Two whole weeks. Ethan had been staring at the same white walls for two whole weeks. Every day was the same routine; he sat on his rock hard mattress, attends his morning therapy sessions, and sleeps. Sleep is his only escape from the cruel world around him and he can't get enough of it. No one ever visits him anyways, so what's the point of staying awake?

A knock on his door startled him, making him jump a little. He got up and walked to the door and opened it, revealing a sad looking Jasmine. He gestured for her to come inside of his room and she stepped in. They sat on Ethan's bed in silence for a while before she began to speak, "Look, E, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that depression is an easy battle. And I'm not going to try to tell you that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem because it's the most pathetic thing I've ever heard in my entire life. I do know people where this statement was helpful, it spoke to them. But it also communicates that the person's problems are temporary, when they are anything but. The other problem with that saying is that it says suicide is a solution – permanent, yes, and a solution when it isn't." She looked at him intently, taking his hand in hers before continuing, "I don't know how you feel, and I don't know how to help you feel better but I want you to know that I care about you."

Ethan's heart melted. He never heard those words before and hearing the worlds I care about you meant the world. A tear rolled down Jasmine's cheek and she rested her head on his shoulder before speaking, "I never thought that I would fall for you, Ethan. But I did, and I don't know if that's the biggest mistake I've ever made or the best decision of my life."

Ethan pulled away, "Jasmine," he started, "get out. Please. Stay away from me."

"What?"

"Please don't do this to yourself. I care too much about you and I can't allow myself to hurt you. You need to leave." Ethan got up and helped her off the bed.

"No, I want to stay. Ethan, I need you."

Ethan pushed her out of his room and closed the door, her last words replaying over and over again in his head, "I need you."

If anything he's the one that needed her, yet he pushed her away when he needed her most.

_____________

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know that there will only be a handful of chapters left (about 5 or more) before this book is finally over. I know, it is fairly short but it has a very simple ending that will soon build up over the course of these next few chapters. I hope you all are liking it so far!

- K ☔︎