Everyone heard about it. The news spread like wildfire. The family rushed to the hospital behind the ambulance. Everything had been fine and there had been peace. Elior went on a walk. Nobody questioned it since they were sure Elior needed the fresh air. Nobody knew where they went. Their brothers were crying. Cass never cries. He's always the anchor. The protector. He's in tears, trying to comfort his little brother despite tears falling from his eyes. They sat in the waiting room for what felt like hours until the doctors finally got them stable. The doctors had to restart their heart a few times.
Once the doctor announced he was able to have visitors, the family rushed in. Everyone heard. Elior's phone was blowing up with messages and worried texts asking if they were okay. Their mom unlocked their phone and simply sent the location then cut it off and set it aside on the table next to the hospital bed. Since it was late, it took a lot of convincing since some doctors were hesitant to approach the older burly man hunched over his eldest. Wondering how it got to this point. When they were convinced to come back the next morning, the hospital was quiet. It was supposed to be empty. Doctors hovered around the unconscious teen.
Trey got a message on facebook. He rolled his eyes, expecting it to be Elior harassing him again. (But he had to admit the persistence was a little cute) his stomach dropped. It's Elior's dad. He hesitated for a moment. He was on the phone with Morgan. He doesn't like Morgan. They're too clingy. He reads the message and he swears his heart just stopped.
He knew Elior was suicidal to an extent, knowing his friend Ryan pushed them to the point of sending Trey a suicide message but never got to go through with it, luckily. "What? Why are you making that face?" Morgan asks, and God he wishes he could forget how grating their voice is. It sounds so desperate. Not what he needs right now. Not when… not when this happened. He doesn't know how to respond. "I need to go." He says, already climbing out of bed and fumbling for his keys. "Wha-" he hangs up before he can hear their voice any longer and goes to his closet to pull on some clothes.
Then his phone went off again. The group chat Morgan made to talk shit about Elior. To call them out for being "crazy" and a stalker and obsessive. He knows they're wrong. He did it to prove he could move on from Elior. To prove to Elior that he wasn't a coward. To prove that they wouldn't regret him when they see him with Morgan. There's been a post made. Its on the news. "Former Pearline Academy Student attempts suicide and ends up in the hospital in critical condition."
He sees the texts, they're laughing. All of them. Calling Elior dramatic and mentioning Trey to get him to play into their bait. He mutes the chat and ignores Morgan's messages flooding his phone asking why he's being weird.
He knew he should have stopped. This is his fault. All he had to do was be honest. He goes to his contacts, calling each and every number Elior has texted from and when he gets no answer he grabs his keys and hurries downstairs.
. . .
When Morgan got the news they were happy. But also why does she have to be so dramatic? Doing all of this when it's their fault in the first place. Elior got in the way. Trey was already in Morgan's possession. He just pitied them. Yes, thats it. They never dated. All this over a guy who wants nothing to do with him? Pathetic. When is Trey gonna marry Morgan already? He needs to rub it in Elior's face. They'll never get him back.
Morgan liked and screenshotted the message sent to him. He sends a text to their number.
Morgan:
[you're so dramatic
playing dead isn't gonna make Trey want you back
he wont even know you're gone😂]
Morgan sits back and smirks. What is Trey doing? He should be calling them already. They have a date tomorrow. More photos to post and hold over Elior's head when they stop playing dead.
Morgan pouts and texts Trey, asking what he's doing. He doesn't respond. They press harder. When he still doesn't respond to them or the group chat they throw the phone down on the bed in frustration. Just then, the door opens and their dad stands in the doorway looking upset and disturbed. Like he knows something.
"Jade. We have to go to the hospital tomorrow." Morgan scoffs internally, rolling their eyes but they feign concern. "Why?"
"My old coworker just called me." Morgan freezes in place for a moment. Old coworker? Whatever if it's Elior's dad? What if Elior put someone up to this? Yes, that has to be it. He swallows, pointedly avoiding Morgan's gaze now. They narrow their eyes at him. What does he know? That's not good. They're gonna have to reinforce everything now. Tell Trey about it. "His kid is in the hospital." He fidgets, wringing his hands together. "The one you went to school with."
Ugh. So fucking dramatic. "Okay. So why do I have to go?" Why should they waste their time on that dramatic obsessive bitch when they could be spending time with Trey? Showing him off. Show how much happier he is with them than with Elior.
