Not Worth It

Twelve

 I tried to sit up, but I felt a sharp pain at the back of my head. I was extremely disorentied and my head was spinning. I realized there was someone sitting next to me when they grabbed my hand and then said, "Hey, she is away." Then I noticed the beeping. There was a cloth over my eyes so I couldn't see, but before I could grab it away someone else did it for me. The bright light forced me to close my eyes, but I slowly reopened them. 

The first person I saw was him. The stranger from the diner. Why was he here, also where is here?

Then I looked next to me, it was Zach who was holding him hand, and right next to him was Sam. Charlie and Jules were on the other side of the bed. As I continued to look around, I realized I was in a hospital. I tried to lift a hand to me head, but then I realized that I had an IV in and that my wrist had been rebandaged. Oh no. 

Before I could ask any questions, a nurse came in and shooed the girls out, but for some reason she let Zach and the stranger stay. "What am I doing here?" I whispered. I obviously had not talked in a long time and my throat protested at my speech attempt. 

"You hit and head and have been unconscious for several hours? Do you remember what happened?" The nurse replied softly. 

"I...I went in to the bathroom. I think I was having a panic attack."

"Do you know what prompted the panic attack?" 

Instead of answering out loud, I simply nodded my head yes. The nurse seemed to understand that I did not want to talk about it, and stopped asking questions. 

"The doctor will be in in a few minutes." Was all she said before leaving. 

Once she was gone, I glanced at the stranger and then turned to Zach who was still holding my hand. "What is that guy doing here?" I whispered into his ear and gave my head a slight jerk towards the stranger to indicate who I was talking about. Zach looked confused, but he responded quickly in a tone that matched mine. 

"James is the one that found you." 

"I don't even know him and what was he doing in the girl's bathroom anyways?" Again, Zach looked very confused, but he shrugged when he responded.

"Why don't you ask him?" And with that, Zach got up and left the room. The moment he was gone, James took his seat. He had a concerned look on his face. 

"How are you feeling?" He asked tenderly. I shifted away from him. I only just found out his name, why was he acting like we have known each other forever. 

"I'm fine. Why were you in the girl's bathroom? Are you stalking me?" He looked a little shocked at my accusation, but then he smiled a little and looked right into eyes. His eyes put me in a trance, I couldn't look away. Not even when his eyes began to change, red slowly started creeping out from his pupil. Then, he looked away and whispered. 

"I'm sorry, I tried to stay away, but I couldn't. I know I am not good for you, but I need you in my life and I won't let any one take you away from me." 

Then I realized, he wasn't a stranger at all. He was James. The one who I felt an immediate connection with and who had shown me his beautiful art. I scooted back toward him and leaned my head on his shoulder. His confession left me a little unnerved, but I decided to ignore the feeling. He began to rub circles over my scarred wrist. The feel on his skin on mine sent tingles throughout my body. My every nerve was on fire. 

I could have stayed there with him forever, with his scent surrounding me, but our moment ended when the doctor walked in. He had a serious look on his face and James pulled away and began to stand up. I looked at him with longing, but he shook his head and said, "It's better if I go. You need to talk to the doctor." Then he was gone. I felt a familiar ache in my chest, but before I could place the feeling the doctor began to talk. 

"So, Miss Brooklyn, it seems you have had quite the day. Would you mind telling me everything you remember?" 

"I walked into school with Zach, but then he stopped to talk to Jules and Sam and I went to my locker. My mind started to wander and I realized I was having a panic attack. I rushed into the nearest bathroom and once I was inside a stall, I passed out." 

"Would you mind telling me what prompted this panic attack?"

"I was thinking about Arizona."

"Did something bad happen there?"

I nodded. 

"Would you care to explain?"

I sighed, I have never told anybody what he did to me, and I do not plan this doctor being the first one to hear my story. "It was a boy, nothing serious really." 

"Well, if it wasn't serious, then why did just thinking about it give you a panic attack."

I gulped. "I guess I am just a bit overdramatic." His gaze drifted away from my face and down to my wrist. 

"Was that you just being over dramatic?" I wanted to hide. I needed to get away from here. He couldn't know. I couldn't let anyone find out what he did to me. I felt a familiar sense of panic and the monitor next to my bed began to beep faster and faster. My head was throbbing and my vision was burring again. 

Two nurses rushed in and tried to calm me down, but it was too late for that. There was a commotion by the door and I turned to see James fighting the doctor to get it. He looked so determined, like he would do anything to get to me. I blinked again and he was at my side, holding both my hands and murmuring into my ear. 

Almost immediately, the beeping slowed, my chest relaxed, and my vision cleared. I took a deep breath and then his lips were crashing down onto mine. His kiss was urgent and I resisted at first, but then I reminded myself who it was and I matched his urgency. He slowed down and deepened the kiss. I was acutely aware of everyplace his skin touched mine and all I wanted was more. His touch sent shocks through my system. I kissed him more deeply than I thought possible, I kissed him with all the pain I had ever felt and all the hope I had for the future. This moment was everything. He was all I ever needed. 

Author's Note

I hope you guys enjoy this spicy and emotional chapter. Please please please let me know your thoughts, feelings, or predictions in the comments. Love you all <3