The smell of fresh blooming flowers filtered through my nose, while the warmth of the sun heated my skin and the shade of a tree prevented the bright sunlight from blinding me. Even though my eyes were closed, I knew that everything around me was coming to life. Surrounded by singing birds and chattering squirrels, a content smile curled my lips as I took in the organic feel of my surroundings. The grass tickled my bare legs that stood out of my dress, as I leaned against the tree.
My mind was free of thoughts, free of worries and stress. I was weirdly at peace with my surroundings, like I've found my happy place. You would think my happy place was somewhere in a library enveloped by books, while nose deep in a good one. But, this place, this place is just as perfect.
My eyes stayed closed until I felt something behind me move, causing me to go rigid. Is someone else here?
Slowly opening my eyes, I visually soaked in the view before realizing what I was leaning against wasn't a tree. Long strong legs clothed in black fabric and boots stuck out on each side of me. Looking up, I saw features I recognized instantly, a strong jaw and iron piercings. Smiling at the sleeping face of the pierced man I leaned against, I knew that this really was my happy place.
I was sitting in between his slightly spread legs, my back against his stomach, and his back pressed against a wide trunk tree.
Carefully, I moved myself up, so I would be sitting on his right thigh. He was peacefully sleeping, with light snores escaping his lips. Staring at the handsome studded face, I didn't hesitate putting my hand on the opposite side of his face, pushing myself up a little more to plant a kiss on his rough cheek.
I heard a grunt leave his lips as he stirred awake. With slightly opened red eyes, he looked at me with a sleepy grin.
"Sorry, for waking you."
"It's ok, but I think I deserve a better kiss than that." his low voice grumbled, wrapping his arms loosely around me.
My face turned an instant shade of red, as I sunk my head into the crook of his neck, hiding my embarrassment. A deep laugh rumbled from the back of his throat as he hugged me closer to him. "You're such an adorable shrimp."
"Shut up."
"Don't get mad at the truth."
"I'm not getting mad and it's not the truth." I pouted, leaning my head on his shoulder.
"Yes, it is."
"Tch, whatever."
"But, I still want a better kiss." He requested, with a smile in his voice.
"What if I don't think you deserve one?"
"Well, then maybe you can give me a better one when you wake up." he said causing me to go stiff in his arms.
When I wake up? What is he talking about?
"Huh?" I asked pulling away to look at him face to face.
"I said when you wake up, so-beeeeep" he said shaking my entire surroundings. He made a high pitch noise, making me cover my ears and cringe.
Everything started to fall right under me, shattering my place of serenity, causing a dark abyss to form. The birds, the trees, the clearing, it was all gone…all of it.
I was free-falling, trying to grasp for the man in front of me, but he disappeared along with everything else, but the sound still remained. The beeping was intolerably getting louder and louder, causing me close my eyes and scream.
When I opened my eyes, it was difficult for me to keep them open, then before. The weight of my eyelids were unbearable and the stiffness in my limbs felt like there was lead in my joints.
Bright lights hung above, blinding me making it hard to keep my vision in focus, and that noise...it was the same noise that Gajeel made…in my dream.
Wait...it was dream? But it felt so real, so serene and peaceful, like I belonged there...with him.
I blinked a few times trying to clear my hazy vision, scrunching my nose up as I closed my eyes trying to ignore the intensity of lights and the smell. It smelt too sterile, too clean, not like the flowers I smelt in my dream.
I wonder if someone can turn the lights off or at least dim them a little? I tried to voice my thoughts, but nothing came out. My throat and mouth was dry and sore, making it ache when I tried to speak. The only thing that came out was raspy whine, a desperate excuse for a noise, to be honest.
"Ah, Ms. McGarden, I'm glad to see you finally awake." an old woman's voice spoke.
The pink haired old woman leaned over me blocking the light, inspecting my face before looking at the rest of me. Carefully I turned my head to the right, seeing an EKG machine, beeping way to loud for me and an IV. I followed the IV tube from the bag to my arm and a clamp on my finger that was keeping up with my heart rate.
Feeling a pressure on my leg, an array of pain traveled through my muscles causing a hoarse yelp to bubble in my throat.
"Your right ankle is definitely broken, but I'm unsure of how long you'll be in a cast. We won't know until your x-rays come back, but from the feel of it...I'll say a few weeks until it-" she spoke, as I tried my best to listen intently but the sound of yelling outside the door was becoming louder as it came down the hallway.
