Mattie^

The days following Alex's release from the hospital were busy. Since I was back in school during the time he was in coma I was able to gather everything that he needed to be able to catch up on his studies as he had done for me while I was in the hospital. Some of his classmates had even given me their class notes. It was actually remarkable how many people were happy that Alex was out of the hospital and back to home recovering. Four months without his loud laughter that echoes through the halls was something that everyone had grown used to and missed.

"When is Alex coming back?" Amy, a girl from his English class asked as she handed me a packet that they needed to study for finals.

"The Doctor said he'll be back Wednesday. He was told to rest for a few days" I answered her before thanking her for the packet.

"That's great, the class and I got him a card would it be possible if you gave it to him?" She asked as she took out an envelope from her backpack before handing it over

"Sure" I replied and out it away with the rest of the get well cards everyone had signed through of the day. She smiled before wishing me a good and waking away. I sighed and looked at the pile of papers that will make Alex whine endlessly. As much as he liked school he wasn't very fond of the idea of having to do homework let alone study.

I walked out of the school building and to my car since I didn't really have to be in since I finished my last exam for the day. I sighed turning the car on before pulling out of the parking lot.

No one knows how hard it is to walk those halls without the one person who makes going to school worth it. I miss having Alex under my arm as we make our way to my locker. I missed hearing his jokes even if they were terrible. I missed watching him as he talked animatedly with our friends and siblings. But knowing that he was safe and out of the woods and back home was better than anything.

Shaking my head out of my thoughts, I pulled onto his street and drove a few more minutes before pulling up onto his driveway. I parked the car beside Ryder's and got out once I shut the engine and grabbed his packets from the passenger seat. Once the doors were locked, I walked up the paved driveway towards the front door and rang the bell. I waited for a few seconds before it was opened by Kennedy? What the hell was he doing here?

"What are you dong here?" I asked and he raised a brow and before he could reply o heard another voice asking who it was and to my surprise it was Brian's voice as he was soon joining us.

"Hey, you came to see Alex?" He asked and I nodded holding up the folder filled with packets for Alex to study and he nodded moving aside to let me in

"He's in his room, you know where it is" Brian said and I nodded looking between my brother and Alex's and Brian smirked

"What's going on? Why are you here? I thought you would be joke spending what little time you had with mom and dad and the girls" I said and Kenny nodded

"I should but they told me to have fun and enjoy my time while I can" he answers looking at Brian with a

smile

"And how does Brian fit into it all? Last I checked he was do to go back soon as well" I said and I saw Brian roll eyes eyes

"By all means talk about me as if I wasn't present" he stated sarcastically

"Sorry, but I'm confused. Like really confused" I said and just then Alex walked in

"I thought you two already left" Alex said before he looked over at me with a grin,"Hey, I wasn't expecting you until later"

"I decided to stop by earlier then planned" I said and he nodded walking over to me and kissing my cheek then turned to our brothers

"Go on. Can't have you to missing your movie" he said and they nodded before grabbing their coats with Brian holding the door open for Kenny who smiled and waved at us before walking out

"Have fun you two" Brian said with a teasing grin and I rolled my eyes

"You too" I said making him smile before following my brother out,"What just happened?"

"I believe our brothers just went on a date" Alex said giggling as he looked at me and I shook my head

"That is something else" I chuckled before following him down the hall to the living room

"Yeah, Brian apparently got his number at Ryder's engagement dinner and today was their first date" he said taking a seat and I sat down beside him putting the folder on the coffee table

"Well in glad my brother has food someone that he likes" I said and he nodded

"Same with Brian. I've never seen him be interested in anyone before so I'm happy he finally found someone who interest him" he said before groaning when he saw the folder making me laugh,"The last thing I want to do was homework"

"That's not all that's there, why don't you check it out?" I said and nodded to the folder and he furrowed his brows before signing and grabbing the red folder and opening it

"What's all this?" He asked grabbing the different envelopes

"Why don't you open them?"

