TILL WE MEET AGAIN

Chapter 19

Trent

I sigh in relief as I watch the doctor walk away from us. I wrap my arms around Marissa to comfort her.

"She's going to be okay. Ellie is going to be fine." I say even though we all had the doctor say it. It makes me feel better to say it out loud.

The doctor said she is out of danger. We were VERY lucky. She didn't last more than a minute without oxygen and there was just little water in her lungs.

All we have to do is wait for her to wake up. We managed to save her before any permanent damage could be done.

I want to beat Col up until he is a bloody mess for putting my sister in harm. I want to shout at him and ban him from ever stepping within six feet of Ellie. Even when a part of me feels like all this is his fault, I know that it's not.

I know that there is nothing I could possibly do, be it yelling or fighting, that could make Col anymore miserable than he already is.

He looks exactly how I looked the one time Maya got into a car accident and I hate to think for even one second that he loves her as much as I love Maya.

I lead my siblings, Blake and Nova back into Ellie's hospital room. Col is sitting in the same position we left him. His arms on his knees, leaning forward with his teary red eyes fixed on Ellie.

"It's not your fault Col." Marissa pleads with him. Col looks up to her like she is speaking Spanish and looks back at Ellie. He won't listen to a word we say.

"Col, she's right. Perhaps, the doctor said she's going to be fine." I try to reach him again but he doesn't burge.

A nurse walks in and checks Ellie's breathing. We are all silent, waiting.

"She's doing great but you guys need to leave." The nurse checks her watch." It's 2am in the morning. You should go home. Only one of you can stay."

I want to stay. I want it so badly. I want to be the first person she sees when she wakes up so I can kiss her hand and tell her that she is fine. That this nightmare is over.

But I know that Col needs it. It is going to drive him insane if she doesn't wake up soon enough. Against my protective brotherly nature I choose to let Col stay.

"He will stay." I point at Col, are i tell the nurse.

Col looks at me with guilt written over his face. He cannot believe I would let him come close to Ellie again. Trust me, I can't believe it either.

My brothers and I take turns kissing Ellie's forehead. Marissa, Nova and Blake do the same.

"Call as soon as she wakes up." I tell Col as the rest leave the room. He nods.

"Thank you." He whispers." For letting me stay."

I take a good look at him and consider telling him to eat something but I know he won't leave Ellie's side even for a microsecond so I just nod my head. I take one more look at Ellie and leave the room.

I don't know how I am going to tell Ross and Aunt Medrine but I need to. Then I can think of calling Uncle Joel.

We walk out of the hospital towards the parking lot. Everyone else walks ahead of Nova and I.

She looks exhausted, her eyes worn out from the crying. It's been an eventful day.

"Are you okay?" I wrap my arm around her shoulders. She nods.

"I want Ellie to wake up." Nova sighs.

"Me too."

"Col, he's so miserable." Nova's heart goes out to her brother.

"It's like someone just shot a bullet through his chest." I add. We walk quietly for a few minutes.

"He's in love with her." Nova says hesitantly but I can't deny it. The way he looks at her. The way he looks like his world is nothing without her.

"I know." I whisper in defeat.