Silence

Chapter 13

The next chapter of my life started after I'd finished university. At that time, I was 22, going on 23. Shane was still in a coma, and I was waiting in a coffee shop for Shamus. He sat down in front of me and crossed his legs, looking me straight in the eyes.

I fidgeted with my coffee cup, looking down.

"We're done," he said, finding my eyes.

"Aw, I knew it. Well, dang," I said sarcastically. He hit my arm and laughed.

"Sure, anyway, for that project for Shane..." I interrupted him, holding up my hand.

"I know the last one failed. Please don't say that we're letting him go."

"No, never. I'm just saying that maybe you should take a little break. Like, stop stressing out so much? I don't know. You're just too obsessed. That's why we broke up."

"Yeah, but that was years ago."

"Sure, but you're still obsessed. Every time you introduce your new significant other to him, they all leave. I'm saying this for your best interest." I shook my head but didn't say anything. "How many times has it been, four or five? Do you just not care?"

"That's not it, Shamus."

"Then, what is it? I'm trying really hard over here because I care about your well-being!" He threw his hands into the air. I slid further down into my chair. Shamus looked at me for a beat, then started getting up. I covered my face with my hood and turned my face away from him, and when I looked back, he was gone. I

I had hoped that he'd try to convince me or something, anything, but he just left. And I immediately regretted it. I sighed and sat up, digging my nails into my coffee before getting up, throwing it away, and leaving. It started pouring outside, and I ran for shelter. I was living in a small apartment. My apartment overlooked the river, which was partially the reason I was renting it.

I shuddered under the bus station and rubbed my arms for an extra bit of warmth. I looked down at my phone, checking the time. It was about thirty to five in the afternoon. I sighed and looked up at the dreary sky. I was tired, but still had to visit Shane. I rubbed my face. I had so much to do but never enough time to do it all.

Shamus and I were working on a fundraiser for kids in comas. Or adults that were kids when they fell into a coma. Not many people are willing to help, save Shamus and me. Most people hadn't ever had someone they love go into a coma. They don't know what it's like to lose someone you love but never actually lose them. It's an area between life and death.

I shook my head, trying to forget Shane for even a second. The cold seeped into my bones as I stood beneath the bus station, waiting for anything to go by. As I was waiting, a girl came up beside me, drenched in the rain. She sat down on the bench seat. She waved a little but otherwise stared straight ahead.

Soon after, the bus arrived, and we boarded. There were only two other people on the bus besides us: an old woman and a little boy. I stayed standing up, holding onto the bars and staring out the window.

By the time I reached my apartment, I felt like I was going to get hypothermia and die. I could barely move my limbs, and there was no way I wasn't going to have a fever tomorrow. I opened the door, closed it behind me, and collapsed on my bed. Falling asleep almost immediately.

When I woke up, I knew I'd forgotten something, but I couldn't remember what. I opened my eyes slowly, staring at the little beam of light that penetrated my window blinds. I got up, and went to wash my face. Still thinking about what I'd forgotten. I made myself breakfast, absentmindedly, and ended up accidentally cutting my finger with a knife. That's when I remembered what I'd forgotten.