"Excuse me?" Morgan's father raises his voice just a little, as if he hadn't expected Morgan to say no. Elior attacked them, shouldn't that be enough to let them stay home? What good would seeing that pathetic crybaby do? "Jade, you are going with me to the hospital and you will apologize."
"I'm not apologizing for anything. I didn't do anything wrong-"
"You did." Morgan's heart skips a beat at the certainty in their father's tone. What did he find out? What has Elior been telling people? Shit, this is gonna look bad if they don't fix it now. Fine. Go to the hospital, give a fake apology and leave whether Elior accepts it or not.
Fucking drama queen. "Fine."
"Watch your tone." The man leaves out before Morgan can respond. Morgan huffs and flops on their belly, looking at their phone to see if Trey messaged them. Nothing. Ugh. Their date better not be ruined by this drama. So annoying.
Wait… Trey isnt actually worried is he? No, he cant be. He hates Elior. After Elior tried to attack both of them, Trey blocked Elior on everything. And for four months, they had peace. Until Elior started being annoying. Started messaging Trey. Being creepy.
Whatever, Elior isnt worth his time anyway. It was just a pity fuck that's all.
. . .
Trey hadn't slept at all last night. He drove up to the hospital in a panic and when he asked if Elior was available for visiting, the receptionist told him he'd have to come back in the morning. Fuck. He was still in his car, head buried in his hands.
He turned his phone off at some point, scrolling through old texts and pictures he had of Elior for a good portion of the night. Texting and calling every single number they've used to contact him. Following every Instagram account. It can't be real. It's not possible. It shouldn't be.
His hands tremble on the steering wheel. He should get ready. Trey finally checks his phone for the time. 8:43. Morgan has been messaging him nonstop. Elior didn't even text him that much and that's because Elior was scared of annoying him. He thought about getting out of the car and going back inside. His mom left for work already.
He runs a hand through his locs and lets out a shaky breath. Then his ringtone alarm goes off and it startles him momentarily. He sighs and sees Morgan's name flash across the screen blindingly. Fuck, what do they want now? They never leave him alone.
It's been getting really annoying lately. He stares at the screen, squinting at the brightness of his phone. The picture of their face disappears. His shoulders slump with relief. He really can't deal with them today. Then it goes off again. At this point he knows ignoring them would only make them more persistent. He answers the phone with a sigh. "Hello?" He doesn't bother to hide the annoyance in his tone.
"Hi baby! Are you ready for our date?" Morgan asks, overly cheery this early in the morning. Trey has to track his brain to remember planning any kind of date with them. All they do is take pictures and make cringe ass captions hoping to prove they treat him better than Elior did. But at least Elior was just happy to be around him and not take pictures excessively.
"Trey?"
Trey shakes his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts. "Sorry, we're gonna have to cancel." He says, already searching his car for the spray. He doesn't want them coming to his house or whatever. He drank a little bit of alcohol last night. Plus they make such a big deal over the smallest things. So annoying to deal with.
"What? No! Why are we canceling?" There they go again, whining. Trey sighs and rubs his temples, feeling a headache. "I'm busy."
"With what?"
"I'm working today."
"Well it doesn't sound like you're working." Morgan snarks. "And you don't work today. So you're not canceling."
"I got called into work last minute. I'm leaving for work now." He lies, fighting a headache. "I'm canceling and that's final."
"But it's our anniversary!" Morgan whines, the sound grating on his already frayed nerves and not helping his growing frustration.
"We can reschedule it, Morgan."
"No! It's supposed to be today! It's not gonna be special if it's not today!" Throwing a tantrum? Really? Like a damn child?
"Morgan, you're acting childish. It's just a date. We can reschedule it. I can't talk right now." He clicks the hangup button before he can hear them throw another fit. He rests his head on the steering wheel with a sigh.
Then there's a knock on his window. It's Wyatt. Elior's friend from school. He rolls down the window and instantly gets a phone shoved in his face. What he sees is a long paragraph from Elior on Instagram. And from what he can see it looks like a suicide note. "Did you know about this?" Wyatt asks, gaze fiery with something protective and angry.
Trey swallows, jaw clenching. Why didn't Elior text him? Not that he'd want them to die but… why? Didn't they want him still? Didn't they still love him? He stares at the phone and then looks back up at Wyatt. "No. I didn't. I found out last night." He answers, voice hushed.
