The only way I'll really smile is if you cut me ear to ear.
Chapter fourteen
Gerard's P.O.V
"Call an ambulance! Someone! Anyone!" I shouted as I held Charlotte close to me. Oliver broke out of his drunken trance and raced to the home phone. "Hello, yes. Ambulance. My friend fainted and hit her head on something, she's bleeding. Yes. Please, just come quickly" Oliver's voice was shaking. I brushed Charlie's hair from her face and supported her head. Her blood was on my hands, literally. My breathing was sharp and my eyes started to water. "Charlotte" I whispered shaking her gently. No response. "Charlotte" I said a little louder. I shook her once more and a tear ran down my cheek. I went to check her pulse, it was still beating. It was soft and slow, I got even more worried. "Is she okay?" Oliver crouched down beside me. She looked so peaceful and pale.
A loud siren was outside of the house and two men dressed in navy blue and carrying a stretcher, came inside.
***
"Mr. Way and Mr. Sykes?" A doctor called out. I jumped up. "That's us" I signaled and the doctor came over, carrying a clipboard. I wiped under my eyes and sniffled as I waited for the news. Hopefully she was okay. "I'm sorry to say this, but Miss. Holmes is in a coma..." The doctor said gently. My breath got caught in my throat. My heart stopped beating. "How long?" Oliver asked for both of us. "We don't know..." He looked down and cleared his throat. "She isn't responding to the care we are giving her" He looked up at me. "We're worried that... she might not wake up" The doctor gave me a sympathetic look and my world shattered. No! She can't, she has to wake up. For me, she has to wake up for me! I felt myself stagger back, my eyes widened, I ran my fingers through my hair and felt the tears well up. "No" I whimpered as I pulled on my hair. Oliver did something surprising and wrapped his arms around me in a friendly hug.
He was shaking and tiny whimpers were leaving his mouth. "I came as fast as I- What's wrong?" Frank asked. I got out of Oliver's grip and faced Frank. My heart broke and I cried harder. "Charlie..." I sobbed and Frank's eyes watered. "What happened?" Frank's voice cracked. He always got upset when I was upset. "She hit her head, really bad. S-she's i-in a c-coma Frankie" I lost it and the tears poured out of my eyes. Frank was frozen, his eyes were glued to me. I whimpered a little. He changed his gaze to the doctor. "Where is she?" He asked, his tone low and menacing.
"No visitors" The doctor sighed. "Tell me where she is" Frank ordered, his change in tone made the doctor flinch. "I can't, she isn't allowed visitors" The doctor reminded him. "WHERE IS SHE!" Frank suddenly shoved the doctor against the wall. I was taken aback by his sudden strength and outburst. "Room 406" The doctor coughed out. Frank dropped the doctor and sprinted down the hallway, bumping into nurses and never looking back. I jogged after him, Oliver followed me. Room 406. The door was opened, I entered it and almost cried out. My blood turned cold. There she was, in a hospital gown, tangled up in wires and cords and an oxygen mask tightly secured over her mouth. Frank broke down and fell to the floor on his knees, holding her hand and mumbling about how it was just a dream.
***
(1 month later)
It's been a month now, since she entered the hospital. I never left her side, not once. Frank was worried about me, he said that he 'didn't want to lose another best friend'. Charlotte wasn't lost, she was still here. I know she is.
"Charlotte. I need you to wake up, please. For me. I-I miss you..." I sighed. "I-I think I love you" I looked at her pale face and held her icy cold hand. There was silence, like always. "If you're gone... Charlie, I'll follow" I kissed her cold hand rested my head on the hospital bed. Drifting off to sleep.
Frank's P.O.V
I should check up on Gerard, I'm starting to get worried about him. He hasn't gone home and I'm afraid for the band. I missed Charlotte, with my whole heart and world but I couldn't bear to see her like that. She was too pale, too cold. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I drove to the hospital, a bouquet of red roses in the seat next to me. I had two cups of Starbucks coffee in the cup holders, one for me and one for Gee.
