| When We Were in Love | |H.S|

| 27 | Honest |

"I tell you that I'm whole, but I'm still healing.
I tell you that I'm happy, but I'm grieving.
Thought I was a fighter,
I'm still in the fire.
But if I'm being honest,
I'm not being honest.
I'll give you roses, just hoping you don't see the weeds in my garden.
If I'm being honest,
I'm at my darkest."
-Honest. Kyndal Inskeep & Song House. 2022.

| Jared |

After talking a bit with the doctor, a nurse finally informed us that Lily was awake. I walked in there wiping the sweat off my palms. I was beyond nervous. The doctor tried his best to comfort me but he and I both knew this was gonna be tough on both of us.
Once we reached the room, the doctor opened the door revealing Lily, sitting on her bed, looking exhausted.

"Ms. Holland?" The doctor said. "I brought someone here for you," he finished. Lily's head lifted a bit and looked towards our direction.

"Hey sweetheart," I quietly said. She slightly smiled and then turned her head back facing the opposite direction. I quietly sighed to myself feeling a bit intimidated by her reaction to me.

"Ms. Holland, after testing we found that there is no evidence of any significant illness associated with your heart, lungs, or brain, so physically you are going to be okay," he explained.

"So what happened to me today then?" She asked, with a shaky voice. Damn it, she even sounded weak. I hated seeing her like this.

After giving Lily, the mental health conversation that he did with me, he then gave us time to talk and explained if it gets worse, he will probably prescribe her something to help. After he left the room, I slowly started walking towards Lily.

"Hey babe... how you feeling?" I quietly asked.

"Fine," she said even more quiet, still not facing me.

"Honey..." I said in a tone, letting her know, I knew she was lying. Without another word, I seen a single tear fall down her cheek.

"Lily," I instantly said trying to comfort her. I sat down with her and quickly pulled her into a side hug trying my best to make her feel safe.

"What is wrong with me?" She quietly cried.

"What?" I said a bit offended. How could she think such a thing?

"Jared, I'm so messed up," she admitted.

"Lily-" she quickly cut me off.

"Look at me," she said with a weak voice.

"I'm a mess..." she finished. It honestly broke my heart knowing she thought this. She was my light, my absolute sunshine.

"Lily, you are not a mess. You just need some help right now and nothing is wrong with getting help," I told her.

"Jared, I'm this close to getting on medication! What are you talking about?"

"Lily, that doesn't mean anything!"

She didn't look up at me. She decided to stay quiet and not look me in the eyes. I hated seeing her like this. I could feel her heart rate going up while I held her in my arms. I knew she was going to need help, whether that be therapy, letting her vent to me more, or just sitting with her in silence some days. Whatever it was though, I was going to make sure she was going to be okay.