the carpal tunnel of love [chapter nineteen]

Chapter Nineteen
A Cover Story Now In Stores

Alexis's POV
I woke up to Patrick sleeping beside me on my hospital bed. I looked over and Pete was lying in the chair asleep as well. I laughed and Patrick stirred in his sleep. "M-m-m-morning," he stuttered, yawning. "Sleeping beauty has awoken at last," I said, kissing Patrick on the forehead. "You're the beauty," he said, touching my face with his warm hands. I sighed and peered over at the clock. 10:58. Pete stirred from his slumber and said, "H-Hello," stretching his tatooed arms. "Morning," Patrick and I said in unison. Patrick and I smiled at each other and hugged. Patrick shimmied his way off the hospital bed and said, "I'll be back," and walked out the door. Pete and I were alone in the room together.

Patrick's POV
I stepped out of the room and walked over to where Avery and Jon were sitting. "We walked in earlier but you guys were all asleep," Avery said. "Where's Sam and Spencer?" I asked, slightly ignoring what Avery had said. "They went to the morgue," Jon said solemnly. "Oh," I said softly. There was a moment of silence remembering all that had happened in the past few days. Brendon and Ryan walked up to us, entering from the south entrance of the hospital. "Hey," Brendon sighed. Ryan seemed okay today and said, "Is Alexis alright?" I nodded and said, "Pete's in there with her right now." The others looked at me with concern and I just blew it off. "Come on, let's go see her," Avery said, taking a step toward the door.

The others nodded and we stepped into the room. "-and that's when I first- Oh, hello guys," Pete said, stopping his conversation. "Alexis!" Avery exclaimed. "Hey! Guys!" Alexis said, looking around the room, "Where is Spencer and Sam?" I swallowed heavily and the others stayed silent. Should I say something? "They are with Marissa," Avery said, tears falling from her eyes. Alexis turned pale white. "You mean they are dead too??,"Alexis panicked. "No, no, there are with her...body." I said quietly. Alexis's face turned to sadness and I could see the sparkling clear tears leave her glistening eyes.

Avery went over to Alexis and hugged her. Jon and Pete stood in silence, looking at their shoes. Brendon was crying into the shoulder of Ryan who was making attempts to comfort him. How could I find happiness in such this dark time? It was only moments ago that I was lying in her arms and we were so happy. Now it seems only sadness can be found. The door opened. Spencer and Sam stood in the doorway, Spencer still as pale and silent as ever. Sam came over to me and said, "Is she alright?" I tilted my head up and down and Sam acknowledged me. Spencer came towering over to me and put his arm around me. Before I knew it, Spencer had pulled me into a hug and was crying.

The room was filled with somber feelings but when the doctor walked in it seemed to cheer up, just a little. "Good news, Ms. Love may go home today, we would just like you to monitor her over the next few days. If you see anything odd, just contact us," the doctor said, handing us the papers to release Alexis. Avery and Sam had come over to Alexis to help her out of the bed. I took the papers and signed them and gave them back to the doctor. The doctor grinned slightly at me and walked over to Alexis and released her IV. He said a few words to Alexis and left the room. "I haven't anything to wear!" Alexis exclaimed. I took off my coat and draped it around her shoulders. "Here you go," I said, "Will that do until we get back?" Alexis smiled and said, "I suppose so. Where are we going?"

"We need to get Marissa's parents," Spencer said quietly. Everyone jumped a little at Spencer opening his mouth for the first time. "We will go with you, Spence," Ryan said, walking over to him. Brendon and Sam came over to him as well. "Well, we will go with Spencer and you guys will go with Alexis," Brendon said as they walked out of the door. "Okay, bye," I said as they walked out. "Bye," I heard Ryan say as they traveled out to get Marissa's parents who had just arrived at the airport. Pete, Jon, Joe, Avery and Alexis stood in a small group next to me and I said, "Well, who's driving?" Jon had a devious look on his face and said, "Me! ME! I will!" I threw him the keys to my car and said, "Dear God, help us." Alexis, Avery and Joe laughed and we walked out of the dreary hospital.