It's Gonna Be My Year

Chapter 15

Kaitlyn's POV

Me and Evie sat in her lounge, having a Disney movie marathon. Her house was gorgeous, with 3 bathrooms and 5 bedrooms. I wasn't sure why she needed so much space when it was only her and the occasional boyfriend- but I wasn't complaining.

We were halfway through Disney's version of Peter Pan when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." I said, standing up.

"Sit. I'm going."

"Alright, Mom!" I called after her, laughing.

I was distracted from the movie by panicked voices coming from the hallway.

"Evie? Are you ok?"

"Yeah." She called back.

"She's in there! For fuck sake, we can hear her!" A man's voice came from outside the lounge.

"Wait here!" I heard Evie growl. She came back into the room, smiling at me.

"Uh... Sam and Joe are here. Do you want to see them or-"

"Yes. Let them come in."

She opened the door and they came rushing in. Sam was pushing himself along on crutches. They simultaneously dragged me up from the couch and hugged me. I pulled away after a few moments to see Sam had tears running down his cheeks, and Joe looked mentally hurt.

"Dude, I'm so sorry..." I started crying myself. I sat down and buried my head in my hands. I remembered Sam's crutches.

"Wait, what happened?! Sam, are you ok?" He struggled to sit down on the floor in front of me.

"I- uh... Well, a week after you left- uh- Jack and Alex came to the flat looking for you. I said that I thought you'd be here so- um- we headed out in the car. On the highway, two jerks..." He breathed heavily, "W-we were in a crash, Kaitlyn."

I started shaking. The tears were streaming down my face and Sam engulfed me in another hug.

"A-are they ok?" I whispered into his shoulder.

"Yes. Jack is still in the hospital but Alex went home yesterday. He was in the front of the car so he didn't get hurt as badly-"

"Take me there. I need to see him. Please." I interrupted, pulling out of the hug. He nodded, and we all headed out to Joe's car. I hugged Evie goodbye and told her I'd be back later for my things.

"So, are you going to explain why you disappeared?" Sam asked.

I sighed, I couldn't tell them before Jack.

"It's complicated. And stupid. I'll explain later." I sat and stared out of the car window.

- - - - -

We walked into the hospital, and I couldn't control myself. My entire body shook and I felt sick. Joe laid his arm around my waist and kissed the top head.

"It'll be fine. I promise." He was trying to reassure me but it wasn't helping.

We headed to the front desk. Joe spoke for us.

"Hi, we're here to see Jack Barakat?"

The woman behind the desk checked her computer.

"Can I please ask your relations to Mr.Barakat?" She had a stern look on her face which made me a little uneasy.

"Friends. Well, she's his girlfriend." He gestured towards me.

"I'm afraid I can only allow one non-family member. If that's okay? Too many visitors can put stress on a patient."

Sam nodded, "Of course. But can we wait outside?" They obviously didn't want to leave me. The woman nodded and gave us the room number.

I started crying as we headed for the elevator.

"What if he's not okay, Sam?"

"He'll be fine." He didn't sound sure, which made me cry harder. We exited the elevator and I stopped in my tracks.

"I can't do this."

"I seem to remember those exact words when we went on stage in Massachusetts. It'll be okay, Kaitlyn." Sam laid his hands on my shoulder as he had before.

"This is not the same thing." I still smiled a little.

They sat on some chairs just down the hall and I went up to Jack's door.

"Okay, I can do this." I whispered. I knocked softly before turning the handle.

I walked in, staring down at my feet. I slowly looked up and saw him.

"Can I help you?" A short woman with a blonde bob stood up from a chair beside Jack's bed.

"Joyce, right? You're Jack's Mom?" My voice was still shaky.

"Yes. Who are you?"

"I-I'm Kaitlyn- Jack's girlfriend." I'd never met Jack's parents in person, but I'd heard of them online.

"Oh, okay. Well, it's nice to meet you." She held out her hand and I shook it.

"Would I be able to get a little time with Jack? I hate to do this but-"

"Of course, Kaitlyn." She smiled at me then walked out.

I sat where she had been.

Jack wasn't awake. I wasn't sure of his condition, whether he was asleep or unconscious. He had multiple cuts on his face, arms and hands. I carefully lifted the sheets. His right ankle was bandaged and in a brace, and there was a huge gash up his left leg which had been stitched.

I replaced the sheets then took his hand. At that moment a nurse walked in.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just need to take Mr.Barakat's blood pressure." I nodded and she went about her business.

"Um... W-what's his condition?"

I wasn't expecting her to say anything but, to my surprise, she flipped the page on her clipboard.

"A broken ankle, 3 fractured ribs. And a large piece of metal was lodged in his leg. There was some internal bleeding around his kidneys but we managed to contain that. Unfortunately, he's now in a self-induced coma. It's a state that the body puts itself in after a trauma or shock. If he doesn't wake up on his own in the next week, we will have to force him out of it. But that could put pressure on his brain and cause damage, so we want to avoid it at all costs. If that's all, I'd better be going." She bustled out and I was left alone.

"Hi..." I stuttered.

I'd heard somewhere that when someone is in a coma, they are still somewhat aware of their surroundings. So I spoke to him.

"I'm sorry Jack, this is all my fault. If I'd just stayed, you wouldn't be here. If I wasn't such a coward you-"

He made a small moan, and I stood up.

"Jack, honey? I'm here, it's me. Please wake up."

His eyes slowly flickered open.

"K-Kaitlyn?"