"Orlando? Can you hear me! I said, CAN YOU HEAR ME!?" Tears streamed down my face as I ran to Orlando's side. His body lay between iron railings and a broken washing machine.
"No.. No no no no no! Orlando! Wake up! Call an ambulance! Somebody! Help!" Orlando's friend jumped off the last ladder rung.
"Geez, what the hell happened? Is he okay?"
"I don't know. I - I... Just ring 999 or something, okay? I'll get him in a recovery position or something,"
I lifted his head and Orlando groaned.
"Yikes.... Where am I?"
"Oh Orlando! Are you okay? I mean, you fell off the ladder!"
"I just... I can't move anything..." His voice trailed, and his face crunched up in agony.
"Stay where you are. Your friend is getting an ambulance, okay? Oh god, I'm so happy you're alive!"

*****

The wailing sirens was like music to my ears. The paramedics hopped out.
"You alright, laddie?" The main guy said, as he knelt down. Orlando's eyes opened - barely.
"Uhh..." He groaned.
"He fell off the ladder and he said he can't move," I intervened, to try and spare Orlando from any more pain.
"That's very helpful, missy," he gestured for a stretcher, and his colleagues lifted him up. Not a peep escaped Orlando's closed lips. They loaded him carefully into the back of the ambulance.
"Do you two want to come?" I nodded, and his friend did. We hopped in the back, after Orlando. I clutched his hand.
" 'Ang on, lemme ring Sonia," His friend called. "I'm Nathan, by the way,"
"Hi Nathan. I'm Skye," I whispered back. Murmurs of Nathan talking filled the empty silence. I waited for Orlando to sit up and pretend it was a joke, but he didn't. It was all too surreal.

*****

When we got to the hospital, Orlando undertook tonnes of X-Rays and scans. I wanted to stay, but Sonia told me to go home and not worry too much. Hitching the next bus, I couldn't get him out of my mind. I didn't feel hungry, so I skipped dinner. I sat on my couch, staring into space for ages. It wouldn't leave me at rest. I couldn't help it, so later on, in the late evening, I popped in. He was awake, but barely.
"Hey Orlando,"
"Hi... Skye,"
"How are you?"
"Knackered, I guess,"
"How did the scans go?"
"Results are coming soon,"
"I might go. You look exhausted, and I bet you want me to clear off," I stood up and headed towards the door.
"Skye?" I turned around. "Will you... Stay the night?"
"I... Don't know if I can. Surely you would prefer Sonia, or... I don't know. Me?" His head twitched up and down. I sat down on his bed and clutched his hand.
"Okay..."
Soon we had a bed on the floor. I lay down. It wasn't very comfortable but it would do. Orlando breathed heavily in his sleep. I sighed, closed my eyes and tried to pretend that it was all a bad dream.

*****

The next morning, I woke to the stench of hospital medicine. Orlando was in the same position as he was last night, but as I looked closely, his face was scrunched up again. I picked up his hand and gently rubbed it in a circular motion. He groaned.
"Skye?"
"Shh, it's going to be okay. Look, the doctor is here,"
"Hello Orlando and friend. Your results are in," Orlando opened an eye. "It seems... You've broken your spinal cord, fairly central. You've been partially paralyzed and the doctors think... Well, they predict that you're never going to walk again, even with several major operations," Orlando closed his eyes. I stared at the X-Rays in shock. It was obvious that it would take months for this to heal. The doctor continued.
"We need to inform discuss treatment with your parent or guardian,"
"Yes, shall I ring her to come?" I offered.
"That would be very helpful," He shook my hand. "Now what be your name, young miss?"
"Skye. Skye Turner,"
"Okay, Skye. You do that whilst I go and get Mr Bloom's medication," I quickly rang Sonia, who told me that she'd be there as soon as she could. Orlando was given liquid painkillers to reduce the side splitting shoots of pain he got every now and then. He looked like he was going to throw up. I clasped his hand and interlocked our fingers together. He tensed, and relaxed his grip.
"Orli! I came as quickly as I could! How is he?" Sonia came running in breathlessly.
"Yes, he is stable. However, we called to discuss operations for Mr Bloom. We could give his spine a brace and then we can reshape the spine. However, we have to put plates in as replica spine bones for the bones which have lost their mobility," Sonia nodded slowly, taking in every word.
"I felt, however, that Mr Bloom should make the decision, but you should be there to help him,"
"I'll... Do... That," Orlando grunted. "I'll do... anything... to get out...of this position,"
"Then, Mr Bloom, treatment will start as soon as we can, okay?"

*****

I came every day to see Orlando. For the first two days, he was completely out cold. His back was hurting and it was draining his energy fast. The next day, however, he was wide awake, fear crossing his eyes.
"Skye..." I held our my hand and he grabbed it.
"Today is the day,"
"You'll be fine, Orlando," I reassured, stroking his hand.
"What... What if it goes wrong? What if I'll... I'll never walk again?"
"Fight it, Orlando. You're a fighter. Stay strong. It'll all go well," I squeezed his hand.
"Skye?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I tell you something?"
"Course!"
"Can I thank you. For everything. You've been amazing. I've known you for three weeks, and they've been the best weeks of my life," I smiled.
"Me too,"
"So... If.. If I don't make it - "
"You will,"
"But... Just say..."
"Just say nothing. You're due now. It's all right," I stood up and headed for the door.
"Skye..." I turned around and looked at Orlando. His voice croaked. He shut his eyes in utter pain. He mumbled, yet I distinctly heard.
"Skye... I... I love you..."

Okay, this chapter is pre-tty rubbish...
I've been soooooooooooooo busy! Like it's ridiculous how little me time I get now :(

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! (Leave me a comment if something isn't right eg. Grammar, spelling...) It's not my best but whatever....

For now...

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