Wyatt's gaze hardens. "Does Morgan know?" He asks, not even looking conflicted but hurt and angry.
Trey wants to tell him the truth. But he knows that could expose him too. But Elior is dying. Or Elior could have died last night and the doctors haven't said anything. Or they could be barely alive right now. Trey licks his lips nervously. "Yeah, I-" he grabs his phone. Unlocks it and goes to the muted group chat. He doesn't know what else is there. He never did look at it. He was busy wallowing in guilt and self-loathing while drunk. He's pretty sure his car smells like sex. He didn't call Morgan. At least not that he can remember.
"Here." Wyatt takes the phone, scrolling and reading. His expression darkens the more he reads. He hands the phone back and he's breathing hard. "Are you going to see Morgan?"
Trey shakes his head. "No. I'm hoping i can go to the hospital."
"Let me come with you." It's less of a request and more of a demand. Trey just wants to see Elior. To know he's okay. "Alright. Give me a second." Trey reaches back and finds a bottle of spray and sprays the car to remove the scent. Wyatt doesn't wait for Trey to give him the go ahead, he goes ahead and climbs into the passenger seat.
"You should shower." Wyatt rubs his nose. "You smell like alcohol."
"Yeah, I should." Trey agrees. They can be just a little late. Even though Trey hopes it's not true. What if Elior dies? It'd be his fault for letting it get this far out of spite. And Morgan? Morgan doesn't care. All they care about is "winning." Well this isn't a game. It hasn't been since Elior warned them he wasn't feeling safe and wanted out of their games.
. . .
Morgan huffed as they looked through their closet for something to wear. If they can't have a date, they'll bring the date to Trey. Surprise him at work. Yes, Trey will love that. Morgan's dad was still at work so they had to be quick. They already checked his schedule. He doesn't work today but if Trey says he's working then maybe he's gonna surprise them.
Morgan smugly pulls out a crop top and snug fitting jeans. They look so much better than Elior on Trey's arm. He always looks so out of place. Trey was just pitying them. It meant nothing. Still doesn't. Trey is happy with Morgan.
Elior can never compare. Morgan still can't help the sight of their lip curling at the memory of seeing Trey holding Elior's hand. Or seeing him hug him. Elior is so fucking dramatic. Such a crybaby.
Morgan rolls their eyes as they look in the mirror. Morgan is perfect. No flaws, no crybaby moments. Perfect. Cooking for Trey when he wants, looking good on his arm on dates, the perfect couple. Yes.
Just then, Morgan's door opens and their father stands there. Expression unreadable. "What are you doing?" Morgan clenches their jaw in annoyance.
"Getting ready for my date." Morgan replies with a sugary sweet tone. They can already see Trey's face lighting up now.
"What date?" He fully steps into the room, looking slightly upset now. "I told you we were going to the hospital. You're not going out."
Who does he think he is? Morgan eighteen. They can do what they want. Morgan scowls and then blinks hard, forcing tears in their eyes hoping to gain sympathy.
"But- but dad, me and Trey already planned to go out today." They lower their voice, lower lip trembling. "Are you gonna tell that away from me too? I-"
"Wipe your face." The man hisses, not the least bit fazed. What? It always works. Morgan's heart skips a beat, pulse quickening with simmering anger. What the hell did Elior do? No way he believes Elior, right? Elior is just doing it for attention.
"Save your crocodile tears for your boyfriend." Morgan pouts and steps closer, reaching out to place a hand on their father's arm but he steps back, a hint of disgust flickering in his green eyes. "Fix your face. Be presentable. You have five minutes, no longer than that."
He walks towards the door and pauses to turn back to look at Morgan. "And Jade?" He calls, "you better hope and pray an apology will be enough." He doesn't elaborate and leaves the room door open.
Morgan scoffs. "What the fuck?" That's not fair. What the hell does he know? Why isn't anything working? Morgan bites at their nails, expression hardening. Fuck. Morgan sends a quick text to the group chat to be on the lookout for any news regarding Elior or whatever fake ass people they've rallied up. No one will believe Elior anyway. Elior hurt them, not the other way around.
. . .
