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Mike paused at the elevators, not sure if she was ready to see JC. She wanted to see him with all her heart, but she wasn't sure if she could handle seeing him lying motionless in a hospital bed. She punched the up button and waited with her arms folded protectively around her chest. Moments later, the doors opened and she stepped inside. She hit the button marked five and the doors slid closed. When she reached the fifth floor, she questioned the nurse and was told JC was in room 214. She followed the numbers on the doors until she reached the doorway to his room and stopped.
She shook her head, thinking that she didn't have the courage to go any further, then silently berated herself for not being with him. Mike took a deep breath and stepped into the room. The blinds were partially shut, giving the white room a softer glow. A single chair sat beside the bed, and she closed her eyes for a moment when she saw JC.
He looked so pale, and so vulnerable that it made her heart break. She slowly walked over to the chair and sat down, taking his hand in hers.
"Hi hon." Mike whispered with a sad smile. His breathing was steady, though he was getting some help with the tubes placed in his nose.
"They haven't found that woman yet, but the police have a good feeling that they'll find her." she told him, not really knowing what to say.
"Everyone sends their love and wishes of getting better to you. You should see them all downstairs. We sort of camped out in the waiting room all night." Mike laughed softly, shaking her head. She reached over and stroked a lock of hair off his forehead.
"Open your eyes, Josh." she whispered, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks again. She brought his hand to her lips and gently kissed his knuckles.
"Justin's going to be all right. He won't be able to chase Carli around for a while, but then that's probably good news for her."
His breathing continued as steady as ever. Mike leaned back, just looking at him.
It was about two p.m. New Years Day and the dorm was nearly empty. Most everyone had gone home for the winter break. Mike came back shortly after Christmas so she could get some work done for the fan club and make sure she had everything ready for when the next semester started. She loved the quiet and wished it was like this all the time. The phone rang, startling her out of her musings.
"Hello?"
"Hi little bird."
"Hey, what's up?"
"Not a whole lot. Just wondering if you're gonna kiss me at midnight."
"That's pretty much impossible, considering you're a few states away."
"I know, but I still want to know if you're gonna kiss me when the New Year rings in."
"Yeah, you know I will."
"Good. You going to Devon's party?"
"She wouldn't take no for an answer, so yes."
"Good, do me a favor?"
"Depends on what it is."
"Wear that dress I like so much."
"What? The lilac one?"
"That's the one."
"Why? You're not going to be here to see it."
"That doesn't matter. Just wear it anyway."
"All right, I guess."
"Damn, I gotta go. The interviewer just showed up."
"Have fun."
"I will. Love you."
"Love you, too." Mike smiled as she hung up. She didn't understand why he wanted her to wear his favorite dress if he wasn't even going to be around to see it, but she would humor him. That and he would call Dev to make sure she was wearing it. Mike shook her head as she searched through her closet to find the dress in question. She pulled it out and groaned. She doubted she could still fit into it.
(11:55 p.m.)
Devon, Mike, Rachel, Carli and Ashley all stood around the lobby of Empire, Devon's record store, laughing about the things that had happened over the last year. It had turned out to be a great year, and they hoped 98 would be just as good.
"So, Chris called me this afternoon and told me to wear his favorite dress tonight." Devon stated suddenly.
"Weird, Joe did the same thing to me." Ashley made a face.
"I got a phone call like that too from JC." Mike laughed, becoming suspicious about the whole thing, but unsure of what was going to happen.
"Why do you think we got phone calls like that?" Devon inquired.
"Oh, who knows with them. I'm going to get something to drink. I'll be back, and if I don't see you at the stroke of midnight. Happy New Year." Ashley laughed then walked away.
Mike wandered around the party, saying hello to everyone and smiling to more people than she actually knew.
"Ten!"
Mike sighed, shaking her head.
"Nine! Eight! Seven! Six!"
Someone tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned expecting to see Devon, who was most likely really missing Chris at the moment. Her eyes widened first with shock, then with happiness.
"Five! Four! Three! Two!"
She laughed and threw her arms around JC and their lips met in a kiss that was long in waiting.
"One! Happy New Year!!"
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