Right Place Wrong Time

chapter 19

“the doctors say it isn’t as bad as it looks,” A voice came quietly from behind me, I turned to see the blonde girl that had been sat half naked on Matt’s bed the day I caught him. Her tone grew sharp as she finished her sentence, “so you can go now.”

“Who are you?”

“Matt’s girlfriend. Why are you even here?”

“Because I called her.” Grace spoke firmly. The blonde span round and began to stutter in an embarrassed apology before tottering off down the hallway. Grace held out a cup of tea, “ignore her.”

“Why am I here though Grace? Matt and I haven’t spoken in months.” I said quietly, sipping my tea.

“When he came in, they induced him into a coma so that they could assess the damage to his brain. He’s been asleep for 3 days and he’s improving, so yesterday they stopped the sedating drugs to allow his body to re adapt.”

“Ok…”

“He started to drift in and out of consciousness yesterday afternoon, not enough for him to be aware of anything, but he kept mumbling.”

My chest tightened, I knew what was coming.

“Mumbling what?” I croaked.

“Your name, Tia.” Grace replied slowly, her eyes becoming nothing more than blue smudges as tears clouded my vision, “that’s why blondy’s upset, she thinks Matt’s in love with her.”

“Oh.”

“Pretty much.”

“Grace I shouldn’t be here.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I have no place here, we haven’t spoken in months, he’s moved on and so have I.” I said quickly, “he was probably just confused, they say dreams are a connection between your memories, him calling my name doesn’t mean anything.”

“I think we both know that’s not true.”

“And what about her?” I asked, nodding towards the blonde, “this isn’t fair on her.”

Grace nodded, understanding, “if you can’t stay for him, please stay for me.” She whispered.

I agreed, sinking down into a chair and keeping her hand clasped in mine, Millie and I took turns to fetch food and drinks from down the hall whilst the blonde sat in the corner sulking. We passed the time by listening to stories of Millie’s travels; places she’d been and people she’d met, it made the dull white corridors seem even more constricting. The other three took turns to go in and sit with Matt, holding his hand and talking softly to him, the doctors said he could hear even though he wouldn’t respond. I decided to stay outside; I was only here for Grace.

“We’re going to nip home and get some spare clothes, do you want a lift?” Millie offered.

“No, I’m good here thanks.”

“Tia you haven’t left for three days,” she replied softly, “why don’t you come home, get a shower and a change of clothes? They’ll call if anything changes.”

“Thanks, but I’m ok for now, maybe I’ll go later.”

Millie smiled and walked away, taking her mother and the blonde with her. Truth be told, I couldn’t bear going home to my family, there would be too many questions and sympathetic looks which I couldn’t handle. I took my phone out of my pocket for the first time in 3 days;

10 missed calls

Jacob (3)

Mum (6)

Jack (1)

There were texts from the same people which I didn’t have the energy to open, so I typed out a simple text to the three of them;

Sorry I missed your call, won’t have my phone on for a few days. Don’t worry about me. X

I stood up and slipped the phone back into my pocket, staring into the window at Matt’s battered body. I slowly opened the door and crept in, taking a perch on the seat at his bedside. I waited a while before I began to speak.

“This room smells even worse than the corridor.” I started, pathetic but it’s not as if he would care, “and that beeping must drive you mad.” I awkwardly giggled. To myself. “I know exactly why I’m here Matt, I know why I came and I know why I stayed and I know why I can’t leave.” I spoke, honestly. “You hurt me Matt, and I still don’t think I’ve forgiven you, the trust I built up in you was hard for me, and you took advantage of that.” My voice started to shake as I took hold of his cold hand, “but I let you down too.”

Tears began to fall out of my eyes and make tracks down my cheeks.

“I wish you were awake.” I whispered.