Reasons I Can't Forget You

Chapter VI: Why Him?

POV: Avalie

I grabbed my silver cross-body bag, pulling it over my head. "Come ON Char!" It was 9:45. "Seth is going to be here soon!"

"Calm down princess! Im surprised you and Zach are going to be able to stay apart for the whole weekend!" She was holding the curling iron against her head as it seared the piece of hair into a perfect ringlet. When she let it go, the curl bounced once before settling into place.

I blushed, thinking of all the lunch dates Zach and I had been enjoying throughout the week. "Jeez Char, it's not like we're dating!"

"Might as well be! You seem pretty damn mushy. All the disgusting looks I have to watch you two exchange! Sure makes a girl want to puke!"

I grinned, "Shut up!"

Char opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the buzzing of my phone. I grabbed it, and read the caller ID. Mindy Andrews. Why was Seth's mom calling me? Quickly, I stabbed talk. "Kelly?"

"Avalie!" She sounded frantic, "Oh it's so terrible!!!"

"What happened?!" I could feel my heart pounding out of control, crawling up my throat. The squirrels in my stomach were screeching.

"Seth and Daniel were on the way to pick you up, they got in a crash!"

I could feel hot tears running down myself, leaving trails of mascara. "WHAT? Are they ok?!" I said terrified of the answer.

"Yes, they're alive but there is some damage," Mindy began to sob. "Can you make it back here?"

"Sure, I'll be there as soon as possible!" I was wiping tears away frantically.

"Thank you! Goodbye!"

I hung up the phone. Char turned to me, obviously having heard everything.

She ran at me, squeezing me tightly. "Come on, I'll drive us Av." She handed me my jacket.

I nodded and we hurried out the door.

The whole ride, I cried and worried in the passenger seat, while Char comforted me.

-Please God, let them be ok!-

I could only hope for the best.

~~~

Char was shaking me, "We're here Avalie."

Somehow I had fallen asleep. We trekked through the parking lot, into to the building and to the front desk. "H-hi," I stumbled. "We're here to see Seth Andrews and Daniel Bines."

"Oh those poor boys, I'll take you right to them girls." She was short and stout, with a warm face.

Char and I followed her to a room, when we entered Mindy stood up. I ran into her arms, embracing her tightly. "Thank you for coming girls."

I gave her a shaky smile, then turned to find Seth's warm face staring up at me. "Seth! Oh my god!" I hugged him tightly to afraid to let go. I could feel the burning in my eyes and throat as I tried to hold back more tears. My head ached.

"I'm okay Avalie. A cracked rib and a broken wrist, nothing serious."

"Thank god!" I squeezed him tighter.

"Rib!" he whispered in pain.

"Sorry!" I screeched letting go quickly. "Where's Daniel?" Daniel and I had become close friends last year.

His face turned pale, "They think he could be paralyzed." His voice cracked in pain.

"No! Can we see him?"

Mindy interrupted, "They're checking him out right now. His mother is on her way home from a conference. They should bring him back in soon."

This time I couldn't help it, the tears started pouring out. Seth took my hand and Char rubbed my back.

The nurses brought one of those beds on wheels in. Daniel was lying on it. He seemed to be asleep.

The taller if the two nurses spoke, "He passed out when we told him the news. As of now, he is paralyzed from the waist down. We don't know if it's permanent. Dr. Droyle should be in shortly."

Mindy and I gasped. New tears sprung out of my eyes and rolled down my face. How could he be paralyzed? Daniel, who was a sporty jock,he played football, all the girls had crushes on him. It seemed so wrong and terribly cruel.

Seth lifted his head, he looked so sad it broke my heart. "Can I talk to Avalie outside?"

"Sure dear," said the nurse who broke the news to us. "Helen will get a wheelchair for you." She directed.

Seth nodded. I went over and took his hand until Helen came back and helped him into the wheelchair.

I grabbed the handles and wheeled him out. "I'll be back in soon Char."

She just nodded at me solemnly.

After wheeling around for about five minutes, we found a secluded corner. A potted flower sat on a little table. It was a yellow tulip that was beginning to droop. I couldn't help but think how wrong this day had turned out.

Seth cleared his throat and took a deep breath. That was all he could manage before the tears ran down his beautiful face.

-Um WHAT Avalie? Did you really just think that? Yes, shut up and focus!-

I wrapped my arms around him and cradled him like that.

POV: Seth

I breathed in Avalie's perfect scent. She smelled like a mixture of clean sheets and summer. I couldn't take what happened to Daniel, the guilt was killing me.

"What is it Seth?" She asked in a delicate voice.

I took a shaky breath, "It was my car, I was driving. I crashed the car, not Daniel! But I get a fucking broken wrist, and he's PARALYZED! I'm the one who deserved this! But of course I'm totally fine! I can't take it! I wish I had been the one paralyzed!" I buried my head on her chest again.

"Seth Carter! Don't you DARE wish that! Not even for a second! You do NOT deserve to be paralyzed, and it WASN'T your fault! The other car was in the wrong lane. Besides, the doctors don't even know if it's permanent. And until we know that, we will do EVERYTHING we can to help home recover. Understood?"

I nodded, "I love you Av. I hope you know that."

Her breath caught in her throat, "I love you too, Sethy." She said and she comfortingly held me in her arms. Then she surprised me; delicately, she kissed me on the cheek.

I actually loved writing this chapter! I hope you love it too! Even thought its kind of sad!

-cc