Never Say Never (Guy and Lani)

[Adrianna Carstyn]

How was it possible that she’d already been in California for a few days and she still felt like no progress was being made? She came here for her mother and yet she couldn’t even stay in the same room as her for very long because he was constantly beside her. Adrianna couldn’t even bear to say his name. The man that had donated his sperm to create her, funny thing was that they’d stuck around longer than he had. She just couldn’t understand why he was there. He had yet to explain his ulterior motives for coming back and the longer he waited, the wearier Adrian grew. The first day he saw her he tried acting like everything was normal, and she slapped him as hard as she could before storming off. Guy later had to explain why she left without saying a word. Amelia had been hurt by that, but Adrian couldn’t find it in her to care. Amelia should have hated him as much as she did.

As nice as it was to have her bestie there with her, it wasn’t how she’d pictured it. Only a month or so ago, she’d told Lani she would take him to see Amelia before she died because she wanted to see him. Up until their fight, she had planned on him coming with her, but then everything went sour and she couldn’t bring herself to make up with him. When Amelia asked, Adrian merely told her that he was busy getting his apartment situated and that he and Odion were probably out celebrating their graduation anyway. She hadn’t said anything about her suspicions of the potential couple to her mother because she didn’t know what Amelia would say or how she’d react. She just couldn’t take any chances. If ever Lani was brought up, she made sure to dismiss the topic quickly before it brought her to tears.

Guy was helpful when it came to the things that took their toll on her. He was always there to offer her comfort if she was upset or frustrated. He helped her when she needed to vent and Amelia was happy to see him there even if it wasn’t Venn or Lani. She’d never met Guy, but upon first introduction when they arrived at the hospital the first day, they had instantly hit it off. Adrian snuck in that Guy was a singer and dancer and Amelia instantly fell in love. She hadn’t stopped talking about her days as a dancer before Adrian was born since. And Adrianna couldn’t help but wonder if it made Xavier uncomfortable when she talked about those things because it had been his fault she got pregnant and had to stop dancing. He didn’t even flinch when she brought it up. He just smiled and added in his two cents as if it actually mattered. Adri just sat at the small table in the corner of the room and stayed quiet for as long as she could.

It was the third day Adrianna had been in California and she knew she couldn’t stay much longer. At most she’d given herself a week and she had promised Elisia that she’d be home by the fourth. They made plans to go see fireworks out at the lake and Adrian didn’t want to miss it. She needed to spend more time with the girl, especially since she had freaked out over a silly dress getting a little singed when she was on her date with Guy. They both acted as if she was going to have a mental breakdown, when really she just shrugged it off and wouldn’t even accept money or another dress. She did however accept the cookies that had turned out amazing. Anyway, Adrian was taking her turn in the room watching over her mother as she slept while Xavier was off doing whatever it was that he did. Amelia was exhausted from being so perky and Adrian wanted to make sure she slept soundly for a little bit before she was up and at ‘em again.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani knew Adrianna was headed to California without him. He was hurt, but he couldn’t find it in his heart to blame her. He’d been horrible to her. But he had to make amends. And he felt he had to start with the woman who thought so highly of him. Sitting on the sill of the window Lani’s feet kicked easily over the streets below not an ounce of fear in his heart. No one could see him from all the way up here and he was here to see someone. He had been here a few days ago. He had just needed to wait for her daughter to leave. It hadn’t been hard to, he had heard the shouting then soon the woman was alone with the man Lani had identified as her father. With that in mind Lani moved headed back toward the windows that output him into the stair well. He was careful to avoid Adrianna and Guy as he moved through the halls and when he got to Amelia’s room he had politely asked the man if he could have a moment of privacy with Amelia.

The man had relented after a bit of pleading on Lani’s part and when he turned to Ms. Amelia she had a sad look on her face. She told him what Adrianna had told her. Lani smiled softly, even now Adrianna wanted to keep his true face from her mother. “Can I tell you something very terrible that I’ve done?” Lani remembered asking and Amelia had gotten a peculiar look on her face, a worried face that he knew his mother would have given him. He could tell she was struggling not to make a snap judgment and she motioned him to sit. So he did. Lani wasn’t sure how much Adrianna had told her mother, it couldn’t have been a lot considering she still liked him. But he wasn’t about to tell her everything, he just wanted to apologize for what he’d done to her daughter. “I’m sure Adrianna told you about our break up, and how we still were friends.” At her nod Lani continued.