Morgan sat in the backseat, not in the least bit pleased as their parents piled all their siblings in the car and Morgan dad got in the front seat, looking at Morgan through the rear view mirror. It's so loud. Morgan pulls out their phone and starts texting Trey.
Morgan:
[Hi baby😘
Ill see you tonight ok?
Be ready for me!]
Morgan waits for him to respond. Nothing. Not even a hint that he saw it. Morgan scoffs and goes to scroll their feed instead. Everyone is talking about that fake bitch playing dead. It's just an act. No way no one believes it.
Morgan stayed glued to their phone the whole car ride, missing the uncomfortable glances the parents were giving each other. The drive to the hospital was quiet. As if everyone knew the occasion.
Once they arrived, Morgan's father spoke to the mom in a hushed voice. The older woman got out of the passenger's seat and unbuckled the kids and baby. Morgan reached for the baby to carry her out (and hopefully soften the blow of Elior's parents) but the mom grabbed her and closed the car door. Morgan pulls off their headphones and reaches for the door only to find it locked.
"Jade. We need to talk." The man meets Morgan gaze in the rear view mirror. Morgan feels a lump form in their throat. "I need the truth."
The truth about what? "Don't play dumb, please. Make this easier on both of us." The man sighs softly. "what really happened that day?"
Oh. That day. Morgan almost forgot how that psycho hit her in front of the whole school. "Elior is just jealous. They attacked me because they couldn't handle me dating Trey." Morgan says, barely hiding the pride in their voice. At least the school got quiet without that annoying loud bitch around.
"You told me that already. So why is what her father is telling me different?" What? That's not right. Everyone should be on Morgan's side. "Trey was dating Elior. October thirty first was when they started dating. Trey never made any move towards you. He was focused on Elior."
Morgan clenches their jaw. Liar. Trey never dated them. He told Morgan himself it was just pity. Right? "You and Elior were friends, correct?"
"Yes." Morgan grits out.
"Who is Rema? Isn't that the girl you said broke up with you? Did you break up with her because she wasn't a man?"
"No, that's not true-"
"Jade. Tell me the truth." Morgan doesn't speak.
"Since you won't talk, I will." The man says. "Youre going to apologize to that girl's family and after that you will no longer talk to Trey. You will cut contact with everyone involved with that incident and I need your phone when we go home."
"You can't do that! I'm eighteen-"
"Exactly. You're eighteen. You should have moved out by now." He says. "You're no longer talking to Trey. I'm going to turn your phone in." Morgan pulse quickens, a knot forming in their stomach. "What?"
"If you continue to slander and harass a child who is still struggling with mental health issues and suicide because of you, you will not longer be living under my roof." Morgan's mouth hangs open in shock.
"You.. you cant kick me out! That's not fair! Where will I live?" This isn't fair at all. Elior doesn't deserve sympathy. They're not the victim. Morgan got attacked, not them!
"I don't know but it won't be here if you continue that behavior. We raised you better than that." He says. "and if you don't apologize today and mean it, we will come back until you do mean it."
And with that, the car door unlocks and Morgan pockets their phone as they get out. They slam the door in annoyance and walk inside of the hospital. The air is cold, it's chilly. It smells like sterile air and Morgan can see dust motes floating down from the ceiling. Looking around they see Roman and light up. Yes! They took Roman from Elior, surely he'll take their side.
They smile and open their arms to embrace him in a hug but the dark skinned boy doesn't even glance at them, sitting beside his mom. Jaw tense and avoiding their gaze. What the hell? Roman is always happy to see Morgan. What's his problem now?
Surely he's not worried about that psycho? Didn't he say they ruined their friendship by always talking about Trey? Morgan scoffs and rolls their eyes. Out of the corner of their eye they see their dad talking to the receptionist in a hushed tone, glancing back at Morgan occasionally.
Once he's done, he sits down in the seats in the waiting room and Morgan follows. They shouldn't have to be here. They should be with Trey. Trey should be taking them out, showing them off. Not wasting their precious time on a lying psycho desperate for attention.
Morgan sees a big burly man step into the waiting room. He looks familiar. He looks almost exactly like Elior. Wait, is that their dad? A woman walks in beside him and when Morgan sees the light skinned boy glare at him that confirms it. That's Elior's family. The light skinned boy goes to Pearline Academy with them.
