Love Heals All Read online

  I was watching Catfish with my golden retriever, Diamond, when I got a phone call. It was Nash! I immediately picked it up because I wanted to see how Hayes’s girlfriend was doing.

  Shaelyn: NASH! How’s Autumn?!

  Nash: Thanks, Shae, no “Hey babe, how ya doin’?” or “Hey Nash! I miss you!”

  Shaelyn: Well, you’re not the one in the hospital or I would be there with you now, wouldn’t I?

  Nash: I miss you, babe.

  Shaelyn: I miss you, too, Nashy.

  He sounds like he’s about to cry and I already have a couple of tears sliding down my face.

  Nash: Don’t cry. We’ll see each other in a couple of weeks, I promise. We’re all going to Canada with Daniel. I’ll make sure we see each other.

  By now we were both full-on crying.

  Shaelyn: Okay, I can’t cry anymore. What happened with Autumn? Is her head doing okay? Are she and Hayes going steady? I know it’s only been one day since they got together, but they are so adorable!

  Nash: SHAE, CALM DOWN! Autumn’s head is fine, but she has a concussion. She and Hayes are fine, they’re actually sleeping with Sky right now.

  Shaelyn: Aww, how sweet! I wish Sky would talk to me more. . . . How are my boys? Are they good? They better be treating my girls well!

  Nash: They are all fine! They’re doing well, but we haven’t all been taking the “news” well. And what are you talking about, Shaelyn? Sky always talks to you!

  Shaelyn: Not a lot, and what “news”?

  Nash: I’ll tell you when I see you. . . . It’s a lot to take in.

  Shaelyn: Okay, I guess. Well, what about you? How are you taking everything? And be honest with me, Nash.

  Nash: It’s hard. She’s like my little sister. I can’t see her go through this. It hurts me to know she’s going through it. I’m just gonna tell you this now. She has a long-lost sister. Her parents always told her she was an only child! I’m furious! No one does that to a child! She cried for three hours straight! I just want you here with me. You make everything better!

  I can hear him bawling through the phone. I can’t believe Autumn has a sister she’s never met. I don’t even know this girl, but I feel like I’ve known her my whole life. I gotta help him through this.

  Shaelyn: I’m coming down there.

  Nash

  She’s coming! My baby’s coming! She’s gonna help me through this! This is what a devoted girlfriend does. And that’s what I love about our relationship. We are devoted in everything we do.

  Nash: Come as fast as you can! Please?

  Shaelyn: How about tomorrow?

  Nash: Perfect.

  Shaelyn: Perfect.

  Nash: I gotta go. The guys said Autumn wants me for something. I’ll call you tonight. I love you so much, Shaelyn!

  Shaelyn: Love you more, Nash!

  Then we hung up. I was probably running to Autumn’s room. I barged in and everyone was staring at me. I didn’t care. I was elated!

  “Shaelyn’s coming!” I screeched.

  “Yes, another girl!” Autumn and Skylynn yelled, then high-fived.

  Autumn started holding her head, then put her head on Hayes’s shoulder and let a few tears slip. He then started rubbing her back and whispering soothing things into her ear.

  Autumn

  My head throbs as though my heart is in my head. I just want to die and all this pain to go away.

  I put my head on Hayes’s shoulder and accidentally let a few tears slip. Ugh, no, I hate crying! It’s just not my style! I like making everyone happy even when I’m not happy. I hate when people see me sad.

  “Aww, baby girl, don’t cry! You’ll get through all of this, and we’ll be here every step of the way! Right, guys?” Jonah said.

  “Yeah,” “Duh,” “You know it,” “Why wouldn’t we” came the chorus of voices.

  “Of course. We’ll all be here for you, left and right. All of us!” Cam said.

  “Thanks, guys! It really means a lot!” I said back to them.

  “I especially would do anything for you,” Hayes whispered into my ear. I sat up and kissed his cheek, then lay back down.

  “AWW!” all the guys chorused.

  “There are way too many ‘awws’ today!” Sky said.

  “You took the words right out of my mouth, hon!” I told her. She just smiled up at me.

