Reawakening Eve--WATTPAD PRIZE 2014

Chapter 3: The First

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." -Mother Theresa

August 15, 2013

  It had been exactly two weeks since the car crash, two weeks since Eve had succumbed to a coma. Ash had until the end of October to wake her up and so far he hadn't  even received a twitch from her. Still, for the past two weeks, he had been wheel chaired into Eve's room by Cadence, who he had quickly recognized as a good friend, and talked with Eve throughout almost the entire day, only stopping whenever he had to have an examination by the doctor or when Cadence thought he needed some fresh air. In two weeks, the bruising on his face fadedaway and his concussion subsided, but his ribs were still mending and his arm had another 4 weeks before the cast could be taken off. In another week or so he would be released to go back home, but he knew he wouldn't truly be at home without Eve.

  His mom and Jack came to visit him and Eve, mostly Jack came though, to watch as Ash chatted leisurely with Eve, telling her of their cherished past memories such as how they met when Ash's pants ripped when he got them stuck in the washer, their first kiss, the time they jumped on bubble wrap in the middle of the park. All those weird and blissful moments in time. Jack never said anything, but just watched as they spoke, and then he would stand up and leave with a nod to Ash. Ash couldn't tell what he was thinking, and he wished he did, but all he knew was that Jack supported him.

  Today ,however, Jack didn't come, so it was just Ash, Eve, and the glass of lemonade that Cadence had left for him earlier. She was a nice person, and seemed to dote on him much like a mother despite her being younger than him. And if he was to remain at this hospital for another week, he needed a friend or else he'd find himself talking to the heart monitor beside him. At this moment, Ash was telling Eve about their first date:

  We went to Olive Garden remember? I wanted to take you somewhere nice so I wouldn't seem like a cheap person. We had so much fun...And you looked beautiful in your purple dress *blushes*. I remember messin' up my speech to the point where I eventually shut myself up...Until you decided to play Breadstick Wars with me.

  Ash laughed, the sound of his laughter reverberating throughout the room. He continued his story with a great deal of fondness.

  Ha! We spewed chunks of bread everywhere and made such a mess...Then the owner made us leave. Gosh...Remember how red his face was? Haha...Afterwards, we went to the movies and saw Star Trek: Into Darkness, then watched 3 more movies by theater hopping. We had a great night, and we would have many more. It was from that night that I started to know what true fun was. I know, I know...THE CHEESINESS.

  Mom was so angry because I had come home late, but from the look on my face she knew I had a blast and didn't question me. You were the one to bring fun into my life...Sigh. After that night, we had some more adventures like drawing chalk murals in front of the Children's Hospital. Well, you drew and I took pictures...And then do you remember that time your brother, Jack, accidently locked us up in the attic? Geez...That was a terrifying ordeal...

  Cadence was coming in to check up on Ash, but paused near the door while he was in the midst of telling Eve one of their many tales. She knew it was rude, but it was interesting to hear about others people's love life. Eve was lucky to have someone committed by her side, even when times were bleak. Cadence smiled and giggled softly at the part where he talked about getting locked up in the attic. She leaned in a bit, but not so much as to reveal her hiding place.

  It took your brother an entire night to find the key! You kept screaming every time you saw something move and I kept scratching myself every time I felt "something" wriggle beneath my skin. And do you want to know where your bro found the key? Lodged in the attic door keyhole! I remember jumping out of the attic and running out of your house screaming "FREEDOM!" I'm pretty sure I woke up the neighborhood cats...Pretty sure...Because one of them, Rusti, gave me one of those evil Grumpy Cat stares. 

  A cross between a snort a guffaw suddenly erupted out of Cadence's mouth and she tried really hard to shut herself up, but somehow her spirit wouldn't allow that and soon Ash had turned his head around and stared her bent figure.

  Cadence brushed a tear from her eye. "I-I'm sorry." She coughed and cleared her throat. "I didn't mean to intrude...It's just that your stories are very humorous." She gave an apologetic smile and held up a McDonald's bag. "I brought some apple pies seeing as you might have gotten tired of the hospital food." Ash smiled pleasantly and shook his head, "No problem. Happy to make your day." Cadence smiled softly and set the McDonald's bag on the table. She dug out three boxes of apple, handing two to Ash and keeping one for herself.

 "Bon appetite!" Cadence unboxed her apple pie and took a hearty bite, then waved her hand in front of her mouth when the heat seared her tongue. "Hot!" She replied breathlessly.

  Ash had smirked and was blowing on one of his pies. "Careful Miss Cadence or else you'll hurt yourself." He took a bite and groaned, wiping a trail of apple filling from his cheek. "It feels good having an actual solid now." He said in a muffled voice, and took another huge bite, but stopped chewing when he directed his attention back to Eve. Cadence was puzzled for a second, but then understood what was wrong. She yanked her chair up next to Ash  and patted his shoulder.

  "Ash. I understand that it's hard to move on with your daily life when she's in this state, but you need to recover too. Get those calories in." She said and took a bite of pie.

  Ash reached out and rubbed circle's onto Eve's hand. "And now exactly do you understand Cadence? It's...hard to keep getting better when right in front of me I see her in this catatonic state...Just laying in an eternal dream."

  A chill ran down her back and her stomach tightened. "I understand well Ash." She hadn't told anyone of this for a while, especially to someone she just met 2 weeks ago, but you could learn a lot from each other in that small amount of time. Her heart tightened. This memory still hurt even after 3 years. "My sister and I were driving during a flood. We were both stupid. Actually. I was probably the biggest idiot." She gave a short, lifeless laugh. "I wanted to go to the store and pick up a new pair of shoes for the fall formal, which was tomorrow, and I wouldn't stop complaining until I got them so my older sister, Cassie, decided to drive me. However, as we were coming back, the flood rushed out at us like a river...And. I couldn't do anything...Nothing. We both slipped out of the car and tried to make our way to a pole so we could hold on, but I watched as she lost her grip and was quickly taken over by the waves. I couldn't do anything. I know how you feel, but I know that she would have wanted me to live my life instead of obsessing over hers. Bad things happen, but there is always a positive side to things." She finished and felt Ash's fingers brush away her tears. She hadn't realized she was crying and could now feel the hot tears rush down her face.

  Ash let his hand drop. His eyes were downcast as if in guilt. "I'm sorry for being so arrogant and making you say all of that. I guess I need to quit the drama queen act." He picked up his apple pie and gave a smile that warmed Cadence's heart. "Now let's finish these pies before they turn cold." Cadence sniffed and gave a grin before finishing off her pie. "Thanks for listening. I think I needed to let that out."

  Ash nodded. "I guess all of us are a bit broken inside." He grinned softly and rubbed circles on Eve's palm. Cadence couldn't help but watch him.

 You're falling hard Cadence.

  'I know. But it's not like that'll make a difference.' Cadence looked between Ash and Eve. She could never sever that bond between them, because she knew from listening to his stories and by the way he held her hand, that they relied on each other. They were too close to be separated, like a pair of magnets. The sun filtered through the windows and highlighted Ash's face , showing strength and everlasting love for his girl.

  'You're a lucky girl Eve.' She thought and stared out the window and out at the trees, where a pair of doves sat together nestled in their cozy nest.

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Whoo! 2 Chapters in the row! :D Keep rooting for me! :D