*~*Kamalei’s POV*~*

“Here, wipe your face.” Kelly said handing me a tissue from her purse, “He wouldn’t want to see you cry.”

“Thanks.” I replied wiping my eyes, “He’s going to be okay right?”

Kelly looked thru the window to where Zacky was lying in his hospital bed, tubes and machines he was hooked up to beeping in the private room. My brother was there talking to him with Val by his side. I hoped he was being nice to Zacky, even if he was unconscious they say they can still hear you. She put an arm around my waist and laid her head on my shoulder, looking up at me.

“Yeah. I think if he knows you’re here he will be fine. You have to be strong though okay? You sure you don’t want someone else to come in with you?” She asked me.

“Yeah. I want to see him alone. I can’t talk to him when everyone else is around…” I answered thinking of what I wanted to say.

“Lei are you going to go in?” Matt asked as he came out of Zacky’s room.

I nodded and pushed the door open softly. I stood at the foot of the bed for a moment, looking down at his still body. He looked like he was sleeping and at any second would jump up and claim to have pulled off the best prank ever. I walked over to the side of the bed, pulling up a chair and grabbed his hand softly rubbing circles on the back of it. I looked up out the window to see Kelly forcing a smile as tears welled up in her eyes which caused me to look down at his hand as my own tears started to flow. I laid my head down on his hand as I watched his chest rise and fall softly thru my tears.

I reached up and softly brushed his hair from his face while I continued crying, “Zacky boy…my Zacky boy… my sweet sweet Zacky boy… I’m sorry. I should’ve forgiven you weeks ago. I’m sorry. I miss you. I really miss you. I just want you to be okay. I want us to be okay…”

I held his hand and laid my head on it again as I cried into the bed. I couldn’t stop crying, feeling even worse because I wasted my time being mad with him.

What if he doesn’t wake up? What if he has brain damage and can’t remember any of us? What if he doesn’t remember me?

“Lei?” a raspy whisper called.

My head shot up, my eyes full of tears meeting bright green ones, “Zacky boy?”

“Don’t cry baby…” he said as he pulled his hand from me and wiped at my cheeks, “I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. I told you Zacky. I told you…” I said crying harder.

He grabbed my hand pulling at me, “Come up here…” I got up and sat on the bed, him pulling me to his chest in a hug, “Come here.”

He stroked my hair as I laid against him, tears streaming down my face, “Zacky I was so scared…”

“I know… I know… I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to you. I’m here now and I’m okay… don’t cry.” He said softly.

“I missed you. I really missed you. I’m sorry…” I said as I sat up.

“Sorry for what? You have nothing to be sorry for…” He replied.

“I’m sorry I didn’t forgive you sooner. I was stupid. I wasted so much time being mad when I could have been having fun… with you.” I answered looking down at my hand.

“Hey, look at me,” Zacky said tipping my chin up to look at him, “It’s ok. You were mad. You had your reasons. I just hated seeing you so miserable. I wanted to make you feel better but didn’t know how.”

I nodded and wrapped my arms around his body again, hugging him tightly, “I missed you my Zacky boy.”

“I missed you too my Lei girl…” he replied before pulling away, “Where is everyone? Are you the only one who cared about me?”

I giggled, “No silly. They’re probably outside smoking. I was kind of an emotional nightmare…”

“Really? Over little old me?” he asked jokingly.

“Yes. And you’re not old.” I said, “I fought off Kelly and my brother when they took you in the ambulance. Then you know, I couldn’t stop crying… like usual.” I shrugged.

Zacky nodded in agreement, “You and those tears… you really fought off your brother?”

“Well, I tried to. It’s kind of hard when he’s like 3 times my size…”

“So, are we okay again? Can we go back to being friends?” He asked me off topic.

“Yeah. I need my best friend back. He’s been on hiatus for too long.” I smirked.

“Oh, now I get to be your best friend again? Lucky me.” He smiled at me, “You sure they’re outside?”

I looked out the window to the hallway and didn’t see any of them, “I think so. Should I go look?”

“No, come here.” He said before grabbing my hand and pulling me down to him, crashing his lips to mine.

He kissed me passionately, his hand running along my cheek down to my neck as he teased at my bottom lip, asking for entrance. I gave it to him only to quickly pull away at the sound of my brother and Brian laughing from down the hallway. I looked out the window to see Jimmy standing there with a shocked look on his face, catching Zacky and I in the act.

“Oh no… oh no… oh no…” I started rambling as Zacky looked out the window at Jimmy.

Zacky simply shook his head at Jimmy who smiled wide before grabbing Leana’s arm and dragging her further down the hall and out of sight. I looked at Zacky again and felt my face blush at the glazed over happy look he was giving me.

“Are you alright? Should I call a nurse? They say you had a concussion and you could have brain damage…” I told him.

“I’m alright. Just the back of my head hurts like a bitch.” He said reaching up to touch the back of his head.

