She's in a coma.

The four words that I never wanted to hear; that I didn't think I would ever hear.

"Would you like to see her? Only one or two people at a time."

"Yeah. Yeah, I would." I answered.

He nodded.

"Alright. Come with me."

She was a mess. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Oh Bella..." I said sitting next to her.

I took her hand and stroked it before speaking to her again.

"I called Ally not too long ago and now, she's on her way. Sounds great, right? Well, it would be if you had called her up and things weren't they were now. That's ridiculous. I miss you so much and I love you so much, I hope you know that. Please come out of this sooner than later. I'm going crazy here."

"Can we come in?" Maddy asked minutes later, lightly knocking on the door.

"Yeah." I whispered.

She walked in with Matt holding her close while tears ran violently down her face. She let go and hugged me tightly; I returned the favor. After pulling away, she went to the other side of Bella and took her hand.

"Oh honey, this is crazy. I can't believe this is happening. One minute we're leaving the movie theater, the next, you were hit. Please come back to us as soon as you can. I don't know what to do without one of my few closest friends."

Three hours later and it was seven, only two hours before visiting hours were over when Ally arrived. She knocked on the door and I let her in.

"How is she?"

"She's in a coma. Only minutes later, they told us how she was."

She was a statue; no movement at all. Tears were flowing, but that was about it.

"Ally..." I said immediately hugging her.

"Why is this happening?! It isn't fair!!!" she cried against me.

"I've been wondering that for hours."

"This is fucking shit." she said letting go of me.

She moved to her side and lightly touched her face, all the while shaking her head.

"This is absolutely crazy. How could this happen?! I know how...but...well, you know what I mean. Although I'm here to see you, I'd rather it not be while you're in this condition, but living your life."

We stayed another two hours before we had to leave, despite me wanting to stay all night here. Maddy and Matt left a few minutes after Ally arrived and now, I'm headed home, letting Ally stay over for as long as she can.

"Want a drink?" I asked her an hour later.

"Yeah. I'd love one." she said emotionless.

I made each of us a couple drinks before I went to bed for the night. I hardly slept, but I hoped I could catch a few winks on the plane to Philly. I went to see Bella as long as I could...nothing changed. I didn't wanna go, but I had to.

"What's wrong?" Sid asked as we boarded the plane.

Sid's the guy I sit next to on the plane, so we'd have a lot of time to talk. I took a breath before I spoke.

"Bella's in a coma."

"What?"

"We went on a double date with her friend Maddy and her boyfriend yesterday. After leaving the movie theater, we were arguing and she walked out and got hit by a car."

He didn't know what to say.

"I-I can't believe this. I know you're telling the truth, but it just sounds like a terrible nightmare."

"I wish it was a nightmare. At least I'd know, she'd be there beside me."

Ally and Maddy took alternate shifts at the hospital visiting Bella, waiting, hoping and praying for her to wake up. I plan on going back as soon as I can after we come back. The following day, I didn't have to play, but I wish I did, so I could concentrate more on the game than Bella. We came up a tight win and flew to New York for the game against the Rangers; now, that game I played in. We ended up with a win and I was thankful to get home and get some rest before seeing her in the morning.

"How are you feeling today?" Ally asked, greeting me in the waiting room.

"Okay, I guess. You?"

She shrugged.

"Ready to go in?" she asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Nothing had changed. Nothing at all. The only thing that has changed was the day. It was three days later and there was no sign of improvement.

"Hey Bella. I figured while you're lying here trying to wake up, I'd update you on how the Pens are doing. We played two games back to back. Johnny played the first game; we won 2-1 after the Flyers scored the first goal. Cookie got the game-winner, by the way. The next day, we played the Rangers and it was fantastic. Chris Conner scored his first two goals and we won 4-2. I really wished you could've been at home, watching the game. Life's harder now, knowing you're lying here in a coma, while me and the rest of your loved ones are out living our/their lives. It just doesn't seem fair. I was hoping by the time Thursday's game comes rolling around, you could be there at the game, having fun and supporting me. I'd really love that. I love you and I miss you."

The rest of the day was pretty much a drag, for the most part I was there, besides getting a bite to eat at lunch and at dinner. I didn't leave until I absolutely had to. Two days later, we were due to play the Senators and I wasn't feeling great. I know she wants me to play my best, but it's hard; harder than I wanted it to be. It almost felt impossible, to tell you the truth. I planned on staying for as long as I could before I had to be at the Mellon Arena for the game; I still had hope for her waking up before the game started.

Notes