Do You Remember Love?

Chapter 3: Strange

Melissa's POV

I found myself in a strange unconscious world and I wondered if I was dead. It was completely dark. I was frightened by the darkness. I was completely alone. I wasn't even sure there was a floor, let alone anything else. Then suddenly I saw a blurry light. I squeezed my eyes shut and then opened them quickly.

I was shocked to find myself in some kind of room. I had no idea where. But that wasn't important, I was just happy to be gone from that dark place.

Now, where in the world am I? What happened to me?

I'm in a bed, staring up at a white ceiling with lights that are much to bright in my opinion. That's all I know. Oh, and my head feels like it's about to explode. And I must be dizzy because the lights on the ceiling are spinning. I thought about shutting my eyes and making it all go away, but I did NOT want to go back to that lonely darkness.

So I decided to try and sit up. As soon as I tried to move my arm. I felt a sharp pain and sucked in my breath. I looked over and realized my arm was in a cast. Geez! What had happened to me?

I tried again, this time using my other arm which seemed to be okay. But who knew? I was in some kind of strange feelingless state. I just managed to get myself to a partial sitting position, when a figure came into focus at the edge of my bed. I jumped, startled. Just as the figure came into focus and I could tell it was male, he looked up then pounced over to me.

I screamed loudly and backed away, very frightened. Who was this boy? What did he want with me?

I immediately assumed he was there to hurt me and I pushed myself as far away from him as I could.

Then I started to feel myself slipping away again. The last thing I saw before closing my eyes was a mix of emotions on the boy's face. He looked shocked sad, hurt, and worried, at the same time. I once again returned to the darkness.

Evan's POV

It's been a week since she woke up, much longer than the doctor had said it would be. She was still sleeping, but it was different now. She wasn't completely still anymore and she sometimes mumbled in her sleep, the way she used to. It gave me hope that things would go back to normal, that she would be ok.

The doctor came in twice a day to check on her and see if there were any changes. There never were, she never even changed positions. There was a nurse named Mrs. Herald that came in every other day for that. At first four nurses would come in and temporarily move Melissa to a cot, then they would leave and it would be Mrs. Herald's turn. (She was a friendly lady, always trying to make us comfortable as well as Melissa.) she would first change the sheets, then she would work on Melissa. She would bring over a basin of water and clean her beautiful hair, using Melissa's favorite shampoo that her parents had brought. Then she would have me and Mr. Grant both leave the room while Mrs. Grant helped undress her and clean the rest of her. This took about an hour because they had to be so careful with Melissa. Mr. Grant would go home, shower and take a nap, but I just sat right outside the room, waiting. Everyone always told me I needed to go home or least take a walk around the hospital, but I couldn't leave. What if she woke up? No, I needed to stay here with her. After the nurse left, Melissa always seemed to be in better shape. I loved walking in and smelling her familiar shampoo, it smelled like strawberries.

Today was a day like that. Mrs. Herald just left after giving Mrs. Grant a hug. Mr. Grant wasn't back yet, I think he had said something about stopping by the store to get some things.

I sat in my usual chair, looking at Melissa's sleeping body. She was so beautiful that it hurt me to see her like this with her broken arm and bandages where her deepest of cuts had still not healed. The main reason it hurt was because I wanted to always protect her and keep her safe and now she was laying here hurt and unconscious. Why can't I help her? Why can't I do anything?

These thoughts wear me out, and I lay my head down on Melissa's bed. I most have dozed off because I once again start dreaming of her. I felt a movement on the bed and bolted up.

When I look at Melissa, she is awake and in a close-to-sitting position. As soon as I see her, I can't help myself, I jump up to embrace her.

She's back, she ok, she's back, she's ok!- is all I can think about.

But as soon as I move, she screams at the top of her lungs like she is being attacked. Then she pushes herself away from me with her good arm.

I feel a paralyzing wave of shock go through me, and I stand frozen in place. The look of sheer terror on her face is what gets to me. There's no love or happiness in her eyes at seeing me, just fear.

I'm quickly brought back to life as Melissa seems to pass out and starts slipping off the bed. I grab her arm as gently as I can and pull her back up. By this time, the nurses have arrived and are working to set things straight and Melissa's parents are talking to the doctor again.

Thoughts run through my head rapidly:

What did I do? Why is she scared of me? Does she think this is all my fault? Is she going to be okay? What can I do to help her?

Then I think about the look she gave me and shiver. My Melissa giving me that look it breaks my heart. What does it all mean?