How To Loose A Wentz In Ten Days (Or Less)

Chapter Ten

My body felt heavy, tired even. I felt like I haven't slept in ages. My wrist ached. A sharp pain shooting up my arm every time I tried to wipe a loose hair from my face. I willed my burning eyes open, blinking as I struggle to adjust to the faint light shining above my head. I focused on my surroundings, a rhythmic beating of a heart monitor coming into focus as I stare at the stranger leaning onto my bed. He was sleeping, softly inhaling and exhaling - his hand gently resting on my leg. I didn't know him. I barely had any friends to start with. No one liked the Music nerds. I felt my nose itch up, doing my best to restrain myself from using the arm with the drip in as I turned away to sneeze.

I winced in pain. Everything hurt. I felt tired. I needed to rest, just a little while longer until the doctor could tell me what was the matter.

The stranger gently stirred, his beautiful hazel eyes red rimmed - dark rings around them. Like looked like he hasn't slept in a while.

Mom. Dad. Katlin.

Where were they.

Were they okay? I tried to sit up as he told me to lay down, a shy smile forming on his face as he whispered my name - like it was something secret. I frowned at him, unable to keep my confusion at bay as I asked. "I'm sorry to ask this, but... Who are you?" 

I did it as politely as I could manage, trying my best not to sound awkward.

He bit his lip and pinched his temple, fighting back tears as he shook his head. "No, God, please... Not this-" he said, swallowing back the lump in his throat. "Jen... Please-" he pleaded. But I really, truly and honestly - did not know this dark haired man. I've never seen him before in my life.

Some young doctor walked in, intensely inspecting his clipboard as he smiled up at me. "About time you woke up, Miss Lorenz." he joked, smiling at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I haven't slept in days." I answered with a giggle.

"On the contrary - you slept for 8." he replied, completely surprised by my reply. "Tell me, what do you remember?"

"Uhm... Well... Mom, dad, Katlin and I were on our way to Chicago to take me back for my second trimester of college -" I started, smiling hopefully at him. "Are they here?"

He looked at the stranger then back at me. "Gloria, David and Katlin Lorenz?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes..." I answered, drawing out the s.

He dropped his head, avoiding my question as he asked. "Tell me, Jennifer. What year is it?"

"2001, why?" I answered, not knowing what the hell that had to do with anything. The stranger exhaled loudly, jumping out of his chair as he ran his hands through his hair.

"You OK?" I asked him. He merely shook his head, mumbling yeah yeah under his breath.

"Jennifer... I... I don't know how to break this to you..." the doctor started, gently placing his hand on my shoulder. This cannot be good. "They dropped you off at college and on their way home... They burst a tire and rolled under an 18 wheeler. They... They didn't make it."

I couldn't believe a word he said - my heart tearing into a million pieces as I covered my face, horrible sobs escaping from deep inside me, my body shaking uncontrollably. They stranger gently took me in his arms and held me tightly against him. I couldn't deny him. I needed this. Somehow... I needed him.

"What... What are you trying to say? Wh- what happened to me?" I asked, barely audible.

"You crashed your car just outside LA. I was on my way to Chicago to visit my mom. I turned back as soon as I heard and haven't left your side ever since-" the stranger answered, stoking my cheek as he looked into my eyes, somehow searching for the person he knew - but she wasn't there. Not anymore.

"What year is it?" I asked, turning to the doctor, still unable to process the shock.

"2008, Jennifer." he answered, getting up from his seat. "I'll be right outside-" he excused himself.

I sat there, in a daze - hands in my hair, unable to speak a word. Eventually he broke the silence, asking me if I was OK. He knew I wasn't - the look in his eyes gave him away.

"Who are you?" I asked.

He gently took my hand in his, gently rubbing it as he answered me - avoiding eye contact. "Peter. Peter Wentz."

I nodded, lifting his chin." How do we know each other?" I needed to know. He wouldn't sit by my side for 8 days if this wasn't important to him.

He smirked, shaking his head. "I'm no one..." he answered, smiling his gorgeous smile at me.

"You don't need to lie to me." I replied, smiling back at him. "Are you... Did we...?" I asked, turning scarlet as my cheeks started to feel flushed.

Once again he merely chuckled. "I'll tell you all about it when you feel better." he replied.

"I need to go back -" I requested, trying again to sit up, but failing miserably.

"Back where, Jen?" Peter asked, helping me back down.

"Chicago... I need to go back-"