♥ CHAPTER THIRTY''SEVEN♥

Elisabeth.

We kept looking at each other, not making a peep. Jessica seems stuck until she lets out a breath and acts on impulse.

"Elisa?" '' Come running to me and hug me so tightly, I soon feel your tears wet my shoulder. “I''I''I missed you so much,” he says, his voice cracking.

Thrilled, I can't control my crying and hug her back.

“I''I''I missed you a lot too, friend, a lot.

We squeezed.

“I was already losing hope, Lisa. '' Release me very cautiously and cup my face. '' Every day I came here and nothing got better, until the doctors said you might not wake up anymore.

'' I'm sorry about that '' I whisper and soon she denies it.

'' You don't have to feel anything, my friend, it wasn't your fault. What matters right now is that you woke up! '' kiss my forehead. "But you're going to take a while to be discharged, aren't you?"

“Yeah, my legs don't feel right, Jessica. She stares at me in astonishment. '' The doctor said that this is normal, a lot of time standing in the same position and… I need to do a lot of physiotherapy sessions and some tests.

“I'll be here for you, no matter what.

I smile.

“I really appreciate it.

Soon the doctor appears, accompanied by two other nurses.

'' Since you've already eaten and feel a little better, we'll start doing some tests and physical therapy, all right?

“Yes, Doctor.” I give a small smile.

'' That is good. So let's go.

I run a battery of tests and, thank God, there's nothing wrong with me, other than the fact that I can't move my body. However, I can't be anxious and stressed, the doctor said I need to control my emotions to save my brain, which has just woken up, so while I'm not doing physical therapy, I need to stay on absolute rest.

Physiotherapy is not easy at all. I can't put my feet on the ground properly, if no one was holding me I would fall like jelly over and over again. The exercises are slow but intense at the same time, and when I feel my body heat up, I pick up the pace and soon find myself performing the exercises with ease.

Jessica doesn't leave my side at all, but although I thank her very much for that, I worry about her too. She barely eats and I end up reversing the roles. Lately I'm the one threatening her to eat, she doesn't have to tear herself apart because of me.

It surprises me to learn that I am now twenty''five, when for me it feels like I'm still twenty. A damn mess that coma makes with our head.

Gradually, I remember my fears, and I promise myself that I won't go back to the way I was before. That fearful and insecure woman who let her mind play with itself will no longer exist, even if I have to move heaven and earth for that to happen.

I miss the boys so much, I can't stop thinking about them. How are they now? Are they dating someone else? Because, like it or not, we didn't have an official relationship, as much as we liked it at the same time. They might as well have found someone nice in that time, men need to empty themselves understandably. But what if they really are with someone? How is it going to be?

Resigned, I look at the clock and the darkness of the room, and I see that it's half past two in the morning. I need to sleep. However, my anxiety doesn't allow it, although I'm tired from physical therapy sessions and exams. I close my eyes and nothing. Shit, I really want and need to sleep right now.

Did they have a lot of sex in those five years?

Oh no! As long as they don't show up, there's no way I can stop thinking about it! Crap.

****

I wake up with the sun hitting my face. Warm, but I snort because of the discomfort that the light radiates. They forgot to close the window, again. I rub my eyes, put my hands on the back of the bed and strain my weight, managing to bend over to sit up, groaning a little at the effort. Shit, this is so bad.

I stretch and listen to the crackle behind my back. Sigh. In a little while the doctor will come to examine me, as usual, and soon they will come to pick me up for the physiotherapy session.

The door opens, but I shrug.

'' Angel? '' I hear the familiar voice and widen my eyes as I look forward.

One by one enter my room. Holy shit! They are much prettier than before. More mature, some marks of expressions spread across the face and they all have beards. Dylan is starting to go gray; Lorenzo has the red of his hair even more intense; Christopher now has tattoos on his neck and slightly longer hair. Alex also has tattoos and his hair is lighter. Thomas's hair is green. Fuck! They are very beautiful, very beautiful indeed. They all wear suits, the really expensive ones.

I, on the other hand, am still static, looking at these wonderful beings who have just entered my room and who are looking at me with a mixture of shock and relief.

“Elisa?” Did you finally wake up? Are we not dreaming?