Leo Marcer May Madeleine wouldn't stop coughing. She wouldn't stop shaking. She wouldn't stop crying. It was horrible. And when the ambulance came, she cried out more. I couldn't exactly pinpoint what she was saying, but I did hear some Spanish. Worst of all, I couldn't stop crying. Seeing her like this was absolutely horrific. The paramedics let me stay with Madeleine, since they couldn't get me to calm down. She just wouldn't stop crying, she kept reaching for me as if I were growing farther and farther away. And a few times she would cry out my name, or something about a bird. "Leo? Leo? Leo, I can't breathe, I can't do anything! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't want this, I didn't–" She was lost, as she coughed up more blood. I had to hold her hand for her to stop shouting. *** I was in the waiting room. Again. Except this time, it was longer. And I was pacing so much that a woman had to tell me to calm down. At least there are some people who care about someone other than themselves. Finally after about two hours of waiting, a nurse– a man this time, who was much kinder– walked into the waiting room. "Leo May?" He said looking up from his clipboard. I got up and thanked him, running to room G24– the room that he had told me she was in. I stopped at the door, hesitating, my hand hovering over the handle. What would she look like this time? Would she not want to see me? Would she ever forgive me? I stopped myself. I was overthinking. This is not the time to overthink when there is a girl in that room waiting for you. I walked into the room. It wasn't much different, but there was a more complex heart monitor. Madeleine stared at me, her grey-and-blue eyes looking solemn and deprived. She almost looked unfamiliar. She looked different. She doesn't look like the sweet, kind Madeleine I know. I sat in the chair next to the bed, and gripped her hand gently. She smiled, but it looked painful. "Leo?" She said, her hand flexing. "Yes, Madeleine?" "Do you…do you remember what you said at the house?" "Of course I do. I could never forget something like that." "Can I tell you something?" "Of course." "I think I might have fallen in love with you too, Leo." "Really?" I asked rubbing her scarred hand with my thumb. "Really." A tear ran down her cheek, and I gently wiped it off her soft face. "Do you think they'll mind me hopping up there with you?" I asked, slowly standing up. "If they yell at us, I'm blaming you." She said, her eyes filled with laughter. "Alright then." I laughed, and slid under the thin sheet that covered Madeleine, as she sat up so I could get on. As I lay down, Madeleine twists onto her stomach, and rests her head on my chest. And we lay there for a while, probably wondering what wonderful life awaits us. Madeleine traces the words on my t-shirt; 'I Heart Florida.' I rub her back, but feel something slightly unsettling. I slowly run my hands on it. A scar. A scar that ran from her neck, to her lower back. I gingerly trace it. It was roughly about three inches wide from what I could feel. "I didn't tell you about that," She said, slightly stretching. "Do you remember on the news five years ago, the girl at Disney?" "Yeah." I said, my hand rubbing anywhere else but the scar. "Well, that was me." My hand stopped, and I quietly gasped. "I should've told you sooner, but I was so caught up…loving you." I smiled, "Well, I'm happy you were caught up loving me." "Me too." I resumed rubbing her back, this time rubbing in circular motions. Until Madeleine fell asleep to the rhythm of my heartbeat.
