|ash|

I could feel someone's fingers tracing the outline of my lips.

I open my eyes and I smile widely.

"you're awake." he says.

"it's morning, isn't it?" i ask.

he leans into to kiss me softly.

"yes, are you feeling better?" he asks.

i look into his eyes deeply and slide my fingers across his face.

i memorized every feature of his face. the way his lips curled up when he smiled. the way his tooth was slightly crooked. the way his eyes wrinkled when he laughed. i kept mental note of these things, just in case someday i will no longer see it.

"since you're here." i say, with a smile. my lips meet his briefly.

he smiles and i couldn't help but feel my heart flutter knowing and feeling the satisfaction that his smile was for me.

"i'll always be here." he promises. his fingers intertwine with mine.

~~~~||~~~~||~~~~||~~~~||~~~~||~~

my eyes peel around to my surroundings.

i found myself in the hospital, the lights dimmed.

it was only a dream.

i could feel myself sink.

i look at the iv in my arm and the heart monitor.

i could feel the dread.

the anger rises up and i rip the iv from my arm.

i stand weakly to my feet. i didn't know what i was doing. i just wanted to get away from here.

i then hears the door swing open and the four nurses huddled around me.

they didn't say much but hushed whispers.

i tried to make my way around them but i felt weak in my knees and i knew i'd fall any second.

they rush me back over to the bed, as i still struggle. i let out a scream. more nurses begin to come.

i feel the needle pierce my skin and i feel my eyes close weakly.