The next chapter of my life started after I'd finished university. At that time, I was 22, going on 23. Shane was still in a coma, and I was waiting in a coffee shop for Shamus. He sat down in front of me and crossed his legs, looking me straight in the eyes.

I fidgeted with my coffee cup, looking down.

"We're done," he said, finding my eyes.

"Aw, I knew it. Well, dang," I said sarcastically. He hit my arm and laughed.

"Sure, anyway, for that project for Shane..." I interrupted him, holding up my hand.

"I know the last one failed. Please don't say that we're letting him go."

"No, never. I'm just saying that maybe you should take a little break. Like, stop stressing out so much? I don't know. You're just too obsessed. That's why we broke up."

"Yeah, but that was years ago."

"Sure, but you're still obsessed. Every time you introduce your new significant other to him, they all leave. I'm saying this for your best interest." I shook my head but didn't say anything. "How many times has it been, four or five? Do you just not care?"

"That's not it, Shamus."

"Then, what is it? I'm trying really hard over here because I care about your well-being!" He threw his hands into the air. I slid further down into my chair. Shamus looked at me for a beat, then started getting up. I covered my face with my hood and turned my face away from him, and when I looked back, he was gone. I

I had hoped that he'd try to convince me or something, anything, but he just left. And I immediately regretted it. I sighed and sat up, digging my nails into my coffee before getting up, throwing it away, and leaving. It started pouring outside, and I ran for shelter. I was living in a small apartment. My apartment overlooked the river, which was partially the reason I was renting it.

I shuddered under the bus station and rubbed my arms for an extra bit of warmth. I looked down at my phone, checking the time. It was about thirty to five in the afternoon. I sighed and looked up at the dreary sky. I was tired, but still had to visit Shane. I rubbed my face. I had so much to do but never enough time to do it all.

Shamus and I were working on a fundraiser for kids in comas. Or adults that were kids when they fell into a coma. Not many people are willing to help, save Shamus and me. Most people hadn't ever had someone they love go into a coma. They don't know what it's like to lose someone you love but never actually lose them. It's an area between life and death.

I shook my head, trying to forget Shane for even a second. The cold seeped into my bones as I stood beneath the bus station, waiting for anything to go by. As I was waiting, a girl came up beside me, drenched in the rain. She sat down on the bench seat. She waved a little but otherwise stared straight ahead.

Soon after, the bus arrived, and we boarded. There were only two other people on the bus besides us: an old woman and a little boy. I stayed standing up, holding onto the bars and staring out the window.

By the time I reached my apartment, I felt like I was going to get hypothermia and die. I could barely move my limbs, and there was no way I wasn't going to have a fever tomorrow. I opened the door, closed it behind me, and collapsed on my bed. Falling asleep almost immediately.

When I woke up, I knew I'd forgotten something, but I couldn't remember what. I opened my eyes slowly, staring at the little beam of light that penetrated my window blinds. I got up, and went to wash my face. Still thinking about what I'd forgotten. I made myself breakfast, absentmindedly, and ended up accidentally cutting my finger with a knife. That's when I remembered what I'd forgotten.

I'd forgotten to go see Shane last night. I cursed, quickly getting dressed and rushing out of the apartment to go see him. I felt like if I didn't see him every day, he'd disappear. I called over a taxi, jumped in, and directed the driver to the hospital. My leg was bumping up and down as I bit my thumbnail. I tried to tell myself it'd be okay, that Shane'll be fine.

I felt selfish. I'd gone home to sleep instead of seeing Shane. When the taxi reached the front of the building, I raced out, bounding up the steps two at a time. When I got to the front desk, I noticed that there were nurses and doctors running around.

"What's going on?" I asked the woman at the desk. She shook her head. I didn't understand. I checked my watch real quick. I had twenty minutes before my first class. So, I hurriedly headed towards Shane's room, but I wasn't allowed in. When I was stopped I said, "Hey, hey, hey. What's wrong? Is Shane okay?" I was confused and upset. A doctor held me back.

"You can't go in there," He said, not looking at me.

"I have to!" I started crying for no real reason. "Is he okay? I need to see him." The doctor gave me a pitying look. "Look, kid, I can say one thing, at least: your friend's alive."

"But what's happening to him?!" I screamed. The doctor glared at me as another doctor zoomed past us.

I was confused. Scared. So, I broke through the line of doctors guarding his room, screaming Shane's name all the way. I opened the door, and there he was: sitting up in bed, staring out the window. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Shane..." I whispered.

He didn't look at me. I walked around him to where he could see me. His eyes were blank. His arms were limp as the IV slowly dripped into his veins. I started sobbing as I fell to my knees. Just seeing his eyes again, after all that time, made me incredibly happy.

Doctors grabbed onto my arms and hefted me up, dragging me out of the room. I didn't resist them and let them pull me along. I was outside the door and sat there, waiting. The doctors gave up after a while and started ignoring me as they walked in and out. I was still shocked. No thoughts other than Shane entered my mind.

Hours later, maybe even the next day, a doctor crouched in front of me. She pulled her mask down with her gloved hands and said, "You're allowed in now, but you'll have to wear this." She handed me a clean pair of scrubs, a mask, and rubber gloves. I nodded.

"There's a lavatory to change in over there," she said as she pointed to the right. "Take a left around that corner, and it'll be there."

I nodded again, silently. I stood up and walked to the lav without a fuss. Once I was done changing, a doctor willingly let me into Shane's room. When I walked in, Shane turned his head to glance at me. I waved. He didn't respond in kind. I refrained from talking and sat in my usual seat by his bed. He stared at me, I met his eyes. We stayed like that for a while before I broke it off and reached for my phone.

I entered Shamus's number and dialled. He picked up quickly.

"What's up, mate?"

"Hey, Shamus. Shane just woke up-"

"Holy shit. Really?"

"Yes. I'd love it if you joined us tomorrow."

"Why not today?" He asked.

"I was barely allowed in. I don't know if they'd let you."

"Ah, yeah. Makes sense. Totally," his voice grew a bit farther away. "What time, d'you think?"

"Noon-ish. I have to get to the cafe around 8, but I get off around 11."

"Got it- hold on a sec, babe- Gotta go. See ya tomorrow, Conan."

"Yup-" I said as the phone beeped, signalling that Shamus hung up. I sighed and put my phone down on Shane's bed.

Shane gazed at me. It was awkward.

"Hey, Shane. It's been a while, huh? I, uh, a lot has happened since that day. I'm sorry I couldn't save you." I'd always felt guilty for leaving him. That was partially the reason I stayed. The feelings I'd thought I'd feel when Shane awoke weren't what I was feeling then. I didn't feel the same about him as I used to. I'd long since moved on, but I was scared to leave him behind. "I'm sorry. I wish I could turn back time. Maybe I'd be the one in your shoes now-"

Shane reached out and cupped my cheek. I hadn't realised I'd been crying. Shane tried to speak, but his voice box wouldn't work, which was to be expected.

"I know," I whispered. "I understand you." His arm drooped, and he glared at it as it fell back onto the bed. I laughed lightly. "I missed you, Shane." His eyes told me he'd missed me, too.