The Peaches and the Thorns

Chapter 7

Recommend My Kind of Woman by Mac Demarco?

Drews Pov:

Once again I had awoken in a stiff hospital bed. Covers pulled up to my torso and tucked under both my arms. My whole body felt somewhat in pain and my vision still a bit blurred from who knows how many days I was asleep for.

I scan my surroundings, inhaling that lemon clean smell. There's a large baby blue curtain that separates me and another whom shares the room with me. My eyes eventually fall upon a woman on the far right of me against the wall in an uncomfortable hospital chair.

She looks middle aged, around the age of 30-40. I notice the slight rim of red on the edges of her eyes, she had clearly been crying. The woman had a blanket wrapped around her like a burrito, her hair in an overly messy bun and it looked like she slept in her makeup as well.

Another few minutes of staring at the woman and my eyes fully adjust...it's Carol? What is she doing here? Was she crying over me? Thoughts spilled out of my head until I felt a small tug at my covers. 

A blob of blonde peach fade hair was resting on the edge of the bed. IT WAS JAKE! He had come here to see me! My face curved upward into the happiest smile I had ever had, of course my face hurt but I was too happy that the boy I had loved for so long was finally here.

Jakes head lifted up and he looked at me with shock and happiness, "Drew, you're awake, I'm so glad, I was so worried and-" I put my hand over Jakes mouth giggling. 

"Thanks Jake for being here with me," he licked my hand and I reached down and jokingly punched his shoulder. He yelped and rubbed his shoulder with the cutest pout on his face. "By the way, why is she here." I pointed towards a sleeping Carol far across the room from me.

"She helped bandaged you up and wants to be a better step-mom to you, she stayed here with me all night." He said as he unconsciously interlocked his hand with mine, still kneeling down against the bed. I felt heat rush to my face, I was a blushing mess. "Oh also," Jake perked up, "she is going to fight for custody over you, so you can get away from your awful old man, I'm so sorry I hadn't been there sooner."

I grinned again, I liked the way Carol was trying to change, even though she had never done anything before. And I loved the way Jake still held my hand, his warm larger hands wrapped around my own. 

Suddenly I noticed a vase and flower, a teddy bear, and several cards and gifts on the high top table on my left. I reached for the teddy bear and Jake watched me, "that's from Liam and Henry who stopped by around midnight and then had to go home." A smile made its way onto my face again, they really did care about me. Next I looked at the tag on the flower vase, "and that's from the music club, I know you don't like them but they felt bad and stopped in after nine o' clock I think."

Other cards were spread out on the desk, one from Lia, Daisy, one from Sean individually, my favourite teacher and a few other friends. It was one of the kindest gestures I had ever received. "Also Drew, I'm sorry about everything I have ever done to hurt you, I know I should've not have shut you and the rest of the jomies out. I hope you can forgive and I really want to stay best friends." I nodded my head fast up and down. Jake smiled up at me still clasping onto my hand.

"Yes,  I forgive you," he stood up and unlatched his fingers. His towering body leaned down and gave me a gentle hug. "Thank you Jake..." I mumbled.

"Oh Drew I'm so sorry I didn't realize you were awake!" Carol stood up from her spot, the blanket dropping to the floor. Jake took a couple steps back. "Drew I know I haven't been the best but I'm going to try, okay?" Again I nodded my head although a bit hesitant. "We go into court in a week... I hope you're ready." She took a step forward and gently wrapped her arms around me back. I wasn't used to affection, all of a sudden tears rolled down my face. Probably from the lack of any affection from my parents...and my in-a-coma brother.

There was a knock on the hospital door. Jake walked over and opened up the door. A bright smile filled his face, Sean, Liam and Henry walked through the door. Henry looked over to me and saw I was wide awake and he ran over. "Drew! You're awake!" Henry leaped onto the bed crushing me, it wasn't that much pain since Henry was very light and somehow cautious about where he jumped. His head immediately dipped down to rest on my chest and his arms wrapped around my neck.

The hospital gown I was wearing started to get drenched in the green haired boys tears, Henry had lots of emotions and always felt pain when others were in pain. You could say he was a little too empathetic.

Liam saw Henry jump onto me and quickly rushed over, "Hen!! He's hurt, why'd you do that?!" Liam had glimmering eyes as water dripped down his face as well becoming a snotty wet mess. "Drew we *sniffles* missed you..so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so SO much!!!" Liam was dripping tears all over the beds covers as he leaned down and hugged me, all his tears being wiped on the thin sheets.

I struggle as I reach the tissue box on the high top table again and pass it to the two cry babies. My face still set in a smile, the two boys get off and walk over to Jake giving him 'the talk'. Next was Sean, he made his way over to me and smiled. "Hey man, how are you holding up?" 

"Pretty good, thanks for stopping by and for the card." I look at up at the boy, headphones still around his neck, like always. "By the way, how did the competition go?"

His face lit up even more, "we won! It was incredible honestly!" I congratulate him and call over Jake who looked very unsure talking to Liam and Henry.

"Jake, you didn't tell me you won the competition?" Jake looked surprised and his face lit up he looked at Sean who just smiled back and nodded.

"We did? Thats awesome, I'm sorry I wasn't there to celebrate.." Sean swatted his apology and told Jake not to worry because it was the "right thing to go after Drew". My heart ached, he really chased after me and didn't put the club first, he won and wasn't at the after party but instead staying by my side all night.

I didn't know it was possible but I fell more in-love with Jake. By the end of a couple uno games with Carol, Jake, Sean, Liam and Henry, they all had to leave. Sean had to check up on something while Liam and Henry had been called by their parents to come home even though they were very reluctant to leave. Next was Jake who's mom was worried because he hadn't come home in too long and she couldn't leave Milo home alone as she had to work. Carol was very unexpected to leave, she gave me a kiss on the fore head and had to go do the paperwork and get everything set up for gaining custody over me and sending my father to jail.

My life was turning out well enough, I'm getting rid of my father and getting a restraining order definitely. Jake and I were on good terms again and Carol was taking care of me.

Another knock sounded on the door. Maybe someone forgot something, or it was a nurse to check up on me. Either way the doorknob turned and the door swung open. It revealed a girl, she had a teal crop top on and really short booty shorts that barely covered her ass. Jewelry danced across her wrists, ankles, and neck. She held a pink phone and a Gucci handbag hung around the curve between her forearm and upper arm. Her hair that was usually in partially a side ponytail was now completely down. Mascara caked her lashes and she had several tons of make up on her face, it made her look like she had plastic surgery. The girls hair was blonde with a pink almost peach fade similar to Jake. 

It was Zoey.

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Authors note: hey guysss happy valentines if it is for u. I gave myself an hour to write this chapter and it actually ended exactly when i was finishing up by writing "It was Zoey." Anyways I GOT VOTED :DDDDDD 1450+ words also i get a long weekend so have a good family day weekend!!

also sorry for the short chapter lol