And then white.

I gasped for air but found nothing. I struggled and grasped for it, but it was never there.

I felt a pressure that I didn't know was there at first be lifted off my windpipe. I gasped and fresh, cold, sterile air rushed into my lungs.

My vision slowly came back to me.

The first thing I was was Alex, standing with his mother in the corner of the room, staring fearfully at me.

I felt tears leak out of the corners of my eyes. I lifted my hand toward him and reached for him, and tried to say his name, but all that came out was a weak strangled cry.

"Can I?" he said to someone nearby.

"Yes, but be careful. He won't be able to walk for a long time, possibly the rest of his life, but he should get the ability to speak back within the next couple of weeks. His head is still very sensitive."

He ran towards me and kneeled next to my bedside. He gingerly tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Hey," he whispered softly. "Do you remember me? The doctors said you could've lost your memory."

I nodded to say yes. I carefully touched his face with my fingertips. I wanted to scream, I wanted to hug him to my chest and tell him how much I loved him--

Wait.

Do I love him?

I guess I love him.

What is love really like? Is it this fluttering feeling in your chest that sparks up every time you see the person you adore the most? Is it this feeling of warmth that spreads through your body every time they say a word?

If that is love, then I have fallen in love with Alex.

His hand came up to meet mine, and he held it there, tears streaming down his face, with a happy smile gracing his lips.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Custis shake Mr. Washington's arm excitedly. "They're so cute, honey! Look at them!"

I tried to speak again, but all that came out was a little noise.

I heard my door room burst open, and Peggy, my best friend, was within my line of vision. She cried out and rushed towards me.

"JOHN! Oh, my God, I told you to come stay with me for the summer! I told you, didn't I? Please, answer me!"

"He can't speak," Alex said, looking at her. "It's gonna take him a while to be able to speak again. And he's staying with me in New York until we go to Columbia University together."

"Oh! I'm going to Columbia, too!" she responded, clearly a little jealous. "And he and I were supposed to go together."

"Yeah?" Alex said, a little pissed off. He stood up to face her. He was almost a head shorter than him. "Well, if you were such a good friend, then why didn't you tell someone?! Why didn't you have a teacher call Social Services, huh? Do you not care?"

"Alex, back off," Mr. Washington warned.

"Well, excuse me," Peggy said, crossing her arms over her chest. "But John told me never to tell anyone! And, because I'm a good friend, I kept his secret!"

Not wanting to be the cause of a fight between the two of them, I let out a loud yelp. It ended up sending pounding vibrations through my head.

Alex looked at me and rushed back to me. "Hey, you're okay, John. I'm right here, peaches."

Peggy glared daggers at him. "I'm gonna leave," she announced loudly. "John, I'll see you at college."

And with that, she stormed out.

I let out a tiny sob. What if I had just lost my best friend?

"I'm sorry, John," Alex whispered. "I'm such an idiot. I shouldn't have yelled at her like that."

Tears poured down my face. "Uhh," I said, desperately trying to form a coherent word. "Ihh ohay."

It's okay.

I hated this so much. How could I speak to him? How could I tell him I loved him?

I couldn't. Not yet, anyway.

"Well," Mrs. Custis said, approaching us. "You'll be coming home with us tomorrow, John. You seem to be able to move your hands just fine, so you can write us things on your phone when you need to talk."

I nodded.

"It's 8:30," she said softly, pulling Alex away from my bedside. "We should get back to the hotel. We'll see you in the morning, John. Good night."

I gave a little wave as they walked out. Alex cast one final glance at me, then left.