Part Six. Portland.

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"So , we got your test results back." My doctor (Dr. Taylor.) tells us. Andy sits on the bed with me, while my Mom and Malachi sit on the couch pressed against the wall.

"Your CT and MRI were both totally clear."

Mother and company smiles, but something doesn't match up.

"Why did I pass out then? If all my scans are clear, I shouldn't have passed out, right?"

Dr. Taylor shrugs, glancing at the paperwork in his hand. "My guess would be stress, dehydration maybe? I can almost assure you though, Miss Cormwell, it was just a fluke seizure.

He talks to my mom about discharging me, coming back for frequent appointments and that sort of information, but my mind is other places.

I've seen Asher a few times since our interaction in his room. He's come over to my room and we've talked, or we've gone down the cafeteria and gotten some dirt flavored coffee. He's a really fun person, but I still can't get him to tell me why he's here. But hey, I get it, I haven't told him why I'm here either, so I can't blame him.

I stand up, pushing past Dr. Taylor. I want to talk to Asher.

I knock, but I know he's there, and I know he's not asleep.

"Hey," He mumbles, smiling at me. I smile back.

His smile is almost as dazzling as his eyes, freckles spotting his cheeks like stars, his dimples large enough to put my fingertip in.

"Hey, Asher, I just wanted to talk to you for a minute."

His smile fades quickly, his eyes dropping to the sheet music in his hand.

"They're discharging me later today, and I wanted to thank you for... Everything, I guess."

He nods, his eyes not meeting mine.

"But, I mean, if you want, we can hangout sometime. I would come to some of your sport events or, uh, you can come over to my house and we can chill, or go swimming, or-"

"Can you just stop, please?" He exclaims, his sudden change of tone making me jump. "I don't want your pity! You obviously are the type of person who has a lot of friends, so one guy isn't gonna make a difference! I don't want your fake invites."

I bite my lip, trying to keep my breathing steady. I have to stay calm, this can't happen here.

I swallow, trying to keep my tears down. "Okay, that's okay if you don't want to see me any more, but I just wanted to thank you for hanging out with me these past few days. It's been really important. So uh, thanks."

I don't look back as I leave his room, trying to hide my tears.

I push down the hallway, looking for any nook or cranny I can hide in. I finally find a side closet, the door cracked open. I gladly slide into the darkness.

Bile rises in my throat as I sob quietly, as not to draw any attention to myself. My stomach churns and blood rushes in my ears.

Did I make him think I didn't want to be his friend? Did I say something wrong? This always happens, I think that I've finally made a friend, and then I find out that I've scared them away again.

I press my hand against the wall, my head feels like I've been shoved underwater. The sound flooding the hallways muffled by the sound of my tears. My hands shake, I want to scream, but I can't. My stomach churns as I kneel down on the ground, fumbling until I find a bucket back in the corner, at least I hope it's a bucket. I quietly empty the contents of my stomach into this mysterious item. 

Far away, someone knocks on a door, saying something. An apology maybe? I wonder who.

I wish Asher was here, foolish as it is, he has a way of calming me down, even though I've only known him for a few days.

I push my head between my knees, trying, and failing to keep my chest from heaving. 

I wish I could make it stop, take the pain away, but my head won't stop throbbing. My tears stain my jeans, my breath comes in ragged gasps.

"Help," I manage to breathe out, "please."

That's when I pass out.

Crap.


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