Sixteen

Kai,

Gage asks me if I want to call Kai back or if he should continue telling her that I'm still sleeping. I can sense his frustration, but I couldn't care less at this point. Gage doesn't understand the situation I'm dealing with right now. I'm doing my best to handle all of this, so I don't take it out on Kai. It's not her fault that her deranged teacher developed an obsession with her, kidnapped her twice, or that I had to run away from him and ended up getting shot in the process. She never asked for any of this, but I still find myself partially blaming her. That's why I want to clear my head before seeing her again.

"Just let her know I'm still asleep, Gage."

"For how long are you going to keep avoiding her, Kai?"

"Until I'm out of this bed. Is that what you want to hear, Gage? Just go back to your friends and girlfriend and leave me alone for now, okay?"

"No, idiot, it's not okay because that's not how brothers should act. I won't leave you here to w