Lani looked down at his hands as he spoke the words feeling like they were being confessed to a priest who knew he was censoring some things. He couldn’t help but feel like she was hating him. But he didn’t want her to pass on not knowing him for who he was. He didn’t know why he couldn’t let it be. He started by telling her how they had tried to be friend and he kept keeping things from her. He inferred that that was what broke them but never said what about. Then he told her how he had found himself in another person, and he told her how it had been hard because of what it might mean for him and his slow acceptance of it simply by using the pronoun ‘he’ he disclosed for the first time his sexuality to an adult. He smiled a little bit when he told Amelia how happy he had been, then it vanished as he told her how he had neglected her daughter. He left out all of the stuff about Adrianna cutting herself and the fierce depression but simply saying she was suffering and he didn’t take the time to notice. He had chosen not to notice. “I wasn’t there for her when Venn left Hammel. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me to be. And I can’t be here for her now, I’ve let her down too many times. I don’t have a right to ask forgiveness. But I wanted you to know.”

Amelia had been silent for a long time after Lani had finished speaking and instead of any sort of closure about forgiveness or not she told him to come back the next day. So he had returned and she had told him again to come back the next day. So here he was back and hoping he might hear one way or another. He wasn’t sure why he was seeking her forgiveness so much other than that he wished that through Amelia’s forgiveness maybe Adrianna would forgive him. He knew it was selfish, but at the same time, he didn’t want a dying woman not to know what he had done to her daughter. Again he had avoided Adrianna but he didn’t know she was inside with her mother until he was almost at the door. His power alerted him to two people in the room and considering he had seen the man from before leaving as he had been entering he knew it could only be Adrianna.

Panicked and not wanting to leave Lani ducked past the door avoiding the windows and found himself leaning against the wall by the door and waiting. He wasn’t sure what for but he wanted to be close enough so he could tell if she was moving toward the door so he could be gone when it opened. He closed his eyes and strained his ears for conversation where there was none. Lani leaned his head back against the wall and looked up at the ceiling. Adrianna’s mother was dying. He felt tears well up in his eyes and he fought them down. What the hell was he doing here? Adrianna would want to spend as much happy time with her mother, not fighting with her or with Lani. Coming was a mistake.

[Guy Roeby]

Guy really didn’t have a hot clue as to what was going on where Lani was involved, and it wasn’t like he didn’t care, but he didn’t need to know all the details. He knew that he and Adrianna had gone out, and it hadn’t worked, and then she and Venn were going out until that roommate all but disappeared. All he knew had come from Adrianna, and sometimes the words were spiteful, other times she mourned the loss of both boys, and Guy didn’t know what to do with himself. He hadn’t really had any serious relationships before, and the only thing he could offer to her was a shoulder to cry on. All he’d ever done and all he could ever do was be there for her. He didn’t know Lani that well, but he still wished that his roommate and Adrianna could be friends.

When she told him her plans about going to visit Amelia, Guy had been supportive of her every decision as they came and went. When Lani was invited, and then uninvited, when Venn was possibly going to go, but in the end Adrianna had invited him and Guy happily accepted. She was going to need somebody there for her, and while Amelia didn’t seem excited to see him, she seemed happy that her daughter wasn’t falling to pieces at every given moment. Adrianna’s mom was deteriorating, but Guy didn’t have the heart to mention anything, so he kept his lips sealed and continued to feel unsure of himself. It was best he didn’t say anything anyways, he was awkward enough in everyday situations.

He had seen Lani before leaving to Cali, and in not so many eloquent words, had dropped the hint that maybe if the blond happened to be in the hospital on these certain days, things might take a turn for the better.

Might.

