Not just me & you anymore (G!P)

C. 25 - Maya

Thank you all for your support. We have a due conversation (maybe a little controversial?) and an appearance of Amelia! Thanks again, see you soon!

Carina managed to spend the remaining, few, hours of the night all in all serene, even managing to rest. I, after noticing her greater tranquility, returned to the chair, also seeking my peace, but it was in vain. So as soon as the hospital came to life, a little after 6 a.m. there was a shift change, people coming and going, I got up and started walking around the hospital, until, unexpectedly, I found myself in front of the neurosurgery department. I know I can't have such easy access, but I still decide to give it a try, and fate is helpful: as soon as I open the door and look for someone to ask for news, I find myself face to face with Amelia.

A < Maya! What are you doing here?> and she immediately looks at her watch. < it's twenty past six, Carina doesn't work, what happened?> she asks me alarmed, taking me by the arm.

M < nothing serious, don't worry...> I reassure her. < but I need to talk to you. Do you have a few minutes for me?> Amelia studies my expression, then nods. She reports to a nurse that she would be off the ward indefinitely and to look for her only for emergencies. Her behavior surprises me a little, and I rush to reassure her that there is no such serious emergency concerning me. Amelia, however, stops in the middle of the hallway and looks almost annoyed.

A < you're in the hospital, at dawn, looking for me and asking to talk. Doesn't that sound like a serious situation in itself?> I barely smile, actually granting her some reason. With a wave of her hand she invites me to follow her and I comply like a little dog. After a flight of stairs, a few doors, two hallways and other endless spaces all the same I am officially lost, but we are in a rather uncrowded area and in front of a coffee machine: it seems like a good time to talk.

M < have you heard from Carina?> I inquire and she denies it. Part of me wouldn't want to open up to Amelia for fear of disappointing Carina in somehow reporting our affairs and confidences to another person, but I really need a confrontation.

A < tell me whatever is on your mind. I promise, as long as I don't have to kill you, I'll forget everything..> Amelia tells me, sensing my discomfort. I sigh and nod: suddenly the missing hours of sleep and stress are weighing on me like boulders.

M < last night we went out to dinner. It was supposed to be an evening just the two of us, maybe the last one before the birth...but in this restaurant we saw Viviana's dad..> Amelia, who was drinking, chokes on her coffee, which almost comes out of her nose as well. I watch her cough, wide-eyed, and then stand still when she punches me in the shoulder.

A < what the fuck! Couldn't you wait for a time when I wasn't drinking?!> she almost screams.

M < can you focus on what I said?>

A < did I get that right? Have you seen that guy?> I nod. < oh shit... and why are you here now? Did you have a fight?> I shake my head.

M < no, not at all. Carina had a panic attack at the restaurant when she recognized him; then she told me and we left. I gave her space to process it, she didn't want to talk about it...and we went to sleep...only she woke up screaming that there was blood..> I pause for a moment, closing my eyes and clutching my temples with my hands.

M < sorry. I'm tired...exhausted...scared..> I admit, with tears in my eyes. For the first time since I've known her, Amelia doesn't make jokes, rather she squeezes me tightly in a hug. When we part, she barely smiles at me and still invites me to follow her. I walk back to the confidences, reaching the point where Carina is under observation in her ward. Amelia does not answer me and I look around confused < where are we? >.