Anything But Ordinary ☯ Josh Hutcherson [unedited]

Chapter 16

Josh's POV

As soon as she opened her eyes, I let out a relieved breath.

"Her extreme panic attack is over now" the doctor announced unnecessarily.

No shit dude, what gave you that idea? I shook my head at him and leaned closer to Liz's bed, taking her hand in mine and kissing it softly.

"I'm here, okay? ...whatever scared you it's over. I would never let anyone hurt you" I said softly.

She had been screaming for like ten minutes. Those few minutes were torture for me, seeing her like that and not being able to do anything just drove me insane. I had never felt so helpless when trying to be there for someone.

"Josh" she whispered as she sat up against the bed's frame. 

"Yeah?" I prompted her on and she looked down at the hand I was still holding. I thought it was making her uncomfortable so I was letting go but at that precise moment she intertwined her fingers with mine.

"Thank you" she said with a weak smile. I nodded and then shrugged. 

"I'm just keeping my promise. I will protect you with everything that I am" I murmured and she nodded.

The moment was interrupted when the doctor cleared his throat to get our attention. We both looked at him and he smiled at us.

"I'm glad the worst is over but we still need to talk about why this happened in the first place. Your friend Josh explained some of it to me but as a psychologist I have to help you get through this trauma, that way you'll be able to have a normal, healthy life".

"You told him?" Liz asked me, disbelief in her voice and shock in her eyes.

I looked away from a moment and then looked back at her, nodding. 

"Yeah...but Liz, they needed to know what was wrong so they could know how to help you. Seeing you lost inside your head in fear for that...monster, was more than I could handle. I had to do something to help you" I said in a pleading tone.

"And here I was just thinking how I was going to let you help me" she said in a bitter tone.

"If you had decided that already, why are you mad at me?" I asked annoyed.

"Because... you did this without my approval. You told a stranger my biggest secret.... my biggest shame..." she said, her voice cracking at the end.

"Liz...I'm sorry okay? I just thought.." but she cut me off.

"Maybe you shouldn't think!" she shouted, anger filling her voice but tears were threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Don't talk to me like that Liz, I was just trying to help for crying out loud! Why won't you let anyone help you?" I yelled back and she snorted.

"Because I don't need help from people like you. Now leave, I don't want to see you" she said dismissively and I gawked at her.

"Are you serious right now?" I questioned, feeling hurt.

"Yes Josh, go away.... I don't need you" she said, looking out the window. 

"After all this, seriously? Wow.... Maybe I was wrong about you... trying to save you from yourself. You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved" I spat at her.

I saw her cringe at my words but her blank expression never changed.

"Are you done now? Yeah? Then why are you still doing here?" she asked in a superior spoiled brat tone.

"Oh fuck this. I hope you know what you're doing Liz, pushing the only person that truly cares about you away. I would have done anything, and everything to make you happy. To help you get through this but no, you had to spit me out like I'm nothing.... Like you don't care about me, when I know that you actually do.....

How about this, when you're ready to grow up, and act like a damn adult and stop pretending like you don't care, you know where to find me" I spat out before walking out of the room.

Liz’s POV

Why did I feel a sting of hurt at Josh’s words? I shouldn’t care so much about what he says or thinks….

Damn it Liz, you knew better, you knew falling for him was not an option!

Jeez, I’m such an idiot.

“Miss Vega, are you listening?” the psychologist asked, snapping me away from my thoughts. 

“No…I’m sorry, what were you saying?” I apologized and he sighed.

“I was saying that I need to do a couple of tests, depending on the results I will know what actions I should take to help you with your trauma” he stated, in a tired voice. 

“Alright, do whatever you need to do” I said, waving his words off with my hand. 

I was still busy thinking about Josh, and the expression on his face, the hurt and disappointment in his eyes.

Was he right? Was I going to regret pushing him away from me? He is in fact the only person who was showed that he cares for me in a very long time.

What am I thinking? I can’t regret asking him to leave and I can’t keep him close either, I told him my biggest and darkest secret, my horrible shame and he told strangers for God’s sake. He promised me he wouldn’t tell anyone, and he broke his promise… so his word means nothing to me!

“Well doctor, thanks for everything. My dad is probably very angry at the moment because I was supposed to meet him and this whole thing happened. He hates waiting for people, especially if it’s me so, have a great day, and call me when ever you need me to take the tests. Bye!” I said while opening the door and rushing out of the suite.

Man, I’m going to be in so much trouble!- I thought as I hit the elevator button.

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Josh’s POV

As I went back to my room I’m guessing the anger and frustration was showing in my face because people I knew from the set would clear off my path, scared I might take it out on them.

I can’t believe her! After all I’ve done…. I have tried so hard to be there for her, to show her that it’s good to get things out of your chest, after I gave her all my support… shit, why do I feel so upset?

This girl has been a big pain since I met her. Why did I ever think that I could handle her? Why did I think I could make things with her work?

The answer it’s simple, when you find something beautiful but it’s broken, what do you do?

You try to fix it.

I thought I could fix Liz; I’ve always been a sucker for the damsel in distress…. but in stories and fairy tales, the princess always wants to be rescued, it is not like this on Liz’s case.

The question is this…. After all that has happened, and all that I know, do I give up now or should I try more hard?

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What do you guys think Josh should do?? Let me know ;)