Three's a crowd

43

Parents.

Those grown people who bring us into the world, nurture and guide us into the people we are today. The same people who at this very moment were trying to force me to do the one thing I had vowed I wouldn't. Leave.

"Britt you've been here for days, you need to rest!" Mom argued as I clung to Riley's hand.

"Five days, eleven hours, thirty three minutes." I muttered.

"What?" She said.

"I said I've been here five days, eleven hours and well now thirty four minutes. I'm not leaving!" I protested turning back to Riley.

Not much had changed since the first day we arrived. They had removed his ventilator yesterday after his head scans came back clear, but he still hadn't woken up.

"Britt, honey, I know it's hard but you have to take care of yourself too!" Dad spoke cautiously.

"I'm fine, and I'm not leaving!" I stated again.

My parents shot each other a look, the one parents give each other when they both know they are about to do something you'll hate.

"Britt, why don't you go home and shower and come back? I'll sit with him." Averleigh said somber like as she looked down at Riley.

I let go of his hand briefly to turn to all the adults. I stood up and glared at all of them making sure they all knew the anger I was holding.

"I am NOT leaving!" I raised my voice as Averleigh took in a deep breath and began crying.

I didn't want to make her cry and I instantly felt guilty, until I noticed everyone looking past me, behind me, looking at Riley.

I felt him before I saw him. The feel of warm skin touching my hand. A pinky finger lacing with mine knocking the breath from my body.

I curled my finger around his and turned, almost collapsing as my knees buckled. Those eyes, the ones I had committed to memory, looking back at me.

Tears lined my face as I instantly turned to him and kissed him everywhere I could think of, his forehead, cheeks, those soft lips.

I heard Spencer mutter something about giving up a minute before I pulled my face away to check I wasn't dreaming. That's when I noticed the frown on his face.

"Riles?" I sniffled with a smile.

"Who are you?" He asked as my heart sank into my stomach.

He stared at me intently as the smile fell from my face as I leaned over him. I thought the hardest part would be if he didn't wake up, but I hadn't considered if he didn't remember.

Then he smiled.

"I'm messing with you! Come here!"

A choked, teary laugh came from my mouth and I leaned forward again, his delicate, soft lips brushing mine ever so slightly.

"That wasn't funny!" I whispered as I pressed my lips back to his.

"I had to get you back somehow!" He teased as he cupped my face. "I didn't realize all it took to see you was wrecking my car!"

"That's not funny!" I reprimanded him, "I thought you were gone. Riles I don't know what I'd do without you!" I said brushing his forehead with my fingertip.

"Well now you don't have to find out!" He smiled as I relaxed and stood up beside him.

After a few moments our parents came back in, all of them happy and relieved that he was awake and in good spirits. My parents were still cautiously watching me as I continued to sit beside him. I was still holding tightly to his hand, but instead of just feeling his skin on mine, I could feel the pressure of him holding mine right back.