I entered the hospital, waving to the receptionist and heading towards room 406. I heard someone speaking in the room and waited patiently by the door. "...I need you to wake up, please. For me..." It was Gerard. I felt the sadness build up in my eyes. "... I think I love you..." I stepped through the door way and watched the scene. A tear rolled down my cheek. He loves her. He kissed her hand and rested his messy haired head on the bed. I put the roses on the table next to her bed and saw that Gerard was asleep. I lifted his head off the bed and sat him back on the chair, I draped a baby blue blanket over him and heard him sigh. His hand was wrapped tightly around Charlie's.
I wiped my eyes and kissed Charlie on the forehead.
***
(4 months later)
Gerard's P.O.V
4 months and counting. Still no sign of Charlotte. I don't know how many times I have cried during the past few weeks but I feel like I'm out of tears. Frank and Ray visited and so did Oliver and Chelsea. Mikey would pop in with coffee and would bring me new comic books. I loved my brother, he always knew how to make me smile. "Gerard, we have some news" Nurse Hannah walked in. "Charlotte's mother is awake" She smiled and I patted Charlie's hand. "Uh- Gerard, Doctor Stanford wants to speak with you alone... in his office" She said quietly. I got up and kissed Charlotte on the forehead. I followed nurse Hannah to Doctor Stanford's office.
"Mr Way. I need to speak to you about Charlotte" I sat down in front of the doctor. "It seems that nothing is working, she isn't waking up. Gerard, There's a 10% chance that she will wake up..." The doctor looked up at me and I felt anger flood through me. "She will wake up!" I said, standing up. "Mr. Way please" Doctor Stanford begged. "Charlotte is not DEAD. She's alive, she's still in there! She WILL wake up!" I shouted.
***
(3 months later)
Mikey came and had to pick me up from the hospital, Doctor Stanford said that I needed time to myself. He said that I need to do something productive. It's been 3 months since that incident. I visited Charlotte every day and went home at night. Mikey wanted to take me out some where, we went for dinner and then went some club down the road. It was dark and smokey, music vibrated through the place. "So when are the guys coming?" I asked Mikes. "Any minute now" Mikey looked at his mobile and shoved it back into his jacket. I sipped my drink and placed it back on the bar. A girl with pretty dark brown hair faced me. She looked like Charlotte. I smiled at her and she smiled back. She came over to me and tapped me on the shoulder, "Hey stranger, my name is Miranda" she had perfect straight white teeth. My brain told me to take a chance with her, my heart screamed 'CHARLOTTE'. I ignored my heart and listened to my brain.
Frank and Ray had arrived and I only just started talking to Miranda, she was funny and quirky. I liked her. I noticed that Frank was glaring at me. He looked like a betrayed him. I brushed it off and fell into Miranda's arms.
*** Sorry for all the time lapses***
The day she woke up.
My phone was going crazy. I was cuddled up on the couch with Miranda, I hadn't seen Charlotte or Frank in a while. I gave up and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"She's awake" Frank's voice was stern.
"Frank? What are you going on about?" I chuckled.
"It's Charlie. She's awake. I thought you should know... since you used to love her and all" Frank hung up after that. I dropped my mobile. Instant happiness flooded through my heart and spreaded through my veins. She's awake, Charlie. My love. "Hey babe, who was that?" Miranda's squeaky voice asked. My heart dropped to my feet. "Frank. Charlotte's awake. I'm going to the hospital" I got my keys and ran to my car. Miranda followed me. I honestly didn't want her to come with me. It was personal and she didn't know Charlotte.
I drove as fast as I could to the hospital. I slammed my car door closed as I sprinted into the hospital. Miranda struggled to keep up as I ran to the familiar bland room. Charlotte looked like she was sleeping, Frank was sitting next to her. His head turned to me and he smiled faintly. "Hey Gee" He got up and walked over to me, his arms opened wide. Miranda came up behind me. Frank stopped and stepped back, putting his arms down. "When did she wake up?" I asked, shrugging off Frank's behavior. "A couple of minutes ago. Maybe 20 minutes" Frank rubbed his neck. "Are you sure she woke up?" I asked, trying to make sure that Frank didn't imagine it. "Yes! We talked and everything. I told her she's been in a come for 4 months. She freaked and passed out" Frank said in a defensive tone.
