"... I hate that whenever something good turns up it gets destroyed."

I could hear Jackson's vulnerability and disappointment in himself. I wanted to scream that it wasn't his fault. Those azure eyes which hid so much pain and suffering - all of which, he didn't deserve to face.

I felt trapped. This feeling was so prominent when my dad was speaking so crudely to him. I wanted to wake up so badly. I still want to. It's like I'm climbing closer and closer and then another wall grows. Everything constantly spins and no one seems to hear my calls. I see everyone here. My mom, Jackson, Nathan... Even Taylor. I don't know how I'm going to pull through and make it, but I know Jackson needs me. I need to be there and help prove his innocence. I need to make it and do something for myself and not be a constant follower to things.

I can hear everything and haven't heard of Jackson's return. I know my parents are warming to him, but I need to hear his voice once more.

"Well Dear, it's your mom, I'm sure you know that already." I rolled my slightly until I heard the crack in her voice.

"Your father and I have been a mess. Knowing you fell hard and your body is overcome in stress which induced this... this coma, God I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

I could see it now, mom probably hunching over on the chair trying to keep her tears at bay.

"You have no idea how much I want you to wake up for your father and I... Nathan, and Jackson."

Even in a coma I could feel my heart skip a beat when his name is mentioned.

"He looks like a handsome boy, troubled, but I don't doubt your judgment and friendship with him. I remember you talking about tutoring the boy, you couldn't stop smiling."

Is it possible to feel yourself blush in a coma? I swear I could prove wrong any naysayers. I can't believe I forgot about how giddy I was during our first session. It was such a difference compared to our last…

"Anyways, I can tell you have a crush on him - "

I think this is the only moment where I am thankful for this coma. Being able to not be obligated to respond to awkward parent heart to heart relieves the embarrassment.

All of a sudden, I heard a soft knock.

I heard a soft clearing of the throat, "Um, good morning Mrs. Wu."

My heart flutters I could recognize that voice in any state of condition. It was Jackson.

"Ah, good morning Jackson. I was just thinking about you."

I could imagine my mom with a small smile and Jackson peering over.

"Well I hope it was nothing but good."

He's warming up to her. I've always loved my mother but my respect for her as gone over the roof with how she's been treating him compared to dad. I guess it's clearer where I get my caring side.

I heard her let out a soft and genuine laugh. "Nothing but good, my dear. I've been wanting some coffee for a while now, I'll be back shortly."

I heard some feet shuffling and the room door close. Jackson let out a tired sigh.

"Hey Mel, it's been a rough few days."

I felt his large calloused hand on top of mine. You have no idea how much I longed to interlace our fingers. I constantly see images of us in his room before Tony, before the chaos.

"Tony is still being held in custody. He is being questioned on the assault charges that were pended for me about Josh."

I could hear the fatigue in his voice and the hopelessness. I just wanted to be there and reassure him that it would be okay. I felt him cautiously hold my hand.

"Melissa, if anyone told me that when I was going to Hartwell I would have... A best friend and someone I could turn to, I would have laughed. The fact that I'm sitting here talking to you... Like this… It's something so... Surreal."

Normally, Jackson is the true definition of a man of few words. When he does confide to me, there is no other feeling, which could compete with what he has done to me.

"I've never cared so deeply for someone else. I've never let down my guard for anyone or anything. Maybe if I had kept them up, you would have been okay. It would have all stayed as my mess. I'm so sorry, Melissa."

I heard a crack in his voice and that was it. I felt something burning within me to stop staying imprisoned in my own body. I was going to wake up. I was going to be there for Jackson and prove to him as I always had that he isn't the root to all the problems. He was trapped with guilt and I wasn't going to let him feel that way any longer.

I used all my might and forced myself to do anything to catch his attention that I really was there.

Jackson's POV:

"I'm so sorry, Melissa." I knew her mother was going to give me some time and privacy with Mel. The amount of guilt and embarrassment of how I had acted and was currently behaving was so unlike me.

I didn't even care this much when my mother was taken from me. It's been over four days and the stress and collapse must have really taken a toll on her. I felt the tears burning in my eyes as I tried to prevent them from falling.

I felt a twitch and looked down and took in a sharp intake of air when I saw Melissa's hand moving. I sat still not moving a muscle as I watched her small hand ever so gently squeeze my hand.

"Mel, can you hear me?" I choked out and watched her squeeze her hand again.

For the first time since the accident I felt a surge of excitement and a smile form on my face.

"Alright Mel, you wanna open your eyes for me?"

I watched her eagerly examining her for any gestures when the door opened with Mr. and Mrs. Wu walking in puzzled.

"Jackson, what's going on?" Mrs. Wu asked me frantically.

"I was talking to Mel and she started squeezing my hand. She was responsive to a few of my questions by doing so. I'm – "

Mr. Wu interrupted me and spoke up quickly. "We must get a doctor in right now, Ann go page Dr. Michaels."

Like clockwork, Dr. Michaels came in and saw me holding her hand.

"Jackson, right?"

I nodded and watched Mr. Wu grow irritated.

"Andrew, we've had the introductions a while ago can we please just take a look at my daughter."

"David, if she's been acting responsive to Jackson he is going to be the key to bringing her back completely."

I ignored the two as I remembered they were colleagues and spoke softly in Mel's direction.

"Mel, I've admitted it all to you. Only you. Please open those eyes of yours, I need you to so badly."

I felt her squeeze my hand harder and watched her eyes move slowly. I felt her mother stand close to me and all conversations end when I saw her brown almond shaped eyes open up slowly adjusting to the light.

I let out a small sigh of relief when our eyes locked as it felt like I would have never seen those eyes after the incident.

Finally.

*Crickets chirping* I'm baaaacck! ;) I was having a really bad case of writers block and had a really sweet anonymous review yesterday which played a huge motivator to really re-look all the chapters and I tried to write the perspective of Melissa hearing things in her coma and being aware of her situation. I'm still a huge amateur writer so forgive me if it wasn't the best. I'm still experimenting with the idea of writing lol.

To anyone of my loyal readers who still stick it out and check from time to time for Life in Hartwell High your support is MUCH APPRECIATED! All your reviews and alerts have really been uplifting and exactly what I need. Hoping I still have reviewers old and new! :) If there are any questions or concerns leave a review and I'll try to address it in an authors note (anonymous reviewers) or PM you! :)

Have a wonderful weekend! And a huge thank you to the reviewers I've had especially my guest reviewer a couple days ago. Your encouraging words and enjoyment has been noted and a just a great timing since I had the free time to really dig deep and try out the writing thing again ;)

-TheOnceAnonymous14