I smacked his hand away, “Don’t touch it. They put stitches.” Getting up and pulling his head towards me so I could see.

“It hurts…Brain damage is nothing I don’t already have…” he joked.

“Don’t we know it… Well I should get the nurse anyway. The doctor said if you’re okay then they will release you in the morning but you’re under a 48 hour watch.” I said as I started to walk towards the door.

“Wait… where are you running off to? What about our kiss?” He asked.

“What about it Zacky? I liked it.” I answered.

“Me too but are we back… like that? I don’t want to ‘push’ you.” He said half seriously and half joking.

“Let’s just let things happen the way they happen Zee. I’m going to get the nurse…” I said turning around before pushing the door open, “Glad you’re okay my Zacky boy.” I smirked.

Stepping into the hall my brother and Brian stopped their laughter looking at me solemnly.

“He’s awake.” I said as I walked off to the nurse’s station.

I told the nurse and she walked back to Zacky’s room with me, finding my brother and Brian inside the room joking with him. The nurse went in and began doing some tests to make sure there wasn’t any brain damage. I stood at the window and watched from outside, Zacky throwing me smiles every once and awhile. I felt a large hand on my shoulder, turning to look up to find Jimmy.

“Little Lei-Lei… let’s have a talk.” He said directing me towards the hallway.

We walked about halfway down the hall before he leaned down to whisper, “So I saw that… what’s going on?”

“Nothing Jimmy… it was just a kiss.” I replied quietly.

“So are you two back to being besties again?” he asked not bothering to whisper this time.

“I guess so. I forgave him and honestly…” I said rubbing the back of my neck, “I missed him a lot Jimmy. I missed him so much.”

“I know you did. We all know you did. Are you going to be kissing more now?” Jimmy asked.
“No! Shh… keep your voice down will ya… I don’t need Matt finding out about that. He’d kill Baker in the bed he’s lying in… We’re back to being best friends again. We aren’t dating or anything and he’s not my boyfriend.” I told Jimmy.

“Yet.” Jimmy replied smirking.

I slapped his chest playfully, “Shut up Jimby. It’s not like that…”

“Yet.” Jimmy said again giggling as he ran from me down the hall.

“SHUT UP JIMMY!!” I yelled earning a stern look from the nurses nearby.

“Based on what I saw, it’s only a matter of time Lei-Lei…” Jimmy teased from behind the safety of Leana.

“I’m not ready…” I trailed off as I walked back towards Zacky’s room.

“Yet.” Jimmy said one more time.

“Oh shut up.” I said reaching over and smacking him again as I watched the nurse in Zacky’s room.

*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

“Okay Mr. Baker, do you know what day it is?” the nurse asked.

“Honestly, no. I’m gonna guess Tuesday?” I said.

“I don’t even know what day it is… do you Brian?” Matt said between his laughter.

The nurse looked at Matt before turning back to me with an annoyed expression, “Mr. Baker, what year were you born?”

“1981.” I answered seriously this time afraid she would keep me here longer if I played too much.

“Ok good. Now just follow the tip of the pen with your eyes.” She said moving the pen back and forth in front of my face.

“Matt you should do that too… you need to learn to focus and not bash your bandmates in the head with microphones!” Brian said laughing at Matt’s irritated look.

“Shut up.” He mumbled, “Sorry Zacky.”

“It’s alright man. I’m fine.” I replied as the nurse scribbled more down.

“So far so good Mr. Baker. The doctor should be in to see you soon and he will make the final decision of when you can go home.” She said before checking a few IV’s and leaving.

“You ready to bust this joint?” Brian asked putting on his cowboy accent.

I laughed a little, “As soon as they let me. I could really go for something to eat…”

“They better not bring you any soup. You could pass out and drown.” Matt chuckled.

“Fuck off…” I joked back.

“Zee… can I come in?” Lei’s soft voice said peeking thru the cracked open door.

“Of course you can.” I smiled at seeing her face.

“What do you want though seriously?” Matt said his voice changing to a more serious one.

“Carl’s Jr. anything. As long as it’s not hospital food.” I answered before grabbing Lei’s hand and pulling her to sit on the bed with me.

Matt looked at the both of us, “So you two cool now?”

“Yes. Everything is back to normal again. Sorry…” Lei apologized.

“I don’t care as long as the weirdness is gone. If there’s one thing the past few weeks have taught me is that you two freaks need to be friends. I can’t deal with one without the other…” Matt said as he and Brian left the room.

“Everything is back to normal now?” I asked Kamalei as soon as the door closed.

“Yeah. Unless you don’t want it to be…” she trailed off.

I leaned forwards looking out the window to see everyone sitting there, “Yeah I want it back to how it was. You’re my best friend and I’m yours. No one has tried to talk to you right?”

“What do you mean?” she turned and asked curiously.

“My brother. He hasn’t tried to get a hold of you has he?” I questioned.

“No. I haven’t heard from him.” She said and I felt a vibration on the bed.

