Just The Boy Next Door

~30~

I took DJ home around three in the morning and sat with her on the couch. Melding with my chest, my poor, torn girl sank deeper into my arms. It was now four thirty seven in the morning, and I just watched Jake get picked up by Delvin. He had been withdrawn the entire time he was home, or should I say at our house, and spent his time in Naomi's room, just staring at pictures of the two of them and holding the stuffed dog he had won her out of crane game on their first date.

We were glad to know who did it, but that wasn't the problem anymore. Maggie shows up when she feels like, and then drops off the radar. It made my head hurt thinking about how evil this woman truly was.

Rocking DJ slightly, my puffy, swollen eyes ached for rest as DJ began to cry again in my lap. My heart broke more and more for her; she didn't need the stress, not now. I couldn't handle seeing her this way let alone Jake. He was running on autopilot before he left, having moved from Naomi's room to the kitchen and mixed a vodka tonic, which he doesn't really enjoy to be honest.

This fucking bitch detroyed a group of fun-loving and caring college kids and their lively hoods. It pissed me off.
"Baby," I tapped DJ on her shoulder, "I need to get up and move around a bit."
Scooting over, she looked at me with sad eyes as I kissed her head.
Beginning to pace, I thought back over the past twelve hours.
"Baby, why are you pacing?" my pregnant other half leaned back against the couch, baby bum protruding slightly.
"I'm just so sick and tired of this shit, Deege," tears began pouring down my face, "Naomi didn't deserve this, babe. Why her? Why not someone else like that Bieber kid? All she was trying to do was help everyone."
I dropped to my knees, realizing the reality of it all; our good friend was going to die and not walk out of that hospital. I had to do something; I just didn't know what.
"You know," I spoke more calmly as DJ knelt down next to me, "We have done all we can. We just need to get to Naomi first thing tomorrow; well, er, today."
"First sleep," DJ yawned and grabbed my hand, "We need it."
"Yea, okay," I managed to smile slightly, "I love you, princess. You mean the world to me."
"I love you, too, handsome. Let's go get some rest."

In bed with DJ, and five hours later, her phone started to ring. It said it was Jake.

Andy: Hello?
Jake: hey dude, I didn't know if you would be up. Visiting hours start in a hour or so. Wake everyone and head over here. They are waiting to tell us what is going on until you guys get here.
I sighed; it was only nine thirty in the morning, if that.
Andy: sure dude; we'll text you when we're all on the move.
Jake: Alright. Thanks man.
Andy: hang in there man. we love you.

He hung up, and as he did I sent texts from my phone to everyone at the frat house, which was only Ash and Jinxx; CC was over here with Selena, who had been up nearly all night.
"DJ, baby," my voice was low and soft as I kissed her cheek, "Let's get ready to go see Jake and Naomi, okay?"
"Mmhmm," she mumbled sleepily and sat up, kissing me on my nose, "Can you grab me my hair brush, please."

Chuckling, I handed her the small brush and watched her tease the tufts on her head. place the brush on her night stands, she swung her legs of the one sside of the bed. Her stomach was significantly bigger today, and it made me smile. She was breathtaking.

"Morning, princess. I love you," I wrapped my arms around her, "Let's go do this, okay?"
Nodding, she crossed her arms and made her way to the bathroom.
I picked out an outfit for her and laid it out on the bed and made my way out to wake CC and Selena; I didn't even need to do that. They were already awake, and down stairs drinking coffee with the other two guys.

"Hey, everyone," I furrowed my brow, "Ya'll are up early."
"Couldn't sleep," was the unanymous answer, which I understood well.
"Well, we go see Naomi today," everyone looked at me, "It is going to be emotional as fuck and while I cannot wait to see her, I am nervous."
"I think we all are, love."

DJ had come downstairs and entered the kitchen, her face tired looking and puffy from being up all night. I wrapped my arms around her, and held her a moment, taking in the scent of cucumber melon, like always.
"Well, let's get a move on, shall we?"

With DJ, myself and Jinxx in our car and Ashley driving himself, CC, and Selena, we made our way further down town to MCV. The parking deck was packed but we managed to find parking spots close to one another. CC had his arm around Selena as I slid my hand into DJ's, entering the lobby for the first time. It smelled of clean supplies and old people; not entirely pleasant, but not gross or foul, either. Following the signs to the ICU, we found Jake sitting with DJ's family and Naomi's family.

