A Million Crushes

11

11

Conor

I returned to school the next day. My step-brother stared at me with great concern.

''Conor.''

''Yes?'' I replied without even turning to meet Zach's gaze.

''You didn't sleep did you'' Zach said. I turned around and he actually looked worried.

''I did. Why?''

''You've got bags and your hair is matted.''

How could I sleep? How could o do anything.

It'd been forever.

Forever since I'd seen her smile.

''Leave me the hell alone!'' I hissed.

''I'm worried about you, Conor'' Zach said, his voice slightly shaking.

''Don't be.'' I snapped.

I focused myself back on organising my locker.S

''Conor?'' Shit. That voice. It sounded like Leah.

Leah.... I turned and faced Melissa.

''Hey.'' She smiled and showed off her white teeth. Why on earth did she look  so much like Leah?

But then I noticed her eyes were a misty green, and her hair wasn't as shiny.

''Hey.'' A small smile broke out on my face. It was like I was talking to Leah.

Beautiful, Leah.

There was silence for a second.

''So, you wanna bunk school, together?'' She finally asked.

I thought about her offer for a few seconds. I was pretty bored and was not looking forward to Professor Green's literature class.

''Sure.'' She smiled fully at me and grabbed my hand.

She pulled me across the school yards and out of the gate.

''Great, so were do wanna go?''

''Come with me to visit Leah'' I blurted out before my mind could fully process what was about to come out of my mouth.

''Leah? Oh that poor girl that went into coma?'' She asked, a sad expression taking over her face.

I nodded. She really cared about Leah.

''Ok, let's go'' She said, quietly.

We walked in silence to the hospital and I came to a halt outside the large iron bar gates.

''Hold my hand, please?''

Melissa smiled and took my large hand in her small one.

We walked into the hospital. I spotted the nurse who had attended me last time.

''Mr Fairfield and....''

''Ms Grace. Ma'am'' Melissa chirped in. The nurse smiled and escorted us to Leah's ward. Melissa grasp became tighter as we got nearer. We finally reached Leah's ward. She nodded before leaving us.

''Conor-''She whispered.

''Ssshh, it's fine. Just d-don't say anything,Ok?''

She nodded her head and I led her into Leah's room.

Still holding my hand, Melissa sat beside me, next to Leah's bed. The heart monitor remained at a normal rate.

''Leah'' I whispered. ''It's me, Conor'' The heart monitor fluctuatedl slightly.

''I miss you, Leah. I'm sorry for everything, Ok?''

A tear rolled down my cheek and Melissa squeezed my hand for encouragement. ''I'm with Melissa. I only started speaking to her. She's really helped ease some of the pain. I-''

The heart monitor went crazy. Her chest was rising up and down frantically. Her body was shaking and her hands vibrated across the bed.

''Conor!'' Melissa screamed and her eyes immediately streamed with tears of fear.

Doctors bustled in and Leah was soon being wheeled into the emergency ward.

The door swung open.

''What have you done?'' The nurse snapped.

''I-i'' I was lost for words. The nurse that had been so kind was now angry and didn't even want to look at me.

''It was bad enough the first time. I don't know what you said to her. But she's responding. Negatively.'' The nurse said.

Melissa's whole body began to shake with sobs and I held her protectively in my arms.

''Who is she?'' The nurse pointed a finger of accusation towards Melissa. I gulped.

''S-she's my girlfriend'' I lied. Melissa looked up at me, and gave me a lopsided smile. I kissed her on her forehead and she buried her face back into my chest.

''No wonder she's responding so badly.'' The nurse whispered to herself. My head snapped up.

''What?''

''Heartbreak '' I heard the nurse mutter under her breath.

''Excuse me?''

She looked up at me and her face became twisted with spite.

''Ms Leah might not make it.'' She said, before taking off to the staff room.

''What does that mean?'' Melissa asked.

''It means..I never want you to leave my side.'' I said without thinking.

Did I ever think?