Some Say This Can't Be Real.

I slept for most of the flight, and as soon as the plane landed, I called Amy to tell her. She was waiting for me by the baggage claim. As I walked from the terminal towards baggage claim, I sent a message to Zack and Johnny telling them that I landed okay. I had gotten so lost in trying to find where my suitcase was going to arrive that I almost didn't see the person I was about to walk right into. I cursed to myself and looked at the figure to apologize, but instead I recognized the individual.

“Oh, shit, Amy!” I said in a half squeal as I hugged her.

“Hey, how are you? You look great,” she said.

“Well, I was doing great until I heard the news from you,” I said, watching the conveyor belt for my suitcase. “She still in a coma?”

“Yeah. She's stable, but they don't know when she'll come out of it. It's after visiting hours, but I can see if they'll let us in. I was with her all night last night.”

“I'd love that, but you need to get some sleep, and I do too, even though I slept through most of the flight and most of the day.”

I dragged my suitcase off the belt and both of us started walking towards the door. The sudden Chicago chill shocked me for a second, but it was something familiar. Even in April, Chicago still had it s moments of getting cold, and tonight was nothing special. Five minutes went by and we were climbing into Amy's car, on our way to the apartment.

“So, you mentioned a boyfriend, how's that working out?”

“Long story short, it's fantastic. The past few months had their rough times, but for the most part, it's been great. Zack's had this huge crush on me ever since he met me. He asked me out when I was nineteen, right before I ran away, and just made it official like a month ago.”

“Zack? As in...that Zack?”

I grinned. “Yes, Amy. I am dating Zacky V.” I laughed.

“I sometimes forget that you're Johnny's sister. I swear I about had a heart attack when you told me that. We almost didn't believe you until you showed us the pictures.”

“Yeah I know. Should I make you squirm in jealously more and say that Brian also has the hots for me?” I asked, knowing about her girly crush on him.

“Meh.”

“I'd never date him anyways though. We had a rough past. That past being the reason I came here.” I turned to stare out the window. “Remember that one night like two months after I got here I went to the hospital because I was bleeding heavily?”

“Yeah. Something about your time of the month being off.”

“Not even close...” I trailed off and sighed. “I miscarried Brian's child because of the medications I was on. The anxiety pills and the sleep aids because I would have recurring nightmares after what he did to me.”

“Did he...r-r-” she stammered, and I nodded. “Wow, that's just...that's crazy.”

“That's why I ran away to here, but everything between he and I is fine now. At least for the most part. He's hurt that I'm dating Zack, but he's accepting it slowly.”

“That's good.”

I nodded, and the car fell silent until we arrived at the apartment complex. Both of us were pretty exhausted and went to bed as soon as we got in the door basically. We both had alarms set for nine, to get breakfast and go to the hospital. It wasn't a lie to say I was scared to see her. Laying in Karlee's bed was an awkward feeling. I thought I was tired, but I wasn't able to fall asleep. I was texting Zack for almost two hours until I began to finally doze off.

In the morning after we showered, we went to grab a bite to eat, and headed towards the hospital. The ride was silent, though I was certain my racing heart could be heard. After a long hallways, some corners, and a few flights of stairs, we entered the ICU and stopped outside of a room just as a doctor emerged.

“How's she doing?” Amy asked.

“Still in a coma, but still stable. You two can go on in.”

I took a deep breath and walked in behind Amy. When I saw my friend laying on that bed, hooked up to all kinds of machines with a tube down her throat, I almost went into shock. I held my composure as I sat in a chair next to the bed.

“Hey, Kar, guess who's here?” Amy asked softly.

I didn't know if she would be able to hear us, but I decided to speak anyways. “Kar, it's Lisa. I flew out here as soon as I could after getting the news. I'm gonna try to stay as long as I can, until things look up for you. Just the day before all three of us were talking about you guys visiting. Hopefully it can happen still.”

We sat there in silence for a while, and I studied my friend. I couldn't see much of the extent of her injuries, except that her left arm was in a cast, head bandaged, joined with some cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Amy and I began talking about anything we could for a few hours before we left to get an early dinner. After we ate, we decided against going back to the hospital until the next morning. We were sitting and watching TV when my phone began ringing. I looked and saw Zack's name on the display. Amy must've seen it too, because I caught her grinning at me.

“Hi, baby,” I answered.

“Hey, how's everything going?”

“Okay. She's still out, and it wasn't really easy seeing her like that, but they're expecting her to slowly make a full recovery.”

“That's good. I was just calling to check on you and make sure you were doing okay.”

I smiled at the phone. “Thanks, baby. I'll be fine.”

“Okay. If you do need me out there though, just let me know and I'll be there ASAP.”

“I know.”

“Alright. I'll let you go, like I said, I was just calling to check on you. And to hear your voice.”

“Aww, Zacky, you're too sweet. I love you.”

“I love you too. Bye, babe.”

As soon as I hung up my phone, Amy began squealing at me. “That is too adorable!”

I laughed. “He's just that great. I love him to death.”

“Awwww. Fuck, when Karlee recovers, we're coming to visit so we can meet him, like meet him for real.” She paused like she went into deep thought. “I just remembered something too. When we took you to their show when you turned twenty-one.”

