Please Don't Bite

Twenty-Four

Orion's POV:
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The room was so bright. And everything hurt so much. Nobody seemed to notice I had woken up so far, all looking half asleep. I tried to find my voice as I glanced down at Jorgeous. Her face was hidden against my neck, and I wanted nothing more than to see her face.

I licked my lips, finally starting to fully regain consciousness. "J-Jorgeous...?" I said weakly, my left arm shaking as I did my best to raise it and hold it around her waist.

Jorgeous sat up immediately, staring down at me with wide eyes. Everyone's eyes were on me now, and the once quiet room was now filled with surprised gasps.

"O-Orion!" I had never seen Jorgeous smile so big. I jumped when being wrapped in her tight embrace, hissing slightly when she bumped against my side.

She quickly moved back, hand over her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. "S-Sorry, I'm just- you're awake, you're alive-"

"I'm alive..." My voice came out a bit quieter this time as I raised my shaking hand to her cheek.

"You're alive!" Another pair of arms wrapped around me and I looked up to see Alyssa, her head resting on top of mine.

"God damnit Orion I thought we lost you-" Daya jumped up from her seat, making Willow squeak and fall onto the side of the bed.

"Orion I swear you better never scare us like this again-" Angie was in full on mom mode, standing up and walking over. "You're never allowed to drive again do you understand?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I sat up and regretted it immediately, yelping when feeling a sharp pain in my side.

"No no no, you're staying right there." Jorgeous placed her hands on my shoulders and pressed me back down on the hospital bed. I looked up at her to find tears still running down her face, reaching my hand out to her cheek with my good arm. "Sweetie please don't cry..." I finally managed to find my voice again.

She placed her hand on top of mine, letting out a shaky breath. "I-I thought we lost you..." She sniffled, squeezing her eyes shut. "I thought if you did wake up you wouldn't remember any of us. This is all my fault, I'm so sorry Ry-"

"This isn't your fault." I frowned, drying her tears as best as I could. "Why would you think that?"

Jorgeous just cried and buried her head in my neck once more. I sighed softly, leaning against her and trying to ignore the pain that felt like it was everywhere. She was my focus now.

"She told us it's because she had been having nightmares about this happening." Willow spoke up quietly. She sat cross-legged at the end of the hospital bed, looking down at her hands. "And that she shouldn't have made you come over..."

I sighed softly, shaking my head as I rubbed circles into Jorgeous's back. "It's not your fault." I repeated, kissing her temple. "It's okay now, I promise. I'm here."

"Y-You're here..." Jorgeous stuttered, raising her head. "You're really hurt and you're never allowed behind a wheel again and I'm wrapping you in bubble wrap whenever you go in a car, but you're here..."

"And I'm not going anywhere." I smiled a little, leaning my forehead against hers.

"You better not." Bosco crossed her arms and leaned against the side of the bed. "You know, when I said 'see you in hell' before we left for spring break, I didn't mean literally."

I laughed and instantly regretted it, hissing when my side started hurting more. "Ow-"

Jorgeous pouted, laying back beside me and pulling my head against her chest. "Don't laugh and don't move. Your ribs still need to heal."

"Yeah, you don't even wanna see your reflection right now." Jasmine teased, and I couldn't help but smile. I had a feeling we were all going to have to heal after this, but I was beyond thankful to be alive, to have my friends with me, and to have my beautiful girlfriend back in my arms.

Jorgeous's POV:
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Later that evening Orion was back to sleep. I was nervous about letting her close her eyes again but the doctor assured me she'd be safe and that it was just the effect of the pain medication working. So we turned the lights off so she could rest, and I kept my head resting on her shoulder as I stared out the window.

The quiet strum of Maddy's ukulele filled the room, because of course she had snuck at least one instrument into her suitcase and had gone back to their hotel to get it. But it was nice. It had helped soothe Orion back to sleep and I think it was all keeping us somewhat calm.

"Are you sure you'll be okay here alone?" Angie asked, getting ready to leave with Camden and River. "We can all extend our stay. We don't mind missing a couple classes."

Orion wouldn't be out of the hospital until after spring break had ended. I'd be staying here with her until then. "I'll be okay." I assured her, smiling a little. "Orion is awake now, and I have her family and my family close by."

Angie nodded a little, taking a deep breath. "Just let us know if anything happens. Especially if she gets to go home sooner than later."

"I will." I promised, twirling a strand of Orion's hair. "Of course I will."

I said goodbye to her and Camden, telling River that it was great to finally meet her, before they left. It felt too empty in the room now. I looked back at the window again. Jasmine was laying in the windowsill, half asleep as she ran a hand through Bosco's hair. Bosco was asleep on her chest, cuddling a horse stuffed animal that I learned was named Jeffrey.

Willow was back on Daya's lap, drawing more on Orion's cast as the much taller girl rested her head on her back to sleep. Alyssa was finally asleep in June's arms and Deja was still keeping a close eye on Orion's heart monitor.

It was a different vibe in the room than it had been earlier. A relieved one, one filled with hope now instead of anxiety and fear. It was nice.

I looked back at Orion. She looked so much more peaceful now that she wasn't in as much pain. She still had a bit to go before she was fully healed, but she was here and alive and that's all that mattered. I pressed a soft kiss to her lips, laying my head down and closing my eyes.

I loved Orion so much. And I loved every single one of my friends who had been in that room too.

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You all deserved a more fluffier chapter after the angst. Hope you enjoyed!