| Back to page one A while later the doctor comes back. �The operation was a success and your brother is stable.� he explains to Joel. �He's alive?� Joel asks in disbelief. �Yes. Thanks to the quick thinking of your friend here. If she hadn't have stopped the bleeding, he might not have been alive right now.� says the doctor. �Thank you God. Thank you so much.� Joel says, looking up towards the ceiling. �Can we see him?� Vanessa asks the doctor. �Yes, but he is still very drowsy from the anesthetic.� �Come on Joel, you can go and see him.� Vanessa says to Joel. The two of them walk to the room where Benji is. Vanessa waits outside the door while Joel goes in to see his brother. A few minutes later Joel opens the door. �He wants to see you.� Joel says to Vanessa. She walks into the room. Benji looks so vulnerable lying there in that hospital bed. Vanessa nearly bursts out crying, but she holds back her tears. �So... Joel tells me you saved my life.� Benji says weakly. �I guess so.� Vanessa says nervously. �Don't be so modest, you heard what the doc said. If it wasn't for you Benji wouldn't be alive right now.� Joel says. �Well, I guess a thank you is in order,� says Benji. �Hey Joel, have you called mom?� �Erm, are you sure I should, I mean, she'll only worry.� says Joel. �Dude, you have to tell her!� says Benji. �And while you're at it, you'd better ring Paul, Billy and Chris, they'll be wondering where we got to.� �Okay, I won't be long.� says Joel, and he walks out of the room. �You're gonna have a huge scar.� Vanessa says to Benji. �Yeah, tell me about it,� he laughs. �So where'd you learn to save people's lives?� �I was in the junior first aid group.� Vanessa tells him. �Oh right. Well thanks for saving me.� he says. �That's okay. I'm glad you're alright.� Vanessa says. �Did you see who did it?� Benji asks. �Yeah, but I didn't get a very good look at him. He was about 15 and he was wearing a pale blue tracksuit.� Vanessa tells Benji. �I didn't get a very good look at him either, but I guess we'll have to tell the police.� says Benji. �Yeah, I hope they can catch him.� �Me too,� says Benji thoughtfully. �Thanks for looking after Joel.� He says. Vanessa can't hold her tears back any longer, she starts to cry. �Sorry,� she apologizes. �I don't normally cry.� �Aww hey, come here.� Benji says and he holds his hand out towards her. She walks over to him and he takes hold of her hand. He pulls her towards him and gives her a hug. �You know I could never thank you enough for saving my life. Tell me what you want and I'll give it to you.� Benji says softly to Vanessa. This just makes her cry even more. �I don't want anything. I'm just happy to know you're still alive.� she sobs. �Okay, well if you don't want anything I shall write you a song.� he informs her. Joel walks back into the room. �Billy, Paul and Chris are on their way over.� Joel says. �Cool, are they gonna bring me presents?� Asks Benji. �What? You're lying here lucky to be alive and all you can think of is presents. Typical.� laughs Joel. �Yep, that's me,� says Benji. �I guess being alive just isn't enough.� he jokes. Vanessa wipes a tear from her eye. �Have you been crying?� Joel asks her. �A little bit.� she says blushing slightly. �Do you need a hug?� Joel asks. �I just gave her a hug.� says Benji. �Well, I'm sure she won't mind another one.� says Joel and he puts his arms around Vanessa and hugs her gently. �What's your name? Sorry I forgot to ask.� says Benji. �Vanessa.� Vanessa says to him. �Vanessa,� he repeats. �That's a cute name.� �Hey, whatever happened to my t-shirt?� asks Joel. �Erm, it was covered in Benji's blood.� says Vanessa. �Yeah, but we're twins, he has the same blood as me,� says Joel. �Anyway I would've washed it before wearing it.� �Why don't you go and ask the doctor if you're that bothered about it?� asks Benji. �I dunno, I think Vanessa's jacket kinda suits me. What do you think?� Joel jokes. �Oh yeah, you should wear it everyday.� Benji laughs. Billy, Paul and Chris walk in through the door. �What the hell happened?� they all ask at once. �Do you wanna tell them or should I?� Joel asks Benji. �You tell them, you weren't in severe pain when it happened.� says Benji. �I'm gonna go get a coffee.� says Vanessa and she walks out of the room. Vanessa drinks her coffee then heads back to the room. When she gets there she sees a crowd of doctors and nurses around Benji's bed. The rest of the GC guys are standing back against the wall. Joel runs up to Vanessa. �Vanessa I don't know what happened, one minute he was fine, the next thing I know he just started yelling in pain. He's gonna die isn't he.� Joel says in a panicky voice. On to page three |