Die In California

8

Rook's POV:

Today was the day Devyn was finally being discharged. It didn't feel real; after so long of begging God to wake her up, of praying to see her open her eyes just once more, of losing all faith in humanity. After 7 long weeks, she was finally going home. And not home to Toledo. Home to Cleveland - my second home, soon to be her's too.

It was so surreal - I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I never thought that I'd be stuck in the hospital waiting for Devyn to wake up after trying to commit suicide. Then once that happened, I never thought I'd be leaving with her. As sad as it is, I really had lost hope - I can admit it now since she's awake and back to her sassy self. I thought she was going to give up, that they were going to pull the plug, that I'd lose my best friend. But she did it. She pulled through. She lived. And she's now going to walk out of the hospital, potentially try running away from us, then be shipped off to Cleveland. I'll do anything it takes to get her there.

I quickly took a shower while Devy was still sleeping, changing into the clothes that Slim had brought me - black skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, black boots. I was back to my normal self... sort of. I mean, I was still a mess, needing a load more sleep and shit, but I was functioning at least, and wearing normal clothes again. I dried my hair then left it across my forehead, not really bothering with styling it since we were just going to be travelling.

Ashleigh had offered to drive the guys back to Cleveland, while I would drive Devyn back in my car, so all we needed to do was get our shit together and get in the cars. But first, breakfast. Mom had brought us all some breakfast from a local cafe nearby, setting it all out on the coffee table that they'd managed to replace. If anyone asks, we had no idea how it broke. It was magic.

I sat and ate my breakfast sandwich in my armchair beside Devyn's bed, while she slowly ate her pancakes, the two of us falling into a comfortable silence. At least, I thought it was comfortable. I don't know what Devyn was thinking, but I was already planning what we'll do while she's in Cleveland, and how to sell it to her to keep her there. Call me eager, I don't care, I just want to help my best friend. Even if I'm no longer her best friend, she will forever be mine.
I've not gone soft. Fuck off.

"Alright. We ready to go?" Pops asked as Devyn came out of the bathroom after her shower, trading her ugly gown for black sweatpants, a black hoodie which I'm sure was mine at one point, and black Nike trainers, her brown hair tied up messily into a low bun on the back of her neck. She looked perfect, just days after coming out of a coma. How?!
"Fine, let's go." She sighed, clearly still not warming up to the idea of Cleveland. But I knew she would eventually. If it's the last thing I do.

The doctor signed the discharge papers, then Devyn was smothered in hugs by Linda, my mom and Pops, the three of them promising that they're only a phone call away and blah blah blah. I don't know if you can tell, but I just really wanted to go. I wanted Devyn to see our home, to get settled in, and see how great it can be living with us. But she won't find out if we don't leave the fucking hospital that I'd grown to hate, would she?

I started impatiently pacing the hospital reception as they took their time discharging Devyn, and then there were the goodbyes. Oh, fucking hell, they'd already said goodbye in her hospital room, they didn't need to do it again! I sighed and continued pacing while scrolling through my phone, trying to distract myself to make the time pass by quicker. But all I did was glance at the clock every few seconds, watching the small white numbers, waiting for them to change at an achingly slow pace.

"JP." Linda called out, making me stop in my tracks and put my phone back in my pocket as she walked over with a sympathetic smile. "How are you feeling now? Better?" She raised an eyebrow as I rolled my eyes. She can never not be a therapist, can she?
"I just want to go home, honestly." I admitted, glancing over at Devyn as she quietly stood beside my step-mom. I knew that blank look on her face - she wanted to be just about anywhere but here. Me too.