Flames and Starlight

18🌘

Ruben

I breathed a huge sigh of relief as I walked out of the hospital. The fresh air hit my face and I'd never felt so relieved to get out of a building in my life. The smells, the confining walls, having to call on a nurse for every little thing so you wouldn't re-injure yourself. . . I was glad to be out of there and able to walk without having to use a wheelchair. Don't get me wrong, I was grateful for all the help and support all the doctors and nurses gave me, but I was sick of people poking and prodding me and I wanted everyone to leave me alone now.

I still had pain in my shoulder from where I'd gotten shot. I would have to take medication to be certain that the effects of the enchanted bullet were gone but overall I'd be able to recover correctly.

I followed Mom to her car. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulder as we walked farther and farther away from the hospital.

Luckily, Dad wasn't there. I was glad it was only her that came to pick me up and drive me home. She said he was working and couldn't get off, but I didn't care. He'd just grumble and go on and on about all the medical expenses and how this whole thing had been a waste. I honestly just wanted to stay the hell away from him.

And I was pissed about the way he spoke to Laura when she had the displeasure of meeting him. Nick told me what the old man said to her and I wanted to pummel him so bad. Laura visited me every day before she had to go to work and constantly checked on me through text. She and Nick were the only two friends who actually stuck by my side and cared enough to visit me.

Nick had gone back to Dad's car and retrieved my phone so I could exchange numbers with her. She'd constantly check up on me, make sure I was doing okay. It felt like only she and Nick were the only ones who cared. Dad didn't come to visit me other than the first night after I was shot and Mom only visited me twice. She wasn't as gruff or complaining as Dad though she didn't give off the impression that she cared very much.

Mom glanced over her shoulder at me as we approached her car. "You relieved to be coming home?"

I only nodded, too irritated with her and Dad's lack of concern. I didn't trust my voice not to come out sharp.

She paused by the driver's door. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," I said slowly, trying not to let a growl seep into my voice.

She wouldn't unlock the door. "Tell me what's going on."

Before I could stop myself, I said, "Why do you even care?"

Her brows shot up to her hairline. "Excuse me?"

I turned away. "Never mind."

She grabbed my arm and spun me around to face her. "No, tell me what you meant by that."

I stared at her. "You and Dad really don't care about me. My friends showed more concern about me than you, which's been the story my whole life. All you and Dad care about are the hospital bills that are going to come."

Her eyes widened, then her hand snaked out and I barely managed to duck the slap that was coming my way.

"Wow, you're going to slap your son right after he gets out of the hospital. Real classy Mom," I snarked as I danced out of her way. 

She looked around and I realized people were staring at us.

She grabbed the front of my shirt and yanked me forward and hissed, "Don't you dare start a scene right now. You have no right to speak to me like that when I've driven all this way to pick your ungrateful ass up."