Page 90 of The Silent Waters (Elements 3)

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know—” a voice started, making me lift my head from Brooks’ bed. I twisted around to see a woman standing there, with a vase full of flowers. “I…” Her words stumbled off her tongue, and she frowned. “They didn’t say anyone was in here.”

Sasha.

I’d seen her before due to me stalking her online and staring at every photograph she ever posted on Instagram. She was beautiful, and it seemed effortless. No makeup. No fancy clothes. Just her, and her flowers.

Her eyes shifted to my hand, which was still holding Brooks’.

I dropped it quickly.

“Sorry. I’ll just drop these off and get going.” She grimaced as she placed the vase on the countertop. As she turned to leave, she paused. “You’re her, aren’t you?” she asked.

I narrowed my eyes, confused.

“Oh, don’t play stupid. You’re the girl. The girl who sent him the books.”

I stood up, feeling awkward, unable to communicate with her.

“So nothing? You have nothing to say? I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just…” She paused. “You’re not the only one who really cares about him, you know.”

I tapped against my throat, and she narrowed her eyes confused.

“What?”

Looking around the room, I searched for something I could write on. When I looked up against the wall, I saw the nurses’ white board and hurried over to it.

I don’t have a voice.

Sasha crossed her arms. “Like just today or…ever?”

Ever.

She frowned. A level of guilt rocketed through her eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. What’s your name?”

Maggie.

“Maggie.” She pushed her fingers through her chocolate brown hair, then placed her hands against her hips. “You’re crazy about him, aren’t you?”

I didn’t know how to answer, because I felt as if anything I said might hurt her.

She smiled. “It’s okay, I know. It’s hard not to be. I’ll get going… If you could please not tell him I stopped by? Not for him, but just for me. I’d rather him not know.”

Are you sure?

“Yeah, I am. Just take care of him, all right? He’s going to be a bit broken, not being able to play his guitar anymore. It’s his life. Other than, well…” Her words faded, and she gave me another tight smile. “Anywho, I’m gonna go. Just don’t let him on the Internet, all right? The media can love you one day and hate you the next. It’s easy for a celebrity to lose themselves after something tragic happens. This time the media was shockingly quick to turn their backs on Brooks. You know how gentle his heart is...I’m not sure he could handle the backlash. Just watch after him. Even though it seems like you’re never alone in the limelight, no one ever really speaks out about how lonely it truly becomes. Remind him that his worth isn’t decided by the leading headline of the week.”

I promised I’d look after him.

She stepped out of the room, and I erased the board. I sat back beside Brooks and took his hand in mine once more. My cheek fell against his arm, and I went back to taking in every slight movement he made.

“Oh, and, Maggie?” Sasha said, stepping back into the room. “I just want you to know that I see it.” She shifted her feet and gestured toward Brooks and me. “You look at him the same way he looked at those books. Thanks for not being the monster I built you up to be in my mind. I just wish you were a bit ugly, that’s all,” s

he said with a hint of charm.

I smirked. Ditto.

Mom, Dad, and Jamie told me I’d be okay. They told me how lucky I’d been to come out of the accident with only minor injuries. Minor—bad word choice from my brother, and when he said it he realized his mistake. “Sorry, I don’t mean minor, I just mean…” His words faltered. “I’m just happy you’re here to see another day.”

My eyes darted to my hand, which was wrapped in bandages. I hadn’t spoken a word. People kept coming in and out of the room, smiling at me the kind of grins they gave to kids who lost their puppies.