The lights were focused on him. They filled his vision, blocking out everything else from his view. The brightness was reflecting off something shiny and black, making things more distorted and harder to see. There was a glowing white orb high above him. It wasn't as bright as the two symmetrical lights, but it was definitely there mixed into the other chaos before him. Something fast moved around, but he couldn't figure out what exactly the quick movement meant. His own body was flailing, falling, slipping against everything. He couldn't get a grip on his surroundings. He could sense his limbs, though he knew not where they were. The dull pain in his hands and knees stung, the world coming up to greet him.
He had to get out, get away from the false reality of what he wanted. He'd gotten away, ran into the bright lights to escape, and now he was drowning in brightness, his world a haze. Then the pain in his knees and hands was nothing compared to the sudden agony in his arm. Suffering coursed through his body, consuming his every thought before the world went dark.
Darkness. Blackness. Nothing. There was nothing.
Then there was something, a slow steady noise. It came and went with a rhythm, and he kept pace with it, using the noise to pull himself back through the darkness. Other sounds were making themselves known. He could hear voices, whispered and worried voices that spoke his name.
"Simon."
He knew that voice. Knew it better than he knew his own. There was only one person who could have said his name in that voice.
"Clary," he whispered.
"Oh, thank the Angels!" Clary gasped. Simon heard her move, and then felt her sudden touch on his arm. He opened his eyes and saw the familiar red hair and concerned eyebrow crease of his best friend.
"Where am I, Clary?" Simon mumbled. Everyone except her face seemed to be fuzzy. He was fairly certain he wasn't wearing glasses.
"In the hospital," Clary told him. Simon processed the information for a second. He'd left the Izzy lookalike at the bar, then what had happened? His memory was foggy.
Confused, but feeling a need to move, Simon tried to sit up. He was stopped by the IV in his arm, as well as by Clary holding him down.
"No moving," Clary ordered, firmly placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from moving.
"Ow," Simon said as he felt the pain in his limbs. "Okay, no moving."
"Good," Clary said sternly. Simon lay back down in bed just breathing. It was a little more work than usual, this breathing business.
Simon turned to see who else was in the room with her. He thought the blurry blonde haired guy standing a few feet behind Clary was probably Jace, but there was someone else in the room he couldn't make out.
"Clary," Simon said. "Where are my glasses?"
"Oh!" she exclaimed, before scrambling around in his side table, and then handed him the metal frame with lenses. Simon put them on one handed, and instantly recognized Jace. Turning, he saw that the other person present was Jordan. He wasn't surprised he hadn't been able to recognize Jordan without his glasses, as Jordan was standing very farther back, almost hiding in the shadows.
"How long have I been here?" Simon asked.
"Since about 1am this morning," Clary explained. "Before that, you were in the emergency room."
"Have you been here this whole time?" Simon asked her. He felt bad for ruining her day, but it was wonderful to see how much she still cared.
"Of course," Clary said. "As your emergency contact they let me. But Jordan and Jace were only allowed in once the visiting hours started. There's another person here for you too, but I don't recognize them. I think she was the one who called 911."
"Did she give a name?" Simon asked.
"Francesca?" Clary said uncertainly. "Francie maybe? Okay, I might not have been paying too close attention. It was F- something anyway. Either way, not important. I call your mother and sister," Clary continued. Simon groaned, but she seemed to ignored him. "And told them what happened. They are both probably getting on planes as we speak."
"Did you have to do that," he whined. "Now they are just gonna worry for like no reason. I'm alive aren't I?"
"No reason my ass," Clary snapped at him. "The doctors say you have a few broken ribs, A broken elbow, and major bruising on your whole left side. Not to mention the skin damage from the ice and the car. You scraped your knees and palms when you fell. And your left leg is in bad shape. The doctors said they were worried about infections."
"A car hit me?" Simon confirmed.
"Yes," Clary said.
Simon looked down at this body again, really taking in what had happened to him. His left arm was in a sling, while his right had the IV placed. He couldn't see his the state of his skin through the sling due on his left arm. He could also feel the pain in his ribs as he breathed. Turning his other hand over, Simon studied his palm. It was covered in bandages and he could feel a similar situation in his other hand. He wasn't sure if he wanted to check and see what the stage of his legs were like. He could feel the tenderness in the muscles of his left leg enough without lifting the blanket.
Simon looked up and noticed again that Jordan was still standing well back, even though Jace had moved forward to stand closer to Clary.
"Hey Jordan," Simon called, with a smile. "Grant a dying man his wish and stop skulking." Jordan moved closer but he seemed so downcast, as if a dark cloud hung over him.
"You alright?" Simon asked, his light mood shifting to that of concern.
Slowly, Jordan moved forward a little more and spoke. "This is my fault," he said.
