To Love the Rain

Chapter Twenty-One

When I awoke, it was to a sea of faces.

I was in the hospital, again.

Different colored sets of eyes with different complexions surrounded me on all sides, worry etched upon their faces. It took me a while to recognize most of them, but when I did, I smiled.

"Hey guys," I rasped, my voice hoarse from disuse.

"Merci!"

I grinned weakly.

"Did I..." I coughed out. "Did I finish?"

A collection of teary nods.

Melody wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Yeah, you finished. You won, Merce."

I choked out a laugh at that.

"I did?"

She swallowed, as if she couldn't believe this was happening.

"Yeah, you did."

One by one, they came forward to say their goodbyes. Teary eyed, and trembling.

And one by one, I smiled at them, and thanked them.

"I won't forget you."

"I'll live for you!"

"Rest easy buddy."

"Let me know if you play any cool games in heaven!"

"Tell God He made a mistake, yeah?"

"Don't haunt me!"

"Nick, shut up!"

"Sorry!"

I laughed at that.

"Seriously though, don't."

It was like something out of a movie, and as I watched the slow proceedings of tear stricken faces, I couldn't help but be reminded of a day so long ago, underneath another rainy sky. People from all over town, from Mr. Clark's trembling visage to Dr. Monroe's shaking hands, tried their best to smile for me in my final moments, just like I did for Ben.

"May God have mercy on your soul, my boy."

"God's getting Merci, one way or another." I joked back, heaving all the while.

And finally, it came down to three.

Alex came forward first, tears finally spilling over.

She hugged me then. A gentle, loving one.

"I'll miss you so, so much," she whispered against my neck. "I love you, Mermer. You're the best friend I could ever ask for! I love you so much!"

I smiled brokenly, and wiped her tears away with my thumb.

"Love you too, Lex. We've had some good times, didn't we?"

She nodded, wiping at her tears furiously.

"The- the best."

I was crying now.