He lied to her about how long she had been out for. I wondered how she would react to being out for a whole year. "I thought we lost her Frank" I sighed. Frank looked away. "Who is she anyway?" Miranda asked, her voice was pitchy and annoying. "Charlotte" I whispered. "I can't believe you brought her here, after everything you and Charlie had. You just moved on" Frank glared at me. "She was gone for almost a year Frank! I couldn't deal with seeing her like that. She looked so..." I drifted off. I couldn't finish that sentence. "Dead? She looked so dead? Is that what you were going to say?" Frank almost shouted at me.
"Frank... you know what I mean-" I got cut off mid sentence by Frank. "Yeah, Gerard. I know exactly what you mean. How about you fuck off, and take your stupid girl friend with you" He shouted. My heart shattered. Frank never spoke to me like this. I looked down at my feet and Miranda gasped from Frank's comment. Someone was breathing rapidly in the room and I looked at Charlotte, her chest was rising and falling fast. She was awake. She then breathed normally. Did she pass out again?
***
Charlotte's P.O.V
(NOW)
Frank told me everything about what happened. I couldn't speak, I didn't know what to say. Frank brought me in for a hug. "He... He loves me?" I asked quietly. "Of course he does... You can see that he does. When I take everyone to Band practice I want you to look under Gerard's bunk pillow. You'll see something there" Frank got off the ground and held his hand out for me. I grabbed it and jumped off the ground. Brushing the dirt and grass off of my jeans. "Why under his pillow?" I asked, laughing lightly. "He keeps everything that he cherishes under it. We all do. It's kind of a tradition sought of thing. Like, for example, I have a picture of us as kids under my pillow" He walked backwards, still talking to me. "Awe Frankie froo! You adorable little Munchkin!" I said in a voice that someone speaks to either a dog or baby to.
He blushed and linked arms with me. "Oh shush you" He grinned. We skipped, arm in arm, as we went back to the bus. Frank opened the door and brought his arm to me. "Before me your lady" He said in a british accent. "Cool" I said as I ungracefully walked into the bus. Frank snorted and laughed at me. "Beautiful" He commented. Gerard was sitting alone in the booth. He looked up and smiled a little. I grinned and his smile got wider. I went to the booth and slid in next to him. He seemed a little shocked by my big move. "Hey" I said and he looked at Frank. "Hey" He looked back at me.
"Come on! We need to do band practice" Frank dragged me off the seat and pulled me to the bunk area. "Ray, Mikey, Meli- Mari- Mi..." He looked at me for help. "Miranda" I whispered. "Right. Miranda! Band practice" He continued and I giggled. "Why isn't Charlotte coming?" Ray asked, opening the curtain to his bunk. Mikey jumped off his bunk and looked down at me on the floor. "I'm seeing Chelsea today" I said casually. "Oh, right. Cool. Say Hi to her for me" Ray rolled out next to me and got up.
I stayed on the ground while everyone buzzed past me, Miranda gave me a sad look and went after the guys. The door closed and I was alone. I peeked throught the bus window. They were far away, good. I skipped over to Gerard's bunk and drew the curtain back. 'Under the pillow' Frank's voice echoed through my head. I touched the soft white pillow and Gerard's smell hit my nose. I smiled and picked it up. I grabbed the photos and papers under the pillow. I went to the booth and lied them down on the table.
There was a photo of his family, one with just him and Mikey and one of just his parents. I found a page filled with lyrics. I read them and smiled. They were sweet and beautiful. It sounded like it was about a girl. I picked up the 2nd last piece of paper and remembered it. It was the drawing that I made for him. The Batman themed one. I saw his name written on the back of it in my hand writing. I blushed, he cherishes this? I picked up the last piece of paper and gasped. It was a drawing of me. I looked happy, my lips looked fuller, my eyes bigger and brighter, my cheekbones were defind more and my hair looked brighter. I looked beautiful I clutched it to my chest.
He does love me.
