True anchors

36||Nadia 11B

TW: homophobia and transphobia

Gabe had to stay for a while in the hospital. Nolan only left the hospital at night but he was always back before visiting hours started. He was sat in a chair in the waiting room before he could go and see Gabe when someone came up behind him.

It was a girl black hair and a slim figure.
"Nadia?" Nolan turned around quickly. He hadn't heard that name in a while. He was met with the face of his elementary best friend. Kara.
"It's good to see you. You look very different." She stated.
"Yeah well." He looked back at the clock. He still had another 6 and a half minutes until he could go and see Gabe.

"So what's been going on Nadia? What's with the look changed." She sat down next to the boy.
"Please stop calling me Nadia." He sighed.
"Why? What should I call you instead?" She asked him clearly confused about what he meant. He stayed silent.

She then noticed his eyes always darting to one place. She followed his vision to see the clock.
"I can get you to see who ever you want to visit a few minutes early. I have connections in the hospital because my dads here a lot."

Nolan just shook his head.
"No i have connections aswell but I'd rather just wait. It gives me time to think anyway."
"Think about what?"
"About how I could have stopped this. I stopped one person but not the other. And I know I could have." Kara was again confused but she didn't want to ask to many questions. Just then the clock hit half past seven and Nolan stood up.

A woman came round the corner.
"hes still asleep but waking up shortly. Here are at keys to his room. But before you go I want to ask you something." Nolan nodded at the woman waiting for her to speak.

"I know this is hard for you. Him being here. But have you talked to anyone. Liam? Scott? Theo? Even your mother?" Nolan looked to the ground and shook his head. He had stopped talking to everyone. He didn't mean to but it was like having his bad days again.

"You should, they are worried about you. Scott's even wondering if he should drive down here. And help him heal quicker. Only if he wants it though. Liam wants to come and help maybe take his pain or something but he's giving you the space he thinks you need."
"Okay, I'll talk to them later."

He walked into the room the lights were dim and Gabe was asleep on the bed. Nolan moved the chair in the corner next to the bed and just sat there waiting for Gabe to wake up. It was sunny outside but the blinds remained shut. The windows were open letting in a light breeze.

It didn't take long for Gabe to wake up. He was immediately greeted with Nolan smiling at him. But it wasn't convincing.
"What's wrong?" Was the first thing Gabe asked.
"It's nothing." Nolan didn't want to say. He didn't want to upset Gabe by seeing him upset.

"What is it?" Gabe persisted.
"My old friend, Kara. From elementary. She hasn't seen me since..." he trailed off and Gabe comforted him.
"She deadnamed me. And I didn't know what to say." Gabe felt sorry for his boyfriend but he knew he couldn't help. So instead he gave him some good news.

"I'm getting released today. Maybe we could go home and watch a film." Nolan smiled and nodded. Just then Melissa walked through the door.
"We need a guardian to sign you out. Who would you rather call?"
"It has to be my mom or dad right?" Melissa nodded apologetically.
"My mom then."

Melissa wrote that down and was about to walk out when she turned around.
"Who's that girl that's waiting outside. She was talking to you earlier Nolan."
"My old friend from elementary." Melissa nodded  again and walked out.

The two just waited for Gabe to be signed out and ready to go home. Then Nolan zoned out again.
"Nol? Nolan? Are you okay?" The younger boy had gotten up and started to walk out the door. Gabe got up and followed quickly.
"Nadia? Are you okay?" Nolan ignored her and continued walking.