Fan Fiction |
by Jazs
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In the midst of the excited voices and laughter, someone stood out from the crowd. He has a sad expression on his face as he looked straight ahead, staring blankly at nothing. Though everyone was busy decorating the new Christmas tree down the hall, his face remained expressionless. Clearly, his mind has wandered far away. There were some who looked at him weirdly but those who knew him looked at him with utmost sympathy. His story has been spread around the hospital, which he has been there every single day since the fateful accident. Almost every doctors and nurses in the building knew his story.
It is only a month before Christmas but this young man had nothing to celebrate or to look forward to. It was exactly a year ago, around Christmas time when everything changed. He was no longer the same cheerful person he used to be. Now, he has even forgotten how it is to smile and to laugh again. It has been a year but nothing he could do to erase the painful memories from his mind. Life was going so well for him. His career was taking off, his loved ones were all supportive of him and most importantly, he had her with him.
But everything was taking away from him in a matter of a few minutes. How could something so strong become nothing in the end? It all happened so fast, in a day’s to be exact. He had his trust betrayed and his heart broken into a million pieces. Before he could even recover from the pain, he was sucked into another whirlwind, the accident. He couldn’t help but to think that it was his fault. He had lived the past one year in guilt and remorse. He had given up everything. His career, his friends, his family, his life.
He hated the happy songs that they were playing.
He hated the big red fat man giving out presents.
He hated the bright and colourful Christmas tree.
He hated the beautifully wrapped presents.
He hated seeing everyone’s happy holiday faces.
He simply hated everything about Christmas.
For it only reminded him of her.
He snapped out from his thoughts when he realized that someone had sat down right beside him. He turned his head and saw a girl around his age, looking all tensed up as she look around the hall. It was as if she was running away from something or rather, someone. However, once her eyes landed on the big Christmas tree in front of her, she was mesmerized.
She looked so child like innocent as she gaped at the beautiful lighted up tree in front of her. Also, she has the most captivating and beautiful smile. Edison suddenly realized that he had been staring at her the whole time and quickly snapped himself out of it. He turned away just in time as she turned over to look at him. He moved away from her but as he did that, she inched even closer to him. Just when he’s about to get up to leave, she pulled him down again.
“What are you doing?” he cried.
“Don’t talk so loud! I need your help!” she hissed, still peering around cautiously.
“What are you….” he started to say.
“Here they come!” she whispered, cutting him off.
Before he could do anything, the girl leaned over and kissed him. He was taken aback and was too shock to retaliate. He managed to catch a glimpse of two nurses apparently searching around for her. However, when they saw the kissing couple, they did not bother to check on them. Once the nurses disappeared into a corner, he pushed her away quickly. He looked at her curiously as she started to laugh by herself.
“What is wrong with you, woman?” he asked, looking confused.
“I have a name, you know” she said, with a cheeky smile.
“Whatever. What are you doing running away from them?” he questioned her.
“My name is Gillian. What’s yours?” she replied, ignoring his question.
“You still haven’t answered my question” he said.
“Neither have you” she said, sticking out her tongue.
“I’m Edison. Now can you tell me?” he replied, shaking his head.
“Right after you have snuck me out from this awful place…. The coast is now…. clear!” Gillian replied, slipping her hands into his.
“What….” cried Edison but he never got the chance to finish his sentence as she pulled him out from the hospital.
Edison wanted to stop but when he looked back, the nurses and the security guards were already hot on their trail. He had no other choice but to follow her. They never stop running until they were a block away from the hospital. Just then, Gillian started laughing and Edison actually felt a small smile forming on his lips but he quickly stopped himself. He could not smile for smiling would mean that he is happy. He is afraid of that. He is afraid of being happy again.
“Come on! I’m hungry! Those hospital food are giving me a headache” Gillian said as she pulled him along.
“We should stop this nonsense now. I’m not going anywhere with you until you tell me what’s wrong” said Edison, remaining where he is.
“Lighten up a bit, will you? Why are you so serious?” Gillian lightly teased him.
“How am I supposed to lighten up? I don’t know who you are. I don’t know why those people were chasing you. I don’t know why you are running away from them…I don’t know…” started Edison, while crossing his arms.
“Fine. I’ll tell you! They are nurses and it’s their duty to watch over me because I have a history of running away. I hate the hospital, doesn’t anyone? Now, can we go for some food?” explained Gillian, with a pout.
“Why should I go with you? I do not know you” Edison questioned her.
“You still don’t know me? How many times must I tell you? My name is Gillian! Well, you’re responsible for taking me back to the hospital when I’m done feasting!” said Gillian, with a wink.
For the first time, Edison noticed that she is still clad in a hospital gown. She certainly did not look like a sick person for she is practically bursting with energy. Somehow, he could not associate her as being sick. She has more energy than anyone he has ever met. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that she is still a patient in the hospital. By taking her out, Edison could very much put her in unnecessary risks.
