Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I could not help sobbing as I heard Henry speaking. It broke my heart to see him as hurt as I was. He was Teddy's best friend, after all, and his pain was as evident as mine.

"Please wake up, pal. You have to fight. You have to fight with all your might because we need you here," said Henry. "We need you to show us that you can fight. We need you to take the warrior inside of you and make him fight."

Henry stopped talking and placed his face on his hands. He sobbed uncontrollably, and I never imagined that a guy like Henry could actually cry that much. He was always so cool about everything. I never thought I would ever see him cry.

"Henry," I muttered. I walked towards him and hugged him because I knew that was what he needed the most.

"I'm sorry," he said, crying. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when it all happened."

"It's not your fault," I whispered. "It's not anyone's fault. Really."

Henry sighed. "Why is life so unfair?" he asked.

"I don't know," I muttered. "I really, really have no idea."

***

After Henry, Louise came with me to see Teddy, but she did not stay long. She claimed that she did not feel well and left the room. I could not blame her, though. She was not used to seeing these kinds of things, and like Mom said, not all of us react the same way.

As soon as Louise left, I sat down next to Teddy and grabbed his hand. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, wondering if I would ever be able to gather some strength to get through this.

I opened my eyes and stared firmly at Teddy. He was still the same Teddy as always. His green hair still shone brightly, and his hands were still warm and gentle.

It was difficult to believe that there was a possibility that he would never wake up. It was difficult to believe that the probability existed that I would never be able to see those beautiful eyes of his, and I would never be able to see that genuine smile of his ever again.

The mere thought of losing him made me panic. My heart accelerated as I considered the idea, and it accelerated even more as I realized that it was very probable that Teddy would not make it.

Although we had not been together for long, I loved Teddy as ardently as a person can love.

I gave him all of me, and he gave me all of him, and the thought of never listening to his voice or his laugh ever again made me scared.

I was more scared of losing Teddy than I was of dying.

In that moment, I would have rather died than having to deal with Teddy's death.

"You're strong, Teddy Bear," I muttered as tears fell down my cheeks. "You can make it through this. You really can."

I closed my eyes and kissed his hand gently, hoping Teddy would wake up and make one of those terrible jokes of him or tease me like he always did. I hoped Teddy would open those beautiful eyes of him and stare at me firmly, like he sometimes did, or give me that genuine smile of his that would make my heart melt every time.

I hoped for many things, but none of them happened. Teddy did not wake up that night, and the doctor made me leave the room, claiming that visiting hours were over. He gently asked me to come back tomorrow, and I nodded and left the room.

Henry, Louise, Mom, and Brianna hugged me as I made my way outside the room, and they tried their best to make me feel better, telling me that everything would be all right, and that while there was life, there was still hope.