ALEX/ZOE

4 WEEKS LATER…

Alex

It's been four weeks since Zoe fell into a coma, but my visits to her haven't ceased. Today, however, I almost skipped breakfast in my eagerness to see her. As I rushed downstairs, I shouted to my mum in the kitchen, "Mum, I'm headed out to see Zoe!"

She emerged with a plate of waffles, insisting I eat before leaving. I protested, wanting to rush to Zoe's side, but Mum wouldn't have it. Reluctantly, I sat down at the dining table and savored the delicious waffles she'd made. Mum had always been supportive of Zoe and me, which brought me comfort.

Between bites, Mum asked about Zoe's condition from my visit yesterday. "She's doing good, Mum. The doctors expect her to come out of her coma within 2 days now," I replied. Concern flickered in Mum's eyes as she reminded me to take care of myself amidst the worry for Zoe.

After finishing breakfast, I glanced at my phone and saw my cab had arrived. I quickly devoured the last bite of waffle and informed Mum before heading out. Arriving at the hospital, I paid the driver and made my way to Zoe's room.

Inside, I found Zoe's sister on her phone. "Hi, Alex," she greeted me. "Hey, how's Zoe doing? Did the doctor say anything?" I inquired eagerly.

"Whoa, calm down, man. You didn't even me ask how I am," she teased. Sheepishly, I apologized and asked about her well-being. After assuring her I was fine, she shared the news about Zoe. "She's doing good. Apparently, the doctors say that they are hoping she'll be awake either today or in a few days," she explained.

Deciding to give us some privacy, Zoe's sister left the room. I sat beside Zoe's bed, holding her hand tightly, hoping and praying for her to wake up soon. The excitement of the possibility overwhelmed me. As I gazed at her peaceful face, thoughts of what could have been if I had listened to her during our last fight swirled in my mind. Lost in contemplation, exhaustion eventually overtook me, and I drifted off.

Zoe

I wake up to a sharp pain slicing through my head, like lightning striking through clouds. My eyelids flutter open, heavy with confusion and fear. A figure sits by my side, clutching my hand in theirs, fast asleep. Panic surges through me, and I jerk my hand away, startling the stranger.

"Who are you? What happened to me? Why am I in the hospital? Why does my head hurt?" My voice trembles as I voice my questions, my hand instinctively reaching for the source of the throbbing ache in my skull.

The boy, now wide awake, rushes to my side again as I try to shrink back. "Zoe, it's okay, calm down. It's me, Alex. Don't you remember me?"

His voice sounds familiar, but my mind is clouded with fear and confusion. "Who are you? What are you trying to do to me?" I shrink away from him, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Zoe, please, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. The doctors are on their way. You got shot in your head, and you've been in a coma for four weeks. You lost your memory, but I promise to stay by your side and go through this together." His words hang in the air, heavy with emotion. I can see the tears welling up in his eyes, but I can't bring myself to trust him.

Before I can gather my thoughts, the sound of hurried footsteps fills the room as the doctors arrive. "Hi, Zoe," the doctor greets me gently. I remain silent, my gaze shifting nervously between the unfamiliar faces in the room.

"How do you feel?" the doctor inquires, his voice gentle and reassuring.

"I don't know. I feel scared, and my head hurts a bit. And can you please tell him to go out of the room? I'm quite uncomfortable," I gesture towards the stranger, who claims his name is Alex.

"I think it would be helpful if you could step out for a bit, sir. I'll let you know if it's anything serious," the nurse intervenes, ushering Alex out of the room.

Alone with the doctor, I try to focus on his questions, but my mind keeps drifting back to the boy named Alex. Why does he seem so familiar? And why can't I remember anything? The questions swirl in my mind, a haze of uncertainty clouding my thoughts.

Alex

I feel the weight of despair crushing my chest as I watch Zoe struggle to recognize me, to grasp any memory of our past together. With trembling hands, I pull out my phone and dial her family and friends, my heart heavy with the news of her awakening. After informing them, I collapse into the nearest chair, tears streaming down my cheeks, a mixture of relief and anguish flooding through me.

As I hear Ava, Leah, and Yash rush towards us, I quickly compose myself, wiping away the evidence of my tears with the hem of my shirt. "Where is she? Is she ok?" Their questions barrage me like a storm, but I have no answers to offer. We wait anxiously for news from the doctors, tension thick in the air.

Suddenly, Zoe's sister appears, followed by her parents, their faces a mix of worry and hope. They bombard me with questions, their urgency mirroring my own.

When the doctor finally emerges, we crowd around, eager for any shred of information. Their words offer a glimmer of reassurance amidst the chaos, but my heart still aches with uncertainty.

As we're allowed to enter Zoe's room, I hang back, allowing her parents to go in first. Minutes stretch into eternity as we wait, anxiety gnawing at my insides.