  Me, Hayes, and Skylynn are all still snuggled up on my bed together. I think it’s cute because we kind of look like a little family, although we are way too young, but maybe in the future.

  “When am I getting out of here?” I asked.

  “In three days. The doctors just want to make sure you’re all right before they release you,” Elizabeth answered.

  Daniel

  Something’s uneasy about Autumn. I don’t know what it is, but I need to know. We all do. We all need to be watching out for her. She’s like a fragile piece of glass that could break at any time.

  I got out my phone to text Bailey. I just want to get all of this stress off of my shoulders, so what’s better than texting your girlfriend? I also want to see how my girl’s doing.

  Me: Hey, beautiful!

  Bailey: Hey, Daniel! What’s up?

  Me: Nothin’ much. I’m still at the hospital, you?

  Bailey: Dang that sucks . . . how’s Autumn? And I’m okay, I guess, it’s not the same without having you here . . .

  Me: I know, babe! We’ll be in Canada to see you and Shae soon! I swear on it.

  Bailey: I know! When are you guys gonna get here for FAM Tour?

  Me: Our first stop is there, and then we’ll leave after a week to go to L.A.

  Bailey: WHAT?! I thought you guys were staying longer! I really want to see you, Daniel.

  Me: I want to see you, too, babe, but there’s a surprise along the way.

  Bailey: You know I hate surprises.

  Me: I know.

  By that time I was smiling at my phone. I have the best girlfriend ever!

  “What are you blushing at, Daniel?” Bart asked.

  “Shut up, I’m not blushing, I’m smiling. Is it so wrong to smile?” I said. Everyone laughed while I just went back to my thoughts.

  Bailey and I met a long time ago. We were best friends when we were little and had always liked each other, but never admitted it. I found out she liked me in eighth grade, so I asked her out, and we still have a steady-going relationship now, two years later. We’ve had no on-and-offs, no cheating, none of that. She’s the nicest person I have ever met. She puts others before herself and never lets people get in the way of the ones she loves. I love her, and I will till infinity and beyond.

  Bailey

  I’m texting Daniel, and I can’t keep my eyes off the phone. He’s the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself: I’m Bailey! I’m fifteen years old and a sophomore, I have blue-green eyes and brown, curly hair. I live in Toronto, Canada. I guess you could say I’m pretty famous because I’m dating Daniel Skye, but I don’t act like it. I hate being approached as famous. Anyway, Shaelyn Kowaski is my best friend, and yes, we met through Daniel and Nash. I can tell her anything, and I trust her with my life. She’s my sister from another mister!

  Daniel: I have to go. We’re talking to Autumn’s doctors. I love you so much, and I’m really sorry that I have to miss your birthday.

  Aww! He’s so sweet! All the guys are! They are all really devoted, what with everything Autumn is going through with all the doctors and stuff.

  Me: Okay! I love you more, Daniel! See you soon, and it’s all good. Don’t worry about it, babe.

  What Daniel doesn’t know is that I’m coming with Shaelyn to North Carolina because Nash is going crazy! I feel so bad for Autumn, I couldn’t imagine going through what she’s going through, but she’s lucky to have a g
roup of guys like Bart, Cam, Nash, Aaron, Jonah, Tez, Alec, Carter, Daniel, and Hayes. I decided to text Shaelyn to tell her that I’m on my way over because I’ve already finished packing my stuff.

  Me: I’m coming over now. Are you packed?

  Shaelyn: YAY & no. I need help.

  Me: Okay, on my way!

  I hopped into my 2003 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (yes, I have my license because I turn sixteen in two days, so why not?) and drove to Shaelyn’s house, which is in Vaughan, a grueling five minutes away from my house. Yes, I’m lazy . . .

  • • •

  When I got to Shaelyn’s, I parked in her driveway and walked up to the house. I got to the door and literally just walked right through and up the stairs while saying a quick hi to her mom. That’s how close we are. While I was walking up the stairs, I could hear “A Drop in the Ocean” by Ron Pope blaring through Shae’s speakers.

  I was prayin’ that you and me might end up together.