“I’m taking you back to the hospital now” Edison said, quickly.
“Very well then. You can go back yourself” Gillian replied as she skipped away from him.
“Gillian, please! I don’t want to be responsible if anything were to happen to you” sighed Edison.
“Then let it always be in your conscience that you’ve left a poor helpless and sickly girl all alone when all you could have done was to accompany her for some food” she snapped back.
“Gillian…” he called after her.
“What?” she spat back.
“You can’t go around town looking like this! Here…take my coat” Edison said as he takes out his coat, feeling defeated.
“Thank you! You won’t regret this!” she screamed excitedly.
Edison followed her around town as she went from shop to shop. Edison really wondered how could one eat so many things at one go. For a petite girl like her, she certainly has a huge stomach. At first, Edison was really cold towards her but he didn’t stay that way for too long. Somehow, there’s just something about Gillian that made him warm up to her.
“So, why are you admitted in the hospital?” Edison casually asked.
“I tried to jump out from my second level bedroom” she replied, after a hesitation.
“You what? How come I don’t see any bandages?” Edison cried, surprised.
“I injured my back but it’s now healing fast. In fact, I should have been discharged from the hospital earlier but the doctors insisted on running more stupid tests” she sighed.
“Whoa! I’m beginning to wonder if you’re made from steel? Anyway, why are you always running away?” Edison asked, curiously.
“You’ve been asking an awful lot of questions! Now it’s my turn! Why are you at the hospital?” asked Gillian.
“None of your business” replied Edison, stuffing his mouth with food.
Gillian stopped eating and looked at him weirdly. She then took up her hand and put it on his forehead, checking for his temperature. She quickly withdrew her hand and cried out in pain, as if his forehead is burning hot. Then, before she could say anything, she burst into a fit of giggles. Edison looked at her, confused but looking very amused. He was trying so very hard not to laugh.
He no longer felt so pressured and depressed when he’s around her. He is beginning to lighten up but just a little. She was like his light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Still, at the back of his mind, something stopped him from smiling. Something stopped him from laughing. Something stopped him from being happy. It was the image that he had carried in his mind this whole year. The girl who still lies unconscious in the hospital.
*Flashback Starts*
“I’m leaving” she finally told him the truth.
“Why?” Edison asked, demanding for an answer.
“I’m sorry”
That was all she could say.
“I’ll never smile or laugh again without you around. You’ve taken a part of me away with you” Edison cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.
*Flashback Ends*
“You’re burning with a fever! No wonder you’re acting so weird!” cried Gillian, breaking into his thoughts.
“Excuse me, Miss. Think you’re the one with the problem” said Edison.
“I personally think you’re cold blooded. I’ve been trying all night long to turn the frown of yours upside down into a smile but nothing seemed to work! All you have is that stoned cold expression” she said with a sigh.
“Don’t waste your time in trying” Edison answered.
“I’m not going to give up! I believe my mission in this world…the reason God created me was to put smiles on people’s faces” Gillian cried, determined.
“What? Do you think you’re some kind of a saint or an angel?” Edison teased her.
“More like an angel actually. I believe everyone is an angel in their own special way” she said, with a smile.
“How can you stay so positive all the time?” he questioned her.
“I’m not going to say anything until you tell me why you were at the hospital” she snapped back, playfully.
“I don’t want to talk about it” Edison whispered.
“What? Can’t you even explain why you were at the hospital? It was just a simple question, Edison” sighed Gillian.
“I was there to visit someone” Edison finally admitted, in defeat.
“Who?” Gillian asked.
“My…. A friend” he said, after a long hesitation.
“What happened?” she questioned him further.
“Accident. Now, are you done? We better get going before the hospital sends out the entire search team for you” said Edison, standing up before she could ask any more questions.
“Thanks for not only accompanying but treating me as well” said Gillian, with a smile.
“I don’t have much choice, do I?” replied Edison, rolling his eyes.
They walk back together to the hospital and throughout the journey, Gillian kept talking. Although Edison’s mind was thinking of someone else, he was listening to Gillian the whole time. He finds himself really enjoying her company. When they reach, Edison apologized to the nurses and promised them that he would never take Gillian out without their permission again.
"Edison, we're friends now, right?" said Gillian, with a smile.
"Yes" he replied, sincerely.
"Promise me, you'll come over and see me?" she asked. "I'll kill you if you don't" she added, with a small laugh.
"I will. Have a good rest" Edison promised her.
"Thanks" she whispered, before disappearing into her room.
In fact, Gillian need not make him visit her. He had wanted to see her himself. She had appeared right at the moment when he needed someone. There was something special about her. Something that had made him want to get to know more of her. He really wanted to be her friend.
Perhaps, it’s her smile that lighted up the darkness
Perhaps, it’s her laughter that brought sweet melody
Perhaps, it’s her voice that sounded like an angel’s
Unknown to them, this is the Alpha, the beginning....the beginning of a beautiful friendship.