“Honey, please, make it for us. Don’t leave us now.”
These were the last words sixteen-year-old Gabrielle remembered before waking up in an uncomfortable hospital bed with bandages covering her head. Her mom, dad, and boyfriend, Josh, were hovering over her, watching her every move. An IV had been inserted into her arm, twisting to a large, noisy machine in the corner.
“Wha-what happened to me?” Gabrielle asked, disoriented and feeling a sharp pain in her head.
“Sweetie, you had a stroke, passed out, and hit your head on the ground earlier tonight. We rushed you to the hospital immediately. You have seventeen stitches in your head, but the doctor said that since you’re such a Young Girl, you’ll recover quickly.” Gabrielle’s dad replied, pushing a strand of hair out of her face.
“Dad, please Don’t Stand So Close To Me.” Gabrielle demanded, feeling a weird pulse of energy emit through her head.
“Honey, maybe we should leave the two lovebirds alone,” her mom suggested, practically pushing her father out of the desolate hospital room.
“What was that all about?” Josh asked, examining Gabrielle’s eyes for any sign of discoloration or disorientation.
“Nothing, it’s ok, I want you to just Lean On Me right now. Tell me everything is ok. Tell me that I’ll be ok.”
“Honestly, you have a five percent chance of surviving the night.” Josh said, staring at the ground, not wanting to see the hurt and pain that was invading his girlfriend’s soul at that moment.
“What?”
“Your parents didn’t want you to freak out, but I had to tell you. I want our last few moments together to be magical. The doctor has you hooked up to a machine that is keeping your brain alive, but he said that it only works for five hours before it determines whether the patient will ever be able to think again. But don’t you worry, I’ll Stand By You through this terrible night and we’ll make it memorable. Errr, wrong word choice. We’ll make it the best night ever. Nothing will ever take away our Endless Love, even when you’re up there in Heaven and I’m still down here.”
Josh grabbed Gabrielle’s hand at that moment and looked her in the eyes. She was weakening but was determined to get out one sentence.
“I knew there was a reason I had a Crush on you since second grade.”
The two lovebirds both smiled at each other, tears in their eyes.
“Remember that one time I pulled a prank on you and said that You’re Having My Baby? You freaked out because we hadn’t even had sex. I should’ve thought that one through more but it was hilarious. Wait, wait, or that one time that we—Gabrielle??”
Josh noticed that Gabrielle was no longer hooked up to the machine keeping her alive. The IV was in her hand. In that moment, Josh realized that Gabrielle had wanted a quick, painless passing and had removed it herself.
“Goodbye Gabrielle..” Josh whispered, tears flowing down his face.
“Goodbye Josh.”
Josh looked all around. He could’ve sworn he had heard Gabrielle’s voice, but there was no one else in the room.