Guy had been doing, well, Guy-type things, and had gotten flowers and chocolate for Amelia every day that he’d been here, and even though she hadn’t eaten any of them, it still made her smile. Eventually he would grow on her, he was sure of it. The hospital seriously freaked him out anyways, so he was only too happy to come back with more goodies and he had also thought of bringing a couple games the three of them could play together in the room. It wasn’t that he wasn’t taking this seriously, nothing could be more monumental in his mind, but he didn’t know what else to do. Besides, he knew that Adrianna needed some time with Amelia, time to talk over things, be mother and daughter. Just be.

Walking down the halls, Guy couldn’t believe who he saw. “Holy shit you’re here,” he said all in one breath, a big goofy smile on his face as he spotted Lani. It wasn’t upon closer inspection that he could see just how torn up Lani was over everything. Obviously someone who ‘really doesn’t care’ wouldn’t be here, looking like that. “I mean, it’s not the best place to be, considering...” he just shut his mouth before any more stupid could come out. He sighed, setting the flowers and game down on the window ledge, glancing at the room door which he had come to memorize. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he said, readjusting his toque, “I mean, any of this.” Amelia dying, Adrianna cutting, her terrible luck with boyfriends, how the life was being sapped out of the both of them. He extended his hand to Lani, offering the opened box of chocolates from two days ago. “Want one?”

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Adrianna watched her mother with a blank expression. She knew what she saw and she knew what Amelia was hiding from her, what everyone was trying to hide from her, the fact that Amelia was deteriorating quickly. Everyone that was around was constantly trying to keep her in the dark about the bad things and it annoyed her. Why couldn't they treat her like a normal person? She wasn't as fragile as they thought. Guy may have had a reason to keep her from knowing since he knew about the depression she'd been in lately and the things she'd turned to, but no one else did. It also didn't surprise her much that Amelia was trying to keep up the pretense of being healthy, she was always protecting Adrian from everything.

As far as he went though, she couldn't and wouldn't justify his reason for keeping things from her. It was probably from all the practice he'd had the past eighteen years.

Her mother's face was pale through the olive skin tone, her cheekbones protruding more than usual and her eyes were sunk in. The bags beneath them showed Adrianna that though she was sleeping soundly now, Amelia hadn't slept very well in weeks, if not months. She was also much skinnier than Adrian remembered when she last saw her. The cancer really was eating her from the inside out, her hair had been thinning a great deal over the few months that it had started getting out of hand. Amelia didn't look like herself and that's what caused the hollowness in Adrian's chest.

Hearing voices outside, her eyes lifted from the shell of her mother to the door. She expected it to be Xavier back sooner than he said and perhaps Guy had come back as well. But there was something off. Xavier was a meta, and over the few days she'd been around him, she had a good feel for what his power felt like. Adrian knew it wasn't someone new because both abilities were familiar. She just couldn't place why because her head was a little muddled. She knew one of them was Guy for sure. Instead of trying to guess, she stood quietly and made her way towards the door.

The closer she got, the more familiar Guy's ability was and she could hear his muffled voice. She still hadn't heard the other person talk though, so she couldn't put a face to it. Her conscience was giving her a bad vibe and she felt like she didn't really want to know who it was exactly.

[Lani Hunter]

Guy showed up. Lani hadn’t expected him to be coming around. He really hoped that his old roommate wouldn’t blow his cover. When they had exchanged words before Lani had left Lani had gained all the information he needed about his own plan to come here. He wasn’t quite sure that that had been a good idea anymore. But Guy had reassured him, made him feel as though something was possible, some miracle was possible that would make Adrianna’s problems go away and perhaps there would be a chance for her to forgive him. He should have expected him to be coming around soon enough, though. If Adrianna was here on her own then chances were that Guy wasn’t far behind. Lani had made it clear that if he wasn’t able to be there that Guy had better not leave her side. Well it turned out he was doing better than even Lani could. Flowers and chocolate were a good touch. Guy was a good guy.

