She Looks So Perfect (Luke Hemmings)+ extras

Chapter 21- Say Something

~Nicole’s POV~

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Hearing that sound has been the only thing that is keeping me alive. Keeping him alive. I wasn't physically hurt, besides a small scrape at the palm of my hands when I fell to the ground but besides that, he's the one that is hurt. 

As I sit beside his bed, I hold his still hand and rub my thumb on the back of his palm. 20 minutes ago he was slightly awake but not awake enough to talk. Then he fell asleep. Seeing him like this made me feel numb and dead. If I hadn't made that video, Gabe wouldn't have his suspicions and then he wouldn't get hurt. This is all my fault.

All around me there are balloons and little cards for him. All are from the boys, he's only been here for 11 hours and he hasn't properly woken up yet. I've been awake and staying by his side since he was brought here. I never wanted to leave his side.

I hear the door click open but I didn't turn to look to see who came in.

"Hey." A voice said. It's Michael. All the boys came in and took a seat at the couch near the window. "How is he doing?" Not alright. He's alive but he hasn't spoken or moved and seeing all the tubes and machines around him is making me sick but I still couldn't find the will to leave. Even if the sight killed me.

"I just want him to say something." I croak out. Ashton stands up and comes to grab the other chair and sits next to me. He wraps his arms around me and gives me a hug. "He's just so silent."

"He'll get better." Calum said. "He will." Ashton kissed my forehead and stayed by my side. No one said anything. No words were spoken and we all stayed the way we were. Just the sound of the heart monitor beeping filled the room and our breaths. Soon I found myself silencing out the other noises and I could just hear the clock ticking. Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. Every second that goes by is just adding on more time to Luke's slumber. 

I would like him to be awake. Telling me everything would be ok but now I’m at a dead end. Everything is just so hard right now. I hold on tightly to Luke’s hand, looking up at his still face. No smile. Eyes aren’t open and I longed to see them open. I miss his icy blue eyes, his smile, and the way his hair feels when I would run my fingers through them. Or how it felt with his hand in my hair. Everything we did when we were dating, we were going to return to that but it all ended so soon. Silently I pray that he would recover.

“Excuse me?” All the boys snapped their heads but I continued to look at Luke. Come on wake up. “Is there a Nicole Stamkos here?” From my position I raise my other hand up then bring it back down. “There are a lot of people outside to see you.” I look over at Ashton. He nods and signals me to go.

“We’ll still be here. Don’t worry. Those people really want to see you.” Ashton gives me a reassuring smile and I was still hesitant on going. I didn’t want to let go of Luke’s hand but I knew I had to. So I did, but before I left I leaned in and kissed Luke’s forehead. Letting my lips linger there for a while before I walked outside.

“Nicole.” I look up and see all the people I have missed dearly and am glad to see them there. The Tampa Bay Lightning, my old team and of course the staff of my old team. First, my brother steps forward and he wraps his arms around me. Rubbing my back as if to give me comfort. I couldn’t find myself to wrap my arms around him too. They stay by my side.

Eventually everyone took turns in giving me a hug and whispering things in my ear. My ex-coach was the last one to step forward and seeing him standing this close to me made me notice that I haven’t spoken to him since I left Tampa. It was awkward at first but then eventually he gave me a hug. Just like everyone else.