"Oh honey," DJ's mom stood up swiftly as DJ ran into her mom's arms, sobbing quietly, "Oh, baby, shh, we're all here now. For all of you."
Natalie, Naomi's mom, had a pile of sprial note books in her hand and was remotely calm for having a daughter who's life was in the balance.
"You must be Mimi's friends," she managed to smile, "She has spoken so highly of all of you; Oh, and hello Selena, sweetheart. So glad to see you, honey. I am so sorry for your loss as well. Losing a parents to their own mind is really unsettling."
"How can you be so calm?" Naomi's oldest sister, Janelle, age 30, glared at her mom, "This is your daughter, our sister, who was shot. Mom, I just don't get how..."
"Janelle, that is enough!"

The booming voice of Charles, or Chaz as he prefered, Naomi's father, seeming to resound around the waiting room.
"We are here for closure, Janny," Delvin looked at his oldest sibling through sad eyes, "Naomi would want it this way."
"Wait," I stopped and looked at everyone in the room, "Is she..."
"No, honey, she hasn't left us yet," Natalie patted my cheek in reassurance, "But the doctor is going to tell the group of you what is going on."
We all received notebooks with our names on them, complete with a pen of similar color. I sat quietly as Natalie began to explain to us what was going on.
"Naomi is in critical condition," she pointed to the journals, "This was her idea. A notebook to keep your daily thoughts as you go through this trying time. She is awake now, and you will each see her in a few minutes."

As Natalie concluded, the doctor who had been tending to Naomi rounded the corner with a grim expression on his face.
"Mrs. Sparks told me you all would be here today, and wanted me to tell you the news I told them," he sighed heavily, "Your friend is dying. She is on life support by the choice of her family. Naomi does not know she is supposed to be dead, so do not say anything about it to her. But, by the end of the week, I will need a decision on who will pull the plug on her machine."
"No," Jake shook his head, closing the notebook he had started writing in, "No, no, I won't except this. That is my girlfriend; you can't do anything? DID you do anything?"
"Jacob," Naomi's second eldest sister, Eva, rubbed our friend's back as he sobbed, shaking violently, "She lost too much blood, honey. I'm not sure what else could make this right."
"Nothing," he rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a box.
Opening the box, there sat a beautiful engagement ring Jake had bought for her.
"Dude," I looked at him with tears coming to my eyes yet again, "I'm so sorry man."
If anyone had never seen two males hug as strongly as the five of us did at that moment, I'm not sure what I would say to them. Jake was my brother, has been since we were young; looked out for me in high school and kept me close even when he moved out here for college.
I looked over at the girls and they were hugging, too, backs wet from tears falling.
"Ok," Natalie wiped her eyes, "Let's go see Naomi now, huh?"
I was not prepared; we were not prepared.

~DJ~

I lead the group down the hall; having known NayNay since childhood, and being her best friend for 17 years, allowed me to understand a little more. Yes, I was torn apart by the eventual passing of my best friend, but she wouldn't want us to grovel or cry over her. She hated that enough now, any way.

Turning to walk into the room she was in, my heart stopped. Tubes, hoses, and machines were placed all around the room. A fluid now replaced her blood, and she had the bags for bodily functions hiding around the bed side. Naomi sat among all this, weak and pale, but tired of being in the small room.

"Hey, guys!" Naomi waved everyone in, "I'm glad you all were able to make it. I was just explained my condition, and I wanted you guys to know I love you, and I will be fine, regardless of what happens."
"The doctor told you?" CC looked at the now frail young woman, "I thought your mom..."
"She didn't want me to know, but it is my body," she smiled meekly, "I want it fresh enough for the people who need my organs."
Jake sat on her bed with her, cuddled up to her side like a child mourning over their beloved toy or pet. His face and his pain made me get weepy.
"Oh, ladybug, come here."
She waved me towards her and wrapped her arms around me, kissing my cheek.
"You are going to be a mommy, now," she rubbed my bump lightly, "And, you need to make sure Selena is your maid of honor; I wouldn't have it any other way, love."

I nodded as the tears came harder; I couldn't be in there anymore.

I waited out in the hallway for everyone to say their private goodbyes; I don't think anyone but Jake wanted to wait until 10pm tonight.
10pm; the time the plug was agreed to be pulled.
The decision was made after I left the room, and I said I would be okay with that, and that keeping her around would only damage organs, knowing she was a donor.
I was beside myself until I felt my stomach move.

"Oh my God, Naomi!" I pushed through everyone and stood by Naomi, placing her hand on my stomach, "Do you feel it?"
My dying best friend's eyes lit up bright as she felt the baby kick. Soon enough, everyone wanted to cop a feel of the little life dancing inside of me.

"I love you, DJ," Naomi looked up at me, "Don't you ever forget that."
"I wouldn't dream of it."

Notes

The final goodbye to Naomi Lynn Sparks, made from the memory of my best friend, John Kenneth Overacre. I miss you, otaku.