The Answer Lies in the Truth

Chapter 13

"You have three new messages, Jeremy." The Squip said quietly.

"Why are you so...subdued?" I said out loud. I winced as my voice scratched my throat and propped myself up on my pillows. I winced when I felt my bruises.

"I was not programmed for this. I was trying to balance your hormone levels to help with pain in the future when something went wrong. You were in immediate danger and I could not help." It sighed. "I miscalculated and failed you Jeremy."

"You couldn't have known. I didn't even know that I would freak out like that. You didn't fail me. It's me who is the one who let it get out of control." I thought. It seemed to hum in half-hearted agreement. I rolled my eyes and yawned. "What are the messages?"

It seemed to hesitate before it started.

"Jeremy!
If you can hear me, please give me a sign. Please. Rich is sorry. I'm so scared, I don't know what to do to help you.
Red"

"Jer,
I need you to wake up. Now. Wake up! Oh god...I need you.
We had the pep rally yesterday. I think you'll be happy to know that the show will go on. It won't be the same without you. Everyone is visiting you today. I want to see you. Please be smiling for me when I get there. Like you always do.
Red"

"Please wake up"

It clicked off, and I felt my stomach drop before the door opened.

"Sweetheart! Oh God my little Jerry-Berry! You're awake!" My mother crooned. She ran into the room and kissed my forehead. "I was so worried." She cried and hugged me. (Squishing the air out of my lungs)

Dad waved and smiled at me from a distance. He was looking a little more stressed than usual. 

Michael was in the doorway. He was holding the doorframe and just starring at me. He looked the same as ever, but with bags under his eyes and no glasses.

He was pushed aside by Rich who barged into the room and hugged me. "I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I got out of hand! I didn't mean to make fun of you!" He yelled and my head rang. He walked up to me (my mom backed away) and gave me his own spine crushing hug. "Let's not fight any more mkay?" He wailed.

I just hugged him back and nodded as Jake entered the room with Jenna who had a 'GET WELL SOON' bear. Jake pulled a crying Rich off me and Jenna smiled as she handed me the bear.

"OMG Jer, have you heard-" Jenna started.

"Jenna, I've been in a coma." I added, rubbing my eyes with the back of my palms.

"Well, then I'll tell you!" She chirped. "The principle agreed to fund the arts again!" I faked surprise as she went on. I tuned her out as more friends walked in.

Christine practically sang and danced the same news to me when she came in. She brought me some glucose free chocolate pudding and a card that read 'We'd be tangled up with out you puppet' inside she had scribbled out the Happy Birthday and put in Get Well Soon Jeremy! She even brought me some Shrek stickers.

Brooke came in to say hi, but had to leave quickly to see Chloe at that new ice cream place, À La Mode. She kissed me on both cheeks and left for her date.

This rhythm of people going in and out continued through out the day. As people came and left Michael slowly migrated to the chair next to me. He still wasn't saying anything. It was just nice to have him there though.

Eventually by the late afternoon we were alone. I said goodbye to Jenna and Christine as they left. There was about one hour of visiting time left, and my parents were down at the food court. (Probably arguing)

Michael was looking at me. Then I realized he still didn't have his glasses. I took them from my bedside table where my clothing was folded and handed them to him. He smiled and took them. Suddenly the uneasiness I felt throughout the day vanished. I patted the empty bedding beside me. There was a lot of it because I was so thin. Michael smiled and climbed in after me. We sat like that until we both fell asleep.

Doctor POV

"Mister Heere, visiting time is ov-" I said opening the door to Jeremy Heere's room. I found him fast asleep next to his friend on the medical bed. They seemed so peaceful. I know what my wife would say if she were here.

'Let them sleep, Charolette. They'll wear up an appetite. Plus they look a lot like us don't they?'

I'd say, 'Yes baby, they do.'

Then she'd say, 'I remember when we first met, do you?'

'Yah'

'It was cool out and we were at the biggest party of the year. I was captain of the cheerleading squad and you: the captain of the medical, robotics, and chess clubs. Once we met we hit it off right away, and were besties through college. I offered you some of my chocolate chip cookies that night and you told me they were the best things you'd ever tasted.'

'Then you said that you bet I would the best thing you'd ever tasted, and I said I bet I can prove you right.' Then we'd laugh.

I sighed, I could give them a few more minuets. There was an emo boy in the ER that I had to save from an overdose.

As I left I alerted the nurse taking care of Heere that once he woke up he would be fine to go back to his home.

Back to saving lives.