Lani gave a stern look to his former roommate and pressed a finger to his lips as Guy spoke. The message was clear, Adrianna didn’t know he was here and he wanted it to stay like that. He glanced at the door and sighed looking back out the window. When Guy came closer Lani frowned. “Of course I’m here.” Lani folded his hands over his knees and looked out at the world. He nodded in agreement his heart aching for what Adrianna was having to go through. After all of this was over, after Amelia passed on. Would Adrianna even be sane? He smiled a little at Guy, he was good to Adrianna, perhaps she didn’t need him here at all. Well, he had technically made his peace with her mother. “Yeah,” Lani agreed softly. He was now included in her string of terrible boyfriends.

Straightening abruptly Lani knew Adrianna was moving now. He nearly panicked but she didn’t exit. He whispered low to Guy. “I wish she didn’t have to go through this. I wish…” He wished there was something more he could do. Some miracle cure, a magic spell, anything. He shook his head at Guy’s offer and frowned looking out at the sky. Lani’s eyes shifted back to the door and he knew she was just beyond and if she knew he was here she’s probably do very well to help him on his way out the window. He really didn’t know if he wanted to stand his ground or if he just wanted to save her the trouble. At least if he controlled how he left the window he’d be able to catch something and not die. Though hopping off a windowsill was probably not a good idea around Guy, that might give away too much information.

[Guy Roeby]

Guy winced and glanced at the hospital door conspiratorially. “Right, shhh,” he said, nodding his head once and leaning onto one foot. He could play it cool, he was the coolest cat on this whole floor right now. Ugh, he wasn’t trying to be goofy, to not take this seriously, but he was also a little excited – maybe Adrianna and Lani could make things right. He didn’t want to meddle, just be there for everyone. And he was being here for Adrianna now in the best way he could think of, by being himself and letting everyone enjoy the last moments together. Life wasn’t fair, but Guy was trying his best to even things out.

Guy retracted the chocolates and set them down with everything else he brought. “I know, I wish the same things.” But there wasn’t a lot either of them could do, except say a little prayer or two. “Did you get to talk to her, Amelia?” He asked, because Adri’s mom had been asking him about Lani every now and then. They were roommates, so it wasn’t too far of a subject to cross, but still, Adrianna looked as though she were going to have a meltdown almost as soon as the name was mentioned. But he knew Adrianna, knew that the pain on her face wasn’t because she was mad at Lani (well, not as much anyways), but because she missed him.

Trying on a smile, Guy gestured to the board games he had. “Wanna come in, play a round or two?” He was already retreating to the room, and caught a glimpse of Adrianna through the slim window of the hospital door. He waved at her slightly – things didn’t have to be this way. But it was really up to her, because the two boys waiting out here for her, would do anything she needed.

[Adrianna Carstyn]

It all clicked when she got to the door and could hear the warning tone that was used. It was a telekinetic ability and she only knew of one that would come around. Then she could see the difference through the color that showed in her mind, the cloudy gray of his eyes. She should have known from the start that he would show up uninvited and unannounced. How could he do this to her now of all times? Okay, she had promised to take him to see her mother, but now?! Things were bad between them and for him to be selfish enough to try and make her even more stressed out now, well it didn’t go over well with her. She glanced back at her mother and hoped, prayed that she would stay asleep while she dealt with this. Her eyes traveled to the monitor and she let out a sigh of relief, the heart monitor was still beeping at a steady rate.

Finally she turned back to the door and she pressed her ear close to it, just to make out what was being said. She could make out Lani’s voice now and her heart squeezed painfully at the sound, tears filling her eyes again. Just hearing the sound of his voice and feeling his ability made her realize that she missed him terribly. It hurt because she had said it was better for them to not be friends at all. She was thinking of both of them when she said it. The constant fighting wasn’t good for either of them or their other relationships. But she was happy, despite all of the horrible things they said to each other, that he was here for her still.

That happiness was covered momentarily with frustration at his tactlessness. Showing up while her mother’s on her death bed, as if she didn’t have enough to handle what with her father and everything. Guy waved at her through the window of the door and she took a breath before exiting the room, shutting the door and turning to her best friend and former best friend. Her throat was tight, but she pushed through it, the tears still in her eyes. “What the hell are you doing here? I didn’t invite you to come along and I really don’t need this right now.”

