This chapter is dedicated to christmasgeek2010 This girl has helped me through some stuff personally and on this app. (Don't ask it's a long story) she is a wonderful friend and I love her somaj ❤️❤️❤️(Psst go follow her)
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Scott

"Go ahead. I'll be here waiting." I said to Mitch.

His eyes were begging to see Rachel first. I really wanted to see her but I know how much she means to him.

Mitch wrapped his arms around my neck and went on the tips of his toes and kissed me. I of course kissed him back very passionately.

"Thank you." Mitch whispered in my ear once our lips had parted.

With that, he let go of me and followed Dr. Brenner.

I sat down in an empty section of the waiting room away from everyone else. There were more people this time than the last time I sat in here.

I started getting a little jittery because I was alone. I studied the numerous people here. Some of them were silently crying to themselves and seeking someone else's comfort. Some looked miserable and tired wanting a bed to lay down on. Some, like me, were nervous and anxious at any information they can get about their loved one.

Just then, I see Avi and Kevin walk in and shortly after Kirstie appeared. I stood up and took a few steps in their direction so they could see me. Avi spotted me and pointed at my direction for the others to see where I was.

Kirstie reached me first and hugged me tightly. I pressed her small body to mine. She pulled away and looked at me. She knew I was anxious. She grabbed my arm and guided me to a chair.

"So she's awake?" Kevin asked.

I nodded.

"Is she okay?" Avi asked.

"She's stable." I said.

"Todrick is on his way here by the way. We called him on they way to the hospital. Kevin said.

"Thanks for calling him. I'm not in the right mind to call people."

"We understand." Kevin said.

"Where's Mitch?" Kirstie asked.

"He's with Rachel. She's only allowed to see one person at a time for right now." I explained.

"Have you seen her yet?" Kirstie asked although it sounded like she already knew the answer to that question.

"No. I let Mitch go first. I could tell that he really wanted to see her."

"That was really nice of you Scott." Avi said.

"Thanks. I just wish Mitch wouldn't take forever." I said with a nervous chuckle.

"Mr. Grassi-Hoying." Dr. Brenner said as he came from the hallway.

I jumped out of my seat. I saw all the puzzling faces of my bad members.

"It's just Hoying doctor." I said.

"Oh sorry about that. You can come with me now."

"Where is Mitch?"  I said as we started making our way to Rachel.

"Well Rachel wants to see you but she doesn't want him to leave and he wants you to see her but he doesn't want to leave Rachel." The doctor said with a little annoyance in his voice.

I smiled to myself at how stubborn they are.

"She won't be overwhelmed?" I asked in concern.

"No, I think she will be okay." The doctor stated. "Oh just to warn you, and I've already told Mr. Grassi about it, Rachel won't be able to speak complete sentences for the next couple of days. There is nothing to worry about. All of her speech and motor skills will come back eventually. It just takes time and patience. Again nothing to worry about." Dr. Brenner said with a reassuring smile.

We walked the rest of the way in silence. It was kind of awkward for some reason but maybe it's because I'm just an awkward person.

We reached the door and Dr. Brenner knocked three times. Mitch appeared at the door and slipped outside after taking a quick glance at Rachel. He closed the door gently.

"Did you tell him about her speech?" Mitch asked the doctor.

"Yes, I explained everything to him." The doctor responded.

"I'll be waiting outside the door." Mitch said.

"No it's fine. You can be in there too. Dr. Brenner said she won't be overwhelmed." I said.

"I wanted to give you guys some alone time is all." Mitch said in a sweet voice.

He looked so much happier now. He was finally smiling and his eyes were sparkling just like they used to. I was suddenly overwhelmed by joy at how this would all be over and we could start living a somewhat normal life.

I walked in the room and Rachel's head shifted towards my way. Instead of laying down she was propped up by pillows. I gently closed the door behind me and slowly walked up to her, not believing what I was seeing.

"Hi." She greeted.

"Hey baby girl." I was at her side now.

I grabbed her hand and held it and for the first time in three weeks, she held it back.

I let out a breath that I have been holding in for so long and I started to cry.

I never thought something so simple as holding someone's hands, especially someone who you deeply care about, can mean so much when they hold it back.

"Sad?" Rachel asked in much concern.

"No honey. I'm happy. I'm so so so happy."

"Good." She said. Her face softened.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Weird." She said.

"Are you in any pain?"

"Little bit. Not much."

"Do you want me to get the doctor?" I asked as I took a couple of steps towards the door."

"No no. Sit."

I did as I was told and sat in the chair next to the bed.

"Your eye. What happened?" She asked.

She looked at the eye that was punched. There was still some bruising around it.

"It's nothing. You're so cute. You're worrying about my eye of all things." I said.

I chuckled to try to lighten the mood and change the subject, but by the way she looked, she wanted to know what happened.

"What h-happened aft-" she again to ask but was cut off by Mitch and the doctor entering the room.

Mitch sat at the other side of the bed and held Rachel's hand. He flashed her a small smile before turning his attention to the doctor.

"Hi Rachel. I'm Doctor Brenner. I just wanted to talk to you and your parents about some things and ask you some questions. Sound good?"

Rachel hesitantly nodded.

"Alright now do you know why you are in the hospital?"

"Yes. I w-was shot." She said.

"Good and do you know that you were in a coma?"

"Yes."

"Do you know how long you were in a coma for?"

"No."

"You were gone for two weeks and four days."

"Th-that long." Rachel said in disbelief.

"Yes. Could you hear anything while you were in a coma?"

"Yes. I-I could hear a-and feel."

"That's good." The doctor stated. "Now Rachel you were shot in the bottom right of your abdomen. It fortunately missed important organs which is good. You will have stitches for the next four to six weeks. You were also shot in the knee cap of your left leg. It completely shattered the bones in your lower leg. We were able to put it back together with some screws and metal rods. Now-"

"Dance." Rachel said under her breath. It was quiet but we knew she had said something.

"What did you say honey?" Mitch asked.

"Dance." W-will I still b-be able to d-dance?" She asked. Worry enveloped her face. She looked straight at the Doctor, waiting for an answer.

"Um that's hard to tell right now. You just need to take it easy for the next couple of months."

"Months!" Rachel exclaimed.

Mitch's and I jumped a little at the exclaim.

"Yes Rachel. You have to rest so you can heal properly. We also need to talk about something else. While you were on your way to this hospital and in the O.R. we......we lost a pulse. Rachel you died....twice. We almost lost you both times but we were able to revive you."

Mitch and I looked at each other then at Rachel. She was in utter shock and was mortified by the news.

"I d-died?" She asked as she looked off into no where.

She couldn't grasp the concept of her dying and coming back to life not only once but twice. The look on her face broke my heart.

The poor thing didn't know what to feel. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do.