It had been two weeks since my visit to the beach. I drove back with the hat in my hand, no longer flowing with tears. I had dried out my system at the beach, I guess, because no matter how sad I felt, I hadn't cried once since that night. I trapped myself in my room, ignoring calls and texts, only getting up to eat occasionally and to use the bathroom. I heard Rachel's knocks everyday and I was surprised she hadn't just burst in like she usually did, not like I wanted her to. All I wanted was to be as alone as I felt. My phone buzzed as per usual for the third time today. Probably Rachel again, I thought. I ignored it at first until it continued to vibrate for over five minutes. I rolled over in bed, bringing the blankets with me and stretched my arm out to grab the phone. I didn't recognize the number, so it wasn't Rachel, but I picked it up anyways. "Hello?" I asked.
A deep male's voice responded, "Hello, is this Noah Archer?"
"Yes, this is. Who is this?"
"This is the dean of the college you attend, or used to at least. You haven't been present in any of your classes in over a month. At this rate you won't be able to graduate with your current class," the man said.
I had completely forgotten about school in the entire slew of things. "I'm sorry sir, I was in a car accident recently and haven't been up to going lately," I replied. I heard a deep sigh over the phone. "Noah, I know you were released the day after the accident, so medical reasons surely can't be the reason. I understand it must have been rather traumatic but we accepted you here for a reason. I would like to see you succeed. I recommend attending your classes for the rest of the day and speaking to your professors to see how you could still possibly graduate. I have high hopes for you, Noah Archer." I swung my feet out of bed and onto the wooden floor. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, I'll try to catch up as much as possible." I forced myself to get ready before the time of my second class and pushed through the front door, into the hallway. I turned to lock up when I heard a voice. "Noah? I thought you were dead or something." It was Rachel. "Glad to know you took my passing so well," I replied with a smile. She returned with a smirk. "I didn't really miss you that much honestly..." "Oh, the sarcasm I so greatly missed," I said. Rachel wrapped me up in a hug. "I missed you, Noah. I was worried but you wouldn't pick up any of my calls," she replied into my shoulder. "I know, I just needed to be alone for awhile. Speaking of being alone... I kinda have to get to class!" She released me immediately with a,"Shoot! Me too!" which was followed by her sprinting down the hallway without me.
The rest of the day sucked, to be honest. I got loads of homework that I missed, along with lectures from each teacher about the importance of attending class. Oh, and extra credit to help the fact that I hadn't even been in class for over a month. Saying I was exhausted was an understatement. After my last class, I threw my stuff in the back of my car and drove to the hospital. I hadn't visited him at all since I got the news. I felt utterly terrible about it but I figured the only way I could repay him for it was to say the words I'd been running through my head over and over the entire time. If he could even hear me like the doctor said he would be able to, he would hopefully understand why I needed him to wake up so much. The words Rachel had told me the first day I had visited him kept going through my mind.
By the time I had reached the parking lot of the hospital, the sun had set and my thin t-shirt wasn't much to keep me warm on my way into the building. I went to check-in even though I was well aware that the nurses at the front desk knew my name already, along with who I was visiting. The waiting room was filled with the usual crying kids and solemn faces and the occasional cryer. It wasn't easy to be here, everything about the place reflected sadness. I walked down the same hallway I'd been through over and over, with it's mournful white walls and exhausted nurses. I turned the last corner and stopped. This was it. The exact place I'd been avoiding for so long. I was going to see him again. I pushed all the bad thoughts out of my head and walked into his room. It was empty except for him, his machines, and the bed. His mom must of had to leave.
I grabbed a chair and pulled it up to his bed. His face was smooth except for a few fading bruises and the scab from his now removed stitches. I figured I should probably try the whole "talking to him" thing now. I wanted to tell him about everything, even if he couldn't respond. "Hey Casey. I feel really dumb right now because you're not responding but oh, well. The doctor said it might wake you up." He laid as still as he always did. There was nothing. "Okay I'm gonna get really cheesy with you now but it's true, so here goes nothing. This last month has been hell for me Casey. I miss you. I never thought I would feel this way. I really don't know what love is. I've never been "in love". But if that's what this is, lemme just say it sucks. All I want is you awake and by me, holding my hand, anything. But you can't and that's what's killing me. I guess, all I want is to tell you is I love you."
I hadn't even realized it but tears were streaming down my face. "I need you Casey. Please wake up."
After I had practically choked out the last words, I saw the slightest twitch of his pinky. It jumped upward, before the rest of his hand moved slowly towards mine, that was resting on the bed. His weak fingers rested on top of my hand and I rotated mine so our fingers were entwined. "I love you too, Einstein," he uttered out in a scratchy voice. And then his eyes fluttered open.
YOU ARE READING
Apartment 6F
Teen Fictionthere was a boy. there was a girl. they weren't supposed to share an apartment. but they do, and there's nothing they can do about it. Of course Noah and Casey are both in for quite the surprise when they're thrown into the same apartment with no es...
