Brooke's POV
I wake early and find myself in the bed. Chap must have managed to get me in here last night. I don't want to wake him before I leave so I get ready quietly, only slipping my shoulder once and quickly managing to put it back. He wakes anyway as I hear the kettle and walk into the kitchen. He's standing staring into the fridge, humming to himself. "Ah, sorry. I thought you might be asleep." he smiles "Okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good. I'll be leaving soon."
"Do you want me to come?" I shake my head but he looks serious. "You're nervous."
"I'll be alright Chap. Just new people. I'll meet you later okay?"
"I can come if you need me. I've not planned anything for today."
"You deserve a break.." I don't know if I want him there or not and I hope he's not just trying to be courteous.
"Hey, you deserve it. I'm there if you want me. Now relax, you'll be okay." His constant attempts to comfort me are sweet but I need some level of independence. We need to slow down so that he won't run away.
"I'm fine. We should probably go if you want to come?"
"Give me five minutes to get changed and relax. We both know you're scared. You're not even trying to joke." I nod, not bothering to argue and he leaves to get ready. I try to force happiness as he arrives back. "Are we going then?" I smile, "We'll grab something to eat on the way back." He leads me outside to his car and smiles at me softly.
"Relax Brooke. It'll be fine. I'm gonna be right there with you."
"I know. Thanks. Can I put some music on?" I grin, taking a CD from my bag.
"Wow, well you're prepared." I laugh as I put it in, waiting for his reaction. The first song comes on and he groans.
"Disney? Really?" I laugh and sing along to 'A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal'. He laughs slightly at my Gaelic pronunciation. As 'For the First Time in Forever' comes on he joins in, attempting to sing Ana's parts.
"I'm actually so proud of you right now. Reading The Fault in Our Stars AND singing Disney songs." He laughs.
"There's a lot more you don't know." We park up outside the Hospital but we're early so we sit and sing for a while longer. As 'At Last I See the Light' comes on he turns serious and faces me while I sing. When Flynn's lines come, he sings seriously before taking my hand. I can't help but hope that he really cares about me. The duet lines come and I sing back to him. I smile as we finish. "It's true," he whispers. I shake my head, too scared to believe it. "No, I mean it. You're amazing.. You already know I care about you but like, properly, I do.."
"I'm sorry.. I'm not ready.. Let's go and we'll talk properly later.. Just don't jump to conclusions about what I say okay..?" He nods but he's obviously hurt as he helps me out of the car. "I'm sorry.. You can go if you need.." he shakes his head.
"I'm here. Wouldn't want you to get lost now would we?" He smiles as we arrive at the desk. The receptionist nods and points us through. Chap smiles, "Right here if you need me". I thank him, knowing I'll have to talk to him properly later. A woman in purple uniform comes over.
"Hello Brooke. I'm Elle. What seems to be the problem?" I start to panic, seeing only another medical professional who doesn't know about my condition and doesn't have anything better to do. Chap takes my hand carefully.
"Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a pretty big problem." I say and she smiles slightly.
"Which are the worst affected joints at the moment?" I shake my head, looking across to Chap.
"Everywhere.. Every single part of me.." I feel the emotions that I've held off for so long.
"Okay. Specifically which is worst?"
"My knee I guess.."
"Alright so shall we start with that?'" it sounds as if she doesn't know what to do.
"I think we'll just go.." I mutter tears already standing in my eyes.
"Brooke," Chap whispers, turning to me, "At least let them try.." I shake my head slowly as I cry.
"I'll give you a minute." Elle says stepping back outside. Chap looks lost before he kneels next to me, taking my hand.
"We can go. Find a specialist somewhere? But let's see what she says first. Please I think you need this." He hugs me carefully as Elle comes back in.
"Hello again. I'm sorry if I upset you. We have a Hypermobility Management Course if you think that might help? It'll start with hydrotherapy which we've found useful on many occasions. If we leave it for today but put you on that course, what do you think?" I nod slowly and she smiles. "Alright then, we'll see you again when we get the dates sorted." She leads us outside before leaving.
"She scared you?" Chap asks but I shake my head, walking quickly back to the car. He obviously keeps step with me, since I'm encumbered with the crutches and he's a lifeguard. "Brooke, slow down, you're gonna hurt yourself." When we reach the car, he refuses to unlock it until I look at him. "What was that?"
"I'm used to people not liking me when they find out Chap. They always treat me differently. Let's just go. How about the beach?"
"Or that talk..?" he asks cautiously.
"Yeah, or that.." I don't know what to say that won't scare him, whatever he says he's still not ready for this, and I don't want to force him to stay when he realises. I don't know what I'm going to do.
