Fixing You

Chapter 14

I found myself leaning over my brother in an isolated hospital room. "I thought you wouldn't make it." I whispered. Not even sure if he could hear me. I was still holding his hand. The tubes of the IV tangled around his arm. "You're gonna be okay." I breathed. Which I wasn't even sure.

I wasn't sure if he'd be okay or if he'd die like he planned. I spotted the scars on my wrist and quickly buried my hand under the blanket. Chase looked devastatingly sick. But he wasn't sick like most patients here. He did this on purpose. I did this to him though. So I guess I put him here. Suddenly, a nurse popped in.

"Hello sweetie." Oh God. "Hi." I coughed up. She was tall and black headed. Her hair pulled in a low ponytail and her face seemed oily or maybe that's sweat. "Visiting hours are over." she smiled. How can you say that sweetly? I stood from the uncomfortable chair and eyed Chase until I walked into the hall.

I pushed my back against the wall right outside the door. I heard it shut and I melted down the wall until I was sitting in a ball against the brick wall. Tears started flooding my face until I was gasping for air. I knew he'd be okay but something about the idea of him actually going through with it made me devastated. I loved him too much to watch his life be wasted. "Oh my gosh, Elle are you okay?" I looked up and there was Niall running down the hall. His shoes squeaking against the tile. "I'm fine. I think you and I should take a break for a while." woah. I just said that? I could see the confusion on his face when he sat down beside me. "I think I need some time with Chase and for you, you should spend more time with Melissa. I do thank you for all you did for me but my brother is very important to me." I couldn't believe I just threw that out there. Niall turned discouraged and I noticed him hang his head. The breath I had left sighed out and I felt horrible. "Melissa is your girlfriend. She loves you. Please reserve this time for her." Niall nodded. I couldn't tell if that meant a nod of understanding or a nod of disappointment.

"Let me know how he does." Niall stood and for once, shook my hand. "I will. Let me know how you and Melissa turn out." I stuttered. It was still hard to admit that Niall was taken. Even though I'm still figuring things out myself. Just like that, I watched his blonde head turn and walk down the hall. I felt like crying even more. My brother just tried killing himself and I just blew off my crush. What is my life coming to. I buried my head in my knees until I heard soft crying. I raised up to see a very young girl standing in front of a closed door. She looked about 7 and had messy red pigtails. Her frown was depressing and tears dripped onto her bare feet. She held a small rag doll close to her chest. She was just glaring at the floor. "You're sad too?" I whispered. The little girl seemed startled and fixed her eyes on me. "I'm Elle. Like the letter 'L'. What's your name?" I scooted closer to her and her eyes widened. "You don't have to tell me." I smiled. She stayed terrified. "Can I get you something to drink? They have vending machines down the hall." I offered. She nodded and I stood. Taking her hand carefully. "My name is Claire." she finally mumbled after we reached the waiting room. "Claire's a pretty name."

We sat at one of the smaller tables and sipped from our waters. "I think we both need a relief from this sad hospital, eh?" I joked. She nodded and smiled. "What's her name." I pointed to the doll. "Jessie. She's my best friend." I nodded. The doll seemed old and torn up. But it still wore a painted on smile. "I used to have a rag doll when I was young. Her name was Bailee." I laughed. Claire laughed too. I had to admit, she was quite cute.

"Claire! Claire!" I spun around. A tall red headed woman stood in the door. "Oh my gosh, d-do I know you?" she rushed to Claire and gripped her wrist. "U-oh no. I'm sorry I j-just bought her a um drink." I stumbled across words. "Leave us alone!" she swooped up Claire and I watched her squirm. "No mommy! She's nice!" I was stuck with a mouth open. The girl began crying and the woman started getting annoyed. They stormed out the room and I hung my head in shame.

"Elle?" I turned quickly and saw my mom standing in the doorway. "Mom." I stood and hugged her tightly. But then it hit me. My aunt only lives about an hour away, if my parents found out about my brother this morning and here we are, almost 4pm. I let go of her and looked at her confusingly. "When did you leave her house?" I asked. "About 2. Then we stopped for a late lunch. Why?"
"You should've come as soon as I called you. I called you at 8 this morning mother and you didn't leave until 2?"
"Honey, understand we were busy."
"I don't want to hear it mother. Get out." I pointed to the exit. She looked confused.

"I will not. You cannot make me leave a hospital."
"You need to leave." I ordered. Minutes later, my dad came prancing in. Holding containers of food from my aunt's. "Don't talk to your mom like that." he reached over and slapped me across the face hard. I let out a gasp before slipping between them quickly. I jogged down the hall and into the main entrance while holding one hand up to my cheek.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you waited."