Xaviers POV

Two hours had passed since I'd been banished to the waiting room.  After overhearing the conversation between the detectives and the doctor I had been unable to focus on anything else. My mind constantly looping between the revelation that my girl had amnesia and the fact that she was now being forced to endure the company of these curious detectives. The image I had caught sight of imprinted into my brain, my mind filled with wonder and intrigue as to how it related to her.  If the rest of the documents contained in the folder had been half as peculiar and inexplicable as the one I'd seen I could only imagine how much they would confuse and scare her.

It took all of my power not to run to her, run to that room and just be with her, support her. Though I wondered how much comfort my company would offer, being that I was just as much of a stranger as anyone, if she were suffering from amnesia I supposed everyone would be a stranger, how terrifying that must be. The only reason I had managed to resign myself to this agonising waiting was out of fear of being removed from the hospital for not following the nurses explicit instructions to stay away.

Two hours turned into three, I was, to simply put it, losing my mind, all remnants of my patience leaving me with every thunderous tick of the clock. The hand signifying the passing of a singular second feeling like a lifetime as it concluded its orbit signalling the passed minute, only to begin again. I entertained the idea of making my way to the cafe, not because I was hungry but rather as her room was en route, the possibility of just catching a glimpse of her beauty almost overwhelming me.

Just as I was about to give into temptation movement from the corner of the room caught my attention. The man who had caused me such agitation earlier had abandoned his statuesque pose, warily glancing around the room before briskly making his way out of the door, each stride long and filled with conviction. Despite me having earlier come to the conclusion that I was merely being paranoid and that this man, like me was simply waiting for someone, I stood, almost unwillingly, my intention being to follow him. I began my pursuit, unsure of what I hoped it would achieve, nothing most likely, yet I couldn't help but give in the to the curious sensation rippling through my body. I became the embodiment of a fictional sleuth. Walking lightly, on the very tips of my toes, matching him stride for stride, head bowed, attempting to look inconspicuous by ensuring I left a discreet distance. I was the predator and he was the prey.

I followed him down the winding corridors of the hospital, him moving with expertise as though he knew the lay of the land, each turn he took was that of a man who was certain of his destination. Though sure he had not yet noticed me, still hot on his tail, I maintained that safe distance, each step taken light and but a whisper upon the laminate.  He turned a sharp corner, I was just metres behind but to my astonishment he had vanished. I assessed the seemingly endless corridor, perusing for exits in which he could have made his escape but there were none. The only doors leading off this long stretch were clearly marked 'X-RAY' each one illuminated red alerting passers-by that the room was in use and not to be disturbed. It was as though he had just evaporated, no trace of him left behind.

Perplexed and searching my mind for explanations, I turned intending to return to the waiting room, when a body crashed into my chest sending a jolt of electricity to coarse through my bones. Knowing who it would be before I peered down, though confused as to why she was out of bed, how she was out of bed when hours ago she was bed bound, unable to even consume water unassisted. Looking down my suspicions were confirmed, standing two or three feet below stood my girl. A navy dress clinging to her petite frame, hair damp falling elegantly to her hips, cheeks flushed red as she stared directly into my eyes. Opaque pools of the lightest blue rendering me speechless. A look of shock, followed by recognition passing her flawless features. 

"You."  Though she spoke only one word, her voice was a melody I would never tire of.

"You." I responded, unable to conceal the smile that was now plastered upon my face.

For a moment it was as though the world stopped spinning.  Still standing so close to her, barely an inch between us, it was as though time had frozen the moment we'd collided. I couldn't take a breath without expanding chest brushing against her. I took the slightest step back, attempting to create some distance, the proximity too overwhelming to allow me to form thought or speech. I was about to open my mouth to introduce myself, to tell her how happy I was to see her looking so strong, but she beat me to the chase.

"Ari"

"What?" I responded, it seemed her nor I were able to produce more than one word at a time. She had an excuse of course having just woken up from being comatose, I on the other hand did not. I knew I must have looked like a complete and utter fool by the way I gazed at her and by my inability to speak.

"Your question earlier, you asked me my name, it's Ari. I think-" She trailed off, lost in thought for a moment, tearing her gaze from me, glancing at the floor whilst ever so slightly biting her bottom lip.

Choosing to ignore the uncertainty in her voice, resisting the urge to pry as to why she was so unsure as to if this was her name, I responded.

