil. We are all hurt by this not just you so stop acting like it."

I'd never seen her so serious, but it warmed my heart that she stuck up for me.

"Let's go get some air." Tobias grabbed my arm.

I nodded and we walked out of the waiting room. I sighed.

"It's not your fault."

"It is. I just got right with them and if Anteros dies, I lose Eros." I cried. "I can't lose them both. Oh, Tobias, I-"

He pulled me in a hug. I broke down.

"Kaelyn is right. It's my fault. We made this plan to get some information and someone shot him while doing it. He was doing it to protect me and he-"

"It's not your fault and Kaelyn will never be right. She risked her children's lives by getting involved with all of this stuff. It's her fault. She's to blame."

"My mother, she hates me." I shook my head.

"Fuck your mother. You never needed her and you never will."

I remained quiet. We released from our hug.

"I love you." He smiled.

"I love you too. We should go back, I don't wanna leave Eros."

He nodded. We walked back to the waiting room. We sat back down. Kaelyn stood in the corner texting on her phone.

Valeria gave me a slight smile before motioning toward my phone. I picked it up.

Valeria
Eros went off on Kaelyn. Beverly went to get snacks.

I looked up at her and nodded. She smiled before laying her head on his shoulder. Eros wrapped his arms around her. I smiled.

"Anteros Erastus Johnson." The doctor read the clipboard.

Kaelyn quickly walked over.

"Relation?"

"He's my son."

"I'm his brother." Eros quickly walked over.

"We've managed to stabilize him but he is in critical condition."

"Do you know if he'll, make it?" Eros questioned.

"We aren't sure. He's breathing on his own which is a good sign, but these hours are critical. We have to keep monitoring through the night. You can see him, but only family."

"Me and my son," Kaelyn said.

"And his sister." Eros pointed towards me.

"Only two at a time." The doctor said. "Just for tonight."

"Go ahead." I nodded. "I'm gonna step outside for some air."

I walked out of the waiting room before walking out the sliding doors. I sat on the curb before crying. I felt someone sit next to me.

"It's okay Bonita." I heard Valeria say. "Can I share something with you? Something that brings me comfort."

I nodded while looking up.

"I don't know if you're religious, but I like to pray to help me when I'm down. Can I pray with you?"

I nodded.

"Dear Lord, I pray to You on behalf of my friends. I pray that You fill their hearts with love and comfort during these troubled times. I pray that You hug Your children and let them know that everything is okay. That You are here. I pray that You watch over Anteros, and heal him, Lord. Help him. Bless us with Your gracefulness and heal our friend. In Your loving name, Amen."

"Amen," I repeated.

Valeria squeezed my shoulder. We stayed outside for a minute, talking about anything. Anything to get my mind off of what was happening.

We laughed and cried. She told me memories about Anteros. My head started to clear. Being with Valeria made my world brighter. She was a true light and knew how to cheer someone up.

"You can see him." Eros walked out.

I nodded before standing up. He sat next to Valeria. I slowly walked inside. The nurse directed me toward his room. I pushed the door open.

Anteros laid on the bed. He looked lifeless. I shook my head wiping the fallen tears. My elated state had gone back down.

I sat on the chair by his side and for a moment I stared at him. I didn't know what to say.

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"I know that we didn't grow up like regular siblings. We just met each other, but the love I felt from you. The older brother's love is something that I'm not used to." I sniffed. "You were willing, no, you did all of this for me and-"

I stopped while shaking my head.

"I always felt like you got me. You gave me the chance, out of Eros and Mom. You took the time to know me. You got to know me willingly. When I fell short of many answers about mom, you filled me in. I remember when we first hung out with Eros and despite the years, you defended me to him. You made sure that I was included. You always do."

I smiled.

"I can't lose you, not when I just got you. So fight, fight your fucking ass off. You have so many people here for you, don't leave them. Don't leave me." I begged.

I held back my tears.

"And I was gonna ask you, it's stupid, but I wanted you to walk me down the aisle. I don't know if want my dad too, but I felt you were most fitting. You have to walk me down the aisle, Anteros. You can't die because-"

I cried before letting go of his hand. I wiped away my tears.

"I need you to give me away so...please. Don't leave us."

~

"She's fine. She took a shower now she's laying in bed. No, she's sleeping. Yeah, Kaleb made her food." Tobias mumbled while pacing back and forth.

He stopped in his tracks.

"Yeah, I'm doing okay. I know Anteros is a fighter. He's gonna pull through." He resumed. "I don't want Kaelyn at the wedding, no exceptions."

I sighed while sitting up.

"I'll call you back mom." He hung up the phone. "Did I wake you?"

"No. I can't sleep." I sighed.

"A lot in your mind?"

"Yeah and that my body just won't let me. Come sit with me."

He slid into the bed.

"Hi," I said.

"Hey."

"I need to get my mind off of this." I shook my head.

"The things your mom said. Don't let it get to you, okay?"

"Maybe yesterday, it would have, but when your mom defended me. When Eros defended me, a message came across my mind."

"What did the message say?"

"Fuck her."

He laughed. "Fuck her!"

"Exactly. I have so many people in my life who loves me, who genuinely love me. She doesn't, clearly, and for once I don't care. I don't love her. I loved the idea of her but not her. Not the true Kaelyn Solana. The true Kaelyn, I don't love and I don't need."

"Right on."

"Ah fuck." I sighed.

"What?"

"Bia. I need to tell Bia about Anteros." I grabbed his hand. "What if Ant doesn't make it and she didn't get to say goodbye. I wouldn't forgive myself."

"Yeah. It's the right thing to do."

"I'll call her in a minute."

"You should rest a bit before you go back to the hospital, okay? I'm serious."

"Fine, but I can only sleep with you in my arms." I pouted.

"I'll be little spoon any day." He laughed before laying down.

I did the same and wrapped my arms around his waist.

~

Bia stared at him. She hasn't said a word. She was scared, just like the rest of us. Our brother was hanging on for dear life.

The doctors had no information on his well-being. They were surprised he made it through the night. Maybe Valeria's prayer worked. Maybe the strength and support of us all together helped too. Whatever it was, it helped Anteros continue to fight.

Eros sat in the chair staring at the ground. He had been in a frozen state. I stood up walking over to him.

I hugged him.

He hugged me back before crying. Bia pouted before walking over and joining the hug.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." Eros whispered. "I love you guys."

"We love you too." I squeezed him tighter.

We released from our hug. Bia sat down next to me before picking up my hand. She fumbled with my nails.

"If Ant saw me crying now, he'd tell me how much of a pussy I was." Eros let out a small laugh.

"Because you are." The dry voice said before letting out a loud cough.

"Ant!" Eros hopped up. He flung his body over him before violently sobbing. "You can't do that bro! You can't!"

"Pussy." Anteros mumbled. His eyes were closed. His body still looked lifeless.

"I'll grab the doctor." I smiled.

"I'll come with." Bia grabbed my hand.