Gwendolyn

Chapter 15 : Changes

Gwen's POV :

I am never toing back to this fucking town. I layed in the sterile, bright hospital room, by myself. Jake was finding me some food. I stared at the ceiling and tried not to cry. A tear slipped out. I iped it away, but more followed. I knew this wouldn't go well. I knew something would happen. I still have no idea how he got back stage. How could I ever feel safe, again?

Jake walked back into the room. I tried wiping off my face so he wouldn't see, but it was too late.

"I'm so sorry..." He whispered, climbing into the bed, next to me. "They're thinking about letting you go, soon. Once they're sure you'll be okay." He brushed a tear from my cheak. "Hey..." He tilted my chin towards his face. "I love you..." He said it with such sincerity. So gently... He'd never said that before.

I didn't know what tto say. "How..." My voice cracked out. I didn't know what to say. I love him. I really do. But I didn't know how to say it back...

"How couldn't I?" He looked so deeply into my eyes. "You are you. And that's all the reason I need. But, if you want me to elaborate... You're kind. And you give so much of yourself, and expect nothing in return. You sing like an angel, and you are so talented. You are amazing. And you bring out the best in me..." He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close.

I started crying, again. God, how pathetic. "I love you, too..." I burried my face into his shoulder so he wouldn't have to see it, scrunched up and wet with tears. If I'm honest, my nose was running like crazy, too. I thought about Trevor. He made me feel like I could never be loved by anyone. But then, here I was. According to Jake, he loved me. Did he? Or did he just think he did. Did I love him? My heart started racing. My life had gotten away from me... I had no idea what was real. I didn't deserve any of this...

I fell asleep there, pondering my life.

Jake's POV :

I finally told her. The felings she gave me were so strong... She was sleeping there, next to me, when the nurse came in.

"We finished running tests. She's free to go as soon as she signs this release form." The nurse spoke to me, hesitently. I remembered I still had my war paint on. I was a sweaty mess.

"I'll wake her." I took the papers from her. She stood patiently at the foot of the bed. "Gwen."

"What?" Her eyes shot open.

"Releasee forms. You need to sign them, so we can go." "I stroked her hair gently with my free hand, holding the clipboard with the other while she signed the papers. The nurse took the papers and removed the I.V. from Gwen's arm. "Ready to go?" I smiled at her. She nodded, avoiding my eyes. I scooper her up. They had giver her medicine to calm down. They offered to wheel her out in a chair, but I opted to just carry her out. She's had a hell of a night, and there was no way I was just going to pass her off to someone else.

We made out way back to the bus. I didn't even bother helping her into her bunk. I set her in my bunk, instead. I grabbed her big fluffy comforter and made a comfy little nest. Gwen still wasn't talking, but I didn't expect much. I curled up next to her, holding her close. We watched movies until she fell asleep.

I really did love her.

I was about to fall into sleep when I heard footsteps. Someone knocked on the wall, next to the bed. "Hey." CC peaked his head past the curtainn. "How's Gwen holding up?" He gazed at the balled up heap of blankets and hair next to me.

"She's asleep, now. I can't imagine what's going through her head, right now." I sighed.

"Good. She needs some rest." His face was a mix of pity and concern.

I heard a second set of footsteps, and then something hit the wall. Andy walked over. His lip was split and he looked pissed.

"What happened, man??" I asked.

"He's in holding, right now. The cop I talked to said they'd been trying to nail this guy for a while. He got caught abusing his lady, a few weeks ago. He said he's going to personally see to it that this guy gets locked away. And, if it doesn't work..." A sly smile spread across his face. "That bastard is as good as dead." I didn't doubt him when he said this. I was on the same page, honestly. The shit he was trying to pull.

"How did he get into the show??" No one had an answer. "What the hell??" I was royally pissed, at this point. Someone was responsible. Gwen was hurt, and she shouldn''t have had to experience that pain, again.

"Get some sleep, man." Andy slapped me on the chest and climbed into his bunk.

I was furious about everything, but there was nothing I could do at this second. I shut my eyes, and tried to take Andy's advice. Just then, Gwen stirrd. Her eyes fluttered open.

"Jake?" She whispered. "You're still up?"

"Yeah. What's up?" I really hoped her dreams weren't horrible, again.

"I... I do love you. And, I don't want to be afraid." She had such a determined tone.

Her comment took me by surprise. "I love you to. And I know you don't think you deserve any of it, but I want to give you the world."

"Trevor is wrong. I can be loved." She furrowed her brow.

"Of course you can." I smiled at her. "And I'm glad you see that. I will always protect you. And he won't be able to hurt you, anymore."

"I know... Is it weird that this whole thing changed me? That I'm not afraid, right now?" She still had a confused look wiped across her face.

"No... I'm glad, for you." I kissed her forehead. She looked up, and kissed me back. She seemed stronger than I've ever seen her, before.

"I... I think I need to write." She got up, and went to the 'living room' area. I heard new music floating into the room, softly. It was a completely new sound, and I loved it. I wanted so badly to go and watch her, but I knew she loved to create on her own.

I fell asleep to her strange melodic tunes , pouring into my soul.