"No!" Simon snapped.
"I shouldn't have just left assuming you'd gone home," Jordan said. "I shouldn't have let us split up."
"If I recall correctly, I was the one that ditched you first," Simon disagreed.
"Yeah but-" Jordan tired.
"No buts," Simon argued. "My head hurts and the world is spinning, so you are going to let me win this, understand?" Jordan nodded stoically. "Good. Besides, wouldn't it be the fault of whoever was driving the car?"
Just then there was a knock on the doorframe, and everyone turned. Standing, looking a little out of place was a women. She was short with black hair, pale skin, and a round face.
"Oh, hi," Clary said. "This is who I was talking about, Simon. She called 911. I'm sorry, but I have totally forgotten your name."
"Faith," she said, shyly.
"Well Faith, thank you for getting Simon help," Clary told her, but the girl had the same expression on her face that Simon had seen on Jordan's a moment ago.
"You were the one driving the car, weren't you," Simon asked and she nodded.
"I just couldn't stop," she said. "I put the break down, even pumped it, but the ice…"
"See Jordan," Simon said, turning to face his friend again. "It wasn't even the drivers fault. If you want to blame someone, blame winter." He laughed then regretted it at once. "Ow," he added lamely.
"I'm really, really sorry," Faith said. "I managed to turn away a bit, and hit something solid to stop the car, but I still hit you."
"And I'm sure if you hadn't swerved, I wouldn't be here to have this conversation," Simon replied.
"If there's anything I can do to help, please ask," Faith said. "I'll let you get back to your family, I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry."
"Thanks," Simon said, trying to smile for her. He wasn't sure why social conventions mattered to him at the moment, but he didn't let the pain show on his face until she was gone.
"Pro-tip," Simon grunted through the pain. "Don't try and laugh with a broken rib."
"That's some good solid advice there my friend," Jace said. "I'd go over and slap you on the back as praise, but it might shatter what bones you have left." Simon laughed, groaned, then glared at Jace. To his great delight, Clary then hit Jace on the shoulder, with technique.
"Ow," Jace whined, rubbing his shoulder. "When did you get so good at that."
"Defense classes," Clary reminded him. "So far I've only used them on you. Feel lucky." Jace grumbled something under his breath as Clary turned away from him and back to Simon who was grinning.
"Hit Jace again," Simon smirked.
"You two," Clary sighed, with a shake of her head. Just then a nurse walked into the room. She had long hair, an oval face, and was wearing light blue scrubs from head to toe.
"I'm glad to see you're awake," she said.
"I think I preferred sleeping," Simon whined. "It didn't hurt so much when I was sleeping."
"If you want more pain meds you just have to press this button here," the nurse said, reaching over to point to the button on a cable by his bed. Simon squinted at the tiny writing on her nametag as she leaned over him.
"Thanks Holly," Simon told her. There was surprise on her face for only a slight second before she relaxed. Simon was sure for a moment she'd forgotten she was wearing a nametag.
Simon pushed the button, and just seconds later he felt the drugs hit his system. The world wasn't so clear or so steady, but it hurt a hell of a lot less.
"You got some goood drugs here," Simon mumbled sleepily. He registered Holly's smile. He could feel how much energy being awake had cost him. Simon laid down and closed his eyes. The world could wait until later. Sleep was his friend…
He woke to a very busy room. There was a little light still coming in through the blinds, but he could tell that he'd slept for at least a few hours. There were more people here now. He recognized Alec and Magnus among them, as well as Jace, Clary and Jordan. He saw Maia in the corner farthest from Jordan. She didn't seem to fit in, and he knew she was only there for him. Maia wasn't friends with the others as far as he knew, and she was on the outs with Jordan. Simon couldn't help but notice who was missing. Had someone even told Izzy?
Realizing he'd dozed off again, it took him a while to get his barrings. It was much darker now than before, and his room was empty of people. Someone had taken his glasses off his face, and the world was all the more blurry for it, but Simon could guess it was basically the middle of the night. His arm was hurting more so he pushed his magic pain killer button, and moments later fell right back to sleep.
When he woke up next, there was light. The sun was out, and Simon didn't want to sleep anymore. He found the settings on his bed that raised himself up, almost into a sitting position without moving.
"Good morning," Holly said, smiling at him. "How do you feel?"
"Less tired," Simon replied. "Otherwise the same."
"That's to be expected," Holly replied. "It's good you got some rest though."
"Holly, would you mind passing me my glasses?"
"Sure," she replied, reaching over and then placing them on his face. Simon felt lucky to have such a wonderful nurse. She moved with confidence, while still being kind and easy to talk to.
"They should be bringing in your breakfast soon," Holly said. "Then it's visiting hours. Do you know if anyone is coming to see you today?"
