Gabriella’s POV
The gunshot was so loud. I flinched, but I felt no pain.
Instead, a body slammed into me, shoving me out of the way. I hit the floor hard, and I groaned.
However, my eyes widened when I realized that it was Zander.
Horror filled me as he stood up, and I noticed the crimson stain on his shirt. He was shot.
“No-” I whispered in horror.
The gunman barely had time to react before Zander lunged at him. He tackled the man to the ground with a growl.
The man shot again, but he missed. The bullet hit the bookshelf behind us.
Zander’s fists rained down on the man, punching him over and over. I had never seen him look that enraged before.
Blood was everywhere, but Zander didn’t stop even when the man became unconscious, he didn’t
stop.
“Zander!” I cried, rushing forward. I gripped his arm, and pulled him back. “Stop! He’s done! You’re bleeding-”
He was panting heavily, and his body was shaking. He finally let go of the man, and slumped to
the floor.
People were shouting. Someone was calling 911. But all I could focus on was the blood. There was so much blood.
I pressed my hands to his wound, desperately trying to stop it. “Stay with me, okay? Help is coming. Just…just stay awake.”
Zander smirked weakly. “Told you… these muscles aren’t just for show, Gabe.”
I choked out a laugh, but my vision was blurred with tears. “Shut up, idiot.”
His hand covered mine, and his eyes became serious. “Listen to me, Gabe.”
‘No,” I whispered softly. “Save your strength.”
‘No,” he whispered. “You have to hear this now.”
Tears streaked my face. “Zander-”
‘I love you,” he murmured softly but firmly. “Always have.”
My heart clenched painfully. “Don’t-”
‘You were the one I wanted to impress,” he struggled to breathe. “But you never came back… and then I heard… I heard you found someone you loved so much… It hurt me. But I wanted you to be happy.”
I released a sob. “Zander, please-”
‘I love you so much it hurts,” he admitted, “But maybe… maybe I’m not meant to get the girl.”
“No,” I sobbed, gripping his shirt tight. “You’re not dying, do you hear me? You’re not-” His eyes shut, and his body sagged.
Chapter 19
5:40 pm DDD.
“Zander!” I screamed.
I could hear the sound of sirens in the distance, but I didn’t know if they would make it in time.
Someone screamed from behind me.
“No!” It was Ginny.
Her voice was filled with rage and madness. But I didn’t care. I didn’t even turn to look at her.
All I could focus on was Zander. My hands pressed harder against his wound, trying desperately to stop the blood from slipping through my fingers.
But Ginny continued ranting.
“It was supposed to be you!” she screamed, her voice breaking. “Not him! Not him! She said it was you she wanted!”
“He didn’t deserve this! I told you to stay away from him! Look what you’ve done! It’s all your fault!” She screeched. –
There was a noise behind me. I turned to see her picking up the gun that the man had dropped when Zander had tackled him.
Before she could lift it, a loud voice yelled.
“Drop it!”
Police burst in from everywhere. Ginny screamed hysterically as two officers tackled her to the ground, and the gun was removed from her grip.
But I still didn’t care.
“Zander,” I whispered, sniffing. His fingers twitched weakly in my hand. “Stay with me. Please. need you to-”
The paramedics rushed in, and pushed me aside as they worked quickly. I stumbled back. My hands were stained with his blood, and my whole body trembled.
‘Ma’am, we need space.” One of them said.
didn’t move. I couldn’t.
Strong hands suddenly gripped my shoulders. I was about to shove them off when I realized it was one of the officers.
‘Let them do their job,” he said firmly with a kind look on his face.
couldn’t breathe, but I nodded.
Ginny was still screaming as they dragged her away in cuffs, but I still didn’t care.
All that mattered was Zander. My hands shook as I picked up my phone and called my father.
‘Dad,” I sobbed, “It’s Zander. He…he was shot.”