  I teared up a bit thinking of Daniel and my dad, but held it back because I will see him soon.

  That was my favorite cover Daniel’s ever done, hands down. He sang it to me that night when my dad died. He died of lung cancer, stage four, when I was thirteen years old.

  That was the saddest moment of my life. Especially being there holding his hand when he died. It’s like a piece of my soul went up to heaven with him as he died. I’m not the same person as I was that day. I’ve changed a lot.

  I plastered a smile on my face and walked into Shae’s room.

  “BAILS!” Shae came running up and tackled me to the ground. “I NEED SO MUCH HELP!” she screamed. I laughed.

  “Just pack what you usually do. Jeans, T-shirts, shorts, sweats, Vans, Converse, flip-flops—the usual,” I stated, like it was common sense, ’cause it was. God, she just couldn’t think sometimes.

  “I know, but I want to look nice for Nash!”

  “Aww, you know you always look nice for him, even when you’re in a pair of sweats and a hoodie—especially his hoodie.” I winked. She blushed, and I laughed.

  “Whatever! We leave tomorrow, so go get your stuff, and you’re spending the night!” she said, pushing me out of the door.

  “Okay, Mrs. Pushy, I’ll go get my stuff!” I said, heading out to my car.

  Tonight and tomorrow were going to be crazy.

  Autumn

  Today is the day Shaelyn and Bailey come! I’m so excited. Yes, we all know that Bailey is coming. The guys are going to the airport to pick them up while Hayes, Skylynn, and I stay at the hospital. Sky has to stay with us because Elizabeth has to work, and Will had to go back to dumb old college for football. I mean, I love football and everything, but why does it have to take my bro-bro away from me?

  While the guys are at the airport, we are just going to watch Pinocchio and Mary Poppins. We are Disney people—no judging. Apparently, the guys got there thirty minutes early, but then the plane got delayed two hours. I feel bad, but I laughed really hard when Jonah texted everyone to complain. You see, we have a huge group chat, or the “family group chat,” as we call it. It has the guys, me, Hayes, Elizabeth, Johnnie, Chad, and Will. We text important stuff, and sometimes it gets pretty funny.

  We are watching Pinocchio when Sky falls asleep. I look at the clock and see that it’s her naptime. Wow, time goes by fast!

  “Do you wanna change the channel to Nitro Circus?” Hayes asked me.

  “What if Sky wakes up? You know she’s not allowed to watch it, and I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

  “I won’t, I swear. It will be fine! Promise.”

  “Okay, fine . . . But only because Nitro Circus is my favorite!” I warned.

  I love Nitro Circus. It’s hands down the best show I’ve ever seen (including Ridiculousness, Fantasy Factory, and Catfish, of course). I love the movie, too! My favorites would have to be either Travis Pastrana or Jolene Van Vugt. Jolene shows that girls can do anything that guys can do, and kick their butts while doing it. She’s my role model.

  “They’re so cool!” I said in awe. I’ve seen most of them, but I’ve always been amazed at what they do. It’s almost like they have no fear.

  “I know! But I couldn’t imagine doing that!”

  “Me, neither!”

  We were cuddled up on the hospital bed, and before you know it, I was asleep.

  Three Hours Later

  Have you ever been woken up by someone crazy squishing you to your death on a rock-hard hospital bed? No? Then don’t! It’s an awful feeling. Worse than falling in your sleep, and that feels like falling off a cliff . . .

  “Guys, WHAT DID YOU EAT?” Hayes groaned.

  They all just laughed and Bart said, “Nothing. Just waking up some of our favorite people in the most pleasant ways . . .”

  “Yeah, right,” I mumbled.

  “Who’s that?” Sky pointed at the girl Daniel had his arm around.

  “I’m Bailey!” she said with a giggle.

  “Nice to meet you. I love your hair!” I smiled at her, and she smiled back.

  “She’s nicer and way prettier than you said she was, Daniel!” Bailey commented. I blushed and hid my head in my hands.

  “Don’t hide yourself, babe. You’re beautiful,” Hayes said, pulling my hands away from my face.

