Wonderland

❄B34❄ Thoughts

Chapter Thirty-Four

Brayden's POV

Thoughts

"Heather?" I whispered, when her crying had seized. She didn't answer me, and that was when I realized that she had fallen asleep again.

Gently prying her fingers from my shirt, I slipped quietly outside of her room. Once in the hallway, I found my brother and Bridget standing nearly a mile apart. Neither one was acknowledging each other, but both their heads snapped my way when I came into the hallway.

"Brayden," Bridget said, coming over to me. "Is she awake?"

"She fell back asleep," I said, quietly.

"Oh."

"Dr. Joel came by a few minutes ago," Esmond said, not moving from his spot. "He wanted to check in on Heather, but then noticed you in there with her. He said he'll be back in ten minutes."

"Okay."

"Ryan and them are on their way over," Bridget said.

"What? Why?" I said.

"To make sure that you and Heather are alright. You aren't the only one worried, you know."

"Yeah," I murmured, sitting down on the chair beside the hospital room. I rested my elbow against my leg and supported my head up with my hand. My head was occupied with thoughts of Heather and her anesthesia-induced rambling.

Why do the people I love never love me back?

It honestly never crossed my mind the fact that Heather would like me. But then again, she was quiet and reserved most of the time. She rarely showed her feelings, although I do think she shows more of herself around me than anyone else.

And Berkeley...

What could she have possibly meant by that? Of all the times I've been with Berkeley and Heather, they seemed to be on good terms. Heather was still under the influence of anesthesia when she was rambling, so it's possible she made it up, my inner voice thought, but for some reason, I was having doubts. In fact, now that I think about it, every time I brought up Heather around Berkeley, she'd get angry with me. I know she's always been jealous of my and Heather's relationship, but I can never see her doing anything to hurt Heather.

Just wait it out. Go ask Berkeley the next time you see her.

Right. I'll do that instead of jumping straight to conclusions.

"You're off in your own world again," Esmond mused.

"Just thinking..." I muttered.

"Ah, you're out!" I looked up to see Dr. Joel coming over to us. He smiled. "Everything fine with Heather?"

"Yes," I answered, automatically.

"Perfect. I'm going to go in and do a quick check-up on her. I'll be right back." Dr. Joel entered Heather's room and shut the door behind him.

"You know we'll have to leave in an hour or so, right?" Esmond said. "If we don't leave by tonight, then I won't make it back to college on time, and neither will you."

"Can I just get plane tickets to go back home?"

Esmond shook his head. "They're expensive, and I think it's too late to do that right now."

"But what about Heather? I can't leave her." Not when her father is coming tomorrow. I can't let her face him alone. I know she's terrified of him, and I know he hasn't been the most supportive and caring person in her life.