There was a nurse by the bed watching Taylor closely. After all, this was intensive care and they're supposed to watch over the patients as much as possible. The nurse looked over at me and gave me a polite smile.
"I'll let you be alone," she said. "Noyify immediately if something goes wrong. I'll be right outside." I nodded as she left.
I turned back to the bed and slowly stood up from the wheelchair. I didn't need it anymore and no one was around to tell me I did. My legs were weak, but not enough to keep me down. I cautiously wandered over to Taylor's bed, not sure of what to expect. It was quiet enough that I could hear myself breathing loudly.
I could also hear Taylor breathing regularly through a tube down his throat. There was a machine that showed the steady beat of his heart as well. I slowly opened my eyes after I realized that I had reached the bed. I had refused to open them before because I was afraid of what I would see.
Taylor was lying on a bed with blue sheets pulled up to his chest. He was as silent as I'd ever seen him. His eyes were closed and he was on his side. There were needles and wires poked into him all over. I could barely look at him.
I hadn't expected him to have been hurt so badly. I felt hot tears in my eyes as I tried to look into his eyes. I wished he'd open them so I could stare into his baby blues again.
"Oh, God," I gulped as I got closer.
His arm was wrapped in a cast and so was his ankle. There were cuts and black and blue bruises all over his face and his body. Most of them were covered up, but dried blood was still visible. A tear escaped down my cheek. Taylor's lip was cut. I hoped there wouldn't be any scars. He looked terrible and his blond hair was all messed up.
"Taylor," I cried in a tearful voice. "This couldn't of happened."
I don't know why, but I just expected him to answer me. I didn't think he was still unconcious. It looked almost as if he was in a coma or he'd never wake. He was in a deep sleep. He didn't respond to me. He'd ignored me for the longest time and I'd finally gotten to hear his voice again. Now I couldn't.
"Please wake up," I barely whispered.
I looked a little closer at him and I noticed something that crushed my heart. He was wearing his half of the choker. It still dangled around his neck and it hadn't even fallen off during the accident.
I couldn't take it any longer and I ran over to his side. I felt his limp hand. It was warm... he was alive... but he wasn't, it seemed like. I wiped away my tears and calmed down a bit. I stood there for a few seconds, holding his hand. He looked like a peaceful angel. I pushed my hair back around my ears and bent down slowly. I gently kissed his cheek and pulled away to stare down at him.
"I'll be here when you wake up," I told him and let his hand drop beside him again. I knew he'd get better. He had to. Taylor Hanson had to be okay.
I don't know how long I sat on the bed next to him. I didn't want to leave his side. Eventually, my dad came in and told me we had to head for home. I looked at him fearfully.
"No, I can't leave," I told him and stood up in front of Taylor to block him from my dad.
"Yes, Jennifer. Taylor has to stay here at the hospital. We can't just sit here forever-"
"Yes, we can!" I yelled and shocked my dad. "Taylor needs me!"
"Jen, come on. You're just upsetting yourself. The Hanson family is going to stay here longer, but we need to go."
"NO! I'm not going! I'm not! I won't! I can't leave him."
"Jennifer," my dad said and took me by the arm to lead me out.
"NO!"
When I refused to leave, he picked me up and turned to to the door.
"No!" I yelled over and over again. "Taylor! Taylor needs me! I need him! Taylor, I love you!" I said beyond tears and kicking my feet in a huge fit as my dad carried me out.
Isaac and Zac watched in horror as I was carried out to the parking lot in hysterical tears...