She stood for a minute and pulled her cell from her pocket, checking the text message.

“Who is it?”

“Austin. He’s so funny. He always sends me these crazy pictures of stuff.” She giggled.

“Oh, yeah… he’s a cool guy.” I said trying not to let my jealousy show.

“Zacky boy, is that jealousy I hear?” she replied smirking at me.

Well that was an epic fail.

“No. It’s true. He’s a cool guy.” I said.

“Zacky, he’s a cool guy but he’s not you.” She said looking into my eyes. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not worried…” I said picking at my fingernails.

“You’re worried that I like him.” She said grabbing my hand in hers, “I like him Zacky but not like that. He’s like you said, a cool guy. He’s definitely no Zacky Vengeance…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I implored.

“It means he’s not you. You’re special to me.” She said nonchalantly as she texted Austin back.

“Am I now? Yesterday you hated me and today I’m special… you are moody aren’t you?” I joked poking her side.

She giggled as she shied away from me, “Stop it… I didn’t hate you. I could never hate you Zee.”

“Well you sure had me fooled… I missed you.” I said smiling at her as I pulled her to my chest wrapping my arms around her.

“I missed you too.” She said after a few moments wrapped around each other and I kissed her temple.

“Ahem.” Kelly cleared her throat from the door, “You two better cut it out before Matt comes back… I’m glad you are alright Zacky.”

“Thanks Kelly. I’m glad too.”

“Now, can you please not piss her off anymore? She’s been a zombie and a nightmare for weeks now. I need my friend back.” Kelly said crossing her arms standing over the bed.

“I promise I won’t. I need my friend back too.” I smirked looking at Kamalei as she sat up again.

“So you two back to being best friends and shunning me?” Kelly joked sitting in the chair nearby.

“I never shunned you.” Kamalei said surprised, “If anything you shunned me for Brian.”

“I guess so… well, we are on tour now so there is plenty of time for us to hang out again… the boys are busy…” Kelly trailed off looking outside the window as Brian and Matt came back.

“Fair enough but I have best friend duties with Zacky too.” Kamalei told her.

“What is that?” Matt asked coming in and setting down the food.

I tore into the bag as Kamalei answered him, “Zacky has to have someone watch him for 48 hours…I was thinking I could do it.”

Matt who had been eating a french fry choked, Brian patting him on the back, “What?! No. I don’t think so…”

“Why not?”

“Because… just because.” Matt stammered.

“That’s not a good enough answer. I’ll watch him. We have lots to catch up on anyways.” She said turning and smirking at me.

I smiled back at her, “Yeah Matt. It’ll be 2 for 1. She’s gonna hang out with me anyway and you know it.” I said muffled by my mouth full of food.

“Ew. Zee… you’re spitting it on me.” She cringed away from me.

“Sorry.” I said as I kept eating, feeling like I hadn’t eaten in weeks.

“He’s right Matt. They’re going to be glued to each other like before… if she babysits Baker then that’s one less thing we have to do…” Brian said sitting in the chair next to Kelly.

“Hey! I don’t need a babysitter!” I exclaimed.

“You do. Doctor’s orders…” Matt said taking a sip of his soda, “I guess Lei can do it… if you’re really up to it?”

“I am.” She smiled big and nodded, “I promise I’ll do whatever the doctor says. I promise.”

“Fine. One less problem.” Matt agreed as the doctor came in.

“Mr. Baker, so I have a few more tests to do just to make sure and we’d like to keep you overnight for observation. You did have a pretty nasty concussion there.” The doctor told me.

“Do I have to stay overnight? We have a tour we’re on…” I started.

“Your health is more important don’t you agree?” He said and I shrugged, “Well if the scans come back clear, I’ll let you go tonight but you have to have someone keep an eye on you for 72 hours.”

“I’m in charge of that!” Kamalei said excitedly raising her hand.

“Are you his girlfriend?” the doctor asked.

“NO! She isn’t. She’s my sister.” Matt yelled.

“Okay…sorry I just assumed since she was very upset earlier... but you’re going to be watching him?” the doctor asked receiving a nod from Kamalei, “Well if there is anything in the next 72 hours that seems different or he’s acting strangely you need to bring him to the closest ER immediately. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

“Yes sir.” She saluted him with a big smile, “You hear that Zacky boy, you have to come to the ER next time!”

“Yes ma’am.” I saluted her this time, “I promise to listen to you this time.”

“Alright let me get those scans ordered and as soon as you are finished eating we will take you down to get them done.” The doctor said before leaving.

Notes

Hey gang! Sorry for my serious lack of updates, life has been gripping me pretty tightly. If you get a chance, check out my new story up on Wattpad.com under my same username here, missyb808. This story is also posted there if you also have issues with this site like I do. I will make sure to update on both sites at the same time so everyone can stay on the same page. Thank you for hangin in there and reading along in this story. Please leave me some comments on what you think about this chapter, I love hearing your feedback. Much love and aloha <3 <3 <3 XoXo