[Lani Hunter]

It took Lani a great amount of effort to not connect his palm to his face. Guy was nice guy, but certainly not a sneaky one. Instead Lani gave Guy a numb look and shook his head a little bit and suppressed a sigh. Lani was glad that Guy was here, at least Adrianna wasn’t alone and they got along very well. Adrianna, he didn’t know what he was going to say to her once he saw her. That was why he needed Guy to learn about being sneaky without looking like he was being sneaky. It only occurred to Lani now that he and Guy didn’t really speak very much. They were roommates and cordial to each other but had never really struck up a conversation until recently. Lani frowned and looked at his hands for a moment. “Yeah, it’s killer to see her like that. I can’t even imagine what this must be like for Adrianna.” Lani said and glanced up at Guy hoping the football player might be able to give him some insight into how Adrianna was doing.

Lani smiled at Guy’s offer but shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Adrianna’s here to see her mother, I don’t want to ruin that with… well, you know.” Lani did sigh now. He figured Guy knew most about their fight, hell if he hadn’t heard it firsthand when they were screaming at each other in their dorm room. Point being, Adrianna didn’t want to see him right now. He would hate it, but he would respect it. It made him so happy that she had stopped, as far as he knew, cutting herself. Lani closed his eyes Adrianna had been his sunshine and now seeing the clouds descend around her was like watching the last candle in a dark room wink out. Lani was lost in his own thoughts and when the door to the hospital room open Lani almost jumped out the window.

Luckily he caught himself before he could tumble out the portal. Lani ducked his head and looked at Adrianna from his seat looking guilty. He knew this was a bad idea. He should have cut out when he had a chance! Dammit! He shot a look at Guy, it wasn’t a blaming gaze it was more of a plea for help. There was a slim chance she might just lose it and kill him. He slid of the window his feet touching the floor without a sound and he leaned against the sill and waited for the screaming to start. She looked awful, Lani would have liked to say she looked beautiful in her mourning, but that kind of thing only happened in movies. Raw grief was not beautiful, it was not ugly either. It just was. Lani held up his hands as if to indicate that he held no weapons and came in peace. “I know you’re angry and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” He didn’t mean for her to find out he was here, no that would not be a good thing to say. “Listen, I know you’re mad and I don’t want to bother you. I just wanted to see Amelia.”

Making a half step toward Adrianna Lani stopped midstride. Half of him wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. But that was a lie and they both knew it. He was a liar, it would only end in more fighting. On the other hand he wanted to run from her as if she represented all that was wrong with him. She had been such a happy person then she had gotten mixed up in his darkness and he had pulled her down like a snake and used her as a floating device in the sea of his own misery. So when he stopped he didn’t reach for her. He stood like a statue of sadness. “It looks like Guy’s been doing a good job with the flowers,” Lani commented conversationally trying on a smile. The comment and smile fell flat and Lani sighed, he was such an idiot. This had been such a bad idea. “Adrianna, if you want me to go I’ll go.” He glanced at Guy. He didn’t feel bad leaving her in Guy’s hands.

[Guy Roeby]

“I don’t want to imagine what it’s like,” he said, though he didn’t mean any unkindness or disrespect in his words. Maybe it was the inability for people to try and imagine what death was like, that made it so hard to deal with. Guy nodded a couple times in understanding. “Look man, that’s the past. She doesn’t want to admit it but,” he lowered his voice, his eyes almost pleading, “you gotta stay, this is way too much sadness for her to handle.” And maybe another fight would distract her? He didn’t know, but Lani was here, the timing was awful, and it had to be for a reason.

Guy’s smile frowned as soon as Adrianna spoke, he had almost the same yielding stance as Lani. Guy didn’t know what to say as he looked back and forth between the two of them. “Maybe it’s okay he’s here Adri,” he said finally, cringing at the glaring look on her face, “you’re always saying Amelia really liked him, might be good to make peace with him. Life’s too short.” He shook his head, wishing he wasn’t such an idiot. He looked at Lani awkwardly. “I didn’t mean that...”