Shit. The man spots Morgan's dad and he gets up, dragging Morgan by the arm. He pulls them up and Morgan winces. He lets go only to pull the man into a firm one armed hug. The woman however, looks like she knows Morgan. Morgan remembers her. She was the one who passed by them and called their dress ugly the night of the spring town ball.
Her gaze is calm. Too calm but there's fire in her eyes. The kind that sees a person for real. Morgan swallows and quickly averts their gaze to their dad. Even Elior's dad is staring hard at Morgan. What a bunch of psychos. "no wonder that psycho tried to kill me. Family of psychos." Morgan mutters not as quietly as they had hoped because all eyes are on them and each gaze feels more searing than the last.
"What did you just say?" The taller, burly man asks. Morgan swallows, wringing their hands together. "oh- um-"
"First you slander my daughter, spread rumors and then you play saint? Then you harass her for months, laughing at her pain and now you talk shit?" The man's temper is quickly rising and now Morgan sees where Elior gets their anger from. Remembering just how bad they exploded at school. The absolute certainty and rage was terrifying in the moment.
Elior is usually calm or being dumb or joking or writing about something. That was the first time Morgan saw them angry. Like Raging angry. Morgan's dad turns to look at Morgan in disbelief. "Really Jade?"
He scoffs. "Are you fucking serious? You went after their boyfriend but for months you've been telling me they were jealous? Are you kidding me right now?" Morgan swallows, feeling the panic bubble up. Their hands twitch. They need to fix this now. They glance around the room for some kind of escape.
"Dad, I- I need to go to the bathroom." Morgan blurts out, forcing a pained expression. "I'm really emotional right now and-"
"Give me your phone." He holds his hand out. What is he doing? This is so fucking embarrassing. "You have to use the bathroom, right? So give me your phone."
Is he seriously doing this in public? "But dad-"
"Now Jade." The firmness in his tone makes Morgan scowl and glare hard. "This is humiliating."
"Then let it be. Give it here." Morgan sniffles, trying to put on an act of shame or sadness but the trembling in their hands is from anger as they hand over their phone. "Go."
Morgan storms off to the bathroom. Morgan slams the door shut, the sound echoing in the empty bathroom. Morgan doesn't care. They pace around fists buried in their hair. "This isn't fair. It's not fucking fair! They're supposed to be on my side!"
Why isnt anything working? Is it the spell? Is it not working anymore? Is it Trey? Did he tell? The question makes Morgan pause in their pacing. "No, no. That can't be." They bite their nail. "He still loves me. He still wants me. Me. Not that fucking psycho." Their voice is trembling.
"He wants me. He wants me. He loves me. He can't leave me, no. He.. he'd never go back to them, right?" they ask themselves hysterically, babbling as they try to convince themselves the pit in their stomach wasn't fear. It wasn't guilt. That everything wasn't falling apart because of that liar.
"She just wants attention. That's it, right? Just attention. She can't win Trey back by playing dead." but then. Morgan had an idea. A cruel, wicked grin forms on their lips. Yes. If they can't force Trey to stop talking to her… they can get rid of Elior. Yes. Yes, that's it! Elior is already dying or whatever.
All they have to do is make them keep quiet. But how? "I have to get rid of her. I have to keep him away from her. He cant-"
Just then, the door creaks open and in steps Elior's mom. Fuck. They're cornered. "Morgan, right?" She asks, gaze hard and trained on Morgan. "You fucked up if you thought you could walk in here without consequences."
"Are you threatening me?" Morgan blurts out, raising their voice. Hoping there was a witness somewhere.
"I'm protecting my family. That's what I'm doing." she says. "Isn't this a public bathroom? I'm simply using the bathroom." She walks by and pauses in Morgan's ear. "If you weren't guilty you wouldn't assume I'm here to hurt you. Get your story straight first." As soon as the stall door closes, Morgan runs out of the bathroom, forcing tears in their eyes and— Trey! Trey, hes here!
Morgan falters. Wait but why did he come out of those doors? Those are where the patients are. Don't… he didn't go see them, did he? Didn't he say he had to work? Why is he here? Why did he lie?
No.. no thats not right. Obviously he's here for Morgan. He must have heard Morgan was here and that's why he came, right? Yeah. That's it.
Morgan squares their shoulders and holds their head up, smoothing their shirt and adjusting their pants and strides into the waiting room. Why is Trey going to Elior's parents. Is he crying? No. That's not.. that's not right.
