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tube in. There were tubes everywhere, B. It’ll hurt to talk for a while. You don’t have to say anything. Just rest. I’m here,” Noah said as he reached out and grabbed her hand.
    She held on to him for dear life, intertwining her fingers with his as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Tears snuck out of her eyes. Everything hurt. It hurt like nothing she had ever felt before. Her entire frame was sore, stiff, and it felt as if her insides were hollow. She held out her hand, motioning to all of the flowers.
    â€œI know, right?” Noah said. “You get shot and all of a sudden you’re the most popular girl in town.”
    She smirked.
    â€œIt’s from the teachers and some of the people we graduated with. The shooting was on the news; the police are making it a big deal. Straight-A student and valedictorian gunned down in her own neighborhood. It’s all over the place. You were touch-and-go for a while there. A lot of people were worried,” he told her. “I’ve been here every day.”
    â€œHe hasn’t left … in fact, he refused to leave. Day and night he has been here for two weeks.”
    Bleu and Noah looked up as the head nurse walked in. He lowered his head and blushed slightly as he shook his head dismissively. “Nah, you know I had to make sure you were okay. That’s all.”
    â€œYou are a very lucky young girl,” the nurse said. “Had you arrived even a few minutes later, you wouldn’t have made it.”
    â€œWhen will she be able to talk?” Noah asked.
    â€œYou can speak now. It will hurt, but we actually encourage you to begin speaking so we can make sure that the trach we put in didn’t damage your vocal cords. Just take it easy. The doctor will be in to make his rounds. In the meantime just hit your button if you need anything. My name is Nurse Rhoda,” she said before making her departure.
    When Bleu and Noah were alone she finally spoke. “So where is my mama? Did she even bother to come?” Bleu asked, grimacing. Every word that left her mouth felt like razor blades slicing her throat.
    â€œWe don’t got to talk, just rest,” Noah said, switching the subject.
    Bleu snaked her head and widened her eyes. She didn’t need to repeat the question in order for Noah to know she was demanding answers. Even shot up and injured, she was a spoiled brat. During their ten-year friendship he had always catered to her. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for his best friend and she knew it.
    â€œShe’s been around, B. She was here for the first few days. She was worried and crying, but you know how she is. She could only stay so long before—”
    Bleu turned her head away from Noah as tears clouded her vision. She knew the end of his sentence. He didn’t even have to speak the words. Her mother had been addicted to crack cocaine Bleu’s entire life. She was surprised that Sienna had even shown up at all. She left me here to chase her next high, Bleu thought in despair. “Your pops came by too,” Noah said.
    â€œHe’s not my pops,” Bleu shot back, referring to Larry, the man her mother had married a month after Bleu’s father had died. The thought of Larry made her cringe. He had moved into her and Sienna’s apartment and made himself at home too quickly. When he had first come around Bleu had thought he was okay. He kept food in their refrigerator. He had a stable job and Sienna seemed to be happy. Of course she was, because instead of tricking for her next high with multiple men she only had to suck one dick for it now. Larry kept her high, supporting her habit, because when Sienna was high she was easy to persuade. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and the night that he had snuck into Bleu’s bedroom was the night when his true colors had been revealed. He had raped her while her mother was passed out in her room and afterward