You Hypnotize Me

Say You'll Stay

Cynthia hands Sydney her pain meds and we go to check out. At the counter the woman shuffles through a large folder and signs some papers. The whole time I’m holding Sydney’s hand, I don’t want to let go of her, I’m afraid this experience may make me extremely overprotective. Sydney’s been feeling loads better since a doctor gave her some strong medicine intravenously.

“Okay Sydney, I waived your fee and you’re all set to go” the woman behind the counter says.

“Wait,” I think for a moment about what she just said and analyze it. “Waived?” I begin to whisper after I look left and then right “Is that legal?”

“No, Ross, It’s not, when this whole thing started I used to pay, but the payments would always be late and some weeks I wouldn’t eat. One week when I came in on 3 different accounts the nurses and receptionists began to waive my fees, others followed, everyone here knows I get free treatment, except the Chief of Medicine. They waived my fees because, well, they feel bad for me, I tried to pay, but they would always refuse my money. I feel bad about never paying, but I used to feel a lot worse before they all explained to me that most of my treatments aren’t very costly in the actual procedure, and that the actual expense tends to come from malpractice insurance. They know I would never sue them in a million years so they just let me off.” Sydney starts to get irritated at herself “I just… uh… I just, am so angry at myself, why am I so incompetent that I can’t even pay my own bills?” she clenches her hand into a fist lifts it and tries to strike her thigh, but I grab her fist before she has the chance.

“No Sydney, Stop” I firmly demand and she looks up at me “Stop being silly, it’s not your fault, it’s that asshole ex-boyfriend of yours fault.”

“Oh Ross,” She scoots closer to me “You are too good for me”

“Nothing is too good for you” I lean in and snag a kiss from Sydney.

*The receptionist clears her throat*

I release Sydney and we both turn towards her with red faces. “This is awkward for me.” She stands up “Bye Sydney, stay safe” she leans to me “and you” her tone is dead serious “Keep her safe” I nod nervously and she walks away.

We drive up to my house and park. We just finished picking up some of Sydney’s stuff from what is now her old apartment and I grabbed my stuff from the lawn. I open the front door “After you Madame” Sydney curtsies and waltzes in. “Okay go ahead and take a seat on the couch and I’ll go talk to my parents about this whole situation” she gives me a look as if to say ‘Don’t talk about Derek’ “Don’t worry I’ll only tell them what’s necessary” I take out my phone as I walk to my parents room and realize… it’s one o’clock. I knock on their door “Mom, Dad?” I am replied to with loud snoring. “Oh well, I’ll take that as a temporary yes” I laugh at how hilarious I am as I walk back to my living room where I am greeted by a sleeping Sydney. She must’ve been tired, I’m not surprised, and I’m actually pretty sleepy myself. Well I shouldn’t just leave her here. I lift her up in my arms and walk up the staircase to mine and Ryland’s room. I throw Sydney onto my shoulder so I can open the door. Luckily she is very light so I can do this with ease; she is also out cold so the uncomfortable position doesn’t seem to bother her at all. I slowly open the door to make sure Ryland is sound asleep. I walk to my bed and lay Sydney down on it and I tuck her in. Now that I think about it I’m pretty grateful I cleaned my room yesterday. I think about my situation for a second and decide to climb in bed with Sydney. I mean we did already sleep next to each other last night on the beach. So I begin to strip down to my boxers, because my room is always too hot for me to actually wear pj’s when I go to bed. Hopefully Sydney won’t mind. I slide under the covers next to Sydney and I hold her close to me, I kiss her head briefly but I am quickly infected by drowsiness and I drift off.