My eyes fluttered opened as the sound came to my ears. I heard a beeping noise and turned to see one of the hospital computers. Why was I in a hospital? I tried to get up, but my side hurt very badly. I rubbed my eyes and got a better look at my surroundings, I was the only one there. That's when I remembered what had happened. I looked down to my side and sure enough, a patched up wound was there. Wait where was Cherry?! The door opened and in came my brother Mitch. He blinked a few times, before rushing over to me. "Maria your finally awake! How are you feeling?!" He suddenly jolted out of the room yelling nurse. Parker came in and carefully hugged me. "I must check on Cherry!" Parker opened the door that connected my room to the one next to me. Well, now I know where Cherry is. After the nurse checked on both me and Cherry, Mitch and Parker stood between both rooms. "Mitch, where's Jace and Jacexx?" I asked. "We sent them home last night, they didn't get any sleep since you and Cherry fainted due to blood loss." It was Cherry's turn to speak up. "How long were we here?" Parker looked up from his book. "For a week" "A WEEK?!" So the boys hadn't slept in a week, dear jebus. We chatted some more. Right around 10, Mitch decided it was time to text the boys. I counted all the flowers I had gotten as gifts, most were from Jace. Around 10:30, the Loeaed family was there, along with the rest of mine. My mom kissed my forehead and said a prayer in spanish before she went to check on Cherry. Pepper gave me a picture she drew and ran off to give Cherry a picture. Bob and Gowracay both patted my head and gave me a smile. Dauver booped a sticker on my cheek and I giggled. Jacexx and I brofisted before he literally ran to check on his best friend. I then faced Jace, who stood there staring at me. He looked like he was on the verge of tears. "Jace...?" He kneeled by my bed and covered his face in the covers. "Im so sorry Maria...I couldn't stop you from getting shot...if only I had been the one instead..."His voice was cracking, and it was breaking my heart so bad. "Hey hey Jace it's okay, you did keep me alive!" He looked up to me and sniffed. I wiped a tear from his face and smiled at him. "You wanna know something Jace?" Jace gave me a questioning look. "Jace Loeaed, you are my hero" I said, leaning forward to give him a hug. I felt him shaking. He hugged me back and hid his face in my shoulder, and I just comforted him. It was true, him being my hero. If he had not showed up, I wouldn't have been here right now, breathing and alive. Yeah I felt like kissing him but eeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh better not ruin the moment with more feels am I right? He pulled away from me and smiled. I smiled at that smile, I loved his smile. It was if I was addicted to his smile, more like him. My mother walked in and smiled at the both of us. I just knew she would love for me and Jace to get together. Bob walked in and put his hand on Jace's shoulder. "Son it's getting dark, we need to go" Jace gave his dad a pleading look. "Dad can I stay here with Maria, please?" "Now son, Im pretty sure her mother will stay." My mom jumped into the conversation. "Mr. Loeaed, I have work tomorrow so I can't stay with Maria, I would greatly appreciate it if Jace would keep an eye on her." Jace looked back at his dad who sighed. "Well I suppose if it is okay with Maria..." They all looked at me and I nodded in approval. Jace's face lit up and he cheered, blushing afterwards. The nurse came in and announced visiting time was over. Everyone but Jace and Jacexx left. Jacexx sat in the chair next to Cherry's bed and talked to her until they were tired. Jace sat by my bed and told me jokes and made me laugh. After a while, there was silence. I looked over to Jace and he had fallen asleep. He looked uncomfortable. I grabbed one of my pillows and put it behind his head and put one of my covers on him. A smile formed on his face, causing me to blush. I placed a small kiss on his forehead. "Sweet dreams Jace" I then snuggled into to bed and flipped Jacexx off because I knew he was watching. I heard him snicker and then he turned the lights of for me. "Thanks Jacexx" I heard him mumble a 'your welcome' before closing the door. I smiled and closed my eyes, drifting to sleep. In the morning, Jace gently shook me awake. I opened my eyes and yawned before looking at him. He had a smile on his face as he gave me some more flowers. I smiled at him as I accepted them. He blushed lightly as he returned the pillow and cover, making sure the pillow was fluffy and comfortable enough for me. He really did try to make sure I had everything I needed and that I was happy. And I was, he made me happy himself alone. I wasn't really hungry, it hurt to eat, so when the nurse dropped off my food, I pushed it aside. Jace looked at me worryingly and tried to convince me to eat. He finally found a way. Every time I laughed, I would need to take a bite. When I finished breakfast, Jace made me laugh some more. I laughed and hair got in my face, I didn't care, Jace was funny. Jace moved the hair out my face, and looked as if he wanted to say something. Right when he was going to say something, Jacexx interrupted. "Hey you two, no funny business, there may be children here" I blushed and Jace flipped his brother off. "Jacexx please" Jacexx smirked and went back to probably trick Cherry to eat. Jace laughed nervously and turned to me and I just smiled. The nurse came to get the dishes and to give me my check up. She told me I was doing better than yesterday and that I might get to leave earlier than expected. I nodded to her and smiled brightly and she left. Jace came in after she left and sat next to me again. We watched TV and we watched movies off his tablet. My mom came in the afternoon after work and informed me Cherry and I would be leaving in two days and that Jace could stay with me until I was released. Jace and I were happy.