Down But Not Out

Chapter 43

Elissa and I were staying with Josh again for the night and while I was now feeling tired enough to sleep and hopefully sleep properly, I wasn't going to be able to today, because I couldn't help but think about how doubtful Richard and Kate had looked today.

"I've got a bad feeling about my parents" Elissa whispered from opposite me. When it was just the two of us watching over him we tended to sit on opposite sides so that we could both hold onto a hand. I rubbed my thumb over his knuckles which had nearly healed now, they just looked very red and had scabbed over quite a bit. Josh may not be awake but his body was repairing.

I looked up at my companion to see that she was watching her brother intently. Elissa and I had bonded a lot on these lone vigils and we knew how much Josh meant to the other. He'd brought us closer together without intentionally doing so and I was grateful to have Elissa with me, because we kept each other sane and focused on the end result. I cocked my head at her feeling slightly freaked out that she'd voiced something that had been bothering me all day. She looked up at me when I stayed silent and smiled.

"What?" she asked and I shook my head.

"Nothing, it's just that I was thinking how weird it was that you'd picked up on my thoughts" I shrugged at her.

"Were you thinking about my parents too then?" she asked and I nodded.

"Yeah it's just scared me a little seeing the doubt on their face today. I mean you were quick enough to back me up by saying that Josh would wake up, but they didn't seem as sure as what they did two days ago" I sighed and heard Elissa hum in agreement.

"It scared me too Liz" she sighed and I squeezed Josh's hand a little.

"We know he can fight through this but what does it mean if your parents don't believe in him, because you and I believe and so do the guys? But I mean his own parents are doubting everything now and it's just not the way it should be" I groaned and Elissa sighed.

"I know Liz. I have to confess something though" she said and I grinned.

"Well you're welcome to but I can't forgive your sins. I'm not a priest" I said and she chuckled.

"So you do have a sense of humour?" she joked and I smiled.

"Guilty, but since Josh got hurt I just didn't see the point in using it anymore. I guess that's why Summer and everyone else are so worried about me at the moment. I'd joke about anything, and I couldn't go a day without cracking a joke" I shrugged and shuck my head before focusing back on Elissa. "-what did you want to say?" I asked her and she blinked, remembering that she had wanted to say something to begin with. It was easy to lose your train of thought these days.

"Just that I'm scared to leave Josh on his own in case my parents decide the doctor is right" she sighed letting her head fall to Josh's side.

"I know how you feel Elissa. The only problem is that after these two weeks I'm really tired, but I can't bare the thought of leaving him now" I sighed and she looked up at me, tears in her eyes. I wanted to reach across Josh and hold her hand but I was worried in case I caught his body with my arm and hurt him, although maybe it would make him wake up. No I couldn't do that to him so I chose to send her my 'hang in there' smile and let her know that we were in this together.

"I suppose we could always ask the guys if they could do a couple of night shifts while we try and sleep" she sighed and I nodded.

"Yeah that's a good idea. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, besides it gives them all a chance to say stuff to Josh and maybe it would encourage him to wake up since you and I are always here" I shrugged and Elissa nodded.

"Exactly, well I know Dan and Max would be up for it" she thought aloud and I nodded, knowing she was right and I was betting Matt and Chris would say yes as well. Josh meant so much to those boys, then again they meant a lot to each other. I was talking to Christy, Ivy and Kayleigh about that a few days ago, how the five of them were like brothers, although I'd bet all my money on the fact that they would never admit it to each other, but they might admit it to Josh seeing as how he couldn't come up with a retort, like he usually would have.

"I like the idea Elissa, hopefully you and I can sleep then, but I'm still staying with him during the day" I stated and she nodded, a determined frown on her face.

"Yes of course, I'm still going to stay with him during the day as well" I smiled and turned back to look at Josh.

He was as white as the sheets covering him now, with dark bruises beneath his eyes. I supposed he looked a little bit like a male version of me since I knew my face looked like that thanks to my lack of sleep. The cuts on his eyebrow and left cheek and healed up but his lip was still pretty broken. The stitches were still there but it wasn't too bad and apparently his stab wound was healing okay according to the Doctor. I wouldn't know of course since there is no way I would look, as he was only in one of those hospital gown things which meant he was probably naked underneath the gown.

"So what do your parents think about you being here?" Elissa asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Well my mum wants me to come back home, she thinks it's stupid of me to stay here when you and Kate and Richard are here to keep watch. She hasn't said but I know she doesn't agree with me being up here so long and over a guy I've barely been dating, and barely know. I think my dad feels the same but I haven't spoken to him" I shrugged not really caring what my parents thought at this point in time, although I had a feeling they would be expecting to meet Josh at some point since I'd stayed here with him and not returned home as my mum knows how much I loved working at the shop. Elissa nodded slowly and I shrugged, but sent her a smile.

"Honestly, I really don't care what they think at the moment, all that matters is Josh getting better" I sighed and she nodded again, reminding me of those bobble head toys you put in cars.

"So tell me a little bit about you and your music career" I suggested and she smiled before launching into her story about music career.

I saw how she brightened when she spoke of her band and her music and I had listened to a few of her songs on YouTube but hadn't been able to get a hold of any of her albums to listen to yet. She was a good musician though and her enthusiasm reminded me a little of Josh and the guys, since they smiled a lot when we spoke of their music. It's bizarre how alike Elissa and Josh really are.