Morgan clenches their jaw and clenches their fists so tight their palms start to hurt. Why is Trey here? Why isn't he paying attention to them? Why is Elior still so fucking important to him? He said he was over Elior. So why is he here? He hates Elior. He doesn't want Elior. Right?
. . .
Trey wasn't all that surprised to see the room full of friends of Elior and family. He had to clear the air, though. Even though he did mess up. Even though it is his fault Elior tried to kill himself because he didn't want to admit he was wrong so he jumped to Morgan. Its not fair to Elior. Not when he has to force himself to look happy around Morgan and kiss them and treat them like.. like they mean something when in reality they don't. They're just easy. Easy to use. Easy to manipulate. And easy to please.
That's why he never bothered to delete anything of Elior's. He still listens to the playlist he had made months ago when he was crushing on them and too afraid to say it. He's heard theirs. His heart aches every time he sees another update or listens to the songs on it. Or when he hears about them posting, pretending they weren't breaking inside everyday Morgan and Trey spent together. Every time Morgan gloated and excessively clung to him whenever Elior entered the room.
He barely even made it a few steps before the damage finally hit. He couldn't stop the tears. Elior's dad pulled him in for a hug. He babbled apologies about how he treated Elior and that he would have stopped Morgan if he knew they were taking it that far. Morgan just said they were being dramatic. He never thought Elior would take his friend's words seriously. He just wanted to get them to stop.
But Morgan continues spreading her number around even when the texts slowed. Even when the arguing stopped. Trey regained his composure and wiped his eyes with a tissue. "I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry. I know it doesn't change anything. I- I can even see Elior." His voice breaks. "I would have never gotten with Morgan if I knew they were willing to take it this far." He sniffles. "Morgan told me it was a joke. That Elior wouldn't take offense to it. But the texts and the calls and everything-"
Trey sniffles again, blinking away tears. "I thought Elior was just being dramatic or that it was a misunderstanding. I never thought he would do it. I thought… I thought she was just bluffing, you know? Or that maybe-" he rubs his eyes. "What if I never see them again? It's gonna be all my fault."
Trey didn't even hear Morgan come up to him. "What are you doing here?" Their voice startled him. He turns to look at them. Morgan looks angry. Jealous even. But Morgan is always jealous. They act like anyone involving Elior is a threat unless they take Morgan's side. "you told me you were at work." they hiss.
God, he really doesn't have the energy for this. Do they always have to be so dramatic? "I don't really see how that's relevant right now." Trey pinches the bridge of his nose. His headache was just gone. Now it's like every time he's around them, his head won't stop hurting.
"Its totally relevant right now. You lied to me!" Morgan screeches, their voice grating on his nerves making him wince. "Youre overreacting." Trey simply says, feeling his head ache even more. Like someone took a hammer to his skull and hit it repeatedly.
"Jade, go sit down. You're making a scene." Morgan's father orders not even glancing at Morgan. Morgan seethes at being told to go sit. They open their mouth to protest but a single look from the man makes them close their mouth and stomp off to sit down after glaring at Trey with a look of betrayal. So dramatic.
"I'm sorry about her." Morgan's dad, James, apologizes. Trey never had a problem with the man but it was kind of hard to pretend to be a loving boyfriend when Morgan can't see past their own ego and desperation to win some imaginary game and keep Trey as a trophy when Morgan blatantly makes it obvious it's just about making Elior feel like shit. And while he had held resentment for Elior at first because his closest friends let go of him. He can't blame them. They only wanted to love him. He was just too selfish and too busy trying to have both to care how Elior felt.
His chest tightens. That hurts so much more to realize. Elior has been basically begging for an out since that day he chose Morgan over Elior. Morgan was the one who took it too far. Instead of just being happy they made it into some dumb competition.
"It's fine. I got used to it." Trey shrugs. He didn't, not really. He doesn't think he ever will. Not when he's been hurting someone so badly, knowing how much they valued him. How important he was to them. Still is. Maybe. Maybe Elior hates him now.
From what he's seen, Elior hates him. But they hate Morgan more. Understandable, though. They already knew the kind of person Morgan was from the getgo. Thirsty, manipulative, toxically competitive even when what Morgan wants is taken, they feel entitled because they laid eyes on it first. They only win when the other person gives up—or worse case scenario—ends it. Which gives Morgan the chance to rewrite the narrative.
