A month later-Kimi's POV

"Hey there, cute boys, how're you doing?" I asked, my question directed towards Blake, since, well, Eli's been in a coma for like two months now. Blake isn't doing too well, either. As everyone knows, he's heartbroken and seriously depressed.

"…"

"Blake, you really shouldn't keep yourself cooped up in here all day. It isn't healthy." I put my hand on his shoulder, but he shrugs it off.

"Don't tell me what to do. It's my fault for letting this happen to Eli. I was supposed to love and protect him, but I couldn't even do that. How can I leave him when he's like this?"

It surprised me, his words. They sounded almost angry, resentful. But who was he resentful towards? Me? No, I thought at first it might be Adam, but then I remembered what he's said. He'd said it was his fault this happened.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up about all this. Eli's gonna be just fine, you'll see. His body just needs a little time to recover." He turned and I was stunned to see he'd been crying this whole time.

"I…I just d-don't know what to d-do without h-him…" He leaned his head against me and I put my arms around him, comforting him as any good friend would do.

"It'll be okay." But how could I convince him when I couldn't even convince myself?

Awhile later-Blake's POV

I finally got out of that room, the one that's been destroying me for weeks now. It doesn't feel any better, though. I hate this damn hospital. I didn't mind when I was the one in here, but Eli's a different story.

"Excuse me?" I look over and see a little boy in a bed, hooked up to machines and monitors, too. His head was bald and his whole face was gaunt and shadowed under his bright blue eyes. He seemed to be about seven, maybe eight. Polite, too.

I walk over and his face lights up in a smile, though his face is a pale, pasty color. "Yes?"

"Wanna be my friend? I don't have friends, and my momma doesn't come." I sat next to him, a little unsure if I should be sitting here.

"Why doesn't your mom come?"

"'Cause she doesn't wanna get sick, too. I got cancer, and she doesn't want it." I lifted my head, staring into the eyes of a small, lonely, vulnerable little boy, wise beyond his years.

"Okay. I'll be your friend. I need one, too."

"Why?" He placed his little, clammy hand on mine, stroking it a bit.

"Because the person I care about most in the world's here, too, because he's hurt and he won't wake up."

"Will he?" That threw me for a loop. Everyone had been having these doubts, even this kid who didn't know Eli thought this, too. But I'm ashamed to admit, I've been thinking this lately. Me! I'm ashamed.

"I…I don't know. I hope he will." The boy smiled, and said he hoped Eli would, too. He also said his name was Roxas. "Oh, my name's Blake."

"Blake…nice name!" He gave a thumbs-up and giggled; a bigger smile on his face.

"Oh, Roxas, did you make a friend?" A nurse came in, smiling a maternal smile.

"Yup! Blake!" He seemed so proud that I was his friend. It made me smile a bit, the first sign of one in a long time.

"Ah, we've met before. Hillary Bent, remember?"

"Oh, yes, you're…Eli's nurse." I said, my heart sinking at his name. "Any change?" Her smile disappeared, concern breaking through.

"No, I'm afraid not." Her face became pinched, like when they don't want to tell you bad news.

"Oh." I looked down into my lap, upset. I guess I always get my hopes up and then get crushed. It's happened so many times lately. But then a soft little hand patted my head.

"It's okay, he'll wake up. Just believe." Roxas said with an innocent smile on his face.

"Promise?" It seemed sort of childish. He linked our pinkies together, grinning.

"Promise."