Our Beginning | Mickey Altieri

Chapter Sixty

At the hospital, we all had our own room at the second floor. Mine is just across Mickey's. Since I'm badly injured, I have to stay longer than the rest of the others. The doctor recommends that I stay in bed most of the time to rest my body. But since I don't listen, I still get up once he leaves. I check on everyone each time the doctor leaves my room. Right now, I'm in Ryan's room while the two of us talked.

"Thanks for trying to help Sid and I," I said, resting my hand on his shoulder. He chuckles lightly. "Just trying my best. My back still hurts from those two stabs. They felt really deep."

"I'm surprised the doctors announced you were still breathing."

"I almost died, you know? But I'm glad I didn't. I didn't want to die at a young age. I made up my decision."

I loosened up and brought my posture more straight. "Your decision?"

"I had thoughts about it ever since I realized I had depression a year after. I think when I was fourteen. My mom never knew. My dad never knew. I never told them, that's why. Because they wouldn't understand. They never did. And then my issues came and ended up scaring someone." He averts his eyes to me. "And every second, I'm always sorry for what I did to you."

"I know it's only been a couple of weeks," I told him as I ruffled his head. "But I forgive you. You're doing much better than before." We smile at each other. I bring him for one more hug. "You're a good person. I'm sorry you had to deal with depression at that time. And I'm sorry for hating you the second we met when I never knew."

"All is forgiven." We pulled apart. "I'm glad we made up. Friends?" As he took out his hand to shake. I smile, taking his hand as we shook on it. "Friends." He smiles, pulling me for another hug. "And thank you for understanding me. I really needed that." I smile more, hugging him in return. "Anytime. And I'll always be here for you."

—

"You're doing good. But I still recommend that you stay in bed to rest, okay."

"Sure. I will."

"That's great. Have a good nights sleep."

As the doctor left, I waited until I no longer heard footsteps. It's now night. Everyone is asleep. But I know one person isn't.

When I got up, I walked over to the door across. Mickey's door. His door is unlocked as I can see from the knob.
I clear a bit to see him staring at the ceiling with his arms crossed over chest. Once I cleared the whole door, he curves his head towards me. A smile appears when I entered.

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I didn't want to. You know I don't listen."

"As always," he chuckles and brings himself to a sitting position. "But I still want you to rest more until your body functions more."

"I still wouldn't listen. I'd rather get up and walk over here to see you." He felt touched to my words. His cheeks appeared a bit red and I slipped out a small laugh.
"I'm just glad you're okay," I whispered. Caressing his cheek and leaned over to kiss the tip of his nose.

"Funny how non-virgins die in movies yet we're still here." I slightly laugh and sat down on his bed to tell him what I've been thinking.

"I've also been thinking about something," I left off.
"Which is?" He asks me.
"I want to drop out theatre."

He looks shocked and confused at the same time to why I would want to. "But didn't you say you were much more interested with it when we first met?"

"Throughout those months, I felt myself not really enjoying it, you know? It was alright at first— until now."

"So then, what do you want to do?"

"Maybe do what Randy told me when I wanted to help Dewey and Gale. Criminology. Maybe become a detective. I did like to do research most of the time and even read books about it too. Watching those crime shows with my mom had me invested in crimes. Like how it happened, what started, what caused it to happen. Maybe I should give it a go."

We chuckled for a good second. I stopped and thought about the moment Nancy revealed she was the one who stabbed Randy. "And about Randy...they never told me about him." Tears prickled. "Every second, I just want to make sure if he survived. That's all I want to know."

I feel Mickey's hand under my chin. He brings my view to his. "I promise to you that they will. I'm not sure either but I'm not going to let you down." I lean closer to feel his embrace. And we stayed in that position for a while. So much happened. And it was too quick.

We made eye contact and stayed for a while. He slowly leaned down. And I begin to as well until our lips met for a slow, gentle kiss. I pulled the collar of his gown down, bringing him for another. "I love you so much, Mick. I'm glad you survived." I rest my forehead on his, gently caressing his face.
"I love you too, N/n. And I always will." I smile to the last four words he spoke for the third time. "After we graduate, let's get out of here with the rest of the guys. And start a new chapter. You and I."

I nod, giving him a smile, and kissing his forehead. "A new beginning. Our beginning." And I got up to go back to my room. Giving him a quick kiss, I left his room, shutting the door.

From the far left, a light is on. And the door is wide open. Must be the closet or something.

I walked over to the corner and peeped through to see that it's just a room like the rest of ours.

And lying down in bed is Randy.

"Oh my god," I whisper. I felt myself wanting to cry. He's here. And he's wide awake. "Randy."

His head curved toward me. I stood by the door with so much joy that he's here. His eyes widen. "Holy shit. N/n."
I ran. I ran until I pulled him into my arms. "You're alive. Oh my god, you're alive."

"I'm alive," he chuckles.

"The doctors never told me though."

"I just woke up the last hour. And here I am. I just need to stay here for a few days."

"Lucky. I need to stay here longer." I point him to my side and showed my hands. "But all of this was worth it."

"How was worth it? The killer did all of this to you!"

"It was worth it to slit Mrs. Loomis' throat for revenge." I smile, and he stood very thrilled. "Billy's mom?"
"She revealed she was the one in the van. And I did what I did."

"Awesome," was all he said as he smiles. "So it is over then."

"Definitely." I rest my hand on his arm. "And I'm glad to see you here."

"Hey, once we graduate, let's the hell out of here and start a new life with our friends."

"You got it." We smile at one another, and I lift up my pinky to create a promise. "I know only kids do this, but why not?" He laughs and locks his with mine, creating a promise.