❝here i go again on my own, going down the only road i've ever known. like a drifter, i was born to walk alone, and i've made up my mind. i ain't wasting no more time, but here i go again.❞
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*4 days later. MADELYN POV
"Did the doctors say when she'd wake up?"
"No, I haven't heard anything since yesterday. I'm worried Ms. Cahill, I feel like she should've woken up by now."
"Don't you worry Eddie, Maddie's one stubborn gal, she'll be just fine."
"I have to ask because I'm quite curious, who's um, who's the kid?"
"That's Max Mayfield. From what I understand, her and Maddie have known each other for a while, as in they've known each other since before Maddie moved here to Hawkins. Billy was Max's older brother, so naturally Maddie and Max ended up getting pretty close."
I let out a quiet yawn, shielding my eyes from the lights as I blink them open. "What happened? Why am I in the hospital?"
"She lives!" Eddie cheers quietly, a soft smile on his face. "Hey there Mads, how're you feeling?"
"Like shit." I reply, causing Amelia to let out a relieved sigh.
"Oh thank god." Amelia mumbles, running a hand through her hair. "You've had everyone worried sick, again."
"I tend to do that a lot, don't I?" I ask Amelia, who just rolls her eyes before nodding. "Has Billy been by to visit me yet? I really need to talk to him."
Amelia and Eddie's faces both fall, prompting an uneasy feeling to settle in my stomach.
"I'll be back in a bit, yeah? I'm gonna go check on Alora, see how she's doing." Eddie whispers, and Amelia nods as Eddie leaves the room.
"Amelia, what's going on?" I ask, surprised I can't feel my eyes glowing yet. "Where's Billy?"
"Do you remember what happened that night at Starcourt?" Amelia asks, her arms now crossed.
I shake my head, and Amelia just sighs.
"From what I heard, Billy sacrificed himself to save you, Alora, and all of you guys' friends."
I widen my eyes, tears quickly starting to blur my vision. "No, you're joking. This is some sort of sick joke, right?"
Amelia just shakes her head. "I'm sorry Maddie, I know that the two of you had some history."
"He can't be gone." I whisper, clenching the blanket covering my lap so tightly that my knuckles turn white. "Goddamn it..."
"You know, that girl Max hasn't left your side since you got put in this room." Amelia tells me, gesturing to the young teen on the opposite side of my hospital room. "Not even to a bite to eat or some sleep, her mom's been occasionally bringing stuff by."
"Maddie, what's going on?"
I look to my right to see Max rubbing her eyes, quickly wiping away my tears so the younger teen doesn't see.
"Hey there kiddo, I'm glad you're okay." I open my arms, pulling Max in for the tightest hug I'm able to manage. "My mom Amelia was just telling me that you've been sleeping here? Why's that?"
Max nods, yawning and rubbing her face. "Yeah, I wanted to be here when you woke up, to make sure you were really okay."
"Well I'm doing just fine now, so how about you go home and get some actual rest?" I suggest, and Max just sighs. "As long as your mom allows it, you can come back tomorrow and even bring that book that you like so much, so I can read it to you. How's that sound?"
Max grins. "Then I'll definitely be back tomorrow."
"Come on Max, I'll wait with you until your mom gets here." Amelia says, her hand gently resting on Max's shoulder. "Maddie, you gonna be alright until I get back?"
