I knew the moment he turned the sharp corner, he was going to lose control of his street bike. I did the only thing I could do, I closed my eyes and held onto him as tight as possible. At the last second, I silently prayed we’d be okay, but it was too late.
We were already skidding across the road.
Chapter 15
—Tristian—
While Belle held onto me, my whole life played out in front of my eyes. I saw it clear as day. As if it were happening all over again. Except, I was able to react and grab ahold of her before we crashed into a light post. The quick momentum of my bike spinning out of control helped in tugging her into my chest.
BANG!
The side of my bike slammed into one of the poles, throwing us onto the grass where we rolled. My body was able to break her fall, and she landed right on my chest.
“Oomph!” I wailed as the wind was knocked out of me immediately.
“Tristian!” she shouted, slowly sitting up off my torso. “Oh my God! Tristian!”
I couldn’t find the words to speak, sucking in air that wasn’t available for the taking. She threw off her helmet with shaky hands and then rummaged through my pockets to find my cell phone.
“No,” I wheezed, trying to catch my bearings.
“No? Are you insane? You’re hurt.”
I gasped, holding onto my chest. “I’m fine.”
“Fine? Oh my God!” She laid her hand on top of mine. “In and out, okay? Slowly, just try to breathe.”
After what felt like an eternity, I began breathing normally.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I rasped, trying to sit up.
“You’re not fine. You took a hard fall. Tristian, you saved me. I landed right on you.”
“Good thing you don’t weigh anything.”
She chuckled, despite the petrified expression on her beautiful face. “Let me call—”
“No. It’ll only make things worse.”
“What if you broke something?”
“Just help me sit up.”
“I don’t think we should move you.”
“Belle,” I sternly stated. “Just help me.”
“Fine,” she agreed. “How are we going to—”
“Let me see my phone.”
Once I was upright, I called the only person I trusted, my cousin, Caleb. He was the same age as us, however, he attended another school. Rain poured heavily as we waited for him, reminding me of another time, another place, where I found refuge within myself.
I think Belle was talking to me, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. My mind was spinning out of control. Exactly how my bike just had, and the irony wasn’t lost on me. I couldn’t control the memory that it evoked. Little by little, it all came back to me.
My worst nightmare, and I was wide awake. At some point, I must have taken off my helmet.