  “Okay, guys, stop with the compliments, ’cause I don’t need to look like a freaking cherry lollipop!” I exclaimed. All of these people are full of compliments. It’s great sometimes, but other times it’s embarrassing.

  “SHE SAID SHE WANT MY LOLLY! SHE WANNA MAKE IT POP!” Carter shouted. By then we were all crying from laughing so hard.

  Gosh, I love these people.

  Daniel

  I am so happy that Bailey’s here. I actually get to see her earlier than expected! I get to hold her close and never let her go. I get to hear her beautiful laugh that just lights up the entire room. I get to see the beautiful smile that’s always on her flawless face. And lastly, I get to see my best friend. The person I probably missed the most! And what surprised me was that she surprised me, and she’s awful at surprises.

  Flashback to the Airport

  When the guys and I got to the airport, we immediately went up to the desk to ask when Shaelyn’s flight would get in.

  “Hello! Welcome to Delta, how may I help you?”

  “Uh, yes, can you tell us when the flight from Canada will get in?”

  “That flight is delayed, I’m afraid. It’s now due to arrive at five thirty, instead of three thirty. So sorry about the delay, but I hope you have a nice day! Thanks for flying Delta!”

  “Thanks,” Nash mumbled sadly. Aww, the poor guy! At least he actually gets to see his girlfriend. Jonah texted everyone that the flight was late and that we would be there longer than expected. But knowing Jonah, the text didn’t turn out as serious as I made it sound. Anyway, I was about to get out my phone and text Bailey, but for some reason I got a feeling that I shouldn’t. That was weird, but I just went with my gut and did a follow spree on Twitter.

  Two and a Half Hours Later

  Shouldn’t Shae be here by now? My butt hurts, and I’m so hungry I could eat my phone—not that I would, because my phone is very important to me. Right after Bailey and my family, of course! Just after I thought that, I saw Shaelyn coming through the terminal toward the baggage claim area.

  “Shae, I missed you so much!” Nash screamed, and he got weird looks from the people around us. I’m guessing he didn’t care, because he ran up and gave Shae a giant hug and kiss. Gosh, I wish that was Bailey and me right now.

  I put my head down in sorrow and thought about Bailey. All I wanted to do was hold her and give her those stupid little compliments that she would blush at every time. I wanted to have her in front of me and be the happy couple we always are when we’re together.

  “Hey! Do
n’t I get a hug from my loving boyfriend, who I haven’t seen in three months?” I turned around in disbelief and saw my Bailey standing right there in her sweatpants, oversized sweater, and glasses, looking perfect, as always. Immediately, I picked her up and spun her around.

  “When did you get here? I’m not supposed to see you for another two weeks!” I said, kissing her. Sparks flew everywhere, just like the first time we kissed. I still get sparks after two years.

  “Well, someone invited me to come with her when her boyfriend was having a mental breakdown. By the way, how are you doing, Nash? How are all you guys doing?” she asked, smiling over at Shaelyn and then looking carefully at each of the rest of the guys. That’s my girlfriend for you, always concerned about everyone and everything.

  “I’m doing better now that y’all are here!” Nash said.

  “Well, that’s good, ’cause we don’t want to see you guys in a bad mood. Right, Shae?”

  “Yeah! We want everybody to be happy and have a good time while we’re here!” Shae exclaimed.

  “How long are you guys staying?” Bart asked.

  “However long y’all want us to,” they said.

  “Forever!” Nash and I said in unison. The girls looked at each other and blushed.

  “Okay, let’s go get our bags and go to the hospital. I want to see Autumn!” Shaelyn said. We all said okay and walked over to the baggage claim. I put my arm around Bailey and pulled her into my side. I missed my girl!

  Bailey

  I’m finally here after six grueling hours of the stupid plane and airport. But I’m okay now because I’m with my best friends.

  Flashback to Six Hours Before

  For some god-awful reason Shae wanted to get there twenty minutes early and wait, so when we got there, we wasted our two-hour delay in Security because Shaelyn didn’t know she had a penny in her pocket and then we had to literally run to the gate.