it's day 5 since he was admitted to the hospital and she is there again, sitting beside the bed. one hand holding his hand, one hand holding a pencil. she's doing homework, no matter how much she doesn't want to.

the first few days, she had skipped class to be with him, hoping he'd wake up. she didn't want to leave at all.

on day 4 her parents had finally scolded her and she had gone to her lectures, however reluctantly. she ended up going to his room every morning and then heading there again after her classes ended. with nothing else to do other than wait, she ended up doing homework, if only to get her parents off her back.

when visiting hours end, the nurse shoos her out apologetically.

"i'm sure he'll wake up soon," the nurse says, but she doesn't sound sure.

~

days pass.

1, 2, 3...

5, 6, 7...

10, 11...

it's day 12, and it's gotten to the point that the nurse knows her name and says hello when she comes in.

coming in every day for nearly 2 weeks, it's become routine now. she writes her name down in the guest book and the receptionist just smiles and says, "you know how to get to his room."

she does, and it takes no time at all to head up and let herself into his room. when she looks up, she gasps.

he's sitting up instead of lying down, facing the window. when he hears her come in he looks over at her, and a surprised expression crosses his face.

he doesn't have time to say anything, though, because pure happiness prints itself on her face, an unmistakable smile, and with a shout of "you're awake!" she runs over and engulfs him in a relieved hug. he laughs and hugs her back, a bright smile blooming on his own face.

when they separate, he pats her on the head and laughs again. his expression mellows a bit and then he pulls her close again, the barest glimmer of relieved tears glittering in his eyes.

"good morning."