For Real or For Publicity?

Chapter Eighteen

Joanne Belle Kameron
"So, uh, is this a good time to ask what happened?" I asked.
  "Sure," Abigail said, her voice raspy, giving away the fact that she had been crying.
  When we had reached the hospital, the receptionist had told Abigail that the patient was in Room 512. Abigail had rushed to the room, with me in tow, and the doctor had only allowed family to enter.
  Abigail had protested that I was Brandon's girlfriend but it didn't help. Speaking of Brandon, I never did see him. Maybe one of their relatives was in trouble or something and Brandon had an emergency thingy to take care of.
  "It's Brandon. He was found passed out on the hotel room bathroom when the cleaning maid came in," Abigail said, blowing her nose into a Kleenex tissue.
  My mouth opened. "What? Why did this happen?" I questioned.
  "The doctor suspects that it was from stress. Although they can't seem to find out why. Now he's in a coma. They allowed you to go into the room and have 10minutes privacy with him," Abigail informed me, pointing to the room.
  I quickly said 'thanks' and rushed into the room where the doctor nodded at me and looked down at his clipboard. "Ten minutes starting now."
  I quickly nodded and slid down onto the plastic chair next to the hospital bed. I grabbed Brandon's hand. "Please, Brandon. I'm begging you. Don't let me watch you slip away into Heaven as I watch. You're just 21. Please do your best to shake yourself up from this coma. Please. For your family. For me," I said, hot tears forming in my eyes.
  "Your time is up, Miss Kameron." A nurse walked in.
  I nodded. "Please," I whispered.
  As I turned to leave, my fingers slipping out of his, a hand pulled mine back.
  I turned, my braid almost smacking the nurse. Brandon's eyelids started to open and my frown turned into a mega-wide smile.
  "Brandon!" I rushed to hug him.
  Cue the clapping.
  I felt his hand stroking my braid. I heard some voices behind me but I didn't care. Brandon was safe!
  "Joanne ... " he whispered.