chapter 7

"Carmen! Come quickly....it is Gabe."  

It felt like my entire body was doused in ice cold water. I could hear Daniel yelling through the phone but it was coming out all muffled. My mind wasn't working as I stood still in the middle of my bedroom. My hand was clenching my phone so tightly I was afraid it would snap.  

"Carmen! Carmen!" My name was repeated in my ear. Realizing that it was still Daniel yelling my name I tried to snap out of it.  

"Y-yes?" I stuttered out.  

"You need to come over. There's a lot of blood and I don't know what to do." I could clearly hear the panic in his voice.  

"I'll be there in just a minute. Make sure to have the first aid kit out." I said before hanging up. I could feel myself shaking and my mind was racing. I had to hurry. The only thought I had at the moment was to get to Gabriel and make sure he was okay. With that I scrambled around my room grabbing my bag, my phone, and running to the bathroom to get our first aid kit. If it was as bad as Deniel made it out to be I'd need both.  

Making sure I had everything I needed I snatched my keys up from the counter and ran out the door. All I could keep picturing was Gabriel laying on the ground with blood pooling out of him. As soon as I left my building I high tailed it to Daniel and Gabriel's dorm building. Thankfully not many people were out so I was free to run without dodging people. I may have looked like a crazy person running across campus but I could care less.  

The moment their building was in view I picked up my pace, my breath coming out in pants. I really needed to get into shape. Now is not the time to be thinking of that. I mentally yelled at myself.  

I booked it up the stairs briefly remembering what room they were in. When I saw apartment number 17 I grasped the door handle and barged in. I should have thought more about their door being unlocked but in that moment it went out of my mind fast.  

"Daniel! Gabriel!" I yelled looking around the living room. Where the hell were they?  

"In here!" Daniel yelled from what I think was the bathroom. My feet quickly took me in the direction I heard his voice. My heart was pounding in my chest and clenched painfully. What if he was really hurt? How could I stitch him up if it was terrible?  

When I reached the outside of the bathroom I could hear noises. I took a deep breath schooling my features. If I was freaked out then he would be to. I had to stay calm and collect. Nodding my head at my thoughts I entered the bathroom. I almost closed my eyes hoping that there wasn't a crap load of blood because I would pass out.  

"Hey! I brought the first aid-" I started to say only to stop dead in my tracks. I stared at both boys. Daniel was leaning against the sink with his arms crossed over his chest, and Gabriel was sitting on the toilet seat. My eyes took in the entire the bathroom only to come up empty. There was not an ounce of blood anywhere.  

"Wha-" I stared at Gabriel who looked up at me in surprise. He looked basically fine besides a small looking cut above his eyebrow. I could see his cheek was slightly swollen but that was it. There was not a lot of blood or anything to freak out over like Daniel did.  

"I..." I trailed off not finding any words.  

"What are you doing here?" Gabriel asked looking up at me. His eyes traveled the length of me and I couldn't help but blush. I bet my hair was in a birds nest from running all the way here, my face was probably all red from running up the stairs and being frantic.  

"I...I uh Daniel called me." I stuttered out. I took in Gabriel to make sure nothing else was wrong with him. Nothing else seemed wrong beside the one scratch and swollen cheek. I looked over at Daniel who was standing there with a cheshire grin spread across his face. Slowly it started to sink in. Daniel faked that Gabriel was seriously hurt to get me here.  

"You!" I growled out pointing at him. From the corner of my eye I saw Gabriel staring between us completely confused. "You little!" Daniel seemed to realize how pissed as I was and even had to decency to look guilty.  

"I didn't think you'd rush right over." He held his hands up.  

"What is going on?" Gabriel asked standing up.  

"I am going to kill your best friend that is what is going on." Narrowing my eyes at Daniel I lunged for him. He easily dodged my move and ran out of the bathroom. "DANIEL GET BACK HERE!" I yelled turning to chase after him.  

For the next few minutes I chased Daniel around their apartment all the while screaming profanities at him. I wanted to strangle him for making me worry for Gabriel.

"You little shit! He is completely fine!" I yelled at him running around the couch.  

"I didn't know you would take it serious!" He yelled over his shoulder at me.  

"Why would I not when you call me screaming about blood and that he is severely hurt!"  

I continued on chasing him for another few minutes before Gabriel suddenly stepped in front of me, making me come to a stop. He stared down at me completely confused. Daniel stood on the other side of him like he was using Gabriel as a shield to keep me away from him.  

"What is going on you two?" Gabriel asked.  

"Your little friend called me screaming that you were hurt and bleeding badly. So I ran all the way here worried sick only find out you are fine!" I pointed over Gabriel's shoulder at Daniel who was looking kind of scared at the moment. Good.  

"Wait why did you call her?" Gabriel turned around to look at his best friend.  

"It was a joke. I thought it would be funnier." He rubbed the back of his neck looking guilty.  

"So Carmen was who you were screaming to on the phone a little bit ago?"  

"Yes. I was really convincing wasn't I?" He grinned at the both of us. I couldn't see Gabriel's expression but I knew he was rolling his eyes, while I was scowling.  

"You are such a dick." I said crossing my arms.  

"I'm sorry Carmen. I shouldn't have played that prank on you but come on you have to admit, that was pretty good." I shook my head at him more than pissed. Turning around I went to sit down on the couch. I was out of breath and my feet were hurting from running so much in heels. I didn't even know I could run in heels but apparently when your adrenaline was up you could do anything.  

