Falling for the Bad Boy

Chapter 16- Wake Up

I finally got up off of the sidewalk and walked to the car where the girls and Blake were waiting. I climbed into the back seat and rested my head against the window. They didn't even let me go with him or James. I thought to myself. What if one of them is dead? I  would never have gotten to say goodbye. These thoughts continued all the way to the hospital. We finally got to the hospital and I opened the car door and ran into the hospital. I asked the receptionist where I would find my friend and she told me, James and Zen would be in the ICU. She then handed me a pass and I ran down the hall. I finally reached the ICU and looked in each of the windows. I found James who was awake but had severe burns. Nicole ran into the room crying and hugged him. He kissed her forehead and hugged her whispering "I am ok baby." I ran down the hall looking in each room until I finally found Zen in the farthest room. I pressed my face against the door but someone grabbed me. I screamed "NO! ZEN!" A security guard had me by my arms. "Miss you can't go in there. He isn't in good enough health for anyone to see him," the security guard said letting me go. I walked up to the glass and put my hand on it. I sank down to the ground and sat, thinking for a long time. I thought about what happened today, how I may have caused it, what is going to happen. When I finally looked up it was dark. I stood up and walked down to the cafeteria. Everyone but Nicole was there. I grabbed a salad and a coke and sat down in the booth. Everyone was talking until I sat down. They looked up at me and the through a cracked voice Blake finally broke the silence. "So how is he?" he asked. Tears filled my eyes and Ash rubbed my back, "Hey it is going to be ok," she said with a soothing tone. I nodded and looked up at Blake. "He is in a coma. They don't know when he will wake up or if he will ever wake up. He also has a broken leg," I said my voice cracking. We continued to eat our food then went up to say goodnight to James. "I will meet you guys in the car," I said walking towards Zens room. Ash tried to grab me but Blake held her arm and whispered: "Let her go."  I finally reached Zens room and looked at him through the window. "What did I do? Is this because of me? Tanner wanted revenge especially when Zen told him to fuck off," I whispered to myself. I walked out to the car and we drove to a hotel. We checked in and I put on my pajamas that Ash had gone out and bought me and climbed in bed, not able to sleep. When I finally fell asleep, the fire repeated and repeated.

 I shot up in bed, tears rolling down my face. I wiped them away and then looked at the time. It was 6:30, so I got up and got dressed. I put on sweats and a cropped shirt that I found at Target. I put my hair up in a messy bun and walked out to see Blake, Ash, AJ, Kanna, Kate, and Nicole running around the hotel kitchen. Some were making eggs, some were making pancakes, Ash was making coffee. Finally, when they were all done we dug into all the food. I rolled back in my chair groaning and holding my stomach. "Oh, that hit the spot. I am stuffed." I said and everyone laughed. We cleaned the dishes and then went into our rooms and put together duffle bags that consisted of toiletries, clothes, undergarments, food, and air mattresses which we had bought yesterday. We loaded everything into the car and drove to the hospital. We all sang to the music, trying to forget what happened but when we parked and walked into the hospital we all frowned and remembered what happened. We went to James room first. He was sitting up eating chocolate chip pancakes and watching Steven Universe. I laughed when I saw what he was watching then announced: "Well James is ok for sure." Everyone burst out laughing even him. "Paige, can I ask you a favor?" James asked. I nodded. "Can you take me to see Zen." he asked, "I want to make sure he is ok." I sighed then nodded. He got up and sat in a wheelchair then pointed his finger out and yelled "ONWARD!" I burst out laughing and rolled him to the end of the hall where Zen lied, still sleeping. I filled in James on his health just as a doctor came up to me. "Paige Stockford?" the doctor asked. I spun around and nodded my head. "I am afraid to say but  Zen is not showing any sign of waking up." the doctor said sympathetically. I sighed and nodded, tears rolling down my face. I wheeled James to his room. Hours past and I walked to Zens room. The doctor was standing there. "Paige would you like to see him?" he asked. I nodded "If you don't mind." I said. The doctor opened the door and I walked in. "I will give you two some time alone." the doctor said walking out and closing the door behind him. I pulled up a chair towards Zens bed and held his hand. "Hey, Zennie Poo," I said looked down at him. "I just want you to know to keep fighting. You can choose if you want to stay or go, but please don't go. I need you here." I said, now crying. I squeezed his hand. "I haven't known you that long, but for the time I had known you it has been amazing. You're amazing. You protect me, make sure I am happy. No one has ever done that for me and I can not lose the one person who does. So please, please choose wisely." I said putting my head on his hand. I pulled my head up and stroked the side of his face. "I don't know what I would have done without you. No one knows this, not even Ash or Alyssa but the day I first meet you, I was going to kill myself. I couldn't take my dad anymore. I had been traumatized, but then I meet you. You gave me hope and ever since that day you crashed into my sister's car I have fallen more and more for you. So please, please wake up." I said letting out a sob. "I love you, Zen Bethune." I felt his hand move and the next thing I know our fingers were interlocked and he was slowly opening his eyes. "I love you too Shorty." I cried and hugged him and he kissed my forehead. The doctor walked in and was shocked. "Wow, true love does save lives."