When Lani offered to go, Guy let out a sigh and glanced at Adri. “Maybe, uh, maybe ask her?” He suggested, because everyone had to admit, Amelia had to come first.

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Adrianna looked between them, hurt that Guy hadn’t given away her former best friend’s presence and yet relieved that Lani was there. Seeing him was what made her stutter out her words. He looked sad, drained, just like her. Adrian couldn’t help but wonder if that was what it was like when Caroline got really sick. It had to be like a repeat for him which was why she didn’t understand why he would subject himself to it. Of course she was thrilled that he cared enough to come back for her, but she didn’t want him to hurt with her. It was different with Guy, she knew he could keep it together because he hadn’t experienced something like this, not like Lani had, though she knew that sounded harsh.

It was so hard staying mad at him. She just wanted him there to comfort her and get her through this. Now that he was here, she knew she could handle it. She had her two rocks for support and as long as her father stayed out of her way, she would stick with her mother for as long as possible before she had to go back to Vermont. And she couldn’t wait to see the reaction Amelia would have when she saw Lani. Her mother really did love him and she was so glad that even through everything her mother still had that thought in her mind. She would never see the side of Lani that Adrian was faced with. Adri wasn’t sure if she would handle it the same way. Amelia was a tolerant person, but that was a bit much to tolerate.

Lani looked like he had been caught doing something wrong and in a sense she figured he probably felt that way. “What was your first tip off, Lani? The vein popping out of my forehead maybe? I told her you were busy and that you couldn’t make it, if you walk in there, she’s going to wonder why I lied and I don’t want to get into all of the messy details about how we can’t even stand to be in the same vicinity as each other without fighting.” And yet, she was the only one fighting.

She turned to Guy and looked at him in shock, “You think it’s okay that he’s here? Who’s side are you on?!” His comment about life being too short, was the serrated knife getting twisted in her stomach. Yeah, life was too short. They were both going back and forth at this point and she just shook her head as the tears filled her eyes angrily. “I can’t ask her, she’s sleeping and I don’t want to wake her.”

Lani’s words stopped her ranting abruptly. How could he say he would leave just like that? Maybe all of the grief was making her emotions run wild, but she couldn’t stand the thought of him leaving. The tears practically poured down her cheeks when he said it and she couldn’t stop them once they started. Her lip trembled and she shook her head, she couldn’t take it anymore. She didn’t want to be mad at him. She stepped closer to him until she was standing in front of him. Finally, she threw her arms around his neck and let the relief of his presence wash over her. “I’m so sorry, Lani. I didn’t mean for things to get so bad, I didn’t want it to be like this. I’m sorry,” Adrian rambled against his shoulder. "Please don't go.."

[Lani Hunter]

Lani glanced at Guy and just gave a weak smile, he knew what Guy meant, if it had been Caroline inside that hospital room instead of Amelia Lani would probably be inconsolable. In fact he’d probably be dangerous to be around. No, he never wanted to know what that would feel like. Especially with Amelia and Adrianna still so young. Adrianna still needed her mother and she wasn’t ready for her to go. Lani’s brows jumped upward and then creased with worry as he looked toward Adrianna. He sighed and closed his eyes against threatening tears. “You know how much… how mad she is at me. Do you really think it’ll go over well?” He asked almost wishing that Guy would tell him some secret that she had already forgiven him or something. From what Guy had said earlier Lani was hopeful.

She knew he’d been right as soon as Adrianna walked out. She was livid and it was written all over her face, there was a trace of sorrow and rage and confusion probably between the two coloring her face. Her warm brown eyes were no longer dead but they were lit with tears and fury. He could see what Guy was talking about now, she was breaking, more than ever and she was falling in the depths of despair. It would take all of her friends to help her get through this. If Adrianna wanted Lani to stay she was doing a very good job of hiding it and Lani tossed Guy a pointed look. He thought he had winced when she first spoke now his whole body flinched. He didn’t do well with people being angry with him, it was all he could do to not start screaming again. He knew he was the one who was in the wrong but he could never keep his mouth shut.

