Disclaimer: I do not own any OC characters, unless their names are Shayla or Clayton.
A/N- O my word. Can I just say that I have fallen in love...WITH ALL OF MY REVIEWERS!!!! I really appreciate everyone reading this. You have no idea what it means to have someone care about my characters as much as I do. Now...would you like to find out the fate of the one who is Shayla? Then read who's keeping you? Oh, me? Hmm..Well I just wanted to individually thank all the reviewers: Bonzo, my first reviewer, Christina, zanna, J.Ryan, big willy, ki$s, Lonnie, Meghan, Leentje, Callie-Cat, BrSoccerChic89, Daniela,steph, controversy-queen. I would also like to thank my friend Hinel and Helen for being there during firstperiod when I had no idea what to do with Shayla being younger than Ryan, but be in college. They figured that whole mess out. I love you two!
Five people sat waiting patiently in New Port's hospital. Ryan sat with his head in his hands trying to find a reason for what had put him there, Seth had his head up against the wall behind him as he replayed the first and possibly last conversation he had with the girl through his head, Kirsten and Sandy watched each other nervously, and Marissa rubbed Ryan's back. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the doctor walked down the hall. Ryan stood first and walked quickly to the man.
"How is she?" Ryan asked. You could tell he was tired, but he wouldn't sleep a wink until he knew the fate of his sister.
"She lost a lot of blood, but she's alive, for now. It's kind of on the fence about whether or not she'll make it. We're going to try our best and it we'll know definitely whether or not she'll live by tomorrow morning. She's not awake right now, so it's better that you all go home."
"I'm her brother." Ryan said quickly. "I want to stay with her tonight. If that's okay."
"That's fine, but if they are not her family, they have to leave. I'm very sorry." The doctor then turned and reentered Shayla's hospital room.
"I'm staying, so I'll call you guys tomorrow. I would hate myself forever if I weren't here and she died in the night." Ryan then gave everyone a hug and stepped into Shayla's room. He almost died when he saw her lying there, helpless. She had machines hooked up to her, and tubes in her nose. But worst of all was her wrists. They were tightly bound by white gauze and you could see blood. Tears welled up in his eyes and he wiped them away as quickly as possible.
"Would you mind giving blood?" asked the doctor. "I mean she's already had some, but if we need some more it would be great. What type are you?"
"I'm not sure. I haven't given blood ever." Ryan said not ever taking his eyes from the girl lying on the bed.
"Well, we'll find out. Would you mind stepping into a different room so we can get that checked out?"
"Can't we do it in here? I mean I want to be here if she wakes up or something." Ryan said urgently.
"Sure, just let me get a nurse." The doctor the pushed a button above Shayla's bed and a nurse came to the door. The doctor told her what to bring and she left to retrieve it. "If it will make you feel any better, I know what you're going through. Fifteen years ago my mother did the same thing. Turned out we were chin deep in debt and the only way out was life insurance. I don't know why your sister did what she did, but she will need a lot of support. Just be there for her, don't ask her any questions and she'll tell you when she's ready. You got to her in time, don't waist another minute without her."
Ryan looked at the doctor with new respect. Instead of sympathy, he had empathy. That was what he needed, not people feeling sorry for him but people knowing how he felt. It was comforting. "I'll remember that. Thank you."
The doctor nodded and held out his hand. "My name is Asher. Just ask a nurse for me when you need me, and she'll get me as soon as possible. I won't go home tonight, not until everything's okay."
"Again, thank you." Ryan took the man's hand and shook it. "I'm Ryan and her name is Shayla Atwood."
"Nice to meet you Ryan. Even though your great company, I never want to see you again after tonight. Just comfort her and never leave her alone." Asher then left the room with his clipboard and the nurse came to take Ryan's blood. She left and Ryan was finally alone with Shayla.
Ryan took her hand and held it tightly, she felt so weak and helpless. Tears quickly started to fall from his face until he could no longer take it anymore. He placed his head on the side of her bed and cried uncontrollably. :His whole body shook and he wished that he were in that bed instead of her. He felt a hand touch the top of his head and he sat up quickly.
"Oh my God!" He kissed her cheek quickly and smiled brightly. "You're awake!"
"I'm so sorry Ryan. I'm so sorry." Shayla looked deep into her brother's eyes and he saw a deep sadness that had never been there before. "I don't want to hurt you. It's all my fault."
"Nothing is your fault. You're going to be okay, just hold on." Ryan turned his head to the hallway. "Asher!"
"Who are you calling? Where am I?" Shayla looked confusedly around the room. "What's going on Ryan?"
"You're in the hospital. You're going to be okay." Ryan said hopefully.
Finally Asher walked into the room. "She's awake! Welcome back Ms. Atwood. You're going to be fine, you just need some rest."
"I don't want to be fine!" She said sincerely. "I make the world a lesser place. I don't have to be here. The only one who would care would be Ryan and he knows that I love him!"
"I know that, but you cannot be so selfish as to give up. You said today that you had your pride. Well if you have such pride you won't give up on me or anyone else. Without you I feel incomplete, so you better get back her now!" Ryan held the girl's hand tightly. "Besides, who am I going to pick on? You're the only person I'm taller than. If you leave I will be the shortest person who isn't a midget in the whole world."
Shayla gave a small, feeble laugh. "I'm so sorry Ryan!"
Shayla then closed her eyes and left Ryan waiting on her fate for the rest of the night.
(California here we come. Right back where we started from. California!)