More than a friend

Chapter 8

 "The overall procedure wasn't too difficult but she may remain unconscious for a few hours, we also managed to give her an antidote for the poison she drank," the doctor informed them on every inch of a just a simple surgery but to Jamie it was the most difficult thing ever. The 10 students listened inquisitively to the doctor's words. 

"Thank you," Raphael said, shaking his hand while the others crowded around Lottie's bed. Her skin was had more colour in it than it did before, it looked like a recovery in the making. The doctor closed the door, leaving the rosewood students alone with Lottie. "We should do something nice for her," suggested Saskia, fiddling with her tanned fingers "Maybe we move the Secret Santa to tomorrow?"

"That's not a bad idea, actually." mumbled Binah "Go finish off your presents, as soon as Lottie wakes up tomorrow, we're doing the Secret Santa."

 "But whoever Lottie got won't get a present," Lola frowned squeezing Micky's hand. "Whoever Lottie got will understand when the time comes," Ellie sighed, reaching to stroke Lottie's golden hair. It was almost midnight, the stars were twinkling and the hospital was silent. 

"We should get to bed, they said we could stay overnight here," Anastacia said with a hint of regret in her eyes; everyone knew she was right. The room started to empty; first by Raphael, then the twins and Percy, followed by Anastacia and Saskia: Ellie and Jamie were the only ones left. "As much as I would want to stay here, I'm going to leave, I think you and Lottie need some time alone," Ellie whispered, walking subtlety towards the door. She paused before leaving.

 He stared into her closed eyes, feeling her hair on his finger-tips. "Lottie, you shouldn't be here," he whispered as if he was actually talking to her, the silence was eating him alive. He stroked her hair softly, gazing at her still body. "I don't deserve you," he sighed in a hushed tone, he took her static hand and placed it on his chest "Good night, Lottie Pumpkin. I love you," 

He walked out of the room with the feeling of regret in his heart. Jamie closed the door tenderly and went to the sleeping corridors. Although Lottie showed no movement, she had heard every single word he had said. She felt weak, she couldn't bring herself to open her eyes just to tell him how she felt. 

Did he really just say that?

She couldn't fight the instinct of staying on the hospital bed; her arms were numb and her head felt warm. Lottie didn't even have the  strength to move a finger. Dazed, she thought about going back to sleep but the perfect gift idea for Jamie popped into her mind.