torn between

thirteen; the only one

rowan

Tick, tock, tick, tock. I looked up at the clock in darkness. It was 6am in the morning, my room's curtains were shut and I lay curled up in bed, thinking about what had happened over the last 6 hours.

How could he not remember me? How? I've been his best friend all my life! Come on, Corey. You know me, you haven't forgotten me! I prayed fervently to myself, that I wouldn't be forever forgotten by the one person who had always been by my side.

Knock, knock. "Who's that?" I sat up lazily.

"It's me," Mum replied. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah," I muttered before lying back down.

The door opened slowly, and Mum walked in to sit by my side. "What's wrong, darling? Saw you enter house at 4am yesterday, crying. So I didn't wanna bother you."

"Cor... Corey doesn't remember me, Mum. He went through surgery after a car accident... and he doesn't remember me..." I muttered, tears threatening to spill out any moment now.

"Aw..." Mum moved closer to me and pulled me in for a hug. "I know you feel terrible now. But whatever it is, he's your best friend. And as a friend, you need to be there for him. As in, help him remember again. That's what friends are for!"

I considered this for a while before abruptly sitting up again. "You're right, Mum. Thanks! You're the best."

I immediately jumped out of my bed and ran towards my closet, picking out an outfit to visit Corey at the hospital - a white sweater and grey jeans.

"See you downstairs!" Mum shouted happily as she left my room.

+++

I ran down the stairs as fast as my legs could carry me and jumped onto the ground when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Going to the hospital! See you in a couple of hours!" I said loudly, as I picked up my keys from the table by the stairs and started to run towards the door.

"Well, good morning, sunshine. You haven't had your breakfast, you know?" Dad laughed from the dining table where he was sitting with Mum.

"Oh, right," I walked back to the table and sat beside Mum and opposite Dad.

"So, what's gotten you into such a good mood today?" Dad asked me curiously.

"Corey got into an accident yesterday and-"

"Wait, what? Poor boy!" Dad exclaimed.

I nodded my head and continued, "He went for a surgery, but when he came out, the side effects the doctor had warned us of kicked in immediately. He lost his memory! As in, he forgot who I am! Can you believe it?"

Dad shook his head and sighed. "So, why are you so happy when something so terrible has happened?"

"I'm going to listen to Mum and help him regain his memory again! It isn't gonna be easy, I bet. But I'll try. Because I love him," I smiled to myself.

"As in romanti-" Mum suddenly said, but got cut off by my protest. "Of course not, Mum!"

All of us laughed and quickly gobbled down their breakfast.

+++

I knocked on the ward's door softly as I peeked through the hole to look at Corey and his parents. Sabrina and Peyton were there too, to my surprise. They seemed to be talking about something very intently, but they looked up when they heard the knock. Mrs Fogelmanis walked over to open it, and smiled to see me. "Hi, darling!"

"Hi, Mrs Fogelmanis! How's he?" I asked enthusiastically.

"Well, actually! He's not suffering from any side effects, really. Except for... you know, his memory of you. It's strange, really. I don't understand how that could happen. The thing is, he remembers Sabrina and Peyton! I really don't get it..." Corey's sweet and gentle mother said.

What? He remembers Sabrina and Peyton? And not me? What the hell is happening?

"That's okay. Can I go see him anyway?" I asked, and Mrs Fogelmanis nodded, moving aside for me to walk in.

"Row! You're back! We heard about... you know," Sabrina stood up right after seeing me and came over to hug me. "It's all right, okay? He just needs some time, I guess."

I smiled at Sabrina before glancing back at Corey, who was happily talking to Peyton. Just then, he happened to look up and saw me. "Mum! What's she doing here again? Please, stop letting strangers in, will ya?"

Peyton also immediately looked up, shocked at Corey's reaction to me. I guess he didn't know yet.

I sighed, and said, "Corey Fogelmanis. You know who I am, and I'm not just gonna let you forget me. I will help you remember me. You won't get away with this."

Corey looked stunned at first, but said, "You have a problem."

I stood rooted to the ground, not knowing how to reply. Then, I ran out, finally breaking down.

I sat down on one of the chairs and started crying into my hands. I then heard the door open, and saw Peyton running out. He looked left and right, and ran over to me when he finally spotted me. "Hey, Row." Oh my god, Rowan. Stay calm.

"Pey," I replied.

"I just found out what happened... and I know this is incredibly hard for you. But what you said was right. You need to make him remember you. You can, okay?" He said softly, before hugging me tightly. I cried into his shoulder and hugged him, too. "Thanks. This means a lot," I said.

"Now, go wash up and we can all go for work together! Come back later or something, go talk to Corey!" Peyton grinned, making me smile back at him.

I nodded, before walking down the corridor to the toilet. Peyton is such a gentleman! I smiled cheekily to myself as I walked into the washroom.