Laughter [Tobuscus/Toby Turner]

Chapter Seventeen

I bend over Toby and touch his cheek, kissing him on the forehead. When I turn around, a doctor stands in the doorway, and I wipe away a tear I didn't know was there.

"How is he?" I ask nervously, and the doctor gives me a pitying look.

"Look. I know how most people feel about doctors, how they just lie to make you feel better. But I'm not like that, okay?" He says, and I nod. He takes a deep breath. "He's in a coma, and the chances of him waking up anytime soon are slim. But we'll keep trying, because he does have a chance of waking up." The doctor pauses, waiting for a reaction, so I just nod and thank him. He exits.

I sit down in a chair beside his bed, holding his hand loosely in mine and croaking out, "Hey." My voice cracks on the last half of the word, and I shiver. It's weird, seeing him like this. Especially when I'm so used to seeing him happy and upbeat.

"So... six months ago, I bumped into you on the sidewalk. And maybe if you didn't say hello, or help me up, or take me back to your place... I'd still be in that same routine I was always in. Nothing new, or extraordinary. Before I met you, I was just... Cassie." I wipe a few tears with my free hand and sniff.

"You know the first time I knew I was in love with you?" I ask, not bothering to wipe the tears. "When you showed up at my door, with those flowers and the ice cream. I think I fell in love with you, right then." I chuckle and cast my eyes to the ground. "I guess times were simpler back then, huh?"

- - -

I don't know what time I head down to the lobby, but I almost pass out when I see who's sitting in a waiting room chair.

Tyler.

He sees me and smiles, standing up and walking over. I cross my arms.

"What?" I ask darkly, and the smile disappears from his face.

"Woah, what's going on? I haven't seen you in two months and suddenly you're mad at me?" He asks, and I laugh, short and sarcastic.

"I can't believe you." I snarl, and he cocks his head.

"What?"

"You cheated on me!" I shout, a little too loud. At first he looks confused, then realization seems to dawn on him and he sighs.

"Cass..."

"Don't you dare 'Cass' me. Seeing you with that girl, it tore me apart, okay? So just... just leave me alone." With that, I turn on my heel, walking towards the door. I feel a hand grab my shoulder and turn around.

"Cassie, she was just a one-time-thing, okay? I still love you."

"Bullshit." I whisper. "I am here because I moved on. And the guy I love... he's sick."

"The guy you love?! You mean you just found another guy without telling me?"

"I thought you were done with me! I thought you had moved on, so I did too!"

He sighs, long and loud, and runs a hand through his hair. I shake my head, turning around and walking out the door.

- - -

When I wake up the next morning, I instantly drive to the hospital and head up to Toby's room. When I open the door, I drop my coffee.

He's awake.

- - -

YAS BITCH YAS