Page 101 of Don't Leave Me

“God damn it, Emily,” I said under my breath, in tears again.

“Thanks,” I heard Michael say to the nurse quietly and I could see her leave the room.

I broke down into tears and into Michael’s arms. He held onto me tightly as he stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head.

“How did this happen? Who found her?” I asked as I looked up at him.

“The doctor said her boyfriend found her, so I guess Adam did,” he explained.

I turned back to Emily, the only sound in the room the beeping of her heart beat on the monitor. I sat down and stared at her as I took her hand, biting my lip to refrain from just totally breaking down. She was beautiful even in a hospital gown and her hair a mess.Why? Why couldn’t she have just called me? Why couldn’t she have just come to my apartment? Why didn’t she stay and get the help that she apparently wanted?

“I’ll go get you some water,” Michael said quietly before he left the room.

I just kept my eyes on Emily.I can’t lose Emily, my best friend, my other half. I have to keep her safe. I have to be with her 24/7, I have to help her, I have to make her feel better. Suddenly, Emily slowly began to open her eyes and looked groggy as she locked eyes with me.

“Han,” she croaked out, her voice hoarse. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“No, Em…it’s okay. I love you. I’m just so glad you’re okay,” I said, tears streaming down my face as I squeezed her hand gently.

“I love you, I’m sorry,” she repeated, and I could see a tear falling down her cheek.

“Ssshhh, it’s okay, babe,” I said, putting my hand on her cheek. “Rest, we’ll talk later,” I whispered.

She smiled and nodded then turned her head, quickly falling asleep again.

21

Chapter 21

I must have fallen asleep on the couch in the room at some point on Michael’s shoulder but I was awoken when I heard Michael greeting someone – it was Adam. I groggily opened my eyes, my attention immediately to the sleeping Emily, then I looked up at Adam who looked absolutely exhausted and heartbroken.

“Hey,” I said, my voice flat and sad.

“Hey,” he nodded, handing both me and Michael a cup of coffee.

“Oh, thanks,” I faintly smiled, taking it from him.

He sat at the chair next to the couch and I watched him, having a million questions for him.

“Can you tell me what happened?” I asked quietly but I heard Michael interrupt me, like he didn’t think it was appropriate.

I shot a dirty look to him. “What? I need to know, Michael,” I scoffed, then turned back to Adam.

He hesitated a moment, looking from Emily to his hands. “She called me at like 7 AM. I thought it was weird because she broke up with me earlier last night,” he shrugged. “I answered and she was crying hysterically, not making any sense, and hung up on me. So I went over, and of course the door wasn’t locked as usual, and I found her…in the kitchen,” his voice cracked, obviously trying to stay strong.

I was the complete opposite: I immediately started to sob, unable to control myself in the hospital room, but trying to stay quiet so I wouldn’t wake Emily.

“Han, maybe we should go home and get some rest,” Michael said to me quietly, taking my hand.

“No, I want to be here when she wakes up,” I said sternly into my hands.

I heard Michael sighing heavily: I knew I was being difficult, but my heart was broken and I just wanted to be with Emily.

I was constantly either sleeping or my eyes were drooping, struggling to stay open: I had never been so exhausted in my entire life in that hospital room. I jumped up when my phone began to vibrate in my jeans pocket: it was my mother.No time for this. I ignored it and put it back in my pocket.

Michael peeked over my shoulder like always.

“You’re not going to answer that?”

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