"Call an ambulance! Someone! Anyone!" I shouted as I held Charlotte close to me. Oliver broke out of his drunken trance and raced to the home phone. "Hello, yes. Ambulance. My friend fainted and hit her head on something, she's bleeding. Yes. Please, just come quickly" Oliver's voice was shaking. I brushed Charlie's hair from her face and supported her head. Her blood was on my hands, literally. My breathing was sharp and my eyes started to water. "Charlotte" I whispered shaking her gently. No response. "Charlotte" I said a little louder. I shook her once more and a tear ran down my cheek. I went to check her pulse, it was still beating. It was soft and slow, I got even more worried. "Is she okay?" Oliver crouched down beside me. She looked so peaceful and pale.
A loud siren was outside of the house and two men dressed in navy blue and carrying a stretcher, came inside.
***
"Mr. Way and Mr. Sykes?" A doctor called out. I jumped up. "That's us" I signaled and the doctor came over, carrying a clipboard. I wiped under my eyes and sniffled as I waited for the news. Hopefully she was okay. "I'm sorry to say this, but Miss. Holmes is in a coma..." The doctor said gently. My breath got caught in my throat. My heart stopped beating. "How long?" Oliver asked for both of us. "We don't know..." He looked down and cleared his throat. "She isn't responding to the care we are giving her" He looked up at me. "We're worried that... she might not wake up" The doctor gave me a sympathetic look and my world shattered. No! She can't, she has to wake up. For me, she has to wake up for me! I felt myself stagger back, my eyes widened, I ran my fingers through my hair and felt the tears well up. "No" I whimpered as I pulled on my hair. Oliver did something surprising and wrapped his arms around me in a friendly hug.
He was shaking and tiny whimpers were leaving his mouth. "I came as fast as I- What's wrong?" Frank asked. I got out of Oliver's grip and faced Frank. My heart broke and I cried harder. "Charlie..." I sobbed and Frank's eyes watered. "What happened?" Frank's voice cracked. He always got upset when I was upset. "She hit her head, really bad. S-she's i-in a c-coma Frankie" I lost it and the tears poured out of my eyes. Frank was frozen, his eyes were glued to me. I whimpered a little. He changed his gaze to the doctor. "Where is she?" He asked, his tone low and menacing.
"No visitors" The doctor sighed. "Tell me where she is" Frank ordered, his change in tone made the doctor flinch. "I can't, she isn't allowed visitors" The doctor reminded him. "WHERE IS SHE!" Frank suddenly shoved the doctor against the wall. I was taken aback by his sudden strength and outburst. "Room 406" The doctor coughed out. Frank dropped the doctor and sprinted down the hallway, bumping into nurses and never looking back. I jogged after him, Oliver followed me. Room 406. The door was opened, I entered it and almost cried out. My blood turned cold. There she was, in a hospital gown, tangled up in wires and cords and an oxygen mask tightly secured over her mouth. Frank broke down and fell to the floor on his knees, holding her hand and mumbling about how it was just a dream.
***
(1 month later)
It's been a month now, since she entered the hospital. I never left her side, not once. Frank was worried about me, he said that he 'didn't want to lose another best friend'. Charlotte wasn't lost, she was still here. I know she is.
"Charlotte. I need you to wake up, please. For me. I-I miss you..." I sighed. "I-I think I love you" I looked at her pale face and held her icy cold hand. There was silence, like always. "If you're gone... Charlie, I'll follow" I kissed her cold hand rested my head on the hospital bed. Drifting off to sleep.
Frank's P.O.V
I should check up on Gerard, I'm starting to get worried about him. He hasn't gone home and I'm afraid for the band. I missed Charlotte, with my whole heart and world but I couldn't bear to see her like that. She was too pale, too cold. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I drove to the hospital, a bouquet of red roses in the seat next to me. I had two cups of Starbucks coffee in the cup holders, one for me and one for Gee.
