Where Did The Time Go?

Olivia

August 28th 2015

Me, Zack, Alex, Rian, his parents and his brother were all sat in a Chinese restaurant mere the house.

This was turning into one of the best days of my life, for so many reasons. One being that, since I'd called Rian 'dad' earlier- I hadn't stopped. He was no longer Rian Dawson of All Time Low to me- he was my father.

I chewed on the noodle in front of me, "Dad?"

"Mhm?" He had a mouthful of spring roll.

"I wanna change my name." Everyone looked at me a little shocked.

"Really?"

"Yes. I'm a Dawson." I felt a little bad for my parents, but I knew they'd want me to be happy. And this would make me even happier than I already was.

"That's awesome! We'll head down to the Town Hall after we've eaten and see if we can get that sorted!"

I beamed. I couldn't believe that this was my life now.

I repeatedly said the name in my mind.

Olivia Riley Dawson.

Olivia Riley Dawson.

Olivia Riley Dawson.

I smiled to myself. This was what I wanted- more than anything.

We finished eating then walked out the restaurant.

I hugged Ri's parents and Chase, his brother, before they all drove off home. Zack, Alex and Jack headed back to the house in one car, and me and my dad drove to the Town Hall.

- - - - -

"I am officially a Dawson!" I shouted as we walked into the house and into the lounge.

"Congrats, kid!" Zack paused the video game the guys were playing, which looked like Mario Kart, and smiled at me. I glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was already 8pm.

"Well, I'm pooped. Today was incredible thank you so much guys. I love you!" I smiled at the boys before turning towards the door. I hugged Rian on my way out then went up to my room.

My head had barely hit the pillow before I was flat out.

- - - - -

"Mommy? Dad?" I screamed, sitting bolt upright in the bed. That's when I noticed my surroundings.

White washed walls and floors. Uncomfortable, almost crispy bed sheets. Tubes snaking in and out of my skin, delivering and taking away terrifying substances. My clothes; a pale blue, slightly patterned gown which felt scratchy and harsh against my skin.

The crash.

I was in hospital.

I didn't have long before a nurse came sprinting into my private room.

"I need a doctor in here now! ICU room B659. Patient has awoken from comatose state!" The nurse screamed into the ward.

The woman came over and gently laid me back down on the bed. She knelt beside me and gently stroked my hair.

"I promised I wouldn't leave, Riley. I'm going to stay with you until you're discharged, okay? You will be discharged. I promise." She gave me a small smile.

"Where are my parents?" I whispered.

"What are their names, sweetie?"

"Leslie and Robert Gilmour..." Her face dropped.

"I- uh... I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, okay? Then I'll go and see how your parents are." She continued stroking my hair as doctors and nurses bustled into the room.

I was injected, prodded and moved about by at least 4 people. All the while, the nurse stayed right by my side. She had blonde hair with deep brown ombré which was scraped back into a pony tail. Her big blue eyes were filled with hope as she smiled down at me. I glanced at her name tag: Nurse Emma Pritchett.

I heard snippets of conversation from the doctors.

"She was in the coma since the accident, 13 days..."

"May have minor memory loss..."

"Possible brain damage..."

"Scan results back in 3 hours..."

I blocked out all the noise and turned to my nurse.

"Emma?" I whispered.

"Riley?" She smiled.

"Go check on my parents, please..."

She moved away slightly and nodded, "I will be right back. You hang in there, okay?"

"Don't worry." I nodded at her as she floated from the room.

Soon after she'd left, I was left alone by the doctors. I must have been laid there for only a few minutes, staring up at the blank ceiling, before Emma returned. Her face was blank and I knew there was bad news coming my way.

"Are they seriously hurt?" She sat down on the end of my bed and took my hand.

"Your father, he died on impact. As for your mother, she was alive when she was admitted- but in critical condition. She died 3 days after the accident, Riley."

"No."

"I'm so sorr-"

"No!" I shouted, "Not my parents! They were good people! Take me instead! Take me-"

- - - - -

"Olivia? Wake up!"

Someone was shaking my arm. I opened my eyes to see Zack leaning over me. He was only wearing pyjama bottoms and his hair was all matted. He looked shattered.

"What? Why?" I rubbed my eyes and sat up. He perched on the edge of my bed.

"You were screaming. I thought someone was hurting you but you were fast asleep. You were saying things like 'No' and 'Take me'. Were you dreaming?" Zack looked so worried.

"Yes. Well... Not exactly. It's a recurring dream, I guess. Only happens every month or so."

"What was the dream about?" He stroked one hand across my shoulder.

"The accident... It's when I woke up in the hospital and found out they'd died." A tear escaped me and slipped down my cheek, falling onto Zack's bare arm.

It didn't take long for me to start sobbing into his chest, his strong arms cradling me. I felt so safe yet so vulnerable.

He let go and stood up. I thought for a moment he was leaving me until he walked around to the other side of my double bed and climbed in.

His arms wrapped themselves back around me and I rested my head on his chest.

His breathing was steady, calm. It reassured me for some reason.

"I'm sorry for waking you." I whispered.

"Don't be. You shouldn't be alone when this happens, so I'm staying here for tonight." I felt him kiss the top of my head softly.

"Is anyone else up?"

"I doubt it. If they'd heard you they would've come too. Besides, an earthquake could move the house halfway down the street and they still wouldn't wake up!" His chest wobbled with a soft laugh.

I sighed happily and fell asleep in his arms.