The Barefoot Violinist

Forgotten

Cory stood nervously outside Bennett's hospital room. It's been more than a week since he'd seen him, talked to him or got anywhere near him. Bennett's mother had made him swear that he would leave him alone to recuperate. She didn't look very happy with him, but he could understand that. He was surprised that she didn't throw him out immediately, instead, she listened to his pathetic, selfish excuses, when she was in pain herself.

It drove him crazy to think that Bennett was so near but seemed even further away. Every time he thought of that fateful day, his blood ran cold in his veins. He would never get the picture of how broken Bennett looked, curled up cradling his violin, sobbing, but unable to get any sound out. He remembered those wild eyes darting around. The way Bennett's face contorted in anger when he saw him.

He remembered the look of pure hatred on Bennett's face. That look cut deeper than any words anybody could say to him. He had never seen Bennett like that. It broke him. He knew that he was to blame for this. He should have kept a better check on Jake. He should have known that Jake was planning something after that incident with Blue, but he had looked away. He had pacified himself by saying that if there was anything, then it would only be a harmless prank. He'd warned the guys off messing with Bennett and his friends. But he never imagined how his inaction would make such a mess of things...

Bennett's mum came to get him as she was on her way out. Standing with a huge bouquet of flowers, he took a deep breath and entered the room. The bright smile he had, vanished before the boy who was laying there, wincing in pain every time he moved. His eyes narrowed as he saw Bennett hold his arm protectively around his ribs.

"Hi, Bennett." Cory's voice was hoarse with emotion, his smile faltering.

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" Bennett looked quizzically at him, a frown marring his face.

He could see Bennett struggling to remember something, but what it was, was a mystery to him.

"Hey, it's Cory, of course you know me... we're friends, remember?" he smiled, walking closer to the bed, trying to sound confident. Putting the flowers on the bedside table, he stood next to the bed, with a worried look in his eyes.

"I...I'm sorry, but I don't think I..." Why can't he place this handsome boy in front of him? Surely if they had been friends he would remember? Were they friends? A veil of fog clouded over his mind again. He shook his head to clear it, but it didn't help much. Something just out of his reach fluttered in his mind, but before he could latch on to it, it was gone.

Then his eyes widened as he remembered the bully that had tortured him for so long, standing in front of him. That hateful smirking face. 

"YOU!!" he suddenly roared. Gasping as he was trying to sit up straighter, but the pain in his ribs seemed to make him stop. Grunting from the pain, his breath coming out in shallow gasps, he shouted, "Get away from me! Go! Are you still not happy with the beatings you gave me?! Are you here to take a pic so you can gloat to your friends? Get out!! Get out!!! GET OUT!!!" Bennett's shouting could be heard from down the passage. Tears stained his face as he looked up at his tormentor.

Cory stepped back in surprise. This wasn't the reception he was expecting. Back was the fear and hatred in Bennett's eyes, that look of sadness still lingering.

"Bennett..." he moved closer. Maybe he could get some sense into him if they could just talk. "Bennett, no... listen." he pleaded.

"NO!!! Get Out!! Get Out!! Get the Fuck away from me!!!" Bennett was beside himself to get away from the person who had caused him misery for all these years. The rage for every beating he had received gave him the courage to lash out. "Did you think that I'll forgive you if you bring me flowers? Do you think flowers will make up for all the years, for every single day..." his voice broke, "...for the pain..." 

He didn't wait for Cory to respond. Instead, he threw his water cup at Cory, who ducked just in time to see it fly and shatter against the wall. "I don't know what's going on here or if this is another prank, but I'm done playing!... Just leave me alone...", a sob raked through his body.

A nurse came rushing in, pushing Cory aside. Bennett was still uncontrollably shouting for him to leave, clearly agitated. Cory just stood glued to the spot. He could only watch as they restrained Bennett, injecting something into the IV line that was snaked into his arm. Moments later a sigh left Bennett's mouth as he fell asleep.

The nurse turned around to him, "I think it's best that you leave for now. He seems to be very upset," she says quietly looking at Cory with pity in her eyes.

"What's wrong with him? He's talking like we were never friends before." Cory asked perplexed by his outburst.

"Well, he has selective amnesia." she started, looking over at Bennett. "The trauma of what happened must have been too much for him, so he seems to have blocked out parts of the events, which can also include people. It's good that he remembers some of his friends and family though, which means that there is a good chance the rest of his memories will return."

"Is there nothing we can do?" Cory looked at her, his eyes hopeful.

She sadly shook her head. "He needs time to process things. Maybe he will regain his memories, maybe he won't. But for now, it's best that you don't see him. He's obviously very traumatized by your presence." she patted his shoulder. "I'll give you five more minutes, but then you will have to leave." With that, she walks out to the nurse's station, leaving Cory standing next to Bennett's bed.

'Did Bennett only remember him as his bully and tormentor?' Cory let out a shuddering breath, daring to reach out and stroke Bennett's face gently. He looked at the nasty bruise on his cheek and the cut on his lip, wishing he could make them better. Quietly leaning forward, he placed a gentle kiss on Bennett's lips. Leaning his forehead against Bennett's, he closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm so sorry for everything, my forever angel baby Bennett." 

Not able to tear himself away just yet, he reached for Bennett's limp cold hand, cradling it in his own. The nurse came to chase him out sometime later, as he sat there with Bennett's palm pressed against his cheek while his heart broke a million times over.