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Chapter 13
*Kris'
POV*
I couldn't open my eyes. The light seemed to shoot needles like bullets through
my eyes every time I tried, and everything in my world was composed of a sharp,
aching pain every time I took a breath. But now I could hear, at least, what
was going on and picture in my mind everyone's faces. The voices came and went
like the tide and sometimes I slept.
All of a sudden, everything seemed to clear from my foggy mind as one voice,
oh-so-familiar, penetrated to the deepest recesses of my mind and demanded my
attention. All my senses suddenly started to work and I felt a warm hand grasp
mine, and heard a voice talking and crying into the bed covers. I recognized
the voice and the memories came rushing back, along with a picture of his heaven
sent blue eyes. The voice started making sense as I concentrated with all my
strength on it.
"Kris, I'm so sorry, for everything. I should've looked for you earlier, I should've known something was wrong. I wish I could tell you everything that has happened. Nina ran into Josh..you broke his knee, babe. I'm proud of you, though I don't know if it's something God wants me to be proud of, but I am. He tried to hurt Na, but she's okay. Mentioned something about gym class...Anyway, Kevin knocked him out, said it was for you, and Na broke his nose!" Brian started to chuckle, which made me happy, to know he'd be all right.
"He is on
his way to jail, thank goodness, and Na is fine. Baby, I'm worried about you.
The doc says you are in serious trouble, but I know you're gonna pull through.
There is no alternative, because I can't live without you. I realized I love
you, so much more than I could ever tell you. There is no way to express my
feelings and you only want my friendship.. Just know I love you, and I'd give
you all I have if it means that I'll have you always by my side. G'night baby,
I love you.." I drifted off to sleep as I felt warm lips caress mine, then
silence. *
The next morning, I could open my eyes and when I did I almost started laughing. Brian was sprawled out in a chair, his curly hair a mess, his hand still clutching mine tightly. Glancing at my I.V., I leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek, unable to reach his lips.
"Brian, babe wake up," I murmured, brushing away a stray curl as his blue eyes flickered open.
"Kris?" he murmured sleepily, wondering if he was dreaming.
"Oh Lord, thank you! Kris, you're all right!" Brian cried, gently gathering me up in a hug. The door flew open and AJ asked, "What's the matter? We heard you yell...Kris! Babe, you're awake!" Everyone came in and we went through a similar process, laughing and tears streaming down everyone's faces.
"Na, did you kick him hard for me?" I asked, hugging her tight as her eyes widened.
"How did you know? I broke his nose, too."
"Brian told
me," I murmured, glancing at him as he smiled and chatted with Howie. He
caught my glance and smiled at me, which set my heart racing like it never had
with him before. I smiled back, my happiness complete as I leaned back and chatted
with Na. I didn't know it then, but he had spent the past week by my side, waiting
for me to come out of it. I wish I had known, then everything that happened
after might not have. *
The doctor told me I'd be fine, that my ribs were doing okay and my jaw was only bruised, so I would be in the hospital for another couple of days, then I'd be discharged. This was good news, very. My eyes weren't as swollen, but I looked like a crash dummy from all the bruises. Later that day, I was chatting with everyone when there was a knock at the door.
"C'mon in," I called, wondering who it was. *
*3d
person*
The door opened and a tall figure filled the doorway. Brian watched Kris and
inwardly flinched as her eyes lit up, and she cried out, delighted, "Chris!
Hey, c'mere!" Chris flinched when he saw Kris' face up close and joked,
"So how does it feel to be hit by a MAC truck? You look like hell, but
I'm glad you're okay!" He held her close, then lightly kissed her on the
lips. Kevin inconspicuously watched Brian, who had turned pale and was clenching
his fists underneath the small table he sat at. Brian was watching Kris, who
held Chris's hand and chattered animatedly, happy to see him, and Chris, who
was flirting shamelessly.
"Excuse me," B muttered, slamming the door behind him as he stalked out. Kris frowned, wondering what she'd so obviously done wrong.
"Excuse me guys, could I talk to Chris alone for a few?" Kris asked.
"No problem, we're gonna go grab some lunch and leave you to the horrors of hospital food," Howie teased as the others filed out.
"Oh please, get me a #2! Sweet D, I'll love you forever, puh-leease?" Kris begged.
"I'll think about it," Howie called, closing the door behind him.
"Chris, thank you for coming, I need you here. Sometimes a familiar face helps more than anything else ever could," Kris said, hugging him close. She looked up at him, and he said simply, "Kris, I love you," and Kris felt his warm lips on hers before she could respond. She pushed him away with a look of surprise at the same time the door opened, but too late. Kris' eyes locked with Brian's, his gaze full of pain and hurt as he managed, "Oh, sorry, see ya.." and fled.
"Brian, no come back!" Kris yelled, jumping off the bed and running as fast as her ribs would let her.
"Brian Thomas Littrell, if you run away now, I'll never talk to you again," Kris yelled as he rushed to the lobby, uncaring if people were staring, but relieved she had on more than a hospital gown. Brian slowed, turned and held her gaze for the longest time, then turned and walked out the door.
"I love you, too Brian!" Kris yelled, at the same time that he walked away. Kris turned to leave, her shoulders slumping as she started to cry. She never saw Brian pause in the door or look back in amazement as she retreated down the hallway, her heart shattered and lying on the ground.
"What the hell am I doing?" Brian thought and a stranger who had observed the whole thing replied, "I dunno man, but you must be pretty screwed to be giving her up. *
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