Hours then having passed, JC looked to Justin. “Justin... I’m.. I’m gonna take a
walk. Can I get you anything?” He asked, already knowing the response. All Justin
wanted was Gabby, and JC couldn’t give him that.
In a hoarse voice, Justin replied, “No.. No thanks, man..”
Trying to shake the feeling that was consuming him, JC walked to the elevator.
He knew exactly where he was going. Whenever he was a little boy, he was able to tell
Macy anything. Things certainly couldn’t have changed that much between the two.
Within a few minutes, he found himself in front of her open door, wandering in.
Macy was sound asleep, a strand of chestnut brown hair falling over her face. Taking a
seat next to her bed, JC eyed the young woman. He almost felt a degree of contempt
towards Macy. Not unlike Gabby, she too had a lot to live for. Unlike Gabby, however,
she refused to try to pick herself off the ground and get back to her life. Her legs
“wouldn’t work” because she was too afraid of where they would carry her- too afraid of
what she would be challenged to face.
Then there was Gabby. Just a few floors below them was the most remarkable girl
that JC had ever met. If Gabrielle Reynolds was anything, she was a fighter. JC found
that most compelling about her.
His eyes traced Macy’s face, her thick perfectly curled eyelashes, lips turned into a
small smile. Before he realized it, Macy was awake, peering back at him ominously. “And
what are you looking at, Joshua?”
“I don’t know why I’m here... I shouldn’t be here..” He responded honestly. For
the first time in his life, JC had no clue what he was doing, and it frightened him. Before
Macy could reply, he asked rudely, “Are you crippled in your dreams? Can’t you use your
legs?”
Frowning, she sneered, “You’re just like the rest of them. When you strolled in
here, I thought that things would be different. Thought that I’d actually have a friend.”
Completely ignoring what she said, JC continued, “Afraid. That’s what I think you
are. You’re afraid that you’ll fail. Afraid that people will laugh at you. You know how
many more people are laughing at you right now? I have to stop myself from laughing.
Here you sit, a completely health girl sitting in a hospital bed, playing the role of the
invalid. Well... it’s time to be a big girl, Macy. It’s time to stop the games.” After
completing his statement, JC’s mouth gaped open. An outburst like that was completely out of character for him.
Sighing, Macy muttered, “You don’t understand what you’re saying JC... I
understand... You’re in shock.. In shock over that girl..”
However many excuses that
Macy chose to make, however, and however much JC’s words stung, they rang true.
What he said to her was completely true. At that moment, JC didn’t begin to think Macy
would play the conversation over in her head. But, she did- again, and again, and again...
Finally allowed to see Gabby, Justin went in slowly, Dani, being her closest female
friend, right behind him. A gasp escaped his mouth when Justin saw Gabby. Her face was
bruised, a large bandage on the side of her head. Her glorious golden locks where blood
stained and dirty. Squeezing Justin’s shoulder, Dani asked softly, “How bout I give you
two a minute? I’m going to go to the nurses station and see if.. see if I can get a bucket of
water , shampoo, and a comb... can’t let Gabby’s hair get messed up..” It pained Dani to
see Justin so heartsick.
Her hands shaking, Dani walked to the nurses station. Putting on a fake smile, she
asked in a dreadfully cheerful voice. “Hi. I’m a friend of Gabrielle Reynolds.. room 137.. I
was wondering if I could possibly.. have some supplies to wash her hair...”
The nurse, an older woman with strong features replied strictly, “No. It’s best not
to move her. If she’s not up in a few days, we’ll see what we can do about it.”
Weary due to the long wait that she had just endured, Dani snapped, “Look Lady!
Don’t put on this act of supremacy with me! All I asked for wash something to wash her
hair. It’s not that much to ask. Now are you gonna give me the stuff I need, or am I just
going to get it myself?”
Chris, having head the commotion from down the hall in the waiting room, came
to Dani’s aide. “Dani.. honey.. uhhh.. come on. Just leave the nurse alone..” Putting on
his grin that was usually reserved for the 10 year old fans, Chris looked to the nurse,
“Sorry ma’am. We’re all taking this kinda hard..”
The nurse, smitten with Chris’s charm, answered sweetly, “Of course dear. I
understand your friend’s insanity.”
Before Dani could retaliate, Chris pulled her away and pushed her back into the
room with Justin.
Meanwhile in Gabby’s Room
Taking her hand in his own, Justin brought Gabby’s hand to his lips. “Baby..
Baby.. I’m right here with you. C’mon. You gotta wake up. I want to see your beautiful
smile again... I need you to wake up.” He sighed loudly, “I can’t believe it.. I’d give
anything to be in that bed instead of you.. Anything in the world...”
Gabby’s chest rose and fell peacefully, her lips in a small smile. If eventually,
Gabby did wake up, she was going to be dealing with a great deal. Just a few hours ago,
Johnny had received a call informing him that Aaron and Gabby’s security staff had all
perished in the ill-fated flight.
Shifting uncomfortably in the seat, a gleam on Gabby’s left hand caught Justin’s
eye Reaching over her, he lifted her other hand, smiling fondly at the ring that he had
given her just a few months ago.
Just that morning, a young girl in the children’s ward had been playing The
Backstreet Boys’ “Millennium” CD. The other members of *NSYNC always teased
Justin’s about how well he remembered lyrics..
Unfortunately, the lyrics that he chose to
remember were completely relevant to his situation. The words came to his mind, and his
voice filled the hollow room..
I've got this feeling you're not gonna stay
It's burning within me
The fear of losing
Of slipping away
It keeps getting closer, baby
Whatever reason to live that I've had
My place was always beside you
And I wish that I didn't need you so bad
Your face just won't go away
Don't wanna lose you now
Baby I know we can win this
Don't wanna lose you now
No no, or never again
Almost inaudibly, Justin replied, “I don’t wanna lose you now or ever, Gabrielle...”
“I.. I uhh.. better go.” JC said, looking down at Macy in the hospital bed.
Nodding, Macy asked softly, “Will you come back, Josh? Will you come back and
see me?”
Thinking before he spoke, JC rubbed his hands over his face and replied tiredly,
“I’ll be back. Trust me. I’ll be back.”
Moments passed as JC stood in the illuminated hallway peering in at Macy. She
had a long way to go, and if he had any say on the matter, he was going to be there. For
the first time in his life, Joshua Chasez was going to face a challenge that even he did not
know if he could handle. He was ready and willing to try, however.
