CHAPTER NINETEEN.
i just wanna be by your side

        THEY SAY PAIN AND SADNESS MAKE YOU CREATIVE, BUT NATHAN SCOTT JUST FEELS EMPTY; NUMB. He currently sat at his girlfriend's side at the local hospital, glancing off into the distance with a blank look, eyes burning from the amount of crying in the last twenty-four hours. Anger, that's another big emotion caught inside him, dancing freely inside his body. He'd only been passed out in his own hospital bed for a few hours, the doctors saying he had been knocked out and only sustained a mild concussion. Which is why he was so angry at the moment. Why couldn't it have been him in Lola's shoes, why couldn't he be the one fighting for his life right now? It's not fair.

        He'd been through so much these past few months, the boy is slowly starting to not believe in God anymore. Because, what kind of God would make him suffer this much? It's cruel and almost as if the man upstairs enjoyed seeing him like this. Honestly, everything is his life has always been shit. His father, toxic relationship with Peyton, the old rivalry with his brother, the wreckage inside the race car, getting divorced before graduating, Keith dying, and now his girlfriend having the possibility of dying. Maybe there really isn't one after all.

        What hurts worse than all of those terrible things is he never got to hear Lola confess the eight letter word to him. Did she even feel that way? Nathan felt like a small little boy in this predicament, questioning the things in his life.

        Approaching footsteps echo into his ears, but he doesn't take his eyes off the side wall, thoughts still running deep. The person puts their hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "I'm so sorry you're going through this, Nate."

        Nathan glanced at his brother for a moment, "Thank you." His voice comes off hoarse, obviously needing a drink of water.

        Lucas looks at him in confusion, "For what?"

        "For saving us." He moved his attention towards his girlfriend as she laid still on the uncomfortable bed. "I don't think we'd be here if it weren't for you."

        "Don't thank me, you're my brother, of course I was going to save you." Lucas' blue eyes then look at Lola. "And we may have been fighting before, but she's my best friend and I love her."

        The youngest Scott brother just nodded, not saying anything as they both just continued to stare at Lola. "She hasn't said it back yet." His words surprise Lucas, who takes the other seat across from the brunette. "I told her I loved her and that she didn't have to say it back, but that's all I can think about, all I want to hear. Am I selfish for wishing she'd say it while she lays there in this predicament?"

        "I don't think it is, Nathan. It's understandable why you want to hear them and I'd feel the same way. But, you shouldn't have to, it's quite obvious she does."

        Nathan sighed, "You're right. I just wish she'd wake up so we can finally start being a real couple. It feels like every corner we turn, something bad happens. I don't know if this is some sort of test from the universe to see if we're strong together or not, but it's fucked up."

        Lucas gave his brother a soft look, absolutely heartbroken as he suddenly realized just how much Nathan really loved Lola. The blonde boy could see it in his eyes, the desperation that glinted off as he gazed upon his girlfriend. Guilt rushed throughout his system and he wanted to punch himself for being such a douchebag towards Lola.

        "Why don't we go get something to eat from the kitchen and come back so we can see how sees doing. You should stretch your legs." That's all Lucas says, deciding to apologize as soon as his girl best friend woke up.

        Before Nathan could reject, a soft voice speaks up from the threshold of the door. "You two go ahead, I'll keep an eye on her." It was Brooke.

        Nathan finally takes his eyes away and glanced at his friend, "You sure?"

        She nodded, walking into the room. "Positive. Andre is already down there and he could use the company."

        "Alright." He hesitantly agreed, leaving the room after getting up from the seat and setting a kiss upon Lola's forehead. "Text me if something comes up."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.

        After eating, both Andre and Nathan stayed behind with Lola while everyone else went home in the night. So, now, it's just those two as they sit on both sides of her bed. The Young man was flipping through a random magazine, licking his fingers every so often to get to the next page whilst Nathan fought sleep, head laying against the back of the uncomfortable chair.

        "You know you can go to sleep, right? If she wakes up or something changes, I'll wake you up." Andre hummed, not looking in the boy's direction, eyes concentrating hard on the page.

        Nathan blinked, blurs filling his vision. "I don't wanna miss it when she does."

         Just as he goes to retort back, a groan interrupts their conversation and both men turn, noticing it had come from Lola herself. Andre was the first to react, rushing to grab her hand. "Lola, can you hear me?" He asked softly, not wanting to disturb her ears.

        Lola's hand went up to her throat and rubbed, the spot feeling sore. "Yes." It came out in a whisper, but they heard.

        "I'm gonna get the doctors, Nate, stay with her." He then left the room, leaving the other two behind.

        Nathan had tears in his eyes, a relief washing over him as he saw her beautiful face glance up at him. "Hi, Lols. I missed you." Her mouth opens to speak again, but he stops it with his fingers. "Don't. Let me get you some water first."

        She watched him lift the cup up before putting it towards her lips. Mouth opening, the straw goes in and she takes small sips, loving the refreshing taste that came with the water. It somehow felt as though she hadn't drank in years.

        "How do you feel?" He watched her finish the content from the glass cup and put it on the table beside her.

        Lola tried to look up at him, but the lights practically blinded her, so she glanced at the white bedsheets. "Sore."

        Nathan sighed, sitting back in his seat and clutched her hand. "I'm so glad you're alright. Everyone was worried you wouldn't wake up."

        "Did you really think I'd leave you behind without dragging you with me?" Lola watched him laugh, a smile blooming across her own face at the sight.

        "It's just too soon. We had started dating not that long ago and if you would've left me, I'd lose it." Nathan was completely serious. Without Lola, he had no one.

        Her eyes watered, lip quivering at the feeling that suddenly overwhelmed her senses. One she'd never felt outside of her own family. "I love you too, Nathan. So much."

        He didn't waste any more time, arms engulfing the smaller woman into him, the two relishing in their shared love together.