undeniable feelings | a stephchelle story

Chapter 36 - its not her

— STEPHANIES POV —

Mary stops us I our tracks halfway down the corridor, preparing us for what she's about to tell us. I clench my fists in fear and dread.
"Michelle has gone into a coma, and is on life support." She states. I can't believe it. I feel the tears as they find their escape route once again and pour down my face, everything around me is blurry and I feel numb.

"W-will she make it?" I whimper.
"It's too soon to tell." Mary states "we'll have to see how these next few days go."
I turn to Linda in distraught
"I'm not going to school until I know she's improving, I need to stay with her." I demand.
"Honey, I know you're worried, and I am too but this is a really important school year for you. You need to be in school." Mary insists, Linda agreeing. As much as I hate to admit it, I know they're right.
"Well I'll stay her overnights but go to school like normal, is that okay?" I beg.
"Yes, we can set a bed beside Michelle." Mary smiles.

I watch as dozens of paramedics crowd around one hospital bed as it's wheeled out of an operating theatre. I get the deepest darkest feeling that it's Michelle.

I hear her name being called multiple times, leaving me frozen in place, unable to even think about moving. Linda courageously follows behind, grabbing out for my hand. I reluctantly hold onto her hand as she slowly walks with me behind the hospital bed.

It's only when we've completely halted that it becomes apparent to how serious this is. I see wires dangling down from the bed. Michelle's face is covered by the large gas mask and dozens of tubes. It doesn't look like her at all. Her pale and still face makes her look possessed.

She's wheeled into an empty room as her hospital bed is pulled carefully against the wall. The paramedics quieten slightly, readjusting Michelle's position so that she's comfortable. They all back away, looking down at her in concern. I hear the oxygen as it fills her body, keeping her alive.
"We'll leave you guys alone." The paramedics whisper gently, making sure the tubes are positioned correctly, and walking out in a line.
"I'm going to ring up the school to let them know about Michelle." Linda traumatically whimpers.

It's just me and Michelle together. I pull a metal chair from the corner of the almost empty bedroom and place it close to her bed. Her wrist is bandaged up and her entire body is consumed in wires and tubes, attaching to a large, heavy looking machine.

She looks like she's in so much pain. Her eyes brows are lowered as an uncomfortable expression floods her face. I wish she'd just wake up right now. That's all I want.

I back against the cold, brick wall, realising how uncomfortable it is. I squirm in different positions, nothing feels right. I give up eventually, sitting back up to see Michelle. Her mouth gapes open as a tube sticks down her throat. It brings a single tear to my eye. She looks so helpless, and there's nothing anyone can do.

I lean my head against her lifeless body and wrap my arms as gently as I can around her. I feel her warm breaths against my face as they escape the sides of her mouth. I comb her hair back so it's out of her way, tucking it behind her shoulder bones.

She still looks as beautiful as ever. She always will. I continue to soothingly stroke her hair as I lean down towards her pale face. I slowly and lightly press my lips against the side of her mouth as I stroke her cheek patiently. I keep my lips in close contact to her face.
"I'm here Michelle, just talk to me." I whisper, taking in a loud gulp, in realisation that she can't hear me.

I begin to close my eyes, my eyelashes fluttering against her smooth cheek. My lips still drawn to the side of her open mouth. I slowly lie my head on her hospital pillow, my lips not loosing force.

Awake or not awake, right now, Michelle needs me as much as I need her. I'm going to be here with her every step of the way, and if that means still snuggling up with her at night, even during her coma, them I'm going to do that, because I love her, and I need her right now.