I heard a deep voice argue with someone on the other side of the door. I was confused by the annoyed look the old doctor had on her face.
"Ugh, not again." she grumbled. I tried to question her but all she did was give me look and say, "You are truly cared about Ms. McGarden. The same guy has been trying to get in here for hours and it doesn't help that his cousin has been doing the same to your friend's room as well."
What? My friend's room? Who is she talking...Lu-chan! Is she ok? Is she hurt worse than me? Can I see her?
I tried to speak again but a series of grunts and whines came out instead of words. The doctor ignored my wordless pleas, frustrating my dazed mind, so I tried to get up, but that didn't work either. An even more intense yelp of pain escaped my throat, making me plopped back down onto the bed.
"Foolish girl, don't try to get up while you're still injured." she scorned with a stern but worried look. "Rest for now. Visiting hours will start soon, so those boys can finally stop bothering my nurses."
Slivers of pain ran up my foot to my leg, making me grimace, and tired from reacting to the previous shocks of the injury.
"The pain relievers should be kicking in, so just sleep for now. I'll check on you later." she spoke as her figure started get blurry.
When she left the room, I still heard shouting in the hallway, but couldn't decipher who it was or what they were saying. My head hurt too much to try to listen and I felt like my energy quickly drain away.
The only thing I heard was my name being shouted by a familiar voice, before sinking into dreamland.
When I woke up again, I saw the same doctor standing over me, writing something on a clipboard. My vision was still hazy and my mind still cloudy, but there were so many things I wanted to know.
"You're awake again, huh?" she said without looking at me.
What time is it? Where's Lucy? Is she ok? Am I Ok?
I tried to say these things, but still to no avail, my voice failed me.
"Don't try to talk, it won't help, but I can only guess what you want to know. My name is Dr. Porlyusica, and I'm watching over both you and your friend Heartfilia. She's ok, she has some of the same injuries you have but nothing too severe. She has whiplash and sprang shoulder from where the car hit her, but she's fine. You on the other hand, you bashed your head against the window, nearly breaking it. It took us a while to stop the bleeding, but we didn't cut your hair, there was no need to. You also broke your ankle, it will take time to heal properly, but we'll talk more about that later." She lectured as I listened.
I bashed my head? Is that why it feels like my head is being pounded by an angry giant?
I'm glad we're both ok. I wouldn't know what I would've done, if one of my best friends suddenly left my side.
"It's also midnight. That's all I say for right now though, I know you're tired. I'm actually surprised you woke up; you haven't been asleep for long since the last time we talked. An hour to be exact, so try to sleep a little longer."
Letting out a grunt of acceptance, I let my heavy lids, drop over my tired eyes.
I slept on and off for the rest of the night, due to nurses checking on me and a cast being formed for my ankle. Every time I was disturbed I whined and grunted in disproval and irritation. When I did this, I couldn't help but notice how I sounded similar to Gajeel.
Of course my grunt would never sound as deep as his, but it was as close my inflamed throat was going to get.
I wonder what he's doing right now. Dr. Porlyusica said that Natsu and he have been here for a while, trying to get in to the rooms. I hope they're not worried, because the accident was…..
Trying to replay the memories in my head of the accident, made my brain throb with intense pain. I only could grasp bits and pieces of what happened. Everything else was too difficult to reach.
Bright lights, the sound of metal crashing against metal, and screaming. But who was screaming? Was it me, was it Lucy or was it the both of us?
Who hit us? Are they ok?
Are we in the wrong or are they in the wrong?
What were we doing out anyway? …..Oh yea, that's right. We were going to get…the boys…Natsu and Gray...I think.
The more I pushed my brain to recollect what happened and why, the more my brain refused, burying my most recent memories. It frustrated me knowing this, making me try harder to remember. I was only hurting myself, but I really wanted to know. There was something there, something I feel like I need to remember. But what is it?
I let out an annoyed huff, aware of how exhausted my body felt.
I get tired too quickly, this is also annoying, but what annoys me the most is not knowing if Lucy is really ok. Even if the doctor tells me she is, I need to see it with my own aching eyes. I hope I'll be able to see her tomorrow, along with everyone else. I'm pretty sure the boys aren't that worried.