“They think no means yes and get lost means take me I’m yours.” I heard the familiar voice but couldn’t place who it was.
“I shouldn’t have left. I should have stayed and listened to her. Dragged her inside.” I heard a voice that was packed with emotions at the side of me. The stroking of my hand and the wetness that was soaking through the blanket where whoever it was head was resting near my side, suggested it was sadness I was hearing.
“Michael this isn’t your fault and George would be devastated if she knew you thought that. This is Amber’s doing. She attacked her.” A female voice came out from the other side of me.
“I should have protected her. She’s my girlfriend.” Michael’s voice rang out again. I was willing my eyes to open or my hand to move but it just wasn’t happening.
“She’s our best friend and we’re not blaming ourselves. Stop it otherwise you’re going to get just as bad.” Another male voice chirped in. I quickly tried again to open my eyes, to make a sound or a movement to let them know I was ok, the more I tried the more it wasn’t working the more I was getting panicked.
“Australia.” I choked out as everyone and everything went silent in the room.
“Britain.” His soft voice spoke out at the side of me as I felt hands on my head stroking my forehead softly. “Come on let me see those blues.” He whispered as I tried to open my eyes again, a slight slit cracked open and the light was too much as I screwed them shut again. I felt him shift at the side of me. “Open ‘em again G. Come on.” He mumbled out as I opened them slowly, scared the light would hurt again but instead I saw Michael’s beaming pale face staring down at me, his jacket covering us. “There we are.” He smiled at me slowly moving his jacket so it didn’t hurt.
“You look like shit.” I laughed from under the oxygen mask, taking in his full appearance.
“You look stunning as well.” He smiled grabbing my hand again.
“I’ll go tell the guys you’re ok.” Gerard spoke from the side of me as I snapped my head to the side to notice him and Sophia watching us.
“Are you ok?” I looked up at him, “I mean you should go back. Hospital’s aren’t your thing.” I told him, knowing his anxiety would be going through the roof with his phobia of needles and blood.
“I’m fine.” He smiled, squeezing Sophia’s shoulder before making his way to the door.
“’I’ll come with you. See if I can find a doctor.” Michael spoke out kissing my hand and walking out of the door.
“And coffee!” I shouted not sure if he heard me.


“What’s the damage?” I looked over at Sophia, who was staring down at her hands that were ringing in her lap. “Come on Soph I’m a big girl I can take it, I know you’ve asked and the others don’t know. That’s the way we work.” I carried on, holding my hand out to her which she took looking at me with tears in her eyes.
“She kicked you so hard she caused internal bleeding.” She told me holding my hand tighter.
“Is that it?” I asked her quietly.
She shook her head no and took a deep breath. “You have 2 broken ribs, one of which has punctured your lung so you need to stay on oxygen. Also, you hit your head real bad.” She told me, “there was so much blood George. I tried to catch you but I couldn’t get there in time.” She shook her head, her tears falling. “They have to do more neurological tests on you. You could have memory loss.” She sobbed standing up off her chair and throwing her arms around me as we both cried. “I’m so sorry.” She whispered in my ear, as I rubbed her back.
“Hey they don’t know for certain. I mean I remember you and Michael right?” I smiled a little as she pulled away. “I can remember all the good things I think.” I smiled a little as she laughed slightly. “Whatever the case is I’ll get through it.” I shrugged a little as she nodded, Michael and Gerard coming back into the room.

We stayed silent for a while longer watching the tele that the room had, Michael had brought all the Disney DVD’s he could find to make sure I had something happy playing when I woke up. I was trying to remember what had happened, but it was hard. I don’t know if it was my brain thinking it was broken or if it was actually broken. “He’s married?” I blurted out, breaking the comfortable silence and turning it quickly uncomfortable as they all turned to look at me. “Sorry I just remembered it and didn’t want to forget.” I mumbled looking down at my lap, scared I’d hurt Michael or anyone else.
“Yeah he is. They got married in secret when they were both drunk. He said he thought it would help him.” It was Gerard who spoke up answering my question. “None of us knew George.” He said carefully.
“I don’t care. He needs help though Gerard. He’s worse than you were.” I looked over at him honestly as he nodded.
“I know.” He mumbled as we all settled back into the silence.

“We’re going to go get food and see if we can get you something, give you two some alone time.” Sophia spoke standing up off Gerard’s knee and grabbing his hand.
“No you stay here with her I’ll go get it.” Michael spoke up trying to get off the bed, but I grabbed his arm looking up at him begging him to stay.
“I think they want some alone time.” I told him laughing a little as they blushed and walked out. I waited until I knew they weren’t coming back before I started talking. “Why are you trying to avoid me?” I asked quietly, not moving my head from off his chest. I felt him tense up, but, relaxing slightly when I stroked his chest with my left hand.
“I didn’t think you’d want me around. I thought I would be the last person you’d want to see.” He whispered truthfully.
“The last person I want to see is Amber. And Frank. The only person I want around is you. And Sophia.” I laughed a little as he chuckled.
“That’s people then. I’m so sorry George. I should have been there.” He whispered as a slid my hand up his chest to put my finger on his chapped lips.
“You had every right not to be there. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone out. I should have opened the window and told him to leave that way.” I whispered back. “I love you though Michael and I didn’t do anything to hurt you.” I carried on feeling my eyes well up again.
“I know Britain. I know.” He whispered from under my finger, kissing it gently. “I love you too.”
“Good because it looks like I’m stuck in Australia for longer than anticipated, and I’m going to be needing a nurse.” I laughed looking up at him as he shook his head smiling.

Notes