Our Little Secret | [j.b]

28

6 months ago . . .

Rose

"I'm so sorry Ms. Fletcher." The Doctor placed a hand on my shoulder for comfort.

The tears continued to fall as my chest heaved up and down. My breaths unsteady. He gave me a sad smile, walking out to give me some time alone with Justin. He told me that he was in a coma due to head injury when the truck collided with the his car. His left arm was broken; not in a cast, and his head hit the steering wheel.

I didn't know how long he would be stuck like this, but I wasn't going to leave his side at all. I was staying until he woke up.

**

"Baby please wake up, it's been six months. Please Justin..." I can't believe it's been this long since I've heard his voice. Felt his tight embrace; seen that bright smile. Pattie has visited everyday in the hopes of one of those days, her son would wake up. I know he needs rest and needs to heal, but six months? He looked so pale and skinny, I almost didn't recognize him.

I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Then his left cheek, following his right, then his lips. Which now weren't the pink plump ones they were before but now pale like his skin and dry, but I didn't care. Just like I didn't care if people begged me to leave this damn hospital, never was I leaving his side.

"Please, Rose, you can't stay here forever. It's not healthy-"

"Don't tell me what's healthy and what's not, Pattie. I'm staying here. I can't leave him, not for a second, or I'll miss him waking up and I want to be the first person he sees when he wakes up."

Pattie nodded, "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, Rose." I stood up and pulled her into a hug.

"I will Pattie."

After Pattie left, my stomach started to growl from hunger. I decided to go down to the snack machine and get some dill pickle chips. I turned to Justin and grabbed his hand giving it a light squeeze. I leaned down and pecked his nose whispering, "I'll be back baby."

I quickly looked at him, feelings sudden panic as I swear I could of felt his finger move, but I knew it was my imagine getting the best of me.

I walked down to the snack machine and punched in the number. I stood patiently as I waited for it to fall. It stopped right when the bag was about to fall and got stuck. I hit the machine over and over and it stayed stuck. "Stupid ass machine." I kicked furiously. I found myself kicking it more than once. I heard someone call my name, but I didn't listen.

"Rose, calm down." Chris held my arms and pulled me away from the machine. "Hey, don't cry, it's going to be okay." I shook my head, burying my face into his chest. "It's not okay, nothing will ever be okay again! I miss him Chris, so much and I don't know what to do." Tears streamed down my face.

"Ms. Fletcher! We need you quick!" The same doctor from before yelled from the end of the hallway. "W-What's going on?" I stuttered as my heart started to beat faster.

"He needs you."

When those words slipped from his mouth, I felt a surge of energy. I've felt so weak and vulnerable for months, it was a surprise when I had the strength to run as fast as I did to see Justin.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Justin sitting up, wide awake. When his eyes met mine, it was like the air filled my lungs again. Like I could breath after months of uneven breathing. "Rose," his voice cracked. It was dry and raspy from dehydration. "Justin," I hugged him, but lightly not to hurt him. He was so fragile, I didn't want to hurt him. He hugged me tighter, gripping my hair into his fingers. "I missed you..." he took a deep breath. "So much."

"Easy, Justin. You don't want to over work yourself." I said, pulling away. "How long?" He asked, looking at the doctor.

He didn't have to explain what he meant. Everyone knew exactly what he meant. "Six months." The doctor answered. Justin looked down at his hands, not much emotion after hearing this words. "Were you okay? I can't believe this happened." A single tear streamed down his face.

"Don't worry about me Justin. I couldn't leave you, not for a second." He gave me a weak smile. "I can't believe you stayed by my side like that. What did you do all this time?"

I smiled, "I watched you of course. I wanted to make sure I was the first one that you saw when you'd wake up, but that didn't happen." He wanted to grab my hand, but almost didn't have the strength to. So I met him half way. "Where's my mom?"

"I'm right here!" She came rushing in. "Oh, my baby. You're awake. Does anything hurt? Do you need to eat something? Are-"

"I'm fine mom." Justin chuckled.

It was the first time in months since I heard that little laugh he made. To see him smile in months made me notice something. Before me and Justin were together, I've always ignored my feelings for him and took the pain I got from Chris. Now after almost losing him, I know now that I can't lose Justin. Not ever. If I did... well I couldn't even imagine what I'd do.

"Rose, don't cry." I hugged him, running my fingers through his hair. "I missed you so much." I could feel him smiling into my neck. "I missed you too. It was dark and scary but I could always feel a warmth, like I was never alone. I knew you were there for me, I knew it was you." He whispered the last part.

I cried harder, but not from sadness. I was now smiling, because I had my Justin back. He was back and I wasn't letting him go.

**

Last chapter of this book. Thank you so much for reading! Keep a look out for the sequel, because it's coming 'soon'

Don't worry, not Justin's way of soon, but soon.

💓💓