So with a clenched jaw he took what she was throwing at him and cast his eyes downward in shame because nothing she said was false. Lani shrugged feeling like a child and was almost glad when Guy called Adrianna’s attention. Her head swiveled very much like a dragon looking for prey and Lani actually lifted his hand now and pressed his fingers into his forehead. Oh Guy… He was trying. “Adrianna, don’t get mad at Guy, it’s not his fault I’m here.” Lani said coming to the defense of probably the kindest person in the world at this moment. Turning her attention back on him and where her anger should be directed was best. He looked at Adrianna with those sad and apologetic puppy dog eyes that used to make her melt and he wasn’t sure if it was that or something else but the next thing he knew Adrianna was coming at him.

He braced himself to be hit and he blinked in surprise when she instead flung herself at him. He caught her in his arms forgetting how much he missed holding his best friend and drying her tears. Holding onto her he didn’t want to tell her that he’d already been here, she might only get angry. Maybe Amelia would take the hint and not say anything about their visit. “I’m sorry too, Adrianna, for everything.” Well mostly everything, he wasn’t sorry for stealing her razor. He squeezed her tightly and nodded. “I won’t, I’ll stay here as long as you need me.” He smoothed her hair and kissed the top of her head. He’d missed her so much. Squeezing his eyes against his own tears, he pulled away and brushed his fingers under her eyes. He’d made a promise to be there for her as her friend, and he was fulfilling that. He looked over at Guy. “Guy brought board games, maybe that’ll,” he didn’t want to say pass the time, “be something to do while we wait for your mom to wake up.” He jerked his head at Guy motioning him to come and help him comfort Adrianna, he’d been here longer anyways.

[Guy Roeby]

“I know she’s mad,” Guy said to Lani, “but she still needs you.” Emotions were just. Guy had sort of, kind of, invited Lani, though strongly hinted towards would be more accurate. It’s not like he bought his roommate’s ticket. It wasn’t as though he was plotting to put another knife into Adrianna’s heart. He just thought it was the right thing to do, and he didn’t like wasting chances. Clearly Lani hadn’t wanted to run into Adrianna, but Guy couldn’t really warn her either, then she would be even more stressed out. Lani was here, and it wasn’t because he was trying to torment her, it was because he cared about her. He wasn’t a bad guy.

Sometimes Guy wished he could take things and not try to make them positive. Adrianna’s mother wasn’t a good thing, and yet here he was trying to make the best out of it. It wasn’t in mind to wallow in sorrow, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t grieve. It wasn’t like him to cry, but he knew how to help his friends shoulder pain. Guy stood twiddling his thumbs while Adrianna and Lani sorted things out, and then he decided to just put his hands behind his back and make better use of them – by crossing his fingers of course.

Guy was used to Adrianna’s anger, and he could only shrug. “Aren’t you tired of being mad?” She knew better than anyone that Guy didn’t take sides. He avoided drama, he wanted the best for everyone. Everyone made mistakes. Everyone needed friends. Nodding a couple times, Guy wasn’t sure what else to do, so he gave Lani an apologetic look. It seemed as though he’d be getting the boot.

Already he was wincing as she neared Lani, glancing around at everyone looking at them. Well, at least they were already in a hospital. But then Adrianna was hugging Lani and Guy looked a little confused. Adrianna didn’t want Lani there, but wanted Lani there? He glanced at them before shyly looking away. He would never understand women, but he had to smile – he knew she needed Lani. He slowly uncrossed his fingers, letting his gaze wander, distracted momentarily by an ant trying to take something away from another ant on the floor. Hearing his name, Guy snapped back to reality and nodded once. “Right, yeah.” He said, snatching up the games he had just bought, approaching them. “But only if you guys want to.” He smiled at the both of them. “Think Jenga’s too loud?”

[Adrianna Carstyn]

Adrianna hadn't meant to get so angry with her two best friends. It wasn't fair to either of them, the way she was acting. Here both of them were, trying to make sure she kept a sane mind in all of the chaos around her. Why couldn't she just be happy with the way things had turned out? Guy was there for her and he had mentioned to Lani that she was taking a trip to Cali, and managed to get Lani here too. She really should have thrown her arms around him seeing as how it really was partially because of him that Lani even knew.

