Abigail and Xavier.

Chapter 1: The Accident. 

397 days I had known Abigail Talli and not once had I found her hands to be as cold as they were on this particular day our story begins. 

Actually, our story begins a little earlier but at that moment, as Abby lay there on that white bed, in that cold white hospital room, all I could think about was why her hands were so cold. Why hasn't any nurse brought her an extra blanket? I suddenly became angry at everything and everyone ; the nurses for neglecting Abby, this white room for being so damn clean when Abby liked things messy, the world for going on yet Abby lay here unmoving and most especially, myself. 

When would she open her eyes? Her big brown eyes that cut you open and saw through every nook and cranny of your soul. I took her cold hand into both my warm ones and stared at her blue nail polish, then back at her pale face. Her long dreadlocks surrounded her face like a mane. Yes, that's how she looked, like a sleeping lioness with a mane. 

I had never seen her look as beautiful as she was was at that moment. Her hair splayed on the white pillow, morning sun rays falling across her face. I wanted to wake her up and tell her how beautiful she is. Knowing her, she would laugh it off and say to me, "Xavier, did you fall and hit your head?" 

I had to tell her. 

"Abby, can you hear me?" I whispered, in the hopes that she would hear me. 

"She can't hear you sweetie, she's far away at the moment," said a nurse coming in bearing clean white. "She's been sedated to sleep for a while so just let her rest." 

The nurse came in and drew the curtains shut so there was no more sunlight over Abby's face. I was angry at her again. How dare she? She must have noticed the malice in my stare because she said apologetically," Don't worry sweetie, we are here to help her get better. She just needs plenty of rest right now, okay?" 

I managed a nod. 

What was wrong with me? Why was I getting angry at this nurse for doing her job? Then I realised I was actually angry at myself and I was taking it out on everyone else. Of course I was angry at myself. This had all been my fault. 

Just as the nurse was about to start changing Abby's sheets, her family burst into the room. Typical of the Talli family. Mrs. Talli came in first with Abby's little sister Sophie, followed by Abby's twin brothers Jerome and Jermaine. Mr. Talli brought up the rear with Abby's elder sister Isabelle clutching her father's hand, looking absolutely horrid.

Instinctively, I stood up from my seat and backed up as far as I could from Abby's family, to give them some space. They all surrounded her bed, her mother occupying my former seat and taking her left hand. Isabelle took her right hand and Jerome lifted Sophie onto the edge of the bed. 

"Jermaine, draw the curtains. She needs some sunshine," said Abby's father. 

"Daddy why is she so cold?" Asked Isabelle, cupping her sister's cold hand. 

"I don't know Izzy. Let's wait for Dr. Jane to come and give us the details." His voice was grave as I had never heard it before, and so were his gray hairs. 

I stood there eavesdropping guiltily because being an only child, I had always envied Abby's large family. I suddenly remembered that I was not the only intruder in the room, the nurse was also standing there with her clean bedsheets, watching the family. She found my gaze and we communicated to each other that we should leave. 

"Where are you going Xavier?" Asked Sophie and suddenly everyone looked at me, remembering that I was still present. 

I didn't answer. I just wished I could melt into the white wall behind me. 

"This brave young man here is the one who rode with your daughter in the ambulance ride here and stayed up with her all night to make sure she was alright. He's such a hero." Everyone's attention was drawn to the door as Dr. Jane came into the room.

The nurse left the sheets on the bedside table and left. Mrs. Talli got out of her seat and embraced me hard.

"Thank you Xavier. You weren't there I don't know what would have happened to her."

"Don't think like that Mrs. T," I said, hoping she wouldn't notice the underlying guilt in my voice.

We all looked at the doctor expectantly. "She's stable," she said. "No broken bones or ribs. She's a very lucky girl. Just a slight head injury that will leave her concussed for a week or so. Let her rest and call me when she wakes up." She then left. 

Everyone sighed with relief. Then a sudden panic overcame me; when she wakes up, everyone will know what happened and then they'll hate me. Abby's brothers would probably break my legs. But I wasn't going to run. Running away was the reason Abby was here. What if something worse had happened to her? I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. 

"She's opening her eyes mum!" Shouted Sophie. Everyone's attention jumped back to Abby. I was suddenly scared but I wasn't going to run. I moved closer to see her open her big brown eyes. 

"Abby, it's mum. Everyone is here, even Xavier. How do you feel?" Asked Mrs. T.

"Mum? What's everyone doing in my bedroom?" She asked, puzzled.

"Honey, you were in a car accident. Don't you remember?" Coaxed Mr. T.

"Accident?....... I don't seem to remember. My head hurts so much mummy."

"Go get the Doctor Jermaine," said Mr. T. "It's okay honey, the Doctor is on the way."

"You were in an accident and Xavier here brought you to the hospital. Right dear?" Mrs. T had pulled me closer to Abby's bed so she could see me.

She looked right through me and that's when I saw the vacant look in her big brown eyes. Like she couldn't recognise me.

"Who..... is Xavier?"

My heart literally stopped beating. I had to hold onto something firm before I crumbled with my entire world. I was still in shock when the doctor came in and asked us all to step outside.

She couldn't remember me. That meant she probably couldn't remember the events before the crash. Whether this was temporary or permanent, I could use this to fix things. Yes, that's what I would do. I would erase the past and create a new one. I was goings to cling to that lie for as long as I could. 

Hey guys🤗 Welcome to this #creativewriting category that will be coming to you every Saturday. Today I started with a story that is a short story about Abigail and Xavier. It'll be a miniseries type of writing and I hope you guys will enjoy the stories. The story will go on next Saturday so stay tuned to find out what happens to Abby and Xavier, and what did Xavier do that he doesn't want Abby to find out? 🤔 

See you on Monday for #millennials. Have a wonderful weekend😘

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