Part 07; Bad Omen

I bit my lip. I couldn't lie, not like that. Dougie didn't deserve something like that. Standing up abruptly, I left the room, shaking my head. Dougie's eyes burned into my back. He must have been hurt, confused, maybe even angry. Was it my fault that I didn't want to make him suffer? Lying to him would only hurt him in the end. Slipping into our bedroom, I got under the covers, not even bothering to change out of my clothes. Dougie entered the room, quietly knocking at the door before he did. He sat down on the edge of the bed, silent.

"What… Did I do something wrong?" He asked softly after a long pause. I rolled over, looking at him. Sitting up, I pulled my knees to my chest.

"No. You didn't do anything wrong." My answer was short, and I knew he'd ask something else. But, couldn't he tell that I just wanted to be alone right now?

"Then, why did you leave like that?" Squeezing my eyes shut for a moment, I grimaced. Dougie must've been dropped on his head as a baby or something, my entire body language was screaming for him to leave me alone.

"I didn't want to hurt you." Setting my chin on my knees, I replied quietly. Dougie blinked, confused. I sighed, not elaborating on anything.

"Hurt… me? How would you do that?" The smile on Dougie's lips was soon to be broken. He wasn't smiling out of happiness, but out of disbelief. It wasn't going to be pretty when I answered him.

"Yes. You tell me you love me, but there's one problem with this. I don't love you, Dougie." Dougie's face crumpled for a moment, but quickly gained his composure again. He slowly shook his head, his expression utterly confused. I looked down, playing with the fabric of the blanket. Heavy silence fell between us, Doug looking away. When our eyes met again, I noticed his eyes were shining.

"I know… I know what you mean." He whispered. "But, like you said… it will come."

"But, then, you'll just be suffering every day! I don't remember you, I don't remember anyone! It's like someone wiped my memory clean. It's not fair to you!" My voice was rising, anger flaring. I didn't mean for it to, covering my mouth when I realized I had been so loud.

"Jenna! It's only been a few days since you got out of the hospital! You've got to give yourself some time to heal."

"But, what if it never comes back?" My eyes burned again, tears slipping down my cheeks. I angrily wiped them away.

"Don't be like that. Your memory will come back." He encouraged me. I honestly did want to believe him, but that seed of doubt was still at the back of my mind. I nodded, to reassure him. "So, don't worry about it." He stood, shedding off his shirt and pants. Getting underneath the covers, he wrapped an arm around my waist. I put my hand over his, smiling faintly, and looked out the window. The moon was so big, so bright, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by it.

"Dougie… Be truthful. What would you do if I never got my memory back?" My voice sliced through the peaceful silence. I could feel Doug tense up a bit.

"I… I don't know." he murmured after a few moments of silence. I felt Dougie's forehead press gently at the nape of my neck, resting there. His response made my heart ache. I tried to keep the threatening tears at bay, but I could feel that my pillow was damp already. Doug's breathing fell into a rhythm, and I knew he was asleep.

"At least you're honest." I whispered before closing my eyes. Sleep seemed to overcome me at once.

When I awoke the next morning, I felt warm breath on the back of my neck. It was Dougie, as I already knew, but it still surprised me. I gently wormed my way out from underneath his arm without waking him. He'd been under a bit of stress, what with my little outbursts and all. I quickly showered and changed into a new set of clothes.

I slipped down the hall silently and went to the kitchen. My stomach growled, I rubbed it absently. Opening the fridge door, I grabbed the carton of milk and set down at the table. Fixing my bowl of Frosted Flakes, I poured the milk into my bowl. Since there was no one around, I didn't mind that I slurped. The door bell rang in the hall, I looked down the hallway. No sign of Doug being awake yet. Resting my spoon in the bowl, I headed for the door. Opening the door, I discovered a guy about my age.

"Um, hello." I smiled awkwardly. Tucking a piece of my hair back, I tried to figure out if Dougie knew him. Of course, I had no idea nor recollection of the young man. But, I guessed it would be good to be polite, just in case he did know Dougie.

"Hey, Jenna. I… I learned about your accident, I'm really sorry." He came a step closer. He smiled, almost knowingly. Instincts were kicking in by now, I didn't want him to come much closer. I didn't want him to be any closer than he was, I didn't know why but that's how I felt.

"Oh, it's fine… Um, but who are you?" I tilted my head, still not recognizing him. The guy was about to answer, opening his mouth. There were a pair of hands on my waist, making me freeze. I looked behind me, seeing Dougie. I smiled at him, but his face was stony. The young man looked from me to Doug, his features hardening as well. He closed his mouth, hardening his jaw.

"Here, Jenna. Let me do it." Dougie leaned around me, shutting the door with a slam. I stepped back; Dougie staying by the door, bristling. He was standing rigid, watching the young man leave. When he was satisfied, he turned around, rubbing his temples. I didn't press the subject just yet, returning to the kitchen. My cereal was still… crisp, if that was the right word. I sat down, continuing to eat. Dougie finally came back into the kitchen, sitting down at the table. He wrapped his fingers around a hot cup of coffee.

"Who was that guy?" I asked, trying not to agitate him too much. Dougie looked up from his untouched coffee with a bewildered look on his face.

"Oh… right. I forgot… He was your ex." Doug replied, indifferent. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

"Why did he come here then?" I was still a tad confused. It bewildered me that my ex-boyfriend had come here. I was engaged… wasn't it kind of tacky to show up at your ex's house when she was engaged and recovering from a coma?

"I don't know… Honestly, I don't want to know. He's… his mind, it's pretty twisted in there. Just… don't talk to him."

"Jealous, much?" I laughed. Dougie paled, shaking his head. "…Okay then. Is he dangerous or something?" I shrugged, taking a bit of cereal.

"Yes!" Dougie looked at me as if I was dim. "When you two broke up, he attacked you. It was pretty bad." Gulping, I felt my blood run cold. The guy who was just at the door had attacked me when I broken up with him? What type of lunatic was I dating? What would happen if I ran into him on the street? How would he react?

"But… he won't hurt me, right? I'm not in danger?" I squeaked.

"No. As long as I'm around, he'll never hurt you." Dougie put his hand over mine and smiled. I smiled at him. Kissing him quickly, I stood up and put my bowl in the sink. "I'm starving. I'm going to make my breakfast. I'll meet you in the living room, yeah?" He opened a cabinet or two, looking for cereal. I, still feeling uneasy, went into the living room and sat on the floor. Turning on the TV, I flipped through the channels.

I tried to quiet the fear in me. I knew Dougie was right, as long as I was with him, nothing could happen.