Page 69 of Game Changer

Why can’t I open my eyes?

“Hey, hey, mister, calm down.” Her voice was level and calm. “Ok, you need to listen to me. I didn’t mean wake upright this second.”

Her voice is so soothing. So calm.

Breathe.

“Stop trying so hard, you’re giving us all a headache!”

I’m giving YOU a headache? Damn. That’s hilarious. You guys keep telling me to move, speak, open my eyes. I’m not a performing monkey. This shit is exhausting. And painful. You all know that, right? Not to mention I feel violated every motherfucking day. But I’m sorry that YOU have a headache.

“I’m sorry I called you lazy. I’m here with you, take a breath.” She squeezed his hand. “Your mom is here. Your dad, too. Ana, Britt, Brad, Jeremy, Marc, Lindsay and Jared are on their way up – you’re freaking everyone out!” She paused and he felt what he guessed to be tears on his skin.

My poor babe. You must be so afraid.

“You’re scaring me, AJ.”

I like when you stroke my face. I’m so tired, Lis.

“Don’t push so hard. I know it’s frustrating that you can’t open your eyes. You can’t move, or talk, or throw random objects at Jeremy and Brad. But it’ll happen, don’t force it. You’re not ready, you see? And that’s ok, babe. All these alarms ringing and machines beeping, that’s them telling you to knock it off, you’re just not ready. Quit trying so hard, Mr. Over-achiever. You’re going too fast and you need to slow down. I know that’s difficult for you, Mr-Fast-paced-do-everything-at-warp-speed-Williams, but do it for me? Please? You can wake up when you’re ready. Just stop, AJ. Please, calm down, relax and listen to me. Listen to the sound of my voice. For crying out loud, work with me here!”

He gave into the darkness pulling on him, with the blinding headache pounding in his ears he couldn’t stay awake even if he wanted to.

Chapter 20

Ugh. This friggin’ headache. Can’t someone just give me some freakin’ Tylenol?

Wait. Are my eyes open. Blink.

Do it again.

Try and speak. Why can’t I speak?

I still can’t move much.

You can’t give up. You have to keep trying.

But I’m so… tired.

***

“Just you and me tonight, Pim. I’m on coma-duty, man.”

Jeremy.

Relief washed over AJ at the sound of a warm familiar voice.

Did you just pick up my hand? Are you holding my hand? Are you… Jer, dude… are you crying?

Jeremy sniffed and wiped his nose.

Why is he crying?

Have I ever seen him cry before? I don’t think so. What the hell?

AJ, you idiot. He’s crying because you’re in a coma. You’d cry, too, if he was in a coma and you were afraid he was going to die, wouldn’t you?

True story.

---