"Xavier, I'm the one who found you, I've just been waiting to make sure you were okay, I just needed to know that you were okay, you really do look okay, well great even considering, you know, how you looked this morning, not to say you didn't look great, you did, you do, I mean, I don't know what I mean. Anyway, yes Xavier that's me, great to see you up, how are you? I'm just so surprised to see you walking, hows the pain? Dressed as well! Where are you off to?" 

Well, that couldn't have gone worse if I'd tried. 

She looked up at me, eyes wide, her mouth forming a tiny 'O' as though in complete shock at the tirade of words that had just fallen from my mouth. But no. I wasn't done now I'd started blurting nonsense I literally could not stop.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, this is probably the last thing you need right now, I'll just head on back down to the waiting room, if you just let the nurse know when you want to see me- If you want to see me, I'd really just like to speak with you if that would be okay with you of course. Anyway yes, I'll just leave you to it now." With great difficulty I turned, a fire burning inside me at the thought of walking away from her, I'd barely taken two steps when a small hesitant voice pulled me back.

"Wait, please just wait a moment..." 

Turning back to her the inferno blazing inside dulled to a more tolerable heat. 

She gazed up at me, her eyes wide, filled with wonder. 

"Thank you, I really just wanted to thank you. I really do have to go now, I've been discharged actually but thank you so much." Moisture building in her eyes, it was her turn to walk away. I stared back at her, forcing my voice to work. 

"Ari-" I called the name feeling natural upon my lips. "I really would like to speak with you sometime, may I give you my number so that when you're feeling up to it we could catch up maybe?" I asked, I wanted to ask so much more, astounded that she'd been discharged already, unable to understand how that was a possibility. 

How could the doctor say she had amnesia then let her walk straight out as though everything was fine?

I decided to save my questions for another time, if there was another time, if she allowed me the pleasure of another time. Everything being so uncertain made me incredibly anxious.

"Erm, well yes I guess that would be okay, do you have something you could write it on, I don't  have a phone you see, or anything really-" She'd turned to face me again now, though not as close as before, I took a few strides towards her, I searched my pockets managing to retrieve a pen, one I had grabbed earlier from the reception desk when I had tried and failed to distract myself with a crossword I had found in one of the discarded newspapers laying around the hospital. 

"I have a pen, maybe If you just give me one moment, please just a second I could find some paper." I replied hurriedly not wanting to lose the opportunity to speak with her again, hopefully when I had composed myself a little more. 

"Actually I can help with that!" She responded with enthusiasm, more sure of herself than she had been seconds ago. 

She, my girl- Ari, was holding a small box, one I hadn't noticed until now, too distracted by her eyes, her face, everything to have seen what she was grasping in her delicate hands. She promptly opened the lid slightly, slipping her hand inside. The sound of paper being torn filled my ears. Just as quickly as she had opened the box she shut it again. As she handed me a tiny scrap of paper our fingers brushed.  She flinched, her eyes widening slightly this confirmed to me that she had felt it too. The rush of power, of fire tingling between us at the brief physically contact. 

I scrawled down my name and number, avoiding contact with her this time for if our skin was to touch again I was unsure if I could resist the temptation to grab her hand.. To hold her small feminine hand in my large one. To hold and never let go. 

"Don't hesitate to call. For anything. Please, I really need you to call." I realised I sounded desperate. I was basically begging her, my tone pleading. 

"Okay." She responded, the ghost of a smile forming on her heart shaped mouth. "Really, Xavier, Thank you." My name falling from her lips the most pleasing sound I had ever encountered. 

"Ari! Time to go!" An urgent female voice called out. I had been so consumed by the exquisite creature in front of me I hadn't noticed the nurse leaning casually against the wall waiting for her.  

"Goodbye Ari, so nice to finally meet you." I kept my farewell simple, afraid if I were to try and say too much I would scare her out of ever calling me.

"Goodbye" Was her only response, her eyes meeting mine one last time before she joined the nurse, leaving me standing alone in the corridor. 

I watched her walk away, drinking in every last bit of her, afraid if I looked away she would also evaporate just as that man had earlier. 

After standing there, still as the painting of the boat that hung in the waiting room, I realised that I was completely and utterly consumed by this girl. Every single part of my being craved for her.

Once again I wondered what I had gotten myself into, but this time, rather than feeling worry, fear or confusion. 

I was excited.