Losing Sleep
Ryan's POV
It had been a week. Sitting in a hospital and getting no sleep felt faintly familiar. And as I watched over Alexis' lifeless body day after day, only seeing Calvin once and Anton twice, I began to wonder; what had happened between her and Calvin in the first place? And was Anton really her friend?
I felt like I was the only one who cared anymore. Ben had stopped in a few times, more to make sure I was okay. The last time I had gone this long without sleep was when Ali and I were in the crash. Since then, I had a bit of trouble sleeping in situations like this. I was afraid I'd miss something.
"Mr. Lewis?" The doctor questioned as he walked into the room, a look that read I wasn't about to get any good news across his face.
"Yeah?" I responded as I ran a hand through my hair and looked up at him from my chair.
"I wish I had good news." He said as he flipped through his charts.
"There's nothing?" I asked.
"She isn't getting any better, but worse really. She hasn't woken up. The odds just aren't in her favor." He said with a look of sympathy.
"So what happens now?" I asked.
"Well, we can wait another few days or we can pull the plug now and see what happens. She is on life support right now. Those are about your only options." He replied.
"Let's wait a few more days. I just don't think this is it. I think she can make it." I said, trying to give myself some hope.
And so I sat for another few days, continuing to get no sleep and watch over her lifeless body.
"Why can't you just wake up?" I questioned her as I held her hand in mine.
"Still nothing then?" Anton asked as he walked in the room.
"Still nothing." I confirmed.
"Have you slept at all?" He asked, concern present in his voice.
"No." I responded as I ran a hand through my hair.
"Why don't you go back to the hotel. Get some sleep. I'll stay here with you and call if something happens." He said.
"No. I'm not leaving." I said as I shook my head.
"Well at least get some sleep. I'll stay here while you sleep incase something happens." He said.
"Alright. Just, if Calvin shows up, try not to kill him." I said.
"I'll try not to." He said as he took my spot in the chair and I walked over to the other chair across the room.
But as we sat there for a few hours, I still couldn't sleep. I had tossed and turned in the chair, not finding a comfortable position and just not wanting to even try to sleep anymore. This had been going on for a few years now, not being able to sleep that is. It was getting more and more serious as time went on.
"Dude, if you don't sit still, I'm going to make them kick you out." Anton said with a sigh.
"I can't sleep." I said as I kept fidgeting.
"How long has that been a problem?" The doctor suddenly asked as he walked into the room.
"A few years now. Ever since I was in an accident with my ex wife. I almost lost her, and I didn't sleep the entire time we were in the hospital. I guess it just happens whenever something bad happens. But it's really on a normal basis too. I just don't sleep much." I said.
"Well I don't want to just say this, but it sounds quite like insomnia to me." The doctor said as he looked over Alexis' charts just as he had everytime he came in here.
"Insomnia? Really?" I questioned in disbelief.
"I mean I've dealt with a few cases of it, and your symptoms match. It's most likely stress related more than anything." He said.
"Right. Well, enough about me. What's going on with Alexis?" I asked.
"Well, it's the same as the other day. No changes. It's not good, but it's not bad either. At this point, all I can suggest is to take her off the life support and see what happens. There really isn't anything else we can do. I'm sorry." he said with a look of sympathy towards both Anton and I.
"If it's all that's left..." Anton trailed.
We both looked at each other, knowing it was a decision we had to make together. And we made it quite simply, seeing as it was just about the only option.
And so as we signed the papers we needed to, they pulled the plug. And thankfully, she kept going. Anton and I both let out sighs of relief, happy to know she was still alive after that.
A few more days went by until finally there was some progress. She had woken up. She was weak, and didn't remember anything that had happened the night of the accident, bu she was awake.
Oddly, she also didn't remember what had happened with herself and Anton the day of. She forgot all about kissing him. I wasn't sure whether I was happy about that, or if I felt bad.
Because to be honest, when I saw her with him, and I saw just how much he did really care, I felt bad for stepping in between their friendship the way I did. I didn't deserve her for what I wanted when Anton was willing to give her the world.
However, Anton didn't make a move to remind her of what had happened that day. I was a bit confused on why he didn't, seeing as I don't think he like her and I together, but he didn't say anything. And when we stepped out of the room a bit after she woke up to let the doctors have a few minutes, I made a move to question it.
"Why haven't you told her?" I asked him as we sat in a set of chairs down the hallway a bit.
"Tell her what?" He asked.
"About what happened between the two of you that day." I replied.
"Look, she's my best friend, always has been. And so I just don't think it would work out. I don't want to lose her if something happens in a relationship, so I think it's just best to let it go. I have to let the fantasy of having her go. I don't deserve her." He said with a sigh.
"I understand the whole not wanting to lose your friendship, but look Anton. The way she looked at you that day? That was a look of love. Despite the fact she got drunk and was dancing on Calvin, I know it was just the alcohol. For god's sake, the night she thought you were leaving? She kept phone near her at all times incase you changed your mind and called to say you were staying. She's always talking about you." I said.
"That week you two were sneaking around? I've never seen her happier." He said as he looked down at his hands.
"I don't believe that." I said as I shook my head in disbelief.
"Gentleman, she's starting to remember the day of the accident. She's like you to come back in now." the doctor said as he gestured towards the room.
Anton and I both stood, thanking the doctor before walking back to her room togehter.
We were not prepared for what was to come...
