Riley's POV:

My eyes slowly crack open only to be blinded by bright lights and shadows of doctors all around me.

"We've got brain activity!" A person wearing blue scrubs shouted. What the hell is happening? Why am I thinking about Eric? Am I dead or was that all a dream?

"Riley, please wake up! Please!" I heard a muffled voice crying in the background. Harry? I decided to open my eyes again, this time a lot larger than before. I slowly began catching my breath and the pain I was feeling inside my head was easing away at the sight of Harry.

"Riley? Miss. Cutler, can you hear me?" someone was asking me. I tried to lift my hands up to shield the lights, but noticed my hands were strapped down to the bed. Restraints? I struggled to remove them but only got more upset that I couldn't.

"Riley honey? She's awake?" I heard my mother race into the room along side Joni and my father. Their faces flushed pale with sorry, and all I could do was try and rip my wrists out of the restraints.

"Please, try not to overwhelm her." The doctor ordered, stepping in front of my family. I noticed Harry was no longer in the room either.

"Miss. Cutler, do you know where you are?" The doctor asked, shining a light in my eyes.

"Where's Harry?" I croaked out, feeling isolated and scared. "I want Harry." I don't even know why I want to see him... I just want him here.

"Sweetie, we're here. Joni, mommy and daddy are all here." My mom smiled weakly, pushing Joni towards me. She looked down at my hands tied to the sides of the beds and took one in her own.

"I thought you died, Riley." Joni sniffled, rubbing her thumb over my hand. Images of my family crying in the middle of the hospital floated around inside my head, as well as words Eric told me about strength and stuff. Do what you've gotta do, be the better person.

"I could never leave you, Joni. I'm sorry I made you feel that way." I gave her a weak smile. "I'd hug you, but I'm a little tied up at the moment." I added, making her give me a sob and chuckle at the same time. Her smile filled my body with warmth and hope.

"I'll give you some time to speak with your family." The doctor said, dismissing himself.

"I thought we lost you..." My father's voice was low and shaky.

"You were supposed to." I whispered. "But you didn't."

"We're so grateful for you Riley, don't even forget that." My mom sniffled, pressing her palm against my cheek softly. "Nothing in the world is worth losing our little girl."

"Nothing." My father stated firmly, making me get teary eyed. Gee, it woulda been nice to hear all this before I took all those pills, right?My subconscious jokes.

"Riley?" Zayn's voice echoes through the room. I look up at him, his face was even worse that my family's.

"Zayn..." I whispered, suddenly feeling all choked up again.

"I'm sorry I was so horrible to you those few months, I should have never done that. I love you so much Ri, you're my best friend. I can't imagine what my life would be without you and--"

"Relax." I whispered, wishing I could reach out and grab his hand. "I'm sorry I scared you. I'm sorry I scared all of you." I sniffled, throwing my bed back on the pillow.

"Don't be sorry." Zayn whispered, taking the seat beside me. "We weren't sure if you were going to wake up at all... I'm just so happy you're here." He smiled, kissing my forehead.

"When do I get to go home?" I asked nobody in particular. Before I could respond, the doctor entered the room again, this time with another person, a woman.

"Hello Riley, how are you feeling?" He smiled widely. Oh, it's Riley now is it?

"Tired. When can I get home and when can you take these stupid things off?" I groaned, tugging at them again.

"We can take those off when we're certain you won't try to hurt yourself again." The woman gave me a warm smile. My parents were giving me their best fake smiles too, but Zayn and Joni didn't look amused, neither did I.

"I'm fine, I won't do anything like that again." I said calmly. The truth is, I'm not sure if that's a fact. I know I'll try my best to be strong, thanks to Eric.

"We just need to take every precaution necessary." The woman smiled again. Fucking weirdo. "My names Dr. Sutton, I'm a psychiatrist." She introduced herself. Oh man, I don't want this shit.

"Hi." I replied flatly. I don't want this, I want Harry and I want to go home.

"After you rest for a while we're going to have a chat, is that alright with you?" She asked. I glanced over at Zayn who gave me a thumbs up, making me chuckle.

"Do I have a choice?" I groaned, and she shook her head.

"Why don't we all let Riley rest for a bit, yeah?" She suggested, shooing my parents and Zayn out of the room.

"I love you baby, we'll be right outside." My mom sighed.

"Why don't you guys go home?" I said. "It's almost four in the morning." I pointed towards the clock.

"I'll stick around." Zayn smiled, gotta love this guy.

"Are you sure, Riley? We can stay and watch you sleep--"

"No dad, take Joni home. I'll be fine, I promise." I insisted. Finally once they gave in and left, it was myself, the two doctors and Zayn.

"Can I get you anything to make you feel a little more comfortable? Pillows, blankets..."

"I want to see Harry." I demanded.


Harry's POV:

I felt a nurse tap me on my shoulder and when I looked up, I could tell she was taken back by my appearance. I'm a total wreck, and no one will tell me anything about Riley.

"Somebody is asking for you." She smiled, and I immediately sprinted towards her hospital room. She's awake, she's fucking alive! This is the greatest news in the entire world.

"Hey Ri." I whispered, out of breath in the doorway. Her blonde hair was tussled around, her skin was pale and her eyelids were heavy they were sinking by the second. I noticed her hands tied down to the bed and I immediately ran to undo them.

"Harry, stop it." She murmured, trying to shield her hands with her knees.

"You shouldn't be tied down like this, you're not an animal!" I said frantically, pulling at the ties. To be honest, I'll do anything to make her happy right now, I'll do anything to make things right.

"Hey. Look at me." She whispered. "Look at me!" She shouted lightly when I refused to look up at her. My heart broke when I saw her eyes struggling to stay strong.

"I spoke to Eric." She sighed, leaning closer to my face. I dropped to my knees at the side of her hospital bed and she pressed her head against mine.

"I don't understand?" I said, barely audibly.

"Me either." She whispered, closing her eyes. "Please don't leave me tonight." She sniffled, kissing my forehead and settling her head back down on the bed.

"I'll never leave you, ever... but promise you'll never try to leave me again?" I murmured, settling down into a chair across the room.

"Can't handle the chase, Styles?" She chuckled to herself. At least she of all people can find a little bit of humor through all this.

"Not when the reason your leaving is my fault." My voice cracked.

"I promise." She whispered, before drifting off into a delicate slumber.

Notes

she's alive!!!

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