When Lani's grip on her loosened, she gave his hands a squeeze before launching herself at her other best friend. She didn't know what she'd do without them. She knew that if anyone else had been here, she probably wouldn't be as happy as she was right now. Happiness in a sea of grief. She hugged Guy tight, "I'm sorry I got angry with you. Thank you for everything, I don't know what I'd do if you hadn't come with me." Adrian would have been a wreck, unable to do anything, not that she did much as it was. But it could only be worse without someone to balance out the sadness and Guy really did help with that.

Lani's mention of boardgames that Guy had brought made her smile and she nodded, laughing softly at Guy's question. "Well I figure if we play Jenga, it'd have to be right here in the hallways with the door closed because who knows how rowdy we'll get. I really do want her resting as much as possible though. What else did you bring? Any cards? I could beat your guys' asses at some BS?" Anything to help her through this. Anything that could be considered fun and carefree. Adrian eventually settled for wrapping an arm around both boys' waists and hugging them both. "I love you guys, you don't even realize how much it means to me that you're here."

Boy was she a sappy one.

Just as she was speaking, footsteps were heard coming down the hallway and a new ability bounced off of her. One that she'd grown irritatingly familiar with in the past few days. Adrian found herself keeping close to both boys as if for protection when he approached them. "Adrianna? Who's this? Did you make a new friend already?" He asked in his annoyingly chipper voice. How could he even speak like that when a woman that he'd once loved was dying in the room beside them? He made her want to rip his non-existent heart out.

"No. This is Lani, one of my friends from Vermont. Lani, this is Xavier...the sperm donor," She said, all signs of prior pep gone.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani snorted in disbelief. Adrianna didn’t need him, she’d made that clear when she’s screamed at him a few weeks ago. He wished he and Adrianna could make up by some sort of magic but it seemed like he was fresh out of miracles. Lani glanced at Guy as Adrianna came out and started her tirade. He didn’t miss the look and he clenched his jaw. Well, he wasn’t the only one who knew that Lani was screwed. Adrianna was a scary lady when she was mad, Lani realized suddenly and he was a little bit afraid. She had enough ammunition on him to have him fleeing back to Vermont with his tail between his legs in less than ten seconds. But the fact that he was trying. That had to count for something. Didn’t it? Lani blinked in surprise at Guy. It was an interesting question and Lani was glad it wasn’t directed at him, he wouldn’t know how to respond.

Before she launched herself at him Lani’s brain decided to recall the memory of their first time at the club, but thankfully for Lani he didn’t end up wheezing on the floor. Lani found himself smiling, half out of relief and half out of joy that he could call Adrianna a friend. He watched her and got control over his features. The fact that Adrianna’s mother was on her death bed was not a smiling situation. Guy was the number one in this situation. He’d been here when Lani couldn’t be and Lani was gratefully to the other man. Lani crossed his arms and gave her a skeptical look. “Oh, that sounds like a challenge to me,” Lani said. He put an arm around her shoulders. He didn’t respond to that. He didn’t know how. He just gave her a sad smile and hugged her, grabbing hold of guy and putting her in a Lani-Guy cocoon. She was loved so dearly and Lani hoped that she knew that as much as he did.

Lani hadn’t known Adrianna long enough to miss a change in her demeanor when another person paced over. From her reaction Lani made the wild guess that he was the out the picture father. Lani narrowed his eyes, he already didn’t like him. New friend? Lani glanced at Guy and pointed a finger at himself as if to make sure the crazy man was indeed trying to refer to Lani as a ‘new friend’. He also seemed a little too happy. At least it was alright for Adrianna to try to be happy because Lani and Guy were going to do their best to make that happen, but this guy… No Lani didn’t like him. Covering it with a polite smile Lani loosened himself from Adrianna and held out his hand to the man the ‘sperm donor’. “Hi.” With a quick shake of his head Lani found himself measuring the man. He could rob him, if Adrianna wanted him to he could humiliate him for her.