The Wrong Body [Frerard AU]

Chapter Thriteen

Lindsey had been unconscious in the hospital for about a week now. She was in critical condition when the ambulance had arrived– broken leg, major concussion, and a ruptured spleen.

The accident had been a hit-and-run. Maybe the driver was drunk, maybe they weren't. No one knew who had hit her.

It had taken a bit of time before Gerard and Frankie to fully register what had happened. Frankie had called nine-one-one while Gerard was sobbing quietly at Lindsey's lifeless form. Once in the ambulance, he had called her parents and explained what had happened. They had arrived when the doctors had started surgery on her spleen.

Today, Mr. and Mrs. Ballato had driven up north to inform the rest of her relatives. Frankie and Gerard were in her room, watching her chest rise and fall. Slowly, but slow was better than nothing.

Frankie held Lindsey's hand while Gerard napped in one of the hospital chairs– he hadn't slept all week. Frankie watched him sleep more than she watched Lindsey, which was a bit creepy, she decided and turned back to the sleeping girl.

She gave Lindsey's hand a squeeze. Jamia's phone number was still written there. Frankie smiled sadly. Maybe she should call her; explain what had happened.

She couldn't help but to look at Gerard again as he shifted in his sleep. There were dark bags under his eyes, a con of not sleeping for a week. Frankie was glad he finally agreed to get some rest. It would do him good.

"He does look cute when he's asleep," a weak voice said.

Frankie jumped. She spun in her chair to see Lindsey awake, her eyes fluttering open and shut. It looked like she was forcing herself to move.

"Lindsey," Frankie whispered, careful not to wake Gerard. "Hey. Don't– don't force yourself. Take it easy."

Lindsey's body relaxed and her eyes closed. "What happened?" She muttered through the oxygen mask.

"You were... you were hit," Frankie explained, rubbing her thumb up and down Lindsey's knuckles. "It's been a week since then."

"Are my parents here?"

"They were," Frankie said. "They went to tell others what had happened."

"Great," Lindsey groaned. "Like I need any more attention." She opened her eyes.

Frankie let out a short laugh as Lindsey scanned her tube-invested body. "Was it really that bad?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

She looked up to where Gerard was resting. "Is Gee doing okay?"

Frankie stared at the boy as well. "I think so. This is the first time he's slept all week." She watched his chest rise and fall and couldn't help but smile. He looked beyond cute in that position– curled up on one side, his breathing slow and even.

"You like him, don't you." Lindsey broke the silence.

"What? No, I, er–" Frankie turned back to Lindsey. She never knew how to respond to that sort of question. "I, um– no?"

"I've seen the way you look at him," Lindsey said, attempting to sit up. Frankie pushed her back lightly. "And he likes you too. Why not go for it?"

"Because– I–" Frankie let go of her hand. "I don't like him, Lindsey."

"Oh, c'mon. You–"