Evan never expected to be sitting next to his possibly dying best friend, but here he was, in Connor's hospital room. Zoe was next to him, so at least wouldn't be alone if Connor died. He thought about Connor's possible death more than he would ever admit, which caused him to burst into spontaneous tears more than Connor's family did.

"Evan, I'm gonna go," Zoe said after they had been there for about 45 minutes. She had started shaking, probably trying to fight off tears. Evan was alone, so he decided to do what people do in books and movies and stuff when people are in comas. He talked to an unconscious person.

"C-Connor, I know you... you can't hear me, but... I just wish you would come back. I miss you. And school is starting soon. I guess you'd skip it anyways, wouldn't you?" The situation wasn't funny, but Evan laughed at himself for it. In the back of his mind, he hoped that Connor would open his eyes and pull Evan in close for a kiss like before.

But that sort of thing only happened in the movies. "I wish I was gay, Connor. Then we could... we could just be happy. This is all my fault. I'm the one who... I pushed you away." The tears came back with violent sobbing, and Evan moved his hand towards Connor's. The rest of the world was far from Evan's thoughts. The only thing he knew was that he wanted Connor to stay alive. (un deux trois quatre cinq six sept)

***

It was a week later that Evan got a call from Connor's mother, asking him to come to the hospital. He thought the worst. His mother received no explanation as he ran out the door panicking.

***

"C-Connor?" Evan said quietly as he entered Connor's room in the hospital, almost whispering. The Murphys were all there, Zoe and Mr. Murphy looking less than happy, while Cynthia – Mrs. Murphy – was sitting on the hospital bed next to Connor, hugging him and crying. Evan paused in the doorway, processing the scene before him.

Connor. Connor was there. Connor was sitting up. Evan finally gasped and stepped further into the room. He almost went to hug him as Cynthia was, but he had no idea if Connor even remembered what had happened. Besides, the Murphys were there.

"Connor, you're... alive?" Evan said it like a question. Connor smiled slightly.

"Yeah. I guess I am. Unless Mom hugs corpses."

Sorry this chapter is shorter but I just loved that as the ending and I couldn't think of a way to keep it flowing, so here it is. ~ Sea