He sighed and opened the first one and I watched as his eyes filled with tears as he read the words on the first card.

~~~~~~~

"I didn't think people cared about me, but this just proves just how wrong I was" Alex said with a sniffle as he read the last card with tears rolling down his cheeks and I smiled pulling him closer to me and he rested his head on my shoulder

"There's actually one last card" I said and he raised his head to look at me with a frown as I grabbed the folded envelope from my pocket and handing it to him

"Riley," he mumbled but I shook my head and kissed his forehead

"Just open it"I said and he frowned but did as told and ripped the envelope open and took out the papers from inside. He unfolded the letter and took a deep breath before reading it. I knew the words by memory as I had written them while he was laying in the hospital bed fighting for his life day in and day out for four months.

Baby,

As I write this letter, I'm sitting here in the waiting room waiting for my mom to come and tell us if you made it or not. Just thinking of the possibility that you died feels like a punch to the stomach. Your parent and siblings are sitting across from me and out friends have gone down to the cafeteria to get everyone something to eat or drink. My dad is taking over the case. Says he'll let us know if he ever finds who caused the accident.

Everyone at school has been wondering how you're doing and there's not much I can tell them other than your in a coma. When I saw you the second the accident happened, my world came crushing down. You were unconscious with blood rolling down the side of face-sorry if you find this upsetting but I can't really think about anything else other than that moment- I could hear sirens in the distance as voices call our names.

Days have passed and nothing has changed. You're still asleep. That's how I want to think. That you're sleeping and that you'll wake soon. That I'll be able to see your eyes again and have you in my arms like old times. It's now December 2nd, and I'm dreading the days leading up to Christmas because I won't be celebrating with you. We were supposed to celebrate it together. Our very first Christmas as boyfriends, but I rather not have it if I don't have you by my side.

I looked down at Alex as he sniffled, his hand shaking as he read the letter and I pulled him into me and he laid his head on my chest but continued reading

Everyday spent without you feels like my world is falling apart. You've been the light of my life for more than five months. It's been four months this now that you've been in a coman and it never gets easier. Just two days ago you had cardiac arrest and my mom worked on you for hours before you gasped and asked how I was doing, that was the highlight of my day until you didn't wake up again.

Here I am again, but this time sitting across from you as you sleep. But this time instead of you being hooked up to machines and a tube down your throat, you're peacefully sleeping with the constant beeping of the monitor telling me you're oaky. That I have you back. You woke up two hours ago and the was the first sign that things were going to be okay, that I finally have you back. Watching your eyes open for the first time in four ml the fave me a sense of relief. I love you more than words could ever express. You're more than my boyfriend. You're my best friend, my confidant, my partner in crime, my world.

I thank god every waking day for bringing you into my life even it was on accident that September day in front do school and to Mitch for being the asshole that he was for throwing the football at you. If it weren't for him I wouldn't have met you, I wouldn't have had the balls to go up to you and get to know you. Because of him, I have you. I love you and I can't wait for the day that I get to spend my life with you. I don't see myself with one else that isn't you. Thank you for always being there for me and for putting up with me and supporting me, for never leaving me but most of all, thank you for loving me.

Forever yours, Riley

"You're an ass" Alex sniffled as he crushed the letter to his chest and buried his face in my chest making me hold him closer and kiss the top of his head

"But you love me" I murmured and he sniffled pulling back to look up at me, tears rolling down his cheeks and I wiped them away with the pads of my thumbs before kissing him on the lips

"God you're such a cheese ball" he chuckled wiping his eyes,"But I love you so much, Riley. You've been there for me through it all and I can't think of anyone else that I want be with. And like you said, you're more than just my boyfriend. You're my best friend, my biggest motivator, my partner in crime, my confidant and most of all the reason that I wake up every morning because I get to see you"

I smiled and kissed his forehead before leaning back and resting my head on the back of sofa with him tucked securely in my arms.

"Love you Riley," he murmured

"Love you too, baby"