Love | R.L. (R5)

Chapter 11 -The News-

I still had my eyes close when I finally felt the bus come to a hult. We’re already here I thought. I opened my eyes and stood up then turned toward Riker. He was still leaning against the wall, unmoving. “Riker?” I whispered. He turned his head and looked at me. “We’re here.” He sighed and stood up then together we walked out of the bedroom. The others were just leaving the bus so we caught up with them. We quietly walked up to the hospital doors and entered. Rydel and Riker went up to the front desk and started talking to the lady behind it while the others and I went into the waiting room and sat down in the chairs. When Rydel and Riker had finished talking to the lady they walked over to us.

“She said he’s still in the emergency room and the doctor will come talk to us when he is done.” Rydel said. She sat down beside me and Riker sat beside her. No one spoke we just sat quietly, waiting. I closed my eyes and put my head against the back of the chair then drifted into a light sleep. I was awaken by the sound of Ross’ voice. I opened my eyes expecting to see him standing in front of me but no one was there. That’s when I looked up and saw Austin & Ally playing on the TV. I felt a tear run down my cheek and looked over at the others and noticed they were all asleep in the chairs besides Riker. He shifted and opened his eyes then he looked up at the TV. Sighing, he stood up, went over to it, turned it off, and went back to his chair but before he sat down he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Then he turned around and walked away from us as he dialed in a number. I sighed and leaned back in my chair then closed my eyes again. After a short time Riker came back over to us and woke the others.

“I called our parents and they're on the way over here” he told us. The last concert had been in Los Angeles so I had almost forgotten we were so close to there home. Riker turned to go sit back down when I noticed a man talking to the lady at the front desk. He was wearing a white lab coat and holding a clipboard so I was guessing he was doctor. The lady pointed over at us and the man turned and started walking over to us.

“Are you the Lynch’s?” he asked when he was closer. We nodded then Riker stood up so he was facing the doctor.

“How is he?” he asked. The doctor stood there for a few moments. Then he started to tell us everything. I could tell he was sugar coating it but it wasn’t had to pick out the cold truth. How can it be out of your hands, you say you've done all you can but it obviously isn't I wanted to scream but I kept quiet and instead leaned back in the chair with a sigh.

“Can we go see him?” I heard Riker asked after the doctor had finished.

“Yes, you can stay with him as long as you want. He’s in room 224” he answered then he turned and walked away from us. We all stood up beside Riker and walked out of the waiting room. Then we turned and walked down the long hallway following the room numbers as they increased. After walking for what felt like ages we found the room. It was in the corner right by another nurses station. Riker slowly twisted the door handle and pushed it open then we followed him into the room. I look around to see it was just like any normal hospital room. There was counters and cabinets in the corner with a sink. A TV hung on the side of the wall and there a lot a chairs and couches. My eyes finally rested on Ross who was laying on the bed in the middle of the room. I walked around the others and up to the side of the bed. Ross was still unconscious just as the doctor had said. I pulled a chair up behind me and sat down in it then look at him. I waited hoping he would open his eyes and look at me but nothing happened. I looked up and noticed the others had found seats in the room. We all sat quietly as if the whole world had stopped spinning and we were lost in time.

Suddenly the silence was broken by a door opening. I looked over toward it to see Stormie and Mark standing in the doorway. They walked in closing the door behind them. Riker stood up and walk over to his mom then gave her a big hug. The others came over and joined him. Finally they broke apart and Stormie walked over to the opposite side of the bed. She reached over picked up Ross’ hand then she rubbed the back of it with her thumb. I looked up at her for the first time and saw her eyes were red. I felt so bad and couldn’t stop thinking about how this was all my fault.

“I’m sorry” I whispered after a short time then I putting my head into my hands. Soon I felt something on my shoulder and looked up to Stormie staring at me.

“You shouldn’t be sorry for anything” she said.

“Yes I should, it’s all my fault!” Tears started rolling down my cheeks as I spoke through my sobs.

“No it’s not” she said then I felt her wrap her arms around me in a hug. I couldn’t help but hug her back. I felt safe in her arms. I sighed when she finally pulled back and then looked up at her. She half smiled before walking back to the other side, pulling up a chair, and sitting down in it. I leaned my head back and rested it on the back of the chair then closed my eyes. I tried to stay awake so I know when Ross woke up but it wasn’t long before the beeping from the many machines faded out into nothing as I drifted into a deep sleep.

I woke to something stroking my arm. I opened my eyes and looked down to see Ross resting his arm on the railing of the bed. He had his hand on my arm and was slowly rubbing it. “Ross!” I exclaimed. I leaned over the bed railing and gave him a gentle hug. I felt his hand tighten around my arm and quickly I pulled away because I knew I was hurting him.  “Sorry, I’m just so happy you're awake” I said smiling at him. I noticed him smile as I reached over and grabbed his hand in mine. He opened his mouth to speak but instead he started coughing. I gently rubbed his hand with my free hand. “Shh Ross you need to rest” I whispered. I placed his hand back beside him then I looked around the room and saw everyone asleep in their chairs so I leaned across the bed and woke Stormie. She blinked her eyes and looked at me then down at Ross.

“My baby!” she exclaimed. She pushed his hair out of his face then leaned over and kissed him on the forehead making me smile. At that moment I noticed a nurse walk in and over to us. She looked down at Ross.

“Good you’re awake” she said as she started checking all the monitors and machines. When she finished she pulled out a shot and put it into his IV then slowly pushed the liquid in.  I sat quietly waiting for her to finish. Finally she walked out of the room but it was long before she returned with a cup in hand and the doctor following behind. She put the cup down beside Ross and let him drink through a straw. When he had finished she stepped back letting the doctor take her place. He put his hand over the side the rail and quently touched Ross’ right arm.

“Can you move your arm?” he asked him. Ross looked at the doctor for a moment then I notice him tense up as he tried to move it but it laid still on the bed. “Relax” the doctor said as he grabbed his clipboard and started writing something on it. I watched Stormie as she looked from the doctor, down to Ross and back again.

“What’s wrong with him?” she finally asked.

The doctor finished writing on the clipboard then looked down at Stormie. “It seems he has lost movement in his right arm” he said. I knew that was the side he had been shot so I supposed it had done a lot more damage then I had thought.  “But don’t worry he can get it back he’ll just have to go through therapy.” He continued to check Ross and occasionally scribbled a few things on his clipboard before telling us everything look alright. Then he turned and left the room along side the nurse.

“Well I think I’m going to go down to the cafe and get something to eat” Riker said standing up. “You guys want to come with me?” he asked turning toward the others. They nodded and stood up beside him.

“You want to come to?” Rocky asked me and I shook my head, no. “OK we’ll bring up something for you” he said over his shoulder as he followed the others out. I looked back at Ross to see him sleeping again I sighed and leaned back on my chair. The battles over I thought everythings going to be alright but little did I knew the battle had just begun.