AJ and the nurse had stopped talking and Denise had arrived. They both walked into the room where they put Juliette in. She lay there, motionless, her face pale, her eyes slightly open. The sparkle in her green eyes was lost. Denise had started crying once she saw all the bruises and cuts on Juliette's face, but AJ just moved slowly closer to her.
"Oh dear! And with your parents on the business trip to Arizona! I have to call them!" Denise exclaimed, holding her hands on her mouth.
"Jules�" AJ said slowly, walking to her.
"I wasn't being a reckless driver AJ, I promise," she choked, trying to crack a smile. But the muscles in her face wouldn't let her move.
"I know you weren't, Jules. You look like a zombie," he joked, trying to make himself feel better.
"Like you do everyday?" she replied, holding out her hand. AJ took it in both of his, rubbing it gently.
"Juliette, I'm calling your parents right now. I'll be at the end of the hall on the payphone, all right?" Denise said, walking towards the door. Juliette nodded.
"How did the accident happen, Jules?" he asked, the tears now welling up.
"I don't know. All I remember is feeling my head hit the steering wheel and I blanked out. I was wearing my seat belt. I was being a good girl." AJ smiled at her, kissing her hand.
"I love you, Jules. You're like a girlfriend to me minus all the bitchy days and growls and calls�you mean the world to me," he said, rubbing her hand again.
"No, AJ. Don't say your good-byes. I know I'm in bad shape but I also know I'll get better," she replied, closing her eyes.
"I don't know�just seeing you like this�I can't take it. It's all to real to me. I mean, one minute you're talking to me on the phone refusing to come to my house and the next minute you get in a car accident and can barely talk with cuts and bruises all over your face. I just can't take it, Jules, I can't." He had begun to cry, not looking down at her. He refused to let her see him cry. But he knew that she was watching, and that it broke her down inside.
"Never say goodbye, AJ. Promise me that. We'll be together forever, remember? Best friends forever," she cried.
"I promise."