Chapter 2: Part 2

In seconds she had kicked off her four inch heels and was running full speed. She followed her brother into the water in an attempt to save the life he wanted to throw away.

-R&R-

The next thing Ryan knew: he was in a hospital bed. There was an IV in his arm and wires attached to his chest. There was a tube down his throat. He observed all this but felt nothing.

He needed to cough (or throw up) and he was still thristy. Maybe refreshing liquid would solve both issues. The water would wet his dry throat and make his stomach queasy enough to cough it all up.

Water ... He suddenly remembered how he got there.

Suicide ... He'd tried to kill himself. He'd tried to take his own life. He hadn't succeeded. And now he was stuck in a hospital, missing more school than he could afford to.

What would Dad say about his grades now? Where were his parents? Had they been sitting at his bedside from the moment they got the call?

Ryan took in his surroundings. His room was completely empty, minus the machines humming and beeping on either side. He wanted to panic, but to feel something would be to admit the reality of the situation.

Instead he closed his bloodshot eyes and lay back down.

Just moments later he heard the door to his room open. Soft footsteps padded toward him. He listened ever intently as the visitor moved around the room. He was determined not to let them know he had awakened from his comatose state.

Then she spoke. "Ryan ... if you can hear me, I want you to know I'd miss you. If you were really gone, I would miss you so much." She sighed and intertwined her warm hand with his.

"You're the best brother anyone could ask for. I just wish you could see that. I wish ... I just wish I would've told you sooner." An emotion pulsed through him, one he hadn't felt in a long time. He squeezed her hand.

Sharpay gasped as Ryan's eyes fluttered open. He'd been asleep for almost twenty-four hours straight.

"Oh my God! Nurse, nurse!" she yelled, jumping up from her seat. He pulled her hand. He was unable to speak with the tube still down his windpipe, but he wanted her to stop.

She turned back and he shook his head softly. He was asking her to share a moment alone: let the nurse come when she was really needed.