𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓 ✞𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑘𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑧✞

part fourty-two

"It's okay baby, you're safe now" the comforting words of Robyn's mother whispered between the voices, her touch gentle as she caressed over her cheek. Melting beneath her maternal presence, Robyn sighed into the bed, feeling a mixture of bliss and sadness wash over her.

"Mom?" she croaked, her eyes glossing over as she stared up at her radiant mother above. Similar to Robyn, sleek, black braids tumbled from her head, swaying slightly between the shards of yellow light behind her. Illuminating her bronzed skin, the light swarmed around her until she appeared almost angelic. Warm, her eyes were wide and brown, filled with life and love as she locked eyes with her daughter.

Confused, Robyn diverted her gaze from left to right, now seeing as another figure joined her mother's side- Elliot.

"Elliot?" she questioned once more, seeing how her friend perched gently on the edge of the hospital bed, his lips toying a playful smile. Her heart ached at how she had missed his expression, his smile alone bringing her a surge of relief and comfort. He too, looked other-worldly between the distorted rays of light, his complexion growing more radiant and glowing as her eyes adjusted.

Lisa placed a loving hand on Elliot's shoulder, similarly to how she used to when they were kids. Confused but enthralled, Robyn stared back at them with a smile, feeling all of her anxiety melt into a heavenly numbness. Her best friend and her mother, back with her at last.

~*~

Robyn woke to a throbbing pain burning into her neck. Dazed, her eyes fluttered open, causing her to wince and strain at the bright white hospital lights invading her senses. At first, she saw a blurred scene of white ceiling tiles and snake-like wires that connected her to machines, all of the colours and shapes slowly transforming into clearer objects as she woke. Dry, her eyelids peeled further open before she blinked rapidly to clarify her vision. Paralysed, she flicked her vision to her left cheek, seeing how one tube circulated blood from her into a machine and back into her. Shock washed over her as she realised she was lying in a hospital bed.

"Hey, hey" the soothing voice of her cousin Alicia sounded, her worried expression rapidly sinking into a relieved smile as soon as she saw her eyes open. A deep exhale left her lips as she clutched at Robyn's limp hand.

Unable to speak, Robyn blinked further and scanned over the unfamiliar surroundings.

"The nurses said it would take you a little while to adjust. But, you had a surgery to clean out your blood four days ago" Alicia explained, her soft hands drawing playful circles over her thumb.

"Jay," she half whispered across Robyn's bed "She's awake"

Turning slightly, Robyn felt a mixture of surprise and relief to see Jay folded up uncomfortably in the chair beside her, his eyes lightly closed with his hoodie pulled tightly around him. He looked exhausted.

As soon as Alicia spoke, his eyes shot open and he surged forward to her bedside, his eyes bloodshot and rapidly scanning over her. Shaking, his hand found hers as he leant down into her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead as he sighed in relief.

"I'll get your dad" Alicia spoke optimistically as she leapt from the bed and exited the small hospital room.

Her eyes widened.

"Dad?" she just about croaked out, her mouth dry and rough as the words struggled out of her lips.

Smiling, Jay nodded down to her.

"He got a flight yesterday, me and Alicia split the cost. He was really worried" Jay explained, his expression a mixture of happiness and nervousness.

Robyn's eyes followed Alicia as she returned. Following closely behind her, the looming figure of her father rushed over to the bed. Raking his hands through his dreads, he approached the bed, Robyn now noticing his leather trench coat jacket and matching boots he typically wore.

"Rob Baby," he fussed as he pulled a chair beside her bed, perching on the end of it as he interlaced their hands and he stared down at her. Here, she could see how pale and wrinkled his face looked, the whites of his eyes almost yellow from both the lack of sleep and the presumable amounts of substances he does on tour.

"Dad," she wearily whispered, her lips toying a slight smile at the sight of her father. Despite all of the frustrations she upheld against him, he was still her dad, and would always be.

"I was so worried my love," he sighed, brushing his hand over her forehead gently "how on earth did I let you get this way all by yourself?"

For the first time, Robyn felt slightly satisfied with how her dad was behaving. More specifically, how he took on partial responsibility for abandoning her.

"Are you staying?" she croaked, her eyes hopeful.

He paused, pressing his lips together as he sighed. "Of course I'm staying until you are better"

"And after that?" she questioned, her eyes narrowing slighting in suspicion. Alicia shot Jay a mutual look of sympathy.

"Well, I- you know- the tour" Axel stuttered, his cheeks flushing slightly as his hands fidgeted in her palm.

There was a silence as he found words.

"I can only stay for a week" he sighed "the tour needs me back on the road. But i'm sure you'll be better by then. Right, baby?" he spoke optimistically.

She wanted to scream.

"Great" she nodded, her breaths slow in an attempt to subdue the burning frustration rising inside her. Once again, he let her down.

"Rob, don't be like that. You know I can't afford to be away. And with you in the hospital all over some boy, I really can't pay for everything unless I'm performing too" he reasoned, his words casual and brief.

Her heart stopped as she narrowed her gaze suspiciously.

"What boy?" Robyn demanded, her vision jumping rapidly between her father, Alicia and Jay.

They all exchanged an awkward glance.

"You know, that boy. You're new neighbour who got you in this state." Axel explained, his brows furrowing in confusion "Jay told me everything"

Robyn twisted her head rapidly to Jay, seeing how he sheepishly fixated his gaze on the piece of thread he was toying with on her sheets.

"Jay" she spoke, forcing him to make eye contact with her "Where's Tom?"

Jay paused, taking a short breath before he explained. "He left, he had to go on tour. He didn't even say anything, he just left you. I knew he wasn't good for you" he explained, his head shaking slightly as he thought of Tom.

She watched as Axel and Alicia reacted similarly; both tutting their lips and shaking their heads.

"He barely even knew you" Alicia added, "Sorry Rob"

Heart sinking, she felt a wash of emptiness flood her insides, all of the hope and optimism for his return draining from her at once. I suppose they really didn't know each other- they were mere strangers.