Trey hadn't even realized he was swaying until Elior's dad grabbed his arm. "Have you eaten at all today?" Actually now that he thinks about it. He hasn't. He's been running on fumes and oxygen. "I don't think so," Trey replies, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"There's a vending machine over there." He nudges Trey forward and he swallows nervously. Elior's dad is quite intimidating. Fun, but protective of his kids. Especially Elior, being the oldest and all.
When they got to the vending machine, Trey selected something random. Something edible just so he kind of didn't have to face the man. He knew he messed up. He knew it. There was nothing he could do except try to flip the story and hope Elior doesn't retaliate. He should have known better. Elior is still a virgin. Still pure. So of course, Trey being the overconfident asshole who thinks more with his dick than his brain, just wanted their virginity but didn't take into account how they actually felt. Even when Elior would tell him outright over the phone and be shy in person.
He didn't want to believe it. He didn't want to admit he felt the same. He made that much obvious when he was messing with Elior. That must've been when Morgan started being sneaky.
Switching lunches, then being distant, then acting friendly in person and trying to cling and stake their claim on Trey like Elior didn't already have his heart. They knew how to hold it. They took their time, waited and waited and waited. And he still couldn't keep them.
Elior really does deserve better. "I'm not going to forgive you." dad says bluntly. Trey's heart felt like it plummeted. Not that he expected forgiveness. He didn't. "I can't. Not when I had to watch my daughter cry night after night wondering what she did wrong. Why you chose Morgan. Why Morgan was better than them. Why they weren't good enough."
oh. Trey didn't think about that. He forgot how low Elior's self esteem was. How hard it is for them to accept a genuine compliment without awkwardness. How they always compare themselves to others even if they didn't outright say it. Why they kept asking Trey to stay away from that girl he first took the military courses with. He never listens.
He feels so disgusted with himself with how he treated Elior knowing they were hurting. "Elior always told me they struggled with self esteem. I guess I never helped with that." He mumbles, guilty. "Their mood always varied. Most of the time they just look sad. Distant. And hurt." Trey fidgets, pointedly not looking at the older man.
"I wish I treated them better." His voice cracks and warbles from emotion. "I really wish I treated Elior better. I knew. I knew how they felt and I only cared about me. And satisfying me. And when I started to care and bond with them, I hurt them more. Even worse." He sniffles. "And I kept doing it. Because I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want it to be more. But I tried. And I tried. But I just couldn't help but only care about myself. I'm so selfish and I know Elior will never forgive me." He doesn't know what he'd do if they did forgive him.
There was a bit of silence. Trey reached for the snack he picked out when the older man responded. "At least you know now." He sighs. "Elior will forgive you. Elior doesn't like to hold grudges. Causes too much mental strain and energy to do that. Even if I prefer she stays far away from you, I know it'd hurt her more." Then he pats Trey's shoulder. "Just make sure you do right this time. No more room for error."
Besides, both of them now know that if he treated them any worse than before when or if Elior wakes up, Elior might make sure to end it for real this time. Not to get him to stay but to make sure they feel no more pain. To make Trey happy by disappearing completely.
"I will."
. . .
It was around two, maybe three in the afternoon when the doctor finally came out to talk to everyone. James and Morgan stayed, but the rest of their family went home for the baby. Roman was still here. Some of Elior's other friends came too. Jariya, he thinks he saw her once or twice. Saw her at graduation too. Kayla is the friend Elior would wait on during classes to walk together. Jayce's parents came and picked him up and basically regrounded him again for 'running off' and didn't seem to care that Jayce has a friend in the hospital that could possibly be dying.
"Elior's parents?" Elior's dad raises his hand to indicate he's the father. Elior's brothers clarify they are the siblings and their mom is the stepmom. "Okay. Erm. And you, sir?" Shes looking at Trey now.
"I'm her fr-"
"Trey is her boyfriend." Elior's dad clarifies. Trey isn't sure how to feel about it but more than likely it'll make sure he's one of the first people to visit.
The doctor scribbles it down and motions for them to follow. Trey can feel Morgan's eyes boring into his back. He doesn't have time for them. Elior is more important. He needs to know how they are.
