The Boy I Used To Know ( A Josh Hutcherson FanFic)

Chapter 19

Josh's POV

I think - eventhough it might be my last - this could be the start of the greatest birthday ever. At exactly 8:15am, I woke up and realised I slept through the night without waking up once in the wee hours of the morning like I used to. Then my last dream came flooding back. It was about Annie, and maybe a hot dog, but still it was amazing. I dreamt about us going to prom next year, about me picking her up in a car of my own, Annie giggling as I put her corsage on and her parents taking our pictures. You know, for once, I had a bit of hope for that actually happening.

The door creaked open alittle and Annie peeked in. Instinctively, I grinned, waving her in but it wasn't visiting hours yet. Not in 45 minutes, at least. So she closed the door and left me in the darkness with Kayne who is cuddled up on his side. Honestly, Kayne isn't much of a jerk that I thought him to be but he isn't too good to be true either. Just in between. He's nice around me, he teaches me stuff about girls like he knows the universe and he is also sensitive. Not in the dramatic sense, just by the way he interprets things, like Annie's actions. It's weird because he hasn't got any sisters to learn from, or so he says.

He hasn't got a visit from parents either. Which is quite heartbreaking because my dad comes around pretty often and brings me stuff, usually when Annie's back at his rented apartment to rest. He rarely talks about his parents, and none at all about where he was before coming to Baylor's. I suppose he is just not used to opening up like Annie is with me. Or physical affection. Not that I tried to kiss him or anything. Like once, a few weeks ago, I was broken up about Annie leaving and I really needed someone to be there so I climbed in next to him and he awkwardly hugged me. He literally held his breath when I came close. Go figure, I guess. Once again, I've freaked somebody.

I tapped my foot rhythmically on the metal bar at the foot of my bed as I waited for the last 10 minutes to pass. I could hear shuffling outside my door already. My dad and Annie are probably here. I checked  the clock on my bedside, just in case the wall clock stopped. 8:52.

"Josh? You're awake?" Kayne sleepily asked, turning to face me. "Mhhmm. Annie's outside with my dad. I'm waiting for the time to pass." I answered.

He sat up and yawned, ruffling his hair as was his habit. "Why are you so," he yawned, "excited?"

I looked at him in bewilderment because Kayne and Annie were just planning to break me out of the hospital for my birthday today 12 hours ago. "Never--"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSH!" Annie burst into the room with a huge box.

"Oh, yeah. Happy Birthday, Josh." Kayne smiled, sheepishly.

Just then, the door opened wider and there stood my family, all in bright smiles. Even Connor, who hasn't spoken to me in two weeks. "Happy Birthday, dear." My mom wrapped me in a hug and kissed my forehead. My dad too, without the kiss, of course. Then Connor came round and one-arm hugged me. I introduced my mom and Connor to Kayne who only half smiles and resumes staring into space, ignoring the company.

"Look what I've brought you." Annie said with a sly smile. "It better, finally, be my Hunger Games trilogy." I cast an accusative glance at my dad who chuckles, surrendering with his hands up. "Nope. Even better." And she opened the box to present me a cake, not an ordinary one, but a Mockingjay cake. A real Mockingjay-shaped cake.

"Oh my God, Annie. Oh my God." I said, marveling from afar. She put the cake down on my bedside table and kissed me. Like on the lips. In front of my parents. My cheeks turned an instant red but I kissed her back. It felt nice and sweet and so much better than the cake. My mom aww-ed and Connor and my dad just groaned.

"Hey, the cake's gonna get... um.. cold." Connor said awkwardly and lifted the cake so they could all sing me a song. Annie smiled and stood with my family.