Lean On You (DNF) Book 2

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How many hours had George spent, sitting sheepishly in the waiting room of the hospital. How many sleepless nights had he watched the vintage movies on the shitty TV from the early 2000's. How much more time could George spend here before he lost his sanity for good?

As the sun rose, the shimmering beams flooded the bottom floor of the hospital. It filled the room with golden light, giving the room a graceful ethereal effect.

George was sitting in the corner chair, hunched over with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands. He was truly fighting the urge of sleep now. But what if he fell asleep and Clay- no, Dream woke up? Or if Eliza randomly went catatonic? But the biological need for sleep was almost overwhelming.

"George." Dan broke the almost silent room. He had his messenger bag slung over his shoulder, keys in his hand and bags under his eyes. His shift was over and he was going home.

"What? Yes, sir?" George shot up, the sudden rush and flooding of light gave George a fierce pounding in his head.

"Go home." Dan said with an authoritative yet worried voice.

"Wha..."

"Go. Home. Theres nothing you can do. You aren't an intern here, you being mentally and physically exhausted wont help them when they do get better. You know this. Dont start playing dumb."

"Are you just gonna bash my coping habits...?"

"Coping mechanisms and self-destructive habits are two very different things.

George leaned back, stifling a heavy yawn. "You sound like my sister."

"The fifteen year old? Nice to know she's wise beyond her years. But seriously. Go home, get some sleep. You know Dr. Major will let you know as soon as anything happens."

"But-"

"Bye George." Dan waved as he walked out the front door towards the employee parking.

George watched the aging man leave. He thought about it for a second and agreed. He wanted to be alive and aware when Clay- Dream wakes up, or if Eliza needs need. He decided a coffee from the hospital cafe would serve as a buffer until he got to the Bloccs, where he was taking up residence.

He rose to his feet. A wobbling, jittering mess as he tumbled down the hallway to the small cafe.

It was really nothing special. Just a coffee corner that sold stale enough coffee to numb you, and pastries that were almost edible. He recognized the girl at the counter, a young woman named Hannah. She had been working here for as long as George could remember.

"Oh, hi George." She smiled her sweet and caring smile. Her lips were stained red, her brown hair wound up tightly into bouncy curls.

"Hi Hannah. Long time no see." George awkwardly avoided eye contact and looked towards the floor.

"I'd ask why you're here. But I'm afraid I know the answer to that." She sighed. "What can i get you?"

George shrugged. "One black coffee, please."

Hannah nodded and turned her back to George to prepare his drink.

George wondered off to the side to wait for his coffee. Hannah had to brew a new pot so it would take just a bit longer. He resorted to people watching. A habit he had picked up in his many years of tortured teen angst. The person behind him in line.

Tall, dark and handsome. His hair was longer than most, solid black and slicked back with gel. He wore dark clothing, simple pants and a deep blue hoodie. Thought his smile was bright. George watched the man walk up to the counter, lightly flirt with the barista as he ordered.

"Dr. Founders." Hannah chirped as she placed the black coffee on the counter for George. George grumbled to himself as he stood, and he wobbled over. "Have a good one, and get out of here as you as you can."

"That's the plan." He stifled a sigh, grabbing his coffee and downing it like a frat boy shotguns a beer.

"Doctor, aye?" The man said in a gruff voice, just happening to overhear them.

"Oh, aha." George gave a nervous chuckle, reaching back and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not actually a doctor, I just used to intern here." He said, savoring the last bits of warmth that trickled down his throat.

"Oh that's cool. I think I've seen you around actually."

"What? I havent worked here for almost a year." George cocked his head.

"Wow I just realized that made me sound like a stalker." The man snickered. "No, my little sister is chronically sick and I've been lingering around this hospital for a few years." He explained. "You might've seen her, her names Angelica Phantoms."

That name did, infact, ring a bells. Several bells actually. Angelica Phantoms was not only a prominent patient he had seen several times during his internship, she was also one of Eliza's best friends.

"Oh." George simply responded, allowing the look of familiarity crease his face. "I know her, my sister does too. They're friends."

"You're that Founders. I thought your name was familiar." He gave a broad and cheeky smile, his teeth were inhumanely white. "I'm Vex by the way."

"George." George introduced with an equally cheeky smile.

The two men shook hands. Vex's finger tips were hard and callused over. George couldn't help but notice the size difference too, it almost reminded him of Clay in a way. Strong and muscular. But how could George be thinking of him like that? Comparing a stranger to his lover?

Lover.

Were they... were they even that anymore? George's mind suddenly went dark, his gaze lowered and his head hung.

"Hey, you alright?" Vex asked after a second.

"Huh? Yeah..." he sighed. "No... I'm not." He admitted. Strange. He was never open, not even to Clay, not even to Eliza. "I think... I'll see you around Vex." He waved slightly and walked away.