All those years ago- Joseph Quinn

Squirrel

Bleach, beeping monitors, bland coffee and fluorescent lights that hurt your eyes, is what hospital visits consist of. Ironically hospitals were another fear of addie's, despite finding it beautiful that in one singular building death was exchanged for life- she hated the place. She couldn't quite figure out why, she's just always hated how the place felt so metaphorically cold yet the air was somehow thick and humid. Her eyes were darting around the waiting room, scanning over the faces of strangers that were probably in the same position as her, awaiting the verdict of damage done to a loved one. Deciding she'd had enough of staring at others and feeling their sadness too, she diverted her eyes to her hands, picking away at the nude nail polish Elle had so aggressively pushed her to have done. She wasn't sure what she was feeling most right now but anger was definitely up there, angry that the universe picked such a loving soul to destroy, there was millions of bad people and yet it was Elle who got in a crash.

Joe had noticed her change in emotion simply by the way she held herself, a minute ago she was slouched on the hard plastic chair, yet now her body was sat upright and ridiculously tense. She hadn't said much more than a few words since they she got the call, he was aware this was simply her way of coping and he was fine with that- he just wanted to be there if she did break down. His hand slid into hers catching her off guard but she gladly accept the comfort, sighing as their fingers intertwined.

Her parents were on their way to the hospital as they had to pick up Michael too, him being far too terrified and emotional to drive himself. This made sense to Adrianna but she was still hoping they'd hurry up nonetheless. The unknown was another fear of hers, she feared the limbo between life and death- this scenario was very much a Schrödinger's cat kind of situation. Until those doors opened to reveal a doctor with information, Elle's life or death status was completely up for debate.

Her head shot up at the doors swinging opened to reveal a tear stained Michael beside her parents, without thinking she got up from her chair throwing herself into the arms of them all sighing heavily. All her emotions playing in her head made her numb, she hadn't cried yet, she didn't know what to feel, it all felt surreal. Joe walked over and Addie's mum pulled away to give him a hug, thanking him for being there, he reassured them that anything they needed, he was there. Michael and Addie stood there, still hugging as Joe greeted Addies father, then having a small exchange about how it had 'been a whole' and it was nice to see him, even under the circumstance. They all sat down together anxiously awaiting the verdict from the doctors, no one really wanting to say anything because they weren't sure there was anything to say.

A few hours later and Addie was fast asleep with her head on Joe's lap, he just simply watched her sleep, her breaths soft and slow, the most relaxed she'd been all night. He glanced at the clock in the waiting room- it was now 3am and he felt himself falling asleep too, but refused to let himself until Elle was out of surgery and Addie was okay.

"I'm glad she's got you here" Addie's dad spoke softly to him causing Joe's head to snap in his direction in surprise.

"I'm glad I'm here" he replied.

"Can't believe what that asshole did if I'm honest" her dad scoffed. Joe looked at him surprised for a moment unsure of how he knew, as if he read Joe's mind he replied. "Elle told us. Addie's always wants to remain tough on the exterior, won't let anyone in emotionally." He shrugged.

"She's always been too headstrong for her own good" Joe chuckled.

"I think you helped her with that. The whole confidence thing, any time she doubted herself you'd run in and fix it" her dad stated.

"I just didn't understand why she thought so little of herself all the time. " He shrugged.

"You thought enough of her for the both of you, I think she knew that" her dad replied.