Hold On

Trigger warning: Though this story is fictional, it contains blood and self-harm.

Alex flipped through the music on his car radio. He finally sighed and switched it off as he pulled into Chrissy's driveway. His car's headlights hit the garage and blinded him. Her house was darkened, but there was a small flicker of light deep inside a window.

He turned off the engine, and ran a hand through his rich chocolate colored hair. He had to speak with her, but how? Alex opened the door and tried to calm his racing heart. He strode to her door and raised a fist to knock, hesitating.

Alex knocked, his heart pounded faster. Alex had decided to come to visit Chrissy. Yes, he had broken things off with her, but he still loved her. He licked his lips and knocked again. Oh, how would he explain that he still loved her, without breaking her again?

He knocked a third time, but there was no answer. Worried, he found her spare key and opened the door. The lights were off, but the bathroom door was shut and a glow emanated from under the door. "Chrissy?" He called out, knocking softly on the door. Nobody stirred inside, "Chrissy?" Alex knocked more violently.

He carefully opened the door, and called out again, "I'm coming in, Chrissy." He opened the door and a gasp escaped his lips.

Chrissy was lying on the floor, her face pale and a towel wrapped around her arm. Blood seeped through the towel and created a puddle on the floor next to her small body. "Chrissy!" Alex rushed to her side, panic filled his body.

Her eyes fluttered open and she gurgled a soft whisper. "A-Alex... I-I ju-just meant to.." She swallowed and gasped for a breath of air.

"Shhh.." Alex stroked her pale face gently and pushed her bangs off her forehead. "Don't talk." Tears dropped from his eyes to her shirt. "Just hold on, please."

Chrissy let out a weary smile and closed her eyes. "You still love me, don't you?"

He pulled her into his arms and hiccuped a sob. "Of course I love you Chrissy!" His brown eyes spilled more tears. "Just, just hold on." He grabbed is phone and dialed 911. "The ambulance is coming."

Chrissy fluttered her eyes and looked up at him, "I-I'm sorry." Her green eyes were glassy and struggled to focus on him. "I-"

"Shhh," Alex pulled her closer, her blood smeared onto his shirt. "Don't speak," He grabbed another towel and wrapped it tightly on her wound, trying to stop the blood from flowing. "Just hold on." He caressed her cheek as her eyes closed and her breathing grew more rapid. "I-I should tell you,"Alex started, "I still love you, and I always will. Just hold on, they're coming."

His eyes brimmed with fresh tears as her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath. "Don't give up, Chrissy. I'm sorry I broke your heart. You trusted me, and I hurt you. I didn't know how badly you were hurting, but now I see." His tears dripped down to the floor, mixing with the sticky red blood. "I still love you, but my feelings were frustrating me. I was hurting as I loved you. So, I broke things off." Sirens sounded in the distance.

"Chrissy, I love you and always will. But I understand if you don't want to ever trust me with your heart again. Just know, I love you still, and always will." He gently kissed her forehead, "Please, just hold on, even if you don't want me."

Lights flashed in the driveway and paramedics rushed in to the scene. Alex sat holding Chrissy, his eyes red with tears. "They're here, just hold on. And please forgive me," He stood and moved out of the way as the paramedics entered the bathroom with a stretcher. "I love you and I'm sorry, Chrissy."