The nurse didn't leave. She watched me drink the water and then asked mebif I wanted to go for a walk.
"A walk?" I curiously asked.
"Yes." She answered. I told her 'sure' and she helped me to stand. I found I could walk pretty well with the aid of crutches, and did a few practices around the room. Angel jealously eyed me from her bed.
"Why can't I come?" She whined.
"Do you want to?" Inquirer the nurse. Angel's face lit up, and she practically almost ripped her IV out jumping off the bed.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" We walked slowly out the door. We walked through the halls of doors with numbers on them, some open, some closed. I looked in each hopefully as Angel chattered away. Then, I saw her. Angel stopped talking and stared at me in disbelief as I hobbled into the room.
"Patricia!" I exclaimed! She was sitting gloomily on her bed when she looked up.
"Eddie!" She joyfully replied. I sat down next to her and stroked her hair. I wondered how she could keep it so neat in a car crash. She buried her face into my chest and I hugged her as tight as I could. Tears of happiness soaked through my shirt but I didn't care.
"I was so worried about you. I love you." I whispered.
"Me too" she said. The nurses looked at each other knowingly. My nurse motioned for Angel to step out of the room. They followed. I examined the full cast around her leg and sighed.
"Eddie...the doctor said I'm going to need therapy. Do you think...do you think I might be parylized?" Her words struck me like a bomb and my head started to hurt again.
"Don't think like that," I whispered as I edged closer to her. I kissed her feverish forehead and repeatedly told her 'it's alright.' She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I noticed how many bruises lined her fair skin. It hurt me to know that the girl I loved was hurt. She began to giggle as I moved closer to her. I pressed my lips to hers and closed my eyes. She hugged me tighter as I caressed her hair. Her eyes were tired, but still that beautiful shade of green I loved.
"We"ll get out of this mess. I promise." I told her. Then I had to leave.
*A summer later*
"Well, this is it!" I exclaimed as Patricia limped over to me. She leaned on my shoulder. I lifted her up effortlessly and put her in the car. Giggling, she kissed me lightly on the cheek. I looked at her bad leg. It was still crippled, but we had hope it would get better in the next year. As for me, I healed totally except for my arm, which had to be casted again after surgery.
"First year of college. Let's make it good. Bye bye, hospital!" She waved her hand at the big building and buckled the seat belt. We both sat in the back as the taxi driver took us to Harvard.
"Who would have known we would be coming here from the hospital?" Patricia laughed, even though we both knew how serious she was. The taxi driver eyed us through the mirror but said nothing, knowing we were a couple. An hour passed by before we reached the university, and I was greatful when we finally got out. Fresh air tickled my nose as we walked up the stone steps to our new dorms.
"You can come with me after you unpack," I offered, and she nodded. I helped her to her dorm room, number 37. Mine was 24, on a whole different level. She finished unpacking, then came to my room. She sat down on the bed.
"I'm so glad we're finally here." She breathed.
"Me too."
"Together." I grasped her hand and squeezed it, reminding me of our graduation day. The day that started it all.
"I love you, Eddie."
"I love you too, Patricia. Let's never let anything separate us."
"You bet." We sat there for hours, just talking and laughing.