PERPETUALLY {SETH C.} [3]

1.0

"Coma"

It's a funny word, even funnier thing to watch. It wasn't what I expected when I awoke on the day of their graduation. Altia Ateara, my protector, my friend, my confidant was stuck in a place where I couldn't reach her. For the first time since the third grade, I was alone; and that was a funny feeling.

I woke up in an itchy gown, under a scratchy blanket totally alone. Monitors and wires were connected to me everywhere and my entire body hurt. The nurse was quick to give me something else sedating, and I lolled in and out of sleep for the next two days.

No one from my family came for me, not that I expected it. My family wouldn't exactly get a gold star for most loving family around. The Ateara's took care of that side of my life, but with Altie hurt, their attention turned to her, not that I blame them.

What I found most surprising, other than being off the Res in the Forks Memorial Hospital, was Calina Laraunt. Her and her boyfriend visited every day. They stayed for a few minutes at the most, and Jasper looked like he was trying not to breathe, but the action was sweet if not slightly strange.

"Hey Neens." the door cracks open, and Embry Call pokes his head in.

A soft smile plays on his face as he looks me over. He seems satisfied when he sees that other than the wires there's no new injuries on me.

"Hey Embry." I sigh, scooting over so that he can sit on the edge of the bed next to me.

For years he's been like my protector, taking care of me when Altie couldn't. I owe a lot of my life to him.

He plops down next to me, careful enough to not mess with the IVs or hurt me. His arm automatically wraps around me, but it feels hesitant, something that I've noticed a bit more since that night when we crashed.

"Hey, beautiful." he grins, but his eyes look into the dismal space of my ceiling, a tell that something is off.

"Something is wrong, I can tell." I whisper, turning my head into him. 

"No, nothings wrong, other than my favorite girl being stuck in this dreary space." He fakes a laugh, giving my hand a small squeeze.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't harbor a slightly larger than small crush on Embry, and him me. We've never really flat out told each other, just acted upon those feelings. There hasn't been a time when we've been apart.

"Where's Quil and Jake?" I ask.

Usually those three are tripping over each other they're so close, but it seems since the crash things haven't been the same. Quil is distant, and Embry only ever talks about Jake, who only ever talks about Bella.

Thankfully I missed that party, it seems that all three of them came back more alert than ever, if that was even possible.

"Quil is with Tia, and Jake is somewhere around the Res with Bella. Edward is out." he rolls his eyes. The mention of Quil seems to upset him so I don't push it more.

"I have twenty on him trying to kiss her again before the first snow." I giggle, thinking about how upset Jake had been when Bella broke her hand on his muscled up jaw. With these boys and their odd activities I've just grown to know not to ask anymore.

"I'll take you up on that, I don't think he has that much restraint." Embry laughs.

"You're probably right." I sigh, looking up to meet the dark eyes I've grown to know so well.

"What?" He questions, his eyes searching mine.

"I know something is wrong, Embry, I can tell. You don't have to tell me now, but you know I'll find out. If it has to do with me, I think I'm owed it."