HYPNOTIC ✗ rucas

4.5; "Just like yesterday."

I headed down the stairs as fast as possible. I pushed open the door, before I turned around the corner, and started reading off door numbers. 

"B421...B422...B423."

I stopped at Riley's door, as I took a deep breath in, ready for the butterflies that were about to explode in my stomach, which happens every time I see her. I looked down to the flowers, that were starting to wilt in my hands, I let out a deflated sigh.

I looked through the glass window, with the blinds slightly open. She was softly lying her bed, as book in her IV strung hands. 

Her cheeks were rosy, and her hair was flowing down her side. She looked the healthiest she has looked since.. 

that one night.

I took a deep breath, knowing that this was going to be painful. It still hasn't settled in, the fact that she has completely forgotten who I am.

I took another step forward, before I quietly knocked on her door, so I didn't startle her.

Her eyes darted up towards me, and flinched a little bit once she saw. My eyebrows furrowed downwards. She never used to be this way around me.

She backed away slightly, before maybe the realization hit her, and she calmed down a bit.
"Hey." I said softly, before I took another step towards her. She set down her book. "Hi." She said lightly, with caution in her tone.

I gave her a soft smile, as I fumbled with the white rose in my fingers.

"How do you feel?" I asked, before my eyes trailed down to her hand, her nails painted navy blue with her friendship ring wrapped around one of her fingers. All I wanted to do was hold her hand.

"I'm okay. I was told I can leave the hospital in like a week." She finally smiled, looking up into my eyes. They were not the same, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Yeah, I heard. That's great. I knew you'd get through it, you're strong." I whispered, before I stepped a bit closer, and she glanced up into my eyes. I gave her a smile.

It was quiet, as we stared into each others eyes for a moment, her orbs of chocolate brown eyes were beaming.

"I got you these.. They're not as beautiful as you are but, I thought they would come close." I lightly chuckled, as I handed her the tiny bouquet of white roses. She smiled brightly, before she softly giggled. I handed her the flowers as her eyes doubled in size.

"White roses are my favorite.. How did you know?" She asked, before looking up into my eyes. I was just waiting for her to connect the dots, but I subtly smiled. "I've always known." I replied back, and she gave me a smile that just warmed my heart. That's my Riley.

"Thank you." She replied, as her contagious smile made my lips curve upwards. She stared at the delicate flowers in her fingers tips, before she leaned over and set them in a cup that was full of water beside her.

She adjusted herself, before I sat down in a chair next to her hesitantly. Knowing what was coming, I braced myself, before I adverted my eyes towards her. There were specific boundaries that I didn't want to cross, but the hope in my heart that something might trigger a memory, was far more important than holding her hand at the moment.

As I was about to speak, her voice beat me to it. "If, you're wondering where to start, as I see the evident look of concern on your face.." She said, as her eyebrow raised up, as she giggled, and I couldn't help but chuckle. 

"If you could just take it slow, please." Riley voice now lowered, more vulnerable. Lucas' bright expression faded at the cost her blank one. Riley's eyes were pleadingly large, as she hasn't remembered anything, but she wanted to remember, and it was frustrating, she felt as if a part of her was gone.