Downhill From Here (#1)

55. Holding On For Dear Life

Bowie's POV

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the light coming form the window. It was small and dim, but still noticeable.

Then the sound of a consistent beeping slowly invaded my senses. I lifted my hand to my mouth , feeling a tight contraction around my chin and neck. Dragging the mask down, I dragged out a heavy breath.

How long had I been under?

The last I remembered was finishing the Downward Drive and then I was coughing up blood. The sound of Nathan's voice was the last thing I heard.

And that's when I started to cry, letting out a wrack of sobs, my throat burning. A nurse came in soon after touching some of the machinery before saying in a soothing voice, "Stay calm. You're alright."

And then everything slowly faded to black.

When I woke up again, I was helped to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. My whole lower half hurt like a bitch. It felt like I had been run over repeatedly. I even needed a walker.

And then I was sent in for testing. It was so early, I was barely able to keep my eyes open. I knew the protocol though, blood tests then an ultrasound, one over my abdomen and the other in my vagina. The second one was uncomfortable to say the least.

By 8 am I was oddly tired, feeling like I had run a mile. Something was definitely wrong.

When I asked for my phone, they told me there wasn't one in the clothes I came to hospital with. And visiting hours weren't till 8:30 am so I just wasted away on the bed, staring at the dark screen of the TV.

I felt like shit and probably looked like it too.

Another thing I realized was how nice my room was. I knew the cancer center inside out and I hadn't been put in a room this nice the last time I was here. Just the thought of the upcoming medical bills made me nauseous.

Soon enough the flowers and balloons started rolling in. So many, some on the windowsills, the desk in the corner, the couch. The room smelled like a garden.

Most were from people I didn't know too well, other coaches, riders I had spoken to once or twice.

I was in the middle of eating breakfast when I heard a soft knock on the glass doors.

"You know if you wanted to make a scene yesterday, you could've gone with something a bit more subtle."

Stevie wore a shadow of a smile on her face and I felt my heart burning in my chest at the sight of her. Tears slipped down my cheek as I said, "I'll keep that in mind next time."

She started crying instantly and rushed over to me, wrapping her arms around me, crushing her body against mine.

I was sniffling, my eyes squeezing tightly.

"I w-was so s-scared," She whispered through a sob. "I thought I lost you."

"I'm so s-sorry...I should've t-told you."

"Shut up...I don't care as long as you're alive."

I was alive. After feeling like I was dying yesterday, the life leaving my body slowly, I'd never take for granted just being able to feel someone else like this.