crash// (cole sprouse fan fic)

hours 95-103

Bacterial pneumonia.

When I walked into Cole's room on Monday, he was asleep. To say I felt horrible would be the understatement of the century. His fever, increases heart rate, and memory loss were symptoms of a bigger problem. Because he smokes and had just had surgery, his immune system was compromised.

That's what the doctor said.

Occasionally, he would move around a little bit and turn his head to the other side of the pillow. Every so often, his eyes would flutter open and he'd wet his lips looking for water. I sat there ready with ice chips, water, and juice. Beads of sweat lined his forehead and I would pat his face with a damp cloth.

Bacterial pneumonia.

I'm not a med student, don't get me wrong, but I do know that that's not good. It can even be deadly. The doctor says fluids and powerful antibiotics for the next three days will help but it may push his recovery back. So, he would have to stay in the hospital a little longer.

Connor brought me some provisions— a blanket, my phone charger, a neck pillow— when he came to take the car. I had made up my mind to sit with Cole all day although it wasn't much of a decision to make. I would stay with him for as long as I could.

I ended up being there all day. Cole never interacted with me and I wasn't really expecting him to. I just wanted to be near him and hear his slow, deep breaths so I would know that everything would be okay. I watched his chest rise and fall. He seemed at peace. I don't know how long I had been watching him. There was a soft knock that brought me back to reality. It was Cassie. She was likely there to tell me that visitor hours were ending. They all go around in case visitors lose track of time.

"Hey Collins, how are you holding up?" She asked.

"Oh, he's just been sleeping. Sometimes he'll wake up a little for water or move around a little if he's too hot or too cold," I answered never taking my eyes off of Cole  as Cassie walked around Cole's bed to stand beside me. She watched over him just as I was.

"Well, that's great but I asked about you. How are you holding up? Anyone can see that you two have grown fond of each other." The blonde nurse repeated.

I looked up at her, unsure of what to say. I didn't know how I was doing. I just told her what I knew: "I'm scared."

Cassie brought an arm around me and pulled me into her side. "It's going to be okay, Darling. We're going to take good care of him, I promise."

I leaned into her and nodded, silently chewing on my bottom lip. I couldn't ask the question that I was thinking. I couldn't ask if they say that to everyone to avoid people going hysterical. I couldn't ask about what would happen if she was wrong. I couldn't ask what happens if he dies.