Jackson gasped from the pain. He stared down in shock at the thin red line paining in his wrist. Had he actually done that? Had he actually slashed the knife through his lifeline?
Memories of Miley and Robby Ray doing things together rose to the surface of his mind - concerts, appearances, signings. They won't care, he insisted to himself, pressing down with the knife again. More blood escaped from the wound and Jackson felt himself sink to the floor. The tears falling from his eyes mingled with the blood dripping from his wrist. The world began to darken and swirl around him. Suddenly, he heard a voice.
"Jackson, Daddy sent me up here to tell you that - AHHHHHH!"
It was Miley. She was there by his side immediately, shaking him, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Jackson! Jackson! Oh, my God!"
Miley squeezed his hand tightly and yelled for their father to come up immediately. Robby Ray came bounding up the stairs two at a time. He rushed in, took one look at his son, and gasped. He looked like he was going to faint.
"Dad! Go call the ambulance!" said Miley, wrapping her hoodie around Jackson's wrist and pressing hard.
Robby Ray darted out of the room and was back in a couple of minutes. They're on their way!" he gasped. Then he knelt on the floor next to his daughter and bleeding son, who could barely keep his eyes open.
"Jackson..." said Miley, trailing off. She looked at him miserably. Tears were welling up in her eyes. "How could you do this to yourself?"
Jackson managed to speak. "I ... I didn't think you would care," he managed to say, before he fell unconscious.
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Jackson awoke in the hospital. He found two warm, comforting hands in his, holding him tightly. Miley was on his left and his father was on his right.
"Jackson..." Robby Ray trailed off, unable to speak. He was too choked up.
"How could you do such a thing?" demanded Miley. "You said before you fainted earlier that you didn't think we would care! How could we not? You're my brother! I love you so much! I don't know what I would do without you!"
"And you're my son," said Robby Ray quietly, his eyes glistening with tears. He squeezed his son's hand gently. "Sweetie, I know that sometimes, it might seem to you, that I love Miles more. But the truth is, I love you both so very much. It's no competition. I love you both with my whole being. If I lost you, I would lose a part of myself."
Jackson swallowed hard. He let go of Robby Ray's hand long enough to rub his aching wrist, which was all bandaged up, and then allowed his father to hold his hand again.
"It's my fault, isn't it," murmured Miley. She squeezed her eyes shut, and tears seeped out. "I almost killed you. I almost killed my brother!"
"Miles, no," said Jackson softly. "It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself. I love both of you guys so much. I really do. You two are the most important people in my life. I just didn't think that you cared about me as much as I cared about you. I see now that I was wrong about that. I'm sorry."
Robby Ray just looked at his son. "I'm just so very glad that your ... attempt ... didn't work."
"Me, too," whispered Miley, clutching her brother frightfully.
Jackson smiled and gripped the hands of his sister and father. He finally felt as if they were a family.
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"Jackson Stewart," announced the principal grandly. Jackson marched onstage, collected his diploma and honour roll certificate, and beamed at the audience. He was bursting with pride.
But no one was as proud as Robby Ray and Miley Steward, sitting smack dab in the middle of the front row, their eyes shining with tears as they shared in the joy of this special occasion in Jackson's life.
A/N: Please review! This is my first Hannah Montana fanfic!