"No idea," Simon replied. "But probably someone. We seem to be quite a crowd these days."
She smiled as she checked his vials and IV bags. Then - seeming to have no issues with his situation - Holly left to return later on her rounds.
When breakfast was delivered, Simon ate one handed then switched to one handed channel surfing as he tried to find something good to watch on the television. To his great sadness, the hospital didn't have Netflix, and cable tv just wasn't what it used to be. His breakfast had been cleared away when Simon's visitor arrived. Clary walked in again, this time accompanied by Maia.
Maia flung herself at Simon, resulting in his yelling loudly that his elbow was broken. Maia pulled back muttered sorry, but her eyes were so relieved.
"It's so good to see you awake," Maia said. "I was here yesterday, but you were sleeping."
"I remember seeing you for a moment between naps," Simon smiled at her. "But really, there isn't much to see. Just one slightly car smashed guy stuck in bed."
"Oh shut up," Maia grumbled. Just then her phone rang. As she checked the ID, Maia swore before answering it.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry," Maia said. "I know we were suppose to meet for lunch, it's just that I totally forgot what with Simon and everything." There was silence as whoever Maia was speaking to replied. "Yeah he's in the hospital. Didn't Alec tell you?" Silence. Then Maia pulled the phone away from her ear. "She hung up on me."
"Who did?" Clary asked.
"My overly dramatic roommate," Maia sighed. "Nevermind. I'll make it up to her later."
"It was Izzy?" Simon asked, his slow tired brain finally putting two and two together.
"Yeah," Maia said. "I forgot I was suppose to be meeting up with her right now."
"She didn't know about the car then?" Simon replied.
"Seems not," Maia shrugged. "I was sure Alec would have said something."
"Malec is deep in wedding planning mode," Clary explained. "It probably slipped Alec's mind."
Simon wasn't sure if he was unhappy or pleased that Izzy hadn't known. Maybe that explained why he hadn't seen her since arriving here? Simon knew they weren't doing the benifits part of their friendship anymore, but he had hoped they were still friends at least.
"Tell me more about Malec's wedding coma," Simon said.
"Are you sure?" Clary asked.
"Yes," Simon replied. "Anything to distract me."
"Well as you can guess, the Lightwoods want a big wedding," Clary began. "We are talking like 500 guests big, but Magnus wanted a small wedding. That big a difference alone can break other couples I'm sure, but Malec seems to have gotten it figured out. I think the end result of the weeks of debates between the grooms and their families was to have a small intimate wedding, and huge reception after."
"Reasonable compromise," Maia observed.
"Now the issues are venues, food and such, I think," Clary continued. "From what Magnus tells me, the biggest disagreement so far was the size, so now that's fixed in theory, they should have smooth sailing here on out. Though I am also sure Magnus would elope with Alec tomorrow if given half the chance." She chuckled. "Those two are like oil and water some days."
"You know what they say," Simon smiled. "Opposites attract."
For another ten minutes Simon happily listened to Clary go on about Malec wedding details, his focus only half there some of the time. It was nice to have people around, and something to think about apart from bad cable.
The sudden sound of pounding feet made everyone turn and look. When the runner reached the doorway they saw that it was Izzy, but she hardly looked like herself. Her hair had probably been in a tight bun before, but now, most of it hung loose, the rest frizzy. She looked slightly crazed with a wild look in her eyes. Everyone stared at her, but no one spoke for at least thirty seconds.
"Izzy, are you okay?" Maia asked. Isabelle was panting as if she'd run all the way here. Simon just couldn't believe his eyes. He'd never seen her so uncomposed before.
"AM I OKAY!" she yelled. "Really!"
"Well, ummm yeah," Maia replied confused. Izzy didn't say anything but moved forward towards Simon. She seemed to be taking in the machines keeping track of his heart and giving him IV fluids.
"Everything's fine," Simon told her, confused and touched by the naked concern on her face.
"What happened?" Izzy asked. "Maia just said you were in the hospital."
"A car bumped into me," Simon explained.
"But you're okay," Izzy said, relief plain as day on her face.
"Yeah," Simon whispered.
"I'll see you later," Clary said getting up out of her chair, and grabbing Maia by the arm as she made to walk out.
"Hey," Maia protested. The two women must of exchanged some unspoken girl code thing, because a second later Maia was on the same page, and both her and Clary were making their excuses and leaving.
Simon was staring at Izzy, dumbstruck by what he saw. Never before had Isabelle been so unguarded, her emotions raw and exposed in her features.
"I thought maybe," Izzy said, her breathing hitching as she spoke. "It was worse. People go to the hospital and don't come back."