Once they're in a separate room, the doctor pulls down her mask and looks actually sympathetic. "I'm Claire, Elior's main caretaker. I have some good news and bad news."
The room is eerily silent except for the sound of the AC going and various machines beeping. "for the good news, Elior is somewhat stable but not critical like before." She fiddles with her clipboard. "Elior is open to visitors probably in the next hour since there are tests still going to make sure Elior is breathing and getting nutrition. There are no major injuries to worry about, however, here comes the erm.. bad news."
She swallows. The siblings glance at each other then at their father nervously. "Elior is… unfortunately in a coma. There have been signs of not physical trauma yet. Mostly mental. No self harm scars or anything aside from the ones already healed. But the patient was very… very delirious when we first got them stable. Something about someone named Morgan?"
Trey's chest tightened. "We… i know Morgan. They're in the waiting room. I didn't know they were coming." Probably to gloat or make it seem like it's just Elior being dramatic.
The doctor nods. "Right. My best advice, keep them away from Elior. Morgan may visit once and only once but only once we know for sure that Elior is capable of handling their presence." She says. "We don't know when they could wake up, we still have to check daily and probably hourly. Any questions?"
No one said anything until Cass spoke up. "When she wakes up will you let us know?"
"Of course. I promise."
-
Another hour of waiting and the doctor came out to announce visitation. Unfortunately most everyone went home. Elior's family had to rush back home for an emergency. So really its just Trey and Morgan here. With James of course. The doctor, Claire, pulled Trey aside just before they reached the room.
"I hate to put this pressure on you, but I think it needs addressing." She says, "you're crucial to the recovery. Whatever it is. Whatever you have to do, please, please do everything in your power to keep them safe." She sounds like she cares.
"What do you mean?" Trey asks, although a sinking feeling in his gut makes him feel like he already knows. "You. Elior said your name the most. She was crying so much. Hysterical and didn't even know she was here. You have to help her, please."
oh. It hurts so much to know that. He really is the main cause for their hurt if you don't put Morgan in the equation. Which it's hard not to when Morgan kept escalating the situation. "Oh. I…" fuck.
"Can I come back tomorrow? Or later? I um." He swallows, shifting from one foot to the other. "I just don't think.. I dont know if I can handle seeing Elior like that." Elior is so full of life. So happy. Always smiling. To never see that again or for this to be the last time he might see them, hes not sure he can handle it.
"Ill let you peek. You don't have to step in. Just.. look, please. At least. If you want to come back and stay overnight you can."
Trey fidgets, feeling his stomach twist and coil as the woman opens the door. There Elior is. Lying on the bed, unconscious. And iv hooked in their arm, a ventilator to help them breathe. God they look so small. How did he ever think of hurting them?
Elior is so fragile. He could have lost them so many times. There would have been many days where Trey could have lost Elior and never see them again. Slowly, the nurse closes the door with a sad look in her eyes. Had she lost someone too? He wanted to ask her to stop to let him see them again. But he knows he can't.
"If you decide to come back tomorrow or later tonight, ill be here." He nods and turns back the way he came. Everything has drowned out except for that image. The one he never wanted to see. Elior on a hospital bed looking like they fought death and lost.
He stops when he sees Morgan. They're holding their arms out, a smug look glinting in their eyes shamelessly as they try to feign worry and concern. "Are you-"
"Please move. I don't have time for you today. I need… i need…" what, a break? A voice snarks in his mind. The same thing you told Elior only to cheat on them with Morgan?
Fuck, hes such a horrible person. Morgan doesn't move, instead they try to embrace him in a hug and he steps back. "I can't do this today." He says, once more. "I'm going home and you should too."
"But-"
"But nothing, Morgan." Don't they get it? He moves around Morgan and walks out into the parking lot. The sky is cloudy and gray like the sky is prepared for the occasion. He gets into his car, closes the door and locks it. He rests his head on the steering wheel. He's such an asshole.
Now he has to sit with this. Possibly all night. He can't leave Elior alone. Not anymore. He never could quite explain the emptiness in his chest when he broke things off with Elior the way he did. Now he knows. Elior made him feel like he had a purpose. He liked being their knight. Their savior. The one they called when they needed someone to talk to. The one they gave endlessly to and even when they didn't have anything material to give, they gave until they couldn't anymore.
Now its his turn to give back.