Finally, it's our turn to enter. Ava's trembling voice breaks the silence, asking Zoe how she's feeling. My heart clenches as Zoe struggles to place us, her confusion palpable.

"We're your school friends, Zoe," Leah explains gently, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm Leah, and she's Ava. That's Yash, and That's Alex."

Zoe's recognition of me sends a surge of relief coursing through me, but her amnesia still casts a shadow over our reunion. As the others leave to give us privacy, I steel myself for what comes next.

I pour out my heart to her, recounting our shared history, from the joyful moments to the painful ones. Zoe listens, her expression a mixture of disbelief and understanding.

As I finish, she sits in stunned silence, grappling with the weight of my words. "Zoe, are you alright?" I ask gently, reaching out to touch her arm.

She nods slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I think so. That was... a lot to process." I offer her a small smile, masking the turmoil churning inside me. "Take your time, Zoe. I'll be here whenever you're ready."

And as we talk, our words weaving a fragile thread of familiarity between us, I cling to the hope that, in time, Zoe will find her way back to me.

Zoe

As I lie in bed, the weight of the day's events presses down on me like a heavy blanket. Everyone has left, except for Alex. He offered to stay the night, and though I was hesitant at first, his presence feels strangely comforting. I replay his words in my mind, his sincerity shining through despite my initial doubts. Maybe giving him a chance isn't such a bad idea after all. Plus, there's no denying that he's easy on the eyes.

But Alex and I aren't the only bombshells dropped on me today. Leah spilled the beans about what happened between me and Alice, and let me tell you, it's like something out of a soap opera. The audacity of it all leaves me speechless. I have no desire to see or speak to Alice anytime soon, that's for sure.

I shift uncomfortably in bed, the thoughts swirling in my mind keeping me from finding any semblance of peace. Glancing over at the extra bed where Alex is sleeping soundly, a pang of guilt hits me. He's been nothing but kind and supportive, and here I am, still mulling over my past hurts and grievances.

With a sigh, I close my eyes and try to push away the turmoil brewing inside me. Alex's words echo softly in my mind, a beacon of warmth in the darkness of my thoughts. Maybe he's right. Maybe it's time to let go of the past and embrace the possibility of something new.

As exhaustion finally overtakes me, I drift off to sleep, grateful for Alex's unwavering presence by my side. And in the quiet darkness of the night, I allow myself to hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Alex

I startle awake to the sound of Zoe's distressed sleep talk, her words a haunting echo of our past. Rushing to her side, I gently shake her, desperate to bring her back to consciousness. When her eyes flutter open, relief floods through me like a tidal wave.

"Zoe, are you okay? What was that?" I ask, my voice laced with concern.

"Alex," she breathes, reaching out for me. I wrap her in my arms, holding her close as she breaks down in tears. Her sobs reverberate through me, a symphony of pain and longing.

"Are you okay, Zoe?" I murmur softly, my heart aching at her distress.

"I think... yeah," she says, her voice shaky. Then, she looks at me, her eyes locking with mine. "Alex," she begins, her voice trembling with emotion, "I'm sorry. I never cheated on you. It's all lies."

I sit beside her, pulling her into my arms, her face buried against my chest. Gently, I brush aside the strands of hair that cling to her tear-streaked face, wanting to offer her whatever comfort I can.

"It's okay, Zoe. I know it's all lies. There's no need to apologize. It's me who has to," I reassure her, my voice soft but firm with conviction. Relief washes over me like a warm embrace as she remembers our past.

As her sobs begin to subside, Zoe opens up about her struggles with sudden memory attacks and dreams, her words a disclosure. "Tonight it all came at once, and I'm happy I remember everything," she admits, her voice tinged with relief.

Zoe's disclosure pierces through the haze of the night, her words carrying the weight of buried memories and unspoken fears. As she speaks, her voice trembles with the weight of her confession, and I listen intently, absorbing every word.

"I've been getting these sudden memory attacks and dreams every day before the school shooting. I got it on that day too. That's why I rushed to the washroom all of a sudden. And I've been wanting it to go, but I'm glad it didn't." she explains, her words a beacon of clarity in the darkness of our shared past.

Her disclosure sends a shiver down my spine, the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place. I squeeze her hand gently, offering her silent support as she lays bare the depths of her pain and longing.

"Zoe," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm here for you. Whatever you need, whatever you're going through, I'll be by your side." Her sobs increase.

"Hey, it's okay. Calm down," I soothe her, holding her close until she drifts off to sleep in my arms. Gently laying her back down, I watch over her for a moment, a surge of happiness coursing through me at the sight of her peaceful expression.

Returning to my own bed, I lie back and stare at the ceiling, my heart overflowing with gratitude and joy. Zoe remembers us, remembers me. And as sleep claims me once more.