Stitches

Chapter 3

It's August 2016 and today is Shawn's birthday. Tonight there is a big party at Shawn's house, since it's his eighteenth. I decide to wear a pretty black dress and heels. When I arrive, the party is in full swing. Shawn is really happy when he sees me. He wears a simple white shirt with an unbuttoned check shirt over the top, and jeans. He keeps his arm around me and keeps up the affection as we make our way around the house to all the guests.

"Hey babe I have to get a few things from home. I'll be back soon." I say to him. He's a bit tipsy.

"Ok baby. Don't be too long." I kiss him briefly before walking to my car.
When I get home, I go into my room to get Shawn's gift. Well, part of it. It's a set of car keys. I've been saving up for second-hand car from my job, plus my parents pitched in. I can't wait to see his reaction. I walk into the bathroom and touch up my makeup. I quickly hop back into the car and drive. Halfway through the trip, I see a blinking light and look to my dashboard. Great. No petrol. I roll my eyes- this means wasting time that I could be spending at the party. I pull into a servo and fill up then finally return to Shawn's house. There seems to be even more people at the party. I search around for Shawn, and I finally find him dancing on a table with a red cup in his hand, surrounded by cheering people. He sees me and throws his hands up and yells "HEEYY!!" He's really drunk now. He stumbles over to me. "Bellssss....I missed you baby." He's swaying a lot and can barely put a sentence together. Even though it's his night, I can't help feeling concerned and protective.

"Shawn, please just take it easy now. I think you've had enough to drink for a while."

"Wwwhat are you...talking about...I didn't even have that much."

"Babe you're almost on the floor! I'm trying to look out for you."

"Thisss is MYYY party. How can you b-be telling me what to do??"

"I don't want you to get hurt or embarrass yourself in front of everyone."

"You don't....you don't even know half these people. These are MY fffriends! They don't care, they'll only notice y-you making a stUPID scene telling me wwwhat to do. Leave me ALONE!" I know he's drunk, but his blunt words still hurt me. For the next half an hour, I try to enjoy myself emmersed in the heavy dancing crowd but Shawn keeps running through my mind.

I climb the stairs and find my way to the bathroom. As I open the door, I stop dead in my tracks. I look blankly at the scene in front of me. Shawn has some girl pushed up against the wall and they are making out. My eyes fill with tears as I continue to watch. Shawn glances at me but I run so quickly I don't even notice his reaction.

Shawn's POV
My world is spinning. I barely register the girl in front of me, all I know is that she is kissing me. I am insanely dizzy but I don't even care. Was...was that Bella at the door? I turn my attention back to kissing the girl. It's amazing. I take another big drink from the red cup in my hand. All of a sudden, my blurred vision starts going black. What is happening? My knees start giving way and I feel like I can't breathe. I start fading away and I hear a foggy sound of the girl calling my name. I shut my eyes and feel myself being pulled under until I'm completely unconscious.

Narrator's POV
Shawn is rushed to hospital and alcohol poisoning is the confirmed cause of his unconsciousness. He is under a short coma for three days.

Your POV
I run out of the house as fast as I can. I try to drive, but I have to stop. Tears are flooding from my eyes, soaking my face and dress. I cry so hard it hurts to breathe. I love Shawn so much, how could he do this? I don't care how drunk he is, there is absolutely nothing excusing this. My mind keeps playing the scene over and over without permission which only makes the pain worse. Tears blur my vision and just when I think it can't get worse, "Kiss Me" begins playing on the radio. And that's my breaking point. I am sobbing hysterically, barely able to register anything around me. Suddenly, a pair of headlights flashes towards me and it's the last thing I see before blackness.

Shawn's POV
My eyes open and it takes a moment for them to focus. The ceiling is sterile white, and there is one of those big surgery lamps overhead. Where am I? I tilt my head up slightly and look around. I'm in a hospital room. I slowly lift myself into a sitting position. I feel weak, and I desperately need a drink of water. I see my mum sitting on a chair, asleep. I call for her as loud as my croaky voice can manage. She looks up with her tear-stained face and rushes over.

"Oh thank God. Shawn my baby!" She hugs me.

"Mum what happened?"

"Well... you had alcohol poisoning from all that drinking at the party and you have been in a coma since then." I frown, wondering just how long that has been.

"How....long ago....was the party?"

"Three days. You are so lucky Shawn. It could've been longer, much longer than that. Don't EVER do that to me again, you understand?" I nod. A nurse walks in smiling and says

"Mr Mendes! It's great to see you. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Just some water please." Once the nurse leaves my mum has a sad look on her face.

"Mum what's wrong?"

"Um...I didn't want to say right away because you only just woke up."

"Mum just tell me." She pauses, a sad look spreading across her face.

"Bella....was in a car accident." My face goes blank as I try blinking back tears.

"What?"