Gasoline.

Chapter 8: A little while later.

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Chapter 8- a little while later

My eyes open, they finally open, but I close them quickly. Stupid sunlight. I look around the room and realise I'm still in the hospital, still in this uncomfortable bed, still tired. I make out someone sitting next to me and then realise who it is.

"It's a pleasure to see you Sir Matthews." I smile.

"Oh my...fu- KATIE!" He yells and puts his arms around me and kisses my forehead. "You've been out for so long! Are you okay? Do you need a drink? Are you sure you're okay? Have you missed me? I've missed you-"

I hold his head in my hands and bring him to my attention. "How long? Yes, I'm fine. Water would be nice, okay I have a little headache. Of course I've missed you, dummy. And I can tell you've missed me." When I finish my sentence, I kiss his forehead and then relax as much as possible in my bed. Grayson doesn't let go of my hand, he really has missed me.

"Katie you've been out for three weeks."

"What?!" My voice raises, three weeks? Oh my gosh, I've not been home for three weeks. It then hits me, the reason why I haven't been around for that length of time. "What happened to the driver?"

"Well he's been put in a cell for speeding until you came out of your coma. It doesn't usually happen but I wanted to make sure that they would make sure he learnt his lesson. I never saw the guy but apparently, he had bruises and cuts, but nothing major."

"That's good." I nod.

"Good? It's appalling Katherin! You were seriously injured and he got away from the incident with nothing more than a few shallow cuts. I don't think you realise how much I missed you."

I reach out and take his hand in mine, I squeeze it to reassure him I'm here.

"Look Grayson, I'm here now and I'm not going to leave again."

"Promise?"

"Promise." I smile and he nods.

"Oh and by the way, what's this about me being your girlfriend?" I laugh. "I remember you running in to the room screaming Where's my girlfriend?' and telling some woman to not tell you to calm down."

"Ha ha...didn't think you'd remember that to be honest. I generally thought you were dead." He shrugs awkwardly, his face turning pink.

"So you're dating a dead girl now? Where do I stand in this new relationship?" I tease.

"Where do you want to stand, Katie?" He looks serious.

"Grayson...."

"Nope. Listen to me Katie. Over the past three weeks, whilst you have been unconscious, it has been the most boring period of my lifetime, and I've lived in France for two years." I giggle, but he keeps talking. "I don't think you understand how much this friendship means to me, so, I want to give you this."

He pulls out a ring with an infinity symbol on it.

"I know that these are generally promise rings for relationships, but as you know, my dead girlfriend already has that position, so I want you to understand that I'm with you no matter what. Please don't leave me again Katie, I can't be bored again."

"Have I been friend-zoned, Gray?" I laugh.

"Just until my girlfriend breaks up with me."

"You do realise she's dead, right?"

"Yep, so you've been friend zoned." He jokes.

***

After being checked out, we make our way home. We walk hand in hand through the street, I think he just did it to make sure I don't get hit again.

"So, what have I missed at school then?"

"Not much, Kelsey being Kelsey, Miss Smith being a bit boring. Something weird happened though..."

"What?"

"Mr Jackson..." He takes a breath but my stomach starts to twist at the name. "He kept asking for you when he came back a week after your accident."

"He came back?" I ask, "What do you mean he 'came back'."

"After your accident, Mr Jackson wasn't seen for a week. He then came back with some bruises on his face and his arm had a few cuts on it."

I start to piece all the clues together in my head. It hurt to think about such a thing but I wouldn't be surprised. I stop walking and so does Grayson, he's picked something up.

"Are you okay Katie?"

"I think I'm going to be sick."

***