The Boy Next Door

Chapter 14

I awoke in a hospital room. The walls were painted a faded yellow color that reminded me of a kindergarten classroom.

But I guess I wasn't really awake.

I was rising above my hospital bed. Physically I was asleep on that bed, but my spirit was gone. I could see bright blue stitches above my right eye and countless bruises everywhere. My mom was gripping my hand tightly, her eyes were red and puffy and she had tear streaks down her face.

My heart quickened when I saw my dad and my brother there too. My brother was sitting in a chair his head in his hands and my dad was standing next to my mom, comforting' her. I didn't think they would be here.

My brother, Nick, had been drafted as the quarterback for the 49'ers last year, but this season was his first starting season. My dad went with him to California to be with him the first couple games. He said he'd be back in October. I guess I cut their trip short.

Lucky for my sisters, my mom had already planned to let them stay at my grandparents. I wonder if my mom told them. Maddy wouldn't understand but Alicia would. I wanted to hold them in my arms and tell them I was coming back. But I couldn't even tell myself that.

My mom was constantly praying to God, begging him not to take me from this earth.

But was I already taken? Had I already disappeared from the depths of tho universe? Has my presence already vanished? I could hear the angels soft singing. Was this it?

Suddenly the door creaked open and a nurse came in with a sad look on her face.

"What are the results?" my mother asked, her voice shaky.

"Well she certainly has a concussion but she isn't in a coma. She should wake up but it's up to her. Now all we have to do is wait."

"Thank you. And the boy?" My mom asked.

At first I was confused. What boy were they talking about? Then the answer become clear. Collin. The boy who deserved to live a thousand more years then me, was on his death bed.

I wanted to see him but I was stuck in this freaking room! I tried to get myself to wake up but it was no use. I didn't have a big enough desire. I was just about to give up, let God pull me up into his mighty kingdom. I could visit all of my family and would only cry happy tears.

Just as I was about to give up, a familiar boy burst through the doors. Carter! He rushed to my side and I could see a single tear fall from his eye. I had never seen him cry before. As a kid, I was convinced that he was a robot, he didn't usually show his affection for people. Either that or he was a mighty knight - too brave and strong to cry.

Carter grabbed my hand, intertwined our fingers together and whispered, "Come on Keels. Don't leave me. I need you."

My mom and got up and claimed they were going to go get some coffee and motioned to everyone else in the room to follow. I knew that they just wanted to give Carter some time alone with me.

Carter stood up, ran his hand through his hair and kicked one of the chairs. He was so angry and confused.

"Why did I let you go?! If only I would have written you one of those stupid letters like you asked, you wouldn't have hooked up with that little piece of shit and he wouldn't have nearly killed you!"

Carter stomped around the room mumbling things, tears occasionally slipping from his eyes. He finally cooled down a bit and came to lay next to me in the bed.

"I went to church today for the first time in a few years. Y'know, the one we went to together as kids. The band played that song you always loved, Blessed Be Your Name, or something like that. They were talking about how everything happens for a reason. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'."

Carter stopped and put his head in his hands. "How can this be God's plan? You have so many great things you still need to achieve and there are so many things I still need to say to you. I don't know what I'll do without you. Maybe while you're visiting Heaven right now you can beg God to let you come back to me. I want to pray but I don't know if it will be the same coming from a horrible sinner like me. Please Keels. I need you."

~•~•~

The rest of the day was rough. I saw people trudge into the room with tears stained faces all because of me. I wanted to tell them that I was alright but I wasn't alright - I was still asleep.

I was about to let my eyelids shut but I wasn't sure if they would open again if I closed them. Around 11:30 that night Carter came in again, wearing sweats and a hoodie.

"The doctors keep telling me it's you last day. I'm not even sure if you can hear me but I wanted to sing to you at least once before you go. It's not my song but I altered it to make it my own. And is country and I know you don't really like country but I'll sing it anyway," Carter said before he started singing.

"I remember, trying not to stare, the night that I first met you. You had me mesmerized.

A few years later, in my back yard lights, we had our first kiss before you left that night, I hadn't told you yet, I thought I loved you then.

Now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world. I just can't believe the way I feel about you girl. Like a river meets the sea, stronger then it's ever been, we've come so far since that day, and I thought I loved you then."

Carter hit that last line before leaning down and kissing my cheek. The same lips that had kissed me back in his yard the day before he left. Those same lips I wished to kiss in my wedding day when I was little.

That's it.

I can't take this anymore.

I was ready to be alive again. I was ready to laugh and to run. I was ready to love and to be loved. I was ready to be alive.

I used all of my will-power to wake up. I had a reason to live. Carter, mom, dad, Nick, Maddy, Alicia. I mattered to this world and I wasn't ready to leave it yet.

I closed my eyes and suddenly a whirlwind of memories were surrounding me.

My first steps . . .

My first birthday . . .

My first kiss . . .

My parents . . .

My sisters . . .

Liz and Alex . . .

Collin . . .

Carter . . .

Finally, my eyelids peeked open - for real this time.

I was alive.

I was alive.

"Keeley?!"

~•~•~ Authors Note ~•~•~

For those of you who didn't recognize the song, it was "Then" by Brad Paisley, one of my favorite songs!

Also thank you for all the support!! <3