A journey to change Autumn

35

Autumns POV
I can't believe it. I can finally get out of this jail cell. I get to leave tomorrow after my morning exam.

Once I woke up from my cough attack, the doctor came into my room and told me everything. Apparently I have a hole in my left lung which causes me to have breathing problems. I have to carry around breathing machines. By they through all of this Tyler hasn't left my side, not once. Maybe that is a sign that we are more than just friends. I realized after waking up half of the pain comes from my heart. Not medically but emotionally. There is two large holes in my heart that were formed after my dad then mom died. They will never be filled completely, but know my heart aches for something else. It aches for someone to hold me while I cry, for a shoulder to lean on, for someone who won't always question what's wrong but still tries to help me through it, it aches for someone who will love me scars and all. But right now I will try to ignore the ache in my heart and instead focus on the physical pain that never leaves.

2 long uneventful weeks have passed since my cough attack. Nothing else has gone wrong, which is good.

My leg has started to heal but I still have a calf to toes dark green cast on my broken leg. My sprained wrist has healed since I haven't done anything to it, but they did give me a brace for if and when I go back to dancing. The doctor announced it official that my brain damage is gone. He says I have to be carful because if I hit it on something then I could lose my memory for good. As for my lungs, I have breathing machines. My nurses and doctor thought it would be best if I had a removable cast for my back. It is this weird thing I have to wear all day except when I shower. I even have to sleep in it. It comes off with a bunch of weird things in the back. It is hard to describe. It won't let me bend and is supposed to help my back and ribs heal. Although it comes off someone has to do it for me because I can't reach it.

While I am lost in thought I don't notice when Luke, Eli, and the twins walk in until Tyler points it out to me.
"Autumn, you have guests." Tyler says getting my attention. I turn to face my family. The twins look at me with sympathy. Eli and I have formed a special bond since this has happened. Since Luke was never there for me, Eli stepped in for him. He has been nothing but kind to me. He is my protector and cares for me deeply. I am not saying that Tyler, Luke, or uncle Adam wouldn't do that I am just saying how blessed I am to have Eli in my life. Lastly Luke. My twin. He has always been there. I feel like I take for granted our relationship. They come in and sit around me. Luke sits in the chair on the side of my bed across from Tyler. Eli comes and sits at my feet careful not to sit on my hurt leg while Emma and Mckenna come around to both sides of me. They stare at me until Emma gasps.
"You still have it." I give her a confused look then points to my left hand. I look down to see the knotted ring McKenna and Emma gave me once I first got here.
"It means so much to me I never really took it off." I tell her. I usually wear it on my right hand but since I sprained my wrist and my fingers were swollen it wouldn't fit so I moved it to my left hand and never moved it back.
"Guys guess what." I say to my family.
"The doctor told me I could leave tomorrow." It took a minute for them to process it but once they did they were overwhelmed with joy.
Finally as they all said goodnight and left I got some time alone with Tyler. He looked nervous about something. I have no doubt in the back of my mind that he will stay with me at my house during the day while I am still recovering.
"Hey Autumn, can I ask you something." Tyler asks.
"Sure."
" I know I have only known you for a month but I realized something after your accident. I care for you. A lot. I realized that I can't miss this opportunity to have someone as amazing as you in my life. Autumn, I remember one of the first things I said to you. 'Hey you are to beautiful when you blush to look away.' I meant every single word I had said. Autumn. I don't know how to say this. I have feelings for you. Can we be more than friends?" The smile on my face grew 100 times wider.
"If you are saying that you could call me girlfriend and I can call you boyfriend. Then I say yes."
He couldn't stop smiling either. He got up and gently hugged me not wanting to hurt me.
"I will be with you every step of the way. I promise." Tyler states. That's all I need to stay strong. Someone there for me. You know that hole in my heart? Yeah it just got smaller.
Soon, with Tyler on the couch and me in my bed. I fall asleep ready to leave this jail cell.
🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
Stepping out into the sunshine felt better than I could have imagined. Sure I am in a back cast, a leg cast, on crutches, and have a breathing machine with me but man it feels good.

For some reason I am thankful for what has happened to me. Not the fall or the bullying or even losing both parents but the second chance I have been given to start again. I mean sure my life has been pretty bad but wow, if this happened to anyone else would they see the good in it. And now with Tyler by my side I know I can make it. Make it last.