Leather and Lace (Editing)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I jolt up as fast as I can to block the dream going any further but it still runs as clear as day though my mind. My breathing starts coming out in rapid short breaths and I try to ignore the disgusting feeling of his hands roaming my body greedily, making my skin crawl uncomfortably as I helplessly screech out for help. No one ever came though.

I feel a hand on my back and a scream escapes my lips as I start thrashing at the movement. My eyes still shut tight as I refuse to open them to see my dream repeat itself.

I continue to fight the person away and hear a few grunts before the person eventually gets a hold of my wrists and pins me down firmly.

My heart is racing rapidly in my chest and my breathing still heavily as I realize I’m  shaking with the fear coursing through out my body.

The person sighs and mumbles something under their breath before I dare sneak a glance in their direction. I instantly recognize the pair of blue eyes looking down at me cautiously and I find myself once again being captivated.

He breaks me out of my trance as I catch him mumbling something. It sounded along the lines of "What has happened to you." before he sighs, a sad look crossing his eyes and he releases me from his strong grip.

I tear my gaze away from him in an instant and see the plain white hospital walls. Thinking back to last night and try to remember the fuzzy events buried in my mind. Ethan's party... the drugs... the alleyway, I can’t help but cringe at the thought. Then there was the fight with dad and Ian coming but the thing that stings at my heart the most is remembering Stacey's lips locked with Ian's.

I feel my body tense with unease and I look anywhere but Ian as I sense his gaze burn my side, tears start to blur my vision and I bite my lip to hold back from crying as a lump forms in my throat.

I can’t help but feel the knot of betrayal build in my stomach, even though it is foolish and I have no reason to feel this way. Ian has no reason to refrain from doing anything with girls if he wants, it's not like I have any claim on him, but even as the words run through my head the tears start to fall, creating an endless stream running down my cheeks.

I sniffle quietly, catching Ian's attention and he turns my face towards his gently with a soft hand on my chin. He notices my tear stained face and he immediately starts to panic, jumping up from the seat next to my bed.

"What's the matter? Are you in pain? I should call for a nurse!" he rushes out in alarm and starts to head for the door but I grab his hand quickly to stop him.

"Don't worry... I'm not in any pain." I say reassuringly with a small fake smile. Well, not any physical pain, a small voice whispers. I just sigh and let go of his hand reluctantly as he sits back down with worried eyes.

"What's wrong then?" I only then take in the rest of his appearance. His dark hair is messy and sticking up in every direction, and I notice faint dark circles forming under his tired eyes.

"I- Uh... It’s nothing. Really." I stumble over my words as the embarrassment creeps up.

What's gotten into me? Why would I cry over something so simple? I mean, so what, they kissed... No biggie... Right?

It shouldn't have an effect on me but no matter how hard I try to push away the jealousy leaking from my thoughts and the ache in my heart, it's all still there and I have no control of it. Deep down I know the reason but that doesn't mean I'm ready to face it.

I don't want to admit it but I'm too scared of being hurt. Especially by Ian. I don't want him to leave me.

He raises his brow in question but lets the matter go, to my relief.

"Do you remember much?" he asks curiously.

I look away and play with the white material sheets. "Um... Well I remember everything about... Yeah, I remember." I stammer out, trying to avoid the Stacey subject.

"Well... Apparently until you've had the once over with the doctor to see if everything is alright, you’re stuck here."

I sit up and feel around all my sore ribs and back. It stings here and there but all in all it seems bearable. I come across something thick under my robe and notice the tightness gripping my stomach.

I slowly lift the material and gasp in shock as I trace the thick bandages wrapped tightly around my chest with my fingers.

I look up to Ian and am about to ask what exactly happened while I was unconscious but he beats me to the chase.

"Look... Anna, you've been asleep for a while..." he states slowly. I just raise my eyebrow, which strangely makes him chuckle. Why is he being all reluctant? It couldn't be that bad...

"Go on...” I say, trying to contain my curiosity.

"Well... I don't know how to say this... Without freaking you out...”

"Oh just spit it out Ian!" I basically growl in frustration.

"Promise me not to freak out or anything...okay?" He states timidly. I raise an eyebrow again and give him the 'are you stupid' look.

"Please?" he sighs.

"Fine whatever, I promise." I mumble with a wave of a hand.

"Okay... You've been in a coma for three weeks."

"WHAT?!" I yell in utter shock.

"You promised!"

"Well I didn't think you were going to say that! How the hell have I been...? No. It can't be... It happened last night... didn't it?" I ask, sounding unusually helpless.

He gives me a sympathetic look and shakes his head "Do you want to know what happened?"  

I just nod, unable to form words.

"Well, when we got here the doctors soon figured out that you had multiple broken ribs... they punctured your lung and well, you needed emergency surgery. They wouldn't tell me anything until you were stable. You were put into an induced coma to let your body heal. I was worried..." he pauses, looking down then back to my eyes.

"What?"

"I was so worried I was going to lose you Bell." he states and looks so broken, it makes me feel terrible, I’ve caused him pain.

I place a hand on his cheek "It's okay... I'm fine now. Really." I try to assure him.

Ian just sighs and lays his head down on my lap while I subconsciously play with his hair. Soon enough his breathing becomes heavy and even as he falls asleep.

I smile and lay back down, unable to resist being pulled back into unconsciousness.