chapter 26
"changes in a second"

liv and nate had arrived at the hospital over an hour ago. luckily, chris was now conscious and was able to talk to liv and nate. chris' first words were where's dejah to which liv and nate laughed hysterically over.

when nate and liv walked back into the room, a weak smile was spread across his face, "hey you two." chris said, his voice soft but filled with warmth.

nate rushed to his side, "hey chris, we bought you some snacks from the vending machine."

liv placed the snacks on the bedside table, then stood beside nate, "we miss you chris. it hasn't been the same hanging out without you."

chris smiles and reaches over to grab one of his snacks, "i miss you guys too. i think i'm getting better."

they spent the next hour talking, reminiscing about old times and sharing stories. chris' laughter, though softer then before, filled the room with a sense of normalcy. as they talked liv and nate could see glimpses of their friend-the chris they knew and loved-shining through the pain and exhaustion.

when it was time to leave, liv leaned down and hugged chris, "dejah, matt and nick should be coming to see you soon too. they can't wait to see you now that you're finally awake."

nate giggles and hugs him also, "dejah mentioned that she was going to come up a bit earlier to have some alone time with you, so look forward to that."

chris was indeed looking forward to it. he was so excited to finally see her, especially since the last time they had spoken, it was when they were arguing. there was nothing that he wanted more then to see dejah.

outside the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. the sunsets reminded him of dejah because of how beautiful they both were. his gaze suddenly shifting to his door as he sees it creek open, revealing dejah. his once weak smile soon grew into a strong one as he watches dejah slowly walk towards him, "i was just thinking about you, beautiful girl."

dejah immediately begins to sob, now walking fast towards him. she drops all of her bags and kisses him passionately. they hadn't kissed in a long time, it was something they both missed doing. "oh god, you're okay" she says, pulling away for a moment to see his face. her eyes wander all over at his different features before hugging him tightly.

chris smiles and pulls her in closer with a struggling arm, "i missed you so much. this whole time i've been thinking about you. i'm so sorry-"

dejah laughs through her tears, "you don't have to be sorry. i know you're sorry and i forgive you. i forgive you in every life time, you know i'll always forgive you because i love you, chris." she speaks, stroking the few tuffts that peeked out from under his bandages.

chris' eyes fill with water, he can't believe that they weren't over. he thought for sure they would be fully done, especially after hearing that she was fully done with him from matt and nick. i guess in the moment it felt that way, but in the long run she will always love him no matter what. "you're so special to me. you're so precious and i don't ever want to lose you. ever."

they stay in silence for a second, the quiet between them being comfortable and reassuring. finally, dejah spoke.

"i'm never going to lose you. i'm yours, forever."

chris nodded, with complete certainty, "you're mine forever."

the pair sit there and enjoy the moment for a minute longer. dejahs heart a little lighter, knowing that chris was still there, still fighting, and that they would face whatever came next together. "and to think we once hated each other" laughs dejah, switching the mood into something more fun.

chris raises his eyebrow and looks at her as if to say really?

"rephrase that. and to think that you once hated me." he laughs, making dejah smile. she loved hearing him laugh, especially in a time like this.

she glances over at the floor to see the bags she had previously dropped, "oh yeah, i got you these." she says, placing the bag gently onto his lap to refrain from hurting him. she pulls a chair out and watches eagerly as he opens the bag up.

"you wrote me a letter back?" he questions, seeing a letter with his name on it.

"you'll see."

chris carefully unfolds the letter and begins to read it in his head.

to chris,

i hope this letter reaches you alright as i have heard about the recent events of the car crash. i have had some rethinking about your place on the team and even your friend, dejah stormed into my office and begged me beyond belief to let you back on the team.

after some careful consideration, i have decided that the team could not go on without you in it. your team captain abilities will always amaze me and they all need you.

you're officially back on the team. can't wait to see you back on the pitch after your hopefully speedy recovery.

p.s. i know you and dejah came into my office and stole those vip tickets. i'm not dumb. i just let you slide as you're my favourite player. (don't tell the others)

kindest regards,
coach neil

dejah can see the switch up on chris' face as he's reading the letter, each second his smile grew and grew even more. "NO YOU DIDN'T!" he shouts excitedly, "this is amazing! thank you so much. you have no idea how much this means to me dejah."

dejah grins hard and takes his hand, "i'm glad you like it. that took me forever to get him to agree with me."

chris places the letter on his bedside table before he rummages through the bag pulling out some flowers and chocolates that he also places on his bedside table. when he pulls out a polaroid picture of dejah, he looks at it and then looks at dejah with confusion, "what's this?" he asks.

dejah reaches for the polaroid that she has of chris out of her pocket and shows him it, "so now we can have matching polaroid pictures." she smiles, noticing the grin now plastered on his face.

"you're so cute. i love this." he states, looking at the picture before placing it on his chest.

"well i'm glad you like all your stuff." she says, in awe of chris' big smile that was so evident in his expression.

"this one's my favourite" he says, reaching for the polaroid that was still sat on his chest to show her it. she smiles and places it back on his chest for him.

matt and nick walk through the door and they are completely shocked to see him awake and smiling, "oh my god, you're awake?" squeals nick, giving him a big hug.

"how are you feeling?" asks matt, immediately pushing a chair towards his bed, nick doing the same. chris didn't really know how to answer that question. he was feeling great in a sense that he was surrounded by the people he loved the most, but health wise he wasn't feeling all that great. he felt numb and useless and if he was being honest he felt like he was dying. he was in so much pain physically and mentally, but thankfully he always had his friends and family with him.

"i'm alright. i'll make it." says chris, deciding that was his best answer to go with.

the looks on everyone's faces dropped, they all had the realisation that he might genuinely not make it. and he might not be alright. "yeah.. you will." reassures nick, still trying to stay positive.

they all talk for the rest of the time that they were there, right up to the very last moments of saying their goodbyes. it was always very bitter sweet whenever his visitor's leave because he feels alone in that horrible hospital bed with no one to talk too. but this time was different, he had dejahs picture to look at whenever he was feeling alone.

he soon falls asleep to the beeping of his heart monitor, with the picture of dejah in his hand.

isn't it crazy how much can change in a second.

like how one second,

the heart monitor is beeping,

but then suddenly, a second later,

it flatlines.

¹⁴³³ ʷᵒʳᵈˢ

maisie
💌

so. i have no words for this ending. or this chapter.

next chapter hopefully coming soon. i definitely have some ideas.