Friends For Life

Chapter 35 - Promise Me

After talking about it Haley and I came to the conclusion that no one was going to tell Eli. All of the nurses were informed by the doctor and everyone else who knew, which wasn't a lot of people, were also told not to tell Eli. It was probably one of the best kept secrets in the hospital. Sadly though it wasn't the only one.

Apparently Eli had informed the staff and everyone else, which was also not lot of people, not to tell me the news about Haley. I guess in a way Eli and I were even with each other. I knew something he didn't and he knew something I didn't, and neither of us were willing to share with the other. But he also had no clue that we were keeping a secret from him so I guess we weren't really even at all.

Not a lot of people went to go see Haley though. Some sent their regards and "get well soon"s through Facebook or anyone who actually came to visit Haley. Sheila and Becca hadn't flown down and weren't planning to at all. Becca's excuse was that she had to work while Sheila just admitted she didn't want to see Haley die because of their mother.

Skye had come down to visit a lot but would never go in to see Haley. She would mostly stay to comfort me when I broke down in tears and help keep the stupid reporters away from Haley.

Once news of Haley spread over the town newspapers were calling to get a story on Haley while news stations were asking for an interview with Haley. I knew they were all just doing their job but I hated how inconsiderate they were being about it.

Haley, in my eyes, had seemed to stay the same as when she first woke up. But in reality she was getting worse. I never listened when other nurses came to talk to Eli and Mr. Anderson. I always left the room because I just didn't want to hear any of it.

Days had gone by and I swear she was looking worse but I couldn't bring myself to admitting that out loud. I was just grateful that Eli had enough kindness to avoid that subject with me. Ever since his fight with Alex he had been distant, I guess the fact that everyone in the hospital knew about it he was more cautious around people.

Alex hadn't returned to the hospital so I'm guessing that he finally got the message and decided to leave it be. Now it was just us waiting through the days, missing school, and watching Haley as she slowly started to fade away.

"Hey."

I turn my head to meet Haley and see her looking at me with a smile I had come to know was fake. She started doing that to make me feel better and not see her in pain. But it was through that smile that I found more pain than I think she wanted to let on.

"You should be resting." I say sitting up a little in my chair.

"I tried but watching you space out every five seconds seemed more entertaining." she says sounding more like herself.

"Stalker much?"

"Yeah, I get it from my best friend."

"She must be so proud."

"She might be, but I wouldn't know since all she does is sit in silence around me like I'm dying or something."

"Sorry." I say softly not liking the way she joked with that word.

"Gabby your-" I turn around to see Eli's head popping out of the door.

He freezes when he meets Haley's gaze and her smile deflates as well as his own. Ever since his discussion with the doctor he hasn't been in to see Haley when she's awake. He'll wait until she's passed out and then come in just to sit by her side.

So the fact that he's in here while she's awake is probably why he's frozen in place. The look on his face is one that I can't interpret so I stand up and walk out guessing that things were about to get intense. I carefully step outside and walk up to my mom who has a lunch waiting for me in her hands.