I can't believe I fell for that. I should have known something was fishy with Daniel but being the nice person I am I had to be all caring and worried. The couch dipped beside me making me look at the person who sat next to me. Gabriel.  

"Are you okay?" He asked.  

"I'm fine. How are you? How did you get that cut?" I gestured to his face.  

"Just a fight. Guy got lucky." He waved me off like it was no big deal.  

"Did you clean it and everything?"  

"It's not my first cut princess." Gabriel smiled at me. I smiled back glad he was okay.  

"So you had a fight today?" I sat the first aid kit on the ground beneath my feet. He sent me a look almost asking if I was stupid. In my defense it was word vomit.  

"Why are you all dressed up?" Daniel asked walking over to sit beside me. I ignored him and kept looking at Gabriel. I was still angry at him for playing me like that. "Carmen! You can't still be mad at me!" He whined.  

"Yes I can."  

"Car-Bear I was playing! Please don't be mad at me." He grabbed onto my shoulder. Turning I faced him only to grab his shoulders and push him to the ground. He fell butt first onto the ground. "Oww!"  

"Sorry man but that is what you get." Gabriel said shaking his head down at his friend on the floor.  

"My own best friend didn't even stick up for me." Daniel muttered. I stuck my tongue down at him. As he continued on sitting on the floor pouting I started to feel bad. Curse me and my kindness. Sighing I reached a hand down to him.  

"Come on get on the couch."  

"Are you going to push me again?" He asked looking at my hand as if it were a snake.  

"No. I won't as long as you don't do it again." I gave him a pointed look.  

"I won't." He promise. "Well at least not to you." He muttered under his breath. Smiling I wiggled my hand at him again waiting for him to grab it.  

Once he grabbed my hand I helped him back on the couch next to me. I felt slightly bad for pushing him off so rudely so I gave him a wide smile and patted his led to let him know I wasn't angry at him.  

A few minutes passed in silence as all three of us just sat there staring at one another.  

"So why are you dressed up? Had a hot date?" Gabriel asked breaking the silence. There was a hint of something in his tone I couldn't place.  

"No." I lied shaking my head. "I was with Mia earlier." I had no idea why I decided to lie. For some reason I couldn't bring myself to say I was out with Andrew. Gabriel stared at me for a minute as if waiting to see if I was lying but I kept my face blank. Something inside of me was talking me not say anything about Andrew to both Gabriel and Daniel.  

"Oh." I rolled my eyes at him although I was curious as to why he wanted to know.  

"Smooth." I heard Daniel mutter over to Gabriel. I glanced over at Daniel to see him shaking his head which made me smile. Although what he did was not nice at all I couldn't stay mad at him for too long.  

"Well since Gabriel is not lying on the bathroom floor with blood, I think I'll head back home." I said standing up. It was a little after 5 and I bet Mia was wondering where I was.  

"Wait you are leaving already Car? I thought we could make cookies, watch movies and play with each others hair!" Daniel whined sending me pleading eyes.  

"Aw don't worry young one, we can set up a day where we can do all of that." I patted the top of his head. "We can even talk about boys." I sent him a cheeky smile playing along.  

"Boys?! Oh goodie!" Daniel made his voice all high and girly while clapping his hands. Gabriel just sat there staring at his best friend lost his mind. I couldn't help but giggle at Daniel. He definitely know how to make me feel better.  

"But seriously I better go. Mia is probably wondering where I ran off to." I grabbed the first aid kit from the floor.  

"Fine go ahead and leave me by my lonesome self."  

"I'm here to you dumb ass." Gabriel grunted out.  

"Oh yeah there you are." Daniel said in a bored tone.  

"Boys." I muttered under my breath. "I'll see you guys later?"  

"Definitely." Daniel stood up and pulled me into a tight hug. With his head near mine it was the perfect opportunity to get back at him, even just a little bit. Reaching up with one hand I smacked the back of his head. He jerked away from me cursing while rubbing the back of his head.  

"What was that for?"  

"For being stupid." I simply said grinning. I moved away from him to look at Gabriel who was now standing up. "I'm glad you are okay."  

"Maybe I need to get hit more often and have you come running to my rescue." He grinned at me. I blushed seeing how weird it probably is that I came running like a bat out of hell.  

"Yeah well that is all you are going to get." I smirked at him hoping my cheeks weren't as red as I thought they were. Feeling Daniel's gaze on us the entire time I took a step around Gabriel. "Put ice on your eye in a little bit. Will make it feel better." Sending both boys a small smile I made my way to the door.  

"Bye you guys." I quickly left not trusting myself. If I stayed there any longer I'd be there for hours and I'd probably do something I'd regret. With the door shut behind me I sighed. What was I doing? I was literally just with Andrew, a guy that I really like, and I come running immediately to Gabriel when I hear he's been hurt.  

Walking back to my dorm room realization came in. I literally just kind of flirted with Gabriel when I just barely went on a date with Andrew! Did that classify that I was a slut? I mean it wasn't like it was a date with Adrew but it felt like it especially after him kissing me on the cheek.  

While I should have been home pining after Andrew I was instead making sure a guy I have barely known for a month is okay. What is wrong with me?