I blinked for a second, then had the flashback to what she was referring to.

“Holy shit, that show was fucking amazing,” Karlee squealed as we walked out of the arena, hair plastered to our faces, clothes damp with sweat.

“Hell yeah. Lisa? Did you have fun?” Amy asked.

“I did. Thanks guys for the ticket.”

“Come on, we're finding their tour bus to wait for them. I need to meet these guys.” Karlee was running out the door with Amy at her heels.

I sighed as I followed them slowly. It was bad enough we were on the barricades for the show, and I swear that they had recognized me. Now I had to wait with my friends to try and meet them. Well, they wanted to meet them. I already knew the guys. I tried to make my appearance look different, and it had been two years since they'd seen me, so I hoped if they did come out, they wouldn't recognize me. Two hours passed until signs of life came from the bus after it had been packed up. I stood in the background, watching a large group of familiar faces come out, disbursing to meet the fans that were gathered around. I avoided my brother at all costs, because he'd recognize me in a heartbeat, and that would be it. I locked eyes with Brian, watching him do a double take towards me as he was signing Amy's t-shirt. Zack was signing Karlee's t-shirt, with a blonde girl by his side. I didn't recognize the girl at all, but those gorgeous green eyes that I had always loved met mine. I thought he gasped, but didn't say anything to me. I nudged Karlee and said I was going to the car because I didn't feel good. I walked away, the feeling of eyes staring holes into the back of my head. I climbed into the backseat and laid down, hiding, nearly falling asleep.

“Lisa, what was that all about? You had the chance to meet the band we ve loved for a while, and you just bailed,” Karlee scolded me.

“I just don't feel so great. That s all.”

“That isn't a great excuse. You must be dying then if you just let Avenged Fucking Sevenfold walk right by you and not saying anything to them.”

“Can we just go please? I really feel sick,” I said, feigning a groan.

“I remember that night,” I said, laughing. “Faking sick so I wouldn't have to be there.”

“Well, now I know why you did it though.”

“Yeah. I'm glad to be back with them though. Of course I miss it here, but everything seems to be falling back into place with everyone now that I'm back.” I threw my head back against the couch. “I still feel so horrible for leaving them like I did.”

“Well, don't let it get to you. Everything is okay now right? So look into the future. You have a great boyfriend who I'm sure you'll end up marrying and having a family with. Your life is basically complete and you're only twenty-two.”

“Yeah, but still. Sometimes I wish it wasn't so perfect. I liked having challenges sometimes.”

“Fuck that. Just go with what you got now. Or I'll trade places with you,” she said with a grin.

I laughed and we resumed watching a movie for a while. Amy was beginning to fall asleep, so I suggested that we just go to bed. I wasn't really that tired, but I did want to lay down. After the living room was shut down, we both went to our rooms. I was trying to fall asleep for the longest time before I decided to call Zack, but not before taking an over the counter sleep aid from the small pack I bought at the airport.

“What s wrong, babe?” he asked as soon as he answered.

“Nothing,” I said with a chuckle. “Why would you assume that?”

“Well...”

“Oh, forget that. I just couldn't sleep.”

“Aww, why?”

“A lot on my mind for the most part, and also the fact that you're not laying next to me.”

“Hey, I said I'd come if you needed me.”

I laughed again. “I'll live for a few more days though. Hearing your voice is fine enough.”

“Well, what do you want me to do here? Ramble on and on until you fall asleep?” He asked, laughing. “I could always talk dirty to you.” He snorted softly as I realized he was trying not to laugh.

“You wish you could, babe. I'm just not feeling it tonight though. Maybe when I get back I'll try to do a little something for you.”

“Oh, really?”

“Maybe.”

“Do me a favor when you get off the phone? Go through your iPod and look at the videos on it.”

“Why?”

“You'll see. Anything else you wanna talk about?”

“I dunno...” I paused, yawning. “But I am starting to doze off a little.”

“Am I boring you that bad?”

I laughed again. “Nah. I took a sleep aid, so it's starting to kick in. I'll let you go though, and call you tomorrow.”

“Don't forget to look at your iPod.”

“It's in my hand right now. I love you babe.”

“Love you too, baby.” He made a kissing sound through the phone before the line disconnected.

I looked for the videos on my iPod. Seeing as I never used the camera, I hid the buttons for it. I found a video that was recorded just a few days ago, most likely the other night when I was with my brother as I remembered leaving the device at Zack's place. I played the video, seeing his smiling face on the screen before he spoke.

“Okay, baby. I hijacked your iPod since you left it at my place. First I'd like to thank Brian for helping me out, and Johnny for keeping you hostage at home. Brian? Would you care to start?” I watched the camera shift to Brian who sat at a piano. I could almost make out the painful expression on his face as he began playing a tune which I instantly recognized. The camera didn't show Zack as he began to sing. “Your hazel green tint eyes, watching, every move I make...” he started the song, singing the whole thing while Brian played the piano.

A few tears of happiness burned at the corners of my eyes as I smiled at the video. I sent a quick text to him saying 'thanks' before rolling over, putting the video on repeat, setting the sleep timer, and comfortably laying down hearing my boyfriend's voice sing me to sleep.