As Close As Strangers

Twenty Three

Ella

We burst through the hospital doors and ran towards Room 216. This was it. This was the moment that would either make or break the future for all four of us. None of us could see the future without Michael.

We finally reached the room. The bed was empty. He wasn't in there. There was no one in there.

"Please be okay." I whispered.

We all exchanged worried glances. No one knew what to say. We were all thinking the worst.

"Hello you four." The doctor said, startling us.

"Where is he?" Ashton asked.

He motioned us to follow him. We walked through a door and down a wide blue and grey hallway. We stopped midway through the hallway. He stopped and pointed to the room.

"One at a time." He said.

The guys stared at me. Luke nodded, telling me I was first. And I honestly had no clue what I was walking into.

I opened the door and quickly closed it behind me. As I turned around to close it, I heard it.

"Ella."

Michael, I heard Michael.

My jaw dropped as I turned around to see him sitting up and smiling. He was okay. Michael was okay. I was at a loss for words. I was hit with a million emotions all at once. Before I knew it, I was sobbing.

"Don't cry." He chuckled.

He motioned me to come over and sit with him. I walked over and sat down. The room grew silent quite quickly. The only sound to be heard was my silent crying.

"You don't have to cry, Ells. I'm okay now." He said in a serious tone.

"But you weren't." I said back.

Once again, it grew quiet. I didn't think it would be this hard to talk to him. It was almost impossible.

"I should probably let the guys come in now." I told him.

"Don't go." He said.

My cheeks flushed. My heart skipped a beat. "Don't go." He wanted me here. But I had to give everyone else their time with him.

"I'll be right outside." I smiled.