Back Where I Belong

Chapter 40

Zoey's pov

"Won't this thing go any faster?" I snap, pacing around in the tiny elevator.

"I don't think so," Luke answers. I go to answer, but am cut off by the doors sliding open. I rush out into the hospital hallway, the boys right behind me.

I speed walk down to room 134, Peyton's room.

As soon as I get inside, I see my boyfriend, unconscious and hooked up to a bunch of machines. There was a doctor and a nurse on the other side of the bed, scribbling something down on the clipboard.

"Peyton," I whisper, my voice cracking. I rush over to his side, startling the doctor and nurse.

"Is he... is he going to be okay?" I ask softly, running my fingers through his bright blue hair.

"I'm sorry miss, but we really can't be certain at this point. We are about to take him down for surgery. If he survives that, then he should be just fine. If he doesn't, then..." the doctor trails off.

Tears run down my cheeks. I couldn't lose him. I need him.

"We'll give it everything we got. Don't worry, sweetheart. I will try my best to keep him alive for you," the nurse says gently. I sniffle and nod, wa t ching as they wheeled my boyfriend away for surgery. She gives me one last sad smile, then turns and follows.

"But what if your best isn't good enough?" I whisper to myself after I was alone.

"Zoey, are you okay?" Ashton asks, sitting down on the small couch, beside me.

"If he doesn't survive the surgery, then he not going to live. And even if he does, there's still a chance that he could die!" I sob into Ashton's chest as he holds my tightly.

"He's going to make it, Zoey. I know it," Luke says softly.

I sniffle, tears flowing from my eyes, "I wish I was as confident as you."

"It's alright to be scared. Hell, I don't know how many times I've been terrified since we adopted you. But you have to believe that everything will be okay. And even if it doesn't, then you have to accept that it happened for a reason. Even if we aren't happy about it," Michael tells me.

I wipe my eyes and look up at him, "When did you become so philosophical?"

"I've always been like that, thank you very much," Michael replies. I giggle a little. The boys smile, seeing me cheered up.

Then my phone starts to ring. I groan and pull it out of my back pocket. I slide the answer bar over, not bothering to read the caller ID first.

"Hey Zoey!" Travis' overly cheery voice comes through the speaker. I inwardly groan. This is just what I need.

"What's up?" I ask, sending 'help me' looks to the boys. They shrug.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go out for lunch before the show tomorrow," he continues. Can this guy take a hint?

"I'm sorry, I can't make lunch though," I say, a plan forming in my head, right beside new song lyrics. I grin.

"Oh okay. Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye babe," Travis says.

"Goodbye Travis," I reply. I quickly hang up, then turn to face the boys.

"I forgot that you had an interview scheduled with Travis tomorrow. I can cancel it if you want," Ashton offers, already pulling out his phone.

I stop him, "No. I have a plan. How you would guys like to play for me tomorrow on the show? I have a message I have to get across to Travis." The boys grin and nod.