The Choices We Make

Chapter 14 - Same Kind of Pain

I've never liked the sight of blood. And no, I do not suffer from hemophobia, but the fact that I have to lay eyes on the wretched fluid every month-or whenever it decides to make its appearance-makes me despise the bane of its existence. Which is why I can't bear to look at Daniel and his bloody nose.

From my peripheral view, I see him dabbing a tissue to his face, wincing from the pain it elicits. My grip on the steering wheel tightens involuntarily.

This is all Matt's fault. Why couldn't he keep his stupid hands to his stupid self. Damn him.

"You don't have to do this you know," Daniel speaks up from his spot in the passenger's seat. "I promise I'm fine."

"Your nose looks like it's been carved by a blindfolded amateur sculptor," I tell him as I stop at a crosswalk to let an elderly couple by. "You're not fine."

He chuckles, though it's fully laced with pain.

As much as I want Matt to take the blame for everything, I know that I'm partially responsible for what happened. I brought Daniel into this mess. I shouldn't have kissed him, and I shouldn't have led him on and made him feel like things could eventually work out between us. It's my fault and I'll do whatever it takes to fix it.

The waiting room of the health center is empty, minus the middle-aged man slouching in the grey armchair mindlessly staring at the muted TV mounted on the two-toned blue and white wall.

"We close in twenty," the receptionist announces, his eyes never leaving the screen of his computer.

"I'm here to see my aunt, Maggie Lewis."

The receptionist dials a number on his phone, twirling a lock of his red hair around his finger. "Your nephew is here."

"She's going to kill me," Daniel whispers to me, still dabbing away the blood from his nose.

"I'll tell her it's my fault. I'll take the blame."

Daniel turns to face me; stony eyes and the dry blood on his upper lip giving him a dangerous look. A shiver of dread courses through my body. "After all he's put you through, you're still willing to take the blame for him?"

"No," I shake my head, place my hand on his forearm. "I didn't mean it like that. I-"

"Danny?"

I almost do a double take. Identical in stature and facial features, the woman currently staring agape at the unnatural state of Daniel's nose could pass as his twin.

"What happened?" Maggie rushes over to Daniel's side, hands gently cradling his face while she does a thorough inspection.

"I, uh....I fell?"

I roll my eyes at the conspicuous lie and Maggie raises an unimpressed brow.

"We'll discuss this later," Maggie releases a tired breath. "Let's just get you cleaned up."

It is only when she turns to leave that she notices my demure appearance. Her brown eyes, soft yet curious, flicker to Daniel. "Who's this?"

"Uh, this is Carys," Daniel introduces, scratching behind his ear. "She's my-"

"Carys?" Maggie's face lights up in recognition. "Are you by chance Katherine Nightingale's daughter?"

A smile graces her lips as I nod in confirmation, and she pulls me in for a hug. "It's so nice to put a face to a name. Your mom speaks quite highly of you." Then she leans in close and whispers in my ear, "And so does he."

With raised eyebrows and a smirk on my face, I look towards Daniel, and I can't help but imagine him curled up on the couch with his aunt, gushing about how great I am.