Yes I finally updated this. I know, I know, I haven't in decades but I just started college so I've been super busy. But reviews would be much appreciated and will help me write quicker :-)
Even in his haze, Craig knew he had made a mistake. "Um...I don't remember what I just said. I'm delirious a-and confused...very confused..." He groaned inwardly.
Paige was staring fiercely at him. "How did you know? Who told you? Was it Ashley? I bet it was her. Just because you two were dating doesn't give her the right–"
Craig shook his head. "No, no it wasn't Ash. She didn't tell me. I just found out today."
Paige's eyes narrowed. "How did you just find out today?"
Craig took a deep breath. "Um, see well what had happened was...it wasn't really my fault...I didn't mean to but..."
"Spit it out."
"I looked at your file in the office," Craig said quickly, closing his eyes and wincing. Paige was silent for a long time and he dared to open one eye a crack. She was just staring at him, expressionless. "Paige? You okay?"
Paige blinked. "What? Yeah. Although I wish I could punch you right now." Then she sighed. "Then again I did kinda lie and put your job in jeopardy to get this job." She lifted the apron to check his wound.
"Hey, that's right," Craig said remembering. "So we're even? Sorta?"He grinned as charmingly as he could manage.
Paige didn't answer him. She was looking at his shoulder with a furrowed brow. Then she noticed him looking at her and quickly flashed a smile at him. "Right. We're even. Everything's cool."
"Paige," Craig said slowly. "What's wrong?"
Paige shook her head, swallowing hard. "Nothing. I said everything's cool." She glanced away and Craig knew she was lying.
"Paige, now is not the time to be lying to me." Craig tried to keep his voice steady.
Paige bit her lip then nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just...the bleeding still hasn't stopped. It's slowed down a little I think but..."
Craig nodded slowly. He had been trying hard not to think about his current condition but now, faced with it, he was starting to get scared. He started thinking about his parents even more and Joey and Angela as well. "T-tell Joey and Angela that I love them, okay? Just in case."
"Craig..."
"Please. Promise me."
Paige swallowed hard then nodded. "I will. But you're going to be ok. We're going to get through this." She took his hand in hers. Craig was surprised by its softness and gripped it as tightly as he could manage, which wasn't very tightly at all.
Paige was trying her hardest not to cry. Craig's skin was the color of chalk by now and his breathing was shallow. His eyes kept on going in and out of focus and he was clearly having trouble staying awake. She looked down at his face and felt her heart surge with emotion. Discreetly, she wiped away a stray tear that snaked its way down her cheek. She wasn't sure of what she was feeling but it was something she hadn't felt in a long time...maybe ever.
"Paige?" Craig's voice cut into her thoughts.
"Yes, Craig?"
"A-are there like any more aprons or something? It's freezing in here."
Paige felt her stomach drop. It was at least seventy degrees in the room. But she kept her thoughts to herself and got up to search through the closet. She found a lab coat and knelt beside him to cover him gently. She paused for a second and brushed a curl from his forehead. Then she stopped and pressed her whole palm to his forehead. "Craig, sweetie, you're burning up. Are you sure you're cold?"
Craig nodded and his eyes showed that he knew what that meant. "I'm losing too much blood." His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"It's okay. It's gonna be okay," Paige said, barely managing to hold back her own tears. She could feel her composure starting to slip when a tear escaped from the corner of his eye and down the side of his face. He turned his head to look away but she touched his cheek and gently turned his head towards her. She leaned in and hesitated then went to kiss him on the cheek. But he turned his head so her kiss landed on his lips instead. They kissed for just a few seconds but it seemed like an eternity to her.
"Paige," Craig whispered when they finally pulled away.
"Mmm?" Paige's eyes were still closed as she tried to lock the memory in her brain for all eternity. She frowned when he didn't continue and opened her eyes.
Craig's eyes had fallen shut, his head lolling listlessly to the side.
"Craig?" Paige could feel her heart begin to race. "Craig, sweetie, wake up. Oh God, Craig." The tears began to stream down her face in earnest now. "No, Craig, please." She leaned over him, staring into his face, desperate for a sign of life. "Craig!"