I entered the hospital, waving to the receptionist and heading towards room 406. I heard someone speaking in the room and waited patiently by the door. "...I need you to wake up, please. For me..." It was Gerard. I felt the sadness build up in my eyes. "... I think I love you..." I stepped through the door way and watched the scene. A tear rolled down my cheek. He loves her. He kissed her hand and rested his messy haired head on the bed. I put the roses on the table next to her bed and saw that Gerard was asleep. I lifted his head off the bed and sat him back on the chair, I draped a baby blue blanket over him and heard him sigh. His hand was wrapped tightly around Charlie's.
I wiped my eyes and kissed Charlie on the forehead.
***
(4 months later)
Gerard's P.O.V
4 months and counting. Still no sign of Charlotte. I don't know how many times I have cried during the past few weeks but I feel like I'm out of tears. Frank and Ray visited and so did Oliver and Chelsea. Mikey would pop in with coffee and would bring me new comic books. I loved my brother, he always knew how to make me smile. "Gerard, we have some news" Nurse Hannah walked in. "Charlotte's mother is awake" She smiled and I patted Charlie's hand. "Uh- Gerard, Doctor Stanford wants to speak with you alone... in his office" She said quietly. I got up and kissed Charlotte on the forehead. I followed nurse Hannah to Doctor Stanford's office.
"Mr Way. I need to speak to you about Charlotte" I sat down in front of the doctor. "It seems that nothing is working, she isn't waking up. Gerard, There's a 10% chance that she will wake up..." The doctor looked up at me and I felt anger flood through me. "She will wake up!" I said, standing up. "Mr. Way please" Doctor Stanford begged. "Charlotte is not DEAD. She's alive, she's still in there! She WILL wake up!" I shouted.
***
(3 months later)
Mikey came and had to pick me up from the hospital, Doctor Stanford said that I needed time to myself. He said that I need to do something productive. It's been 3 months since that incident. I visited Charlotte every day and went home at night. Mikey wanted to take me out some where, we went for dinner and then went some club down the road. It was dark and smokey, music vibrated through the place. "So when are the guys coming?" I asked Mikes. "Any minute now" Mikey looked at his mobile and shoved it back into his jacket. I sipped my drink and placed it back on the bar. A girl with pretty dark brown hair faced me. She looked like Charlotte. I smiled at her and she smiled back. She came over to me and tapped me on the shoulder, "Hey stranger, my name is Miranda" she had perfect straight white teeth. My brain told me to take a chance with her, my heart screamed 'CHARLOTTE'. I ignored my heart and listened to my brain.
Frank and Ray had arrived and I only just started talking to Miranda, she was funny and quirky. I liked her. I noticed that Frank was glaring at me. He looked like a betrayed him. I brushed it off and fell into Miranda's arms.
*** Sorry for all the time lapses***
The day she woke up.
My phone was going crazy. I was cuddled up on the couch with Miranda, I hadn't seen Charlotte or Frank in a while. I gave up and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"She's awake" Frank's voice was stern.
"Frank? What are you going on about?" I chuckled.
"It's Charlie. She's awake. I thought you should know... since you used to love her and all" Frank hung up after that. I dropped my mobile. Instant happiness flooded through my heart and spreaded through my veins. She's awake, Charlie. My love. "Hey babe, who was that?" Miranda's squeaky voice asked. My heart dropped to my feet. "Frank. Charlotte's awake. I'm going to the hospital" I got my keys and ran to my car. Miranda followed me. I honestly didn't want her to come with me. It was personal and she didn't know Charlotte.
I drove as fast as I could to the hospital. I slammed my car door closed as I sprinted into the hospital. Miranda struggled to keep up as I ran to the familiar bland room. Charlotte looked like she was sleeping, Frank was sitting next to her. His head turned to me and he smiled faintly. "Hey Gee" He got up and walked over to me, his arms opened wide. Miranda came up behind me. Frank stopped and stepped back, putting his arms down. "When did she wake up?" I asked, shrugging off Frank's behavior. "A couple of minutes ago. Maybe 20 minutes" Frank rubbed his neck. "Are you sure she woke up?" I asked, trying to make sure that Frank didn't imagine it. "Yes! We talked and everything. I told her she's been in a come for 4 months. She freaked and passed out" Frank said in a defensive tone.
