Problem Kid

Chapter 36

TW!!!!

"Everleigh, wake up, we need to do your physical obs," I groan as the nurse gently pats my shoulder to wake me up.

"Okay, okay..." I stay laying down with my eyes closed as the nurse takes my blood pressure and pulse.

"How are you feeling now?" She asks and I slowly open my eyes again. In all honesty, I'm not sure how to answer that question so I just say that I'm fine.

"When can I have the tube taken out? And can you pass me my bag please?" The nurse is a woman in her mid thirties with her dark red hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her blue NHS uniform is stretched tightly over her plump frame and her face is focused on the machines as she takes down the numbers.

"Your vitals are looking more stable. We can remove the tube provided you'll follow the basic mealplan once we get the dietician to write one up. It'll be a weight maintenance plan until you can see your own mental health team and discuss what further steps to take with them. They'll be coming to see you later today," I nod and thank her as she brings my backpack over to me. I instantly pull out my phone and the nurse gives me a gentle smile before leaving the room. The time is 6am and I see some messages from last night whilst I was missing. I delete all of the old message and decide to call Sam. He picks up on the fourth ring.

"Ev? How are you doing?" I relax a little at the sound of his tired but familiar voice.

"I'm okay, they're taking the tube out as long as I follow a weight maintenance plan. I'm still hooked up to all these fucking machines and drips though, plus I think I'm on an NG feed pump too. I just want to come home," my voice breaks at the last sentence and tears fill my eyes.

"I know, I know. We want you home too. I spoke to them yesterday and they said that providing all goes well, you can probably be discharged tomorrow. It's okay, Ev. It'll be okay," I shake my head as the tears begin to run down my face. My head pounds and aches.

"When you come here, can you bring Summer please? I need her," I choke on my tears and sob a bit. "I miss you all so much, is everyone okay?" Sam sighs quietly.

"We're okay. Jimmy is still a bit upset but he's sleeping now. Jack has gone to work. I've taken the next two days off. Summer misses you, she's pacing around a lot. I think she's worried. Tell you what, I'll bring her up in a couple of hours, okay?" I thank him and wipe my tears from my cheeks.

"Just hang in there, Ev. Okay?" I agree before saying goodbye and hanging up. I put my phone down and sigh, running my fingers through my hair. They get caught in the matted mess. I desperately need to pee so I try to sit myself up slowly and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I stand myself up, leaning against the side of the bed for support. One side of my hospital gown slips down my shoulder and I pull it up again, tucking it under my bra strap to hold it in place. I notice that I'm in the same bra as when I went missing and quickly feel it to check if my hidden sharps are still in there. They are. My heart drops a little in panic however I ignore it. I look around to figure out what each wire on me is connected to just as another nurse walks in. He's a male in his twenties and he looks concerned.

"Everleigh? You're meant to be I'm bed. What's wrong?" He asks me, walking over and trying to help me sit back down.

"I need to use the toilet... can you take off these wires, please?" He nods.

"Okay, just sit down for me and I'll take them off for you," I thank him and lay back, allowing him to remove the ECG wires from my body along with the blood pressure cuff and SATS machine.

"You'll have to pull the feed pump and IV pole in with you. Do you think you can manage that or do you need me to call a female nurse to assist you?" I shake my head.