Nattasia came the next day, and the next day. Days turned into a couple weeks, and she soon forgot the sound of his deep yet gentle voice, and the gaze of his handsome doe eyes. Everyday she still thought about him, often crying at night because even though she told herself he would be okay and wake up, each passing week ate at her insides secretly. Luckily, at school Boomer and John's other friends were keeping her company during lunch and breaks, she was part of their friend group now. It was natural for word to spread across the school that John was in the hospital and that his dad was in jail, so no one bothered Nattasia about the situation. Ever since Claire received her wake up call across the face from Nattasia, she had been staying clear of her path for the first time.

Monday

7:30 AM

It was now three weeks until the prom and time was running out for John to wake up in time. Nattasia never usually arrived to school early, but this particular morning she wanted to be at school before anyone else to sit and think in the cold morning of silence. She took a seat on the edge of the parking lot staring across the football field in the distance thinking about her life. She missed John so much and felt so empty without him, especially since last time she saw him.

"Hey" a familiar voice said. She looked up, it was Boomer across the parking lot in his mustang. "Aren't ya cold?" he asked, opening the door gesturing to her to get in. No one usually started arriving at school until later on, so it was just them. Nattasia bundled up her jacket and went to the warm sanctuary of his car silently. Boomer could tell over the couple weeks everyday that Nattasia's spirits grew dimmer and dimmer, "Goin' to see him today, huh?" she nodded silently, with her glassy green eyes. "I just want to let you know I talked to my dad and he agreed to let Bender stay with us since it looks like his dad won't be out of jail for any of this. Even if he does, i'm sure Bender won't want to stay with him. He's been my best friend since kindergarten and my parents understand so you don't have to worry about this happening again."

"Thank you so much." she whispered in a quivering voice. She was so tired of crying. She felt that all of her tears had already been drained out of her and did not know how it was possible for more to come out.

Boomer nodded his head, sensing she was still uneasy, "Want to go see him right now?" he asked.

"It's ok. It's not like out of all days he would wake up now anyways." She said in a depressed voice, leaning her head against the car window. She was tired of getting her hopes up everyday that he would wake up just to be disappointed again. She knew being this sad was not like her normal self.

"Hey," Boomer said, "This is not like you. The girl Bender started going out with was always amped to do things and never down. I know its been a long time now, but we can't lose hope. Let's go." She looked at him, then just nodded.

"You just don't understand," she continued, this time about to break down, "All my life I have not had good luck. Whether it comes to situations like this where I just need some hope, whether it comes to people liking me, or me just hoping something good will happen for a change. I feel like i'm always such a good person and life always gives me the short end of the stick, always! Why!?" She bursted out crying. Keep in mind, Boomer had seen Nattasia cry before, but not like this. She seemed like she had past her breaking point and all of her emotions were just coming out over these last couple months. It was heartbreaking to see. It even made Boomer's eyes start to water, but he knew he had to stay strong.

"I do understand. You think life has been fair to me too? Fuck no. But when it gets difficult and you give up that's exactly what everyone else wants you to do. But you're not everyone else. You're Bender's girl for a reason. Now fuck this attitude and let's go see your man." Hearing Boomer's reassuring words made Nattasia wake up in a sense and realize he was right. If you kick yourself in the ass all the time and feel like a loser, life will always keep you down. She sat up in her seat and wiped her tears.

"You're right, i'm trippin. Sorry, I don't know why I have just been such a mess lately. I'm over it now. John is going to wake up and I know it, fuck school. Let's go." The thundering sound of the mustang v8 engine started and boomed down the street as they went to the hospital.

8:07 AM

Nattasia and Boomer walked into the hospital room, and were surprised to see three new doctors, "What's all this?" she asked. The doctors all looked at each other before one they met before stepped out to speak.

"Hello Nattasia, as you know it has been some time since John has shown any sign of responsiveness. We were discussing further action."

"What the fuck do you mean further, action, he's going to wake up he just needs some more time!" Her heart started to pound as she glanced over at John's lifeless-yet still-alive looking body.

"Nattasia i'm sorry but at this point since there is no parent figure and it has been months im afraid-" The doctor looked at Boomer for some kind of reassurance, Boomer was just staring at John with tears in his eyes in disbelief of the situation. Nattasia ran over to John and started whispering loudly into his ears.

"You have to wake up baby now please, don't leave me I love you, please you don't understand i'm empty without you" she cried.

"I'm sorry but there's nothing we can do." The doctor said, about to shut off a machine.

"Wait!" Nattasia exclaimed. The whole room stopped and looked at John, who moved his leg under the sheets of the hospital covers.

"Well goddamn." The doctor said in disbelief. First one of John's eyes fluttered open, then the other. He looked around the room until he saw Nattasia and when he did, smiled.

"Hey sweets" he said in a weak, yet strong voice.