"Did something like that happen to you?" Simon asked kindly, reaching out to stroke her cheek. It was a simple thing, and he knew he shouldn't after how he'd reacted to her last advance on him, but Simon couldn't help it. He'd never seen Izzy so vulnerable before.
"Yeah," Izzy mumbled.
"Do you mind if I ask who?" Simon inquired.
"This guy," Izzy began. "From a long time ago. He, we were… you know, and then he…. didn't come home from the hospital."
And just like that, something clicked inside Simon's head and he felt like for a moment he understood Isabelle perfectly. She'd cared about someone once, maybe even been loyal and in love, but that person had died, leaving her the person she was now.
"I'm sorry that happened to you," Simon said softly. "But I promise, I'm okay."
"Why," she began then seemed to chicken out.
"Why what, Izzy?" Simon asked, but she looked away. "Hey," he whispered, placing a hand under her chin. "You can ask me anything, okay."
"Why did you end what we had?" Izzy asked in barely more and a whisper.
"What we had?" Simon replied confused.
"Yeah," Izzy said.
"I think we have very different ideas of what we had," Simon explained gently. "I've done the pity girlfriend before, and I wasn't keen on doing it again."
"What are you talking about?" Izzy asked.
"You said I wasn't allowed to fall in love with you," Simon reminder her. "You set the rules, and when I could no longer follow those rules, I broke it off. I wanted to keep your friendship."
"You aren't making any sense," Izzy said, shaking her head in confusion.
"Isabelle," Simon whispered, reaching a hand up to cup her face and making her look at him. "Tell me whats going on."
"I was starting to look forward to seeing you before-" Izzy admitted as if every word cost her dearly.
"Before I called it quits," Simon finished. "But Izzy, you were sleeping with other people as well as me."
"I know," Izz sniffed. "I don't know how to do this, not since… I don't understand why or how, but when I heard were hurt- I just reacted. Running here without a thought." She broke down crying, her head resting on his bed. "I am so confused, Simon."
Slowly, as if in shock, Simon reached out a hand to gently hold her head. He saw her hands clench into fists against the bed sheets. Had their repeated one night stand arrangement meant more to her than he'd realized? This changed everything.
"Shh, it's okay," Simon found himself comforting her. "Can I make a suggestion?" Lifting her head to look at him, Izzy nodded. "Can I define the terms?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why don't we try dating," Simon suggested. "Exclusively. Only me for you, and only you for me."
"You don't want me," Izzy said with a shake of her head as if stating the obvious. "I'm a mess. I know you don't want me."
"Yes I do," Simon replied. "Don't you get it. That's why I ended things, because I want you."
"No, you don't," Izzy repeated, still shaking her head. Simon couldn't believe his eyes. Izzy had always seemed untouchable, impervious to others opinions of her. He'd never once considered that she might be helplessly trapped inside herself. He'd never once considered she might have a low opinion of herself.
"I like you Izzy," Simon stated again. "I have missed you. I think if I hadn't liked you so much, I would have had the guts to break off our sleeping arrangements in person, but I just knew that if I saw your face, felt your touch, I'd give in?"
"I think-" Izzy continued still hiccuping, and not quite looking at him. "I mean I suppose... I well... I probably... I like you too."
"It's decided then," Simon smiled at her. "Now as your exclusive boyfriend, I have a request." She lifted her head to gaze at him, her eyes wide at his words, but he wasn't taking it back. He wanted all or nothing.
"What's that?" Izzy whispered, looking a little scared.
"Kiss me," Simon whispered.
There wasn't that worth the wait? ^_^ Been planning this for ages. It was about time this cliffhanger had a resolution don't you think. ;)
Guest Review:
This really was an evil cliffhanger! I've enjoyed your story so much, but i started reading when you were betaing for another story and now i cant find it.
My reply:
Yes that was quite the double cliffhanger wasn't it. ^_^ I do have fun it's true. Was the other story you were reading that I betaed a story called "Mad World" by BlueAussie or Holly0114? If so that story has been deleted off both sites it was published on. The writer choose to remove it. Or did you mean something else and I miss read your sentence there?
Sneak Peek Chapter 104
"Ow," Simon mumbled and Izzy lept back.
"What?" she began. "What hurts?
"Nothing," he smiled, the pain gone from his face. "I tried to use the arm I'm not suppose to."
Slowly, Izzy relaxed. She moved closer watching his face closely.
"Don't be so cautious," Simon whined. "Come here."
"I don't want to hurt you," Izzy replied softly.
"Then come here," Simon said firmly as he gestured for her to move around the bed to his right side. Slowly Izzy walked to the other side of the bed as Simon was moving over making space. He patted the space on his right side, inviting her to lay on the bed with him. Slowly carefully Izzy did as he asked, laying down beside him. Simon rested his head on her shoulder and was asleep in seconds.