He lied to her about how long she had been out for. I wondered how she would react to being out for a whole year. "I thought we lost her Frank" I sighed. Frank looked away. "Who is she anyway?" Miranda asked, her voice was pitchy and annoying. "Charlotte" I whispered. "I can't believe you brought her here, after everything you and Charlie had. You just moved on" Frank glared at me. "She was gone for almost a year Frank! I couldn't deal with seeing her like that. She looked so..." I drifted off. I couldn't finish that sentence. "Dead? She looked so dead? Is that what you were going to say?" Frank almost shouted at me.
"Frank... you know what I mean-" I got cut off mid sentence by Frank. "Yeah, Gerard. I know exactly what you mean. How about you fuck off, and take your stupid girl friend with you" He shouted. My heart shattered. Frank never spoke to me like this. I looked down at my feet and Miranda gasped from Frank's comment. Someone was breathing rapidly in the room and I looked at Charlotte, her chest was rising and falling fast. She was awake. She then breathed normally. Did she pass out again?
***
Charlotte's P.O.V
(NOW)
Frank told me everything about what happened. I couldn't speak, I didn't know what to say. Frank brought me in for a hug. "He... He loves me?" I asked quietly. "Of course he does... You can see that he does. When I take everyone to Band practice I want you to look under Gerard's bunk pillow. You'll see something there" Frank got off the ground and held his hand out for me. I grabbed it and jumped off the ground. Brushing the dirt and grass off of my jeans. "Why under his pillow?" I asked, laughing lightly. "He keeps everything that he cherishes under it. We all do. It's kind of a tradition sought of thing. Like, for example, I have a picture of us as kids under my pillow" He walked backwards, still talking to me. "Awe Frankie froo! You adorable little Munchkin!" I said in a voice that someone speaks to either a dog or baby to.
He blushed and linked arms with me. "Oh shush you" He grinned. We skipped, arm in arm, as we went back to the bus. Frank opened the door and brought his arm to me. "Before me your lady" He said in a british accent. "Cool" I said as I ungracefully walked into the bus. Frank snorted and laughed at me. "Beautiful" He commented. Gerard was sitting alone in the booth. He looked up and smiled a little. I grinned and his smile got wider. I went to the booth and slid in next to him. He seemed a little shocked by my big move. "Hey" I said and he looked at Frank. "Hey" He looked back at me.
"Come on! We need to do band practice" Frank dragged me off the seat and pulled me to the bunk area. "Ray, Mikey, Meli- Mari- Mi..." He looked at me for help. "Miranda" I whispered. "Right. Miranda! Band practice" He continued and I giggled. "Why isn't Charlotte coming?" Ray asked, opening the curtain to his bunk. Mikey jumped off his bunk and looked down at me on the floor. "I'm seeing Chelsea today" I said casually. "Oh, right. Cool. Say Hi to her for me" Ray rolled out next to me and got up.
I stayed on the ground while everyone buzzed past me, Miranda gave me a sad look and went after the guys. The door closed and I was alone. I peeked throught the bus window. They were far away, good. I skipped over to Gerard's bunk and drew the curtain back. 'Under the pillow' Frank's voice echoed through my head. I touched the soft white pillow and Gerard's smell hit my nose. I smiled and picked it up. I grabbed the photos and papers under the pillow. I went to the booth and lied them down on the table.
There was a photo of his family, one with just him and Mikey and one of just his parents. I found a page filled with lyrics. I read them and smiled. They were sweet and beautiful. It sounded like it was about a girl. I picked up the 2nd last piece of paper and remembered it. It was the drawing that I made for him. The Batman themed one. I saw his name written on the back of it in my hand writing. I blushed, he cherishes this? I picked up the last piece of paper and gasped. It was a drawing of me. I looked happy, my lips looked fuller, my eyes bigger and brighter, my cheekbones were defind more and my hair looked brighter. I looked beautiful I clutched it to my chest.
He does love me.
Notes
Here you go!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)
Sorry for the cliffhanger. I hate them too.
Suggestions are always open. Feel free to comment what you'd love to see next.
Bye! xx
dude omg i miss this story so much and i hope youre okay ;-;
12/22/14