Forgotten Memories

Prologue: 2 Months Ago

- Luke -

"She's in room 202, third floor."

I tried to hide my nervousness as I nodded at the nurse and thanked her, but she noticed. "It's okay," she told me. "I'm sure the doctors took great care of her." I smiled forcefully and walked to the elevator with Rue at my heels. The doors closed and I started tapping my foot.

"Calm down, Luke."

I ignored Rue but stopped tapping my foot, only to start it again 5 seconds later.

"Dude, seriously. Stop it," Rue complained. I stuck my tongue out at her as the elevator dinged, signaling our stop.

I bolted out of the elevator and sprinted all the way to room 202, not even stopping to see if Rue was following me.

I smacked the door open and marched in. Right in front of me there was a girl about Aria's age, with long, straight, brown hair, braided back. She was standing over Aria's bed, and when she turned around, I noticed she was a nurse. The nurse gasped then laughed, looking at me funny. "W-what?" I asked.

She giggled. "You scared me, but . . ."

She placed her small hand on my shoulder and turned me around to face the mirror.

Bad. Hair. Day.

My face burned with embarrassment as I patted my hair down.

Ugh, great.

I turned back around and gasped as Rue ran smack into me, knocking me to the ground.

"Ahh-ugh!" I heard Rue groan. She rolled off of me and stood, scowling.

Oh, sure. I'm fine, thanks for asking.

I stood up as the nurse walked out laughing. I should thank her later, you know, for taking care of-

Aria.

• • • • •

I was already standing over her the moment she opened her eyes.

Her bright green eyes were as beautiful as always. They were glassy, reminding me of the time I watched her wake up at the hotel we stayed at a few weeks ago.

I could barely contain my excitement as I threw my arms around her frail body.

"Aria," I whispered. She awkwardly wrapped her arms around me and patted my back.

We broke apart and I looked down at her. She stared back at me and I smiled. It's like she's seeing me for the first time.

"Aria!" Rue squeals from behind me. I'm practically ripped from Aria's grasp and tossed aside as Rue tackled Aria.

Rude much?

"I knew you'd wake up!" Rue squealed.
They started talking, but I didn't pay attention. I looked at her.

She looked confused.

"What's wrong?" I asked. She started to worry me. She remembered, right? I mentally face-palmed myself. Dude, of course she remembered.

She quickly masked her confusion and shrugged. "You tell me."

"I knew Gabe was bluffing! He scared the living heck out of me!" Rue exclaimed, sighing in relief.

Aria's forehead crinkled adorably in confusion. I would've smiled, but something about her reaction sent a shiver down my spine.

"Who's Gabe?" she asked.

Oh.

Hell.

No.

The color drained from my face. Rue's been struck silent. She knows what happened.