In Your Time
Chapter 23 (Braden)

*Braden's POV*

Tara Baker.

Tara and I had a complicated history. She was the first girl I ever loved. We actually grew up together. I used to do anything and everything she wanted. After I confessed my feelings for her, she moved and started dating someone else before cutting off all contact with me. I felt so used and betrayed at the time, but that was a few years ago. Just when I thought everything was going great, Tara had to reappear. I didn't think too much of it when I introduced Phoenix to her. I just wanted to show her that I was doing fine without her. I It was only later when Phoenix told me in her room that I realized I'd hurt her too. I knew she'd gone quiet, but I never thought it was because of me. Tara made my brain stop working once again. When Phoenix asked me to leave, I responded on reflex and hugged her. Standing there with my arms wrapped around her waist made my heart jump into my throat. I didn't realize how much I actually cared for Phoenix until now.

"Phoenix, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking in the moment. I wasn't trying to hurt you," I said sincerely. I really hoped that she felt my sincerity.

"If you have no intention of being more than friends with me, I suggest letting me go," she said. I could tell she was still upset, and a simple hug wouldn't fix this.

"Well you are my fiancé," I joked to try and lighten the mood. I readjusted my arms around her instead of letting go. In reality, I didn't want to just be friends with Phoenix.

"In name alone," she replied. I let her go and put my hands on her shoulders to turn her around and face me. I could see that she was fighting with her own feelings too. She didn't want me to know, but it was written all over her face as she avoided my eyes.

"Not entirely true. I don't know why you make me worry about you so much. I wouldn't worry so much about you if I didn't care," I tried to convince her. I watched her face carefully. She was conflicted. I didn't want her to think I still had feelings for Tara. I also wanted her to trust my words, but I couldn't force her to. I wanted to put her behind me and protect her from anything and everything. Phoenix swayed slightly as her eyes went dull. She doubled over and I caught her before lowering her to the floor.

"Phoenix! Phoenix are you okay?" I asked as I held her gently. She was getting worse. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead as her breathing became more labored. I had to do something. I stood with every intention to get my dad when I felt Phoenix's hand weakly grab my arm.

"Don't tell your parents," she breathed before she lost consciousness. I didn't know what to do. It looked like the last time she passed out at school. True it was weird and didn't make any sense, but after a while, she was fine. Maybe this time would be like last time, but I still couldn't figure out what exactly was happening to her. I cradled her in my arms before laying her on the bed. I ran downstairs and grabbed ice packs, a bucket of water and hand towels before going back to her room. I made a damp towel before folding it and placing it on her forehead. I also covered her with the blanket. All I could do was watch and wait.

After a moment, she disappeared. I thought it would be like last time where she only went transparent for a moment, but this was different. She fully disappeared into thin air. My eyes widened as I stared at the empty bed. There was evidence that she'd actually been there. The damp cloth was now on the pillow and the covers were there too. I moved the cloth and pulled the covers down. I stared at the bed and waited as my leg shook from anxiety. I was nervous and worried. Where could she have disappeared to? It was about five minutes before her body returned to the position it was in before she disappeared. And just like last time, she appeared again out of thin air. She was still unconscious though. I had a sneaking suspicion that whatever was happening to her is what caused her bruises. I hesitated before I lifted her sundress to expose her stomach. It was worse than the first two times she had them. It looked like someone coated her stomach in purple and black paint. A few of her ribs even looked out of place. I sighed and balled my fists.

She needed to go to the hospital, but whatever was happening to her, she didn't want any questions being asked. Plus, I had no way to explain what was happening either. What would I even say? She disappeared into thin air then just came back like this? I put her dress back in its place before lifting her shoulders gently to get an ice pack behind her back. After laying her down, I put the other pack on her stomach and placed the cold compress on her head. Why was she always making me worry? I pulled the blanket over her before pulling up a chair and sitting by her side. All I could do was wait.

Hours passed. She still wasn't waking up. At the very least, she was still breathing, but even that was ragged. I couldn't wait any longer. I got up and went downstairs to replace my dad. I know she didn't want anyone to ask any questions, but I couldn't just let her be in the state she was in. It had me worried to death.