The Last Architects

Chapter Thirty-Five.

Waking up, the sun was quick to sting my eyes. And as I turned to press my face into the pillow, I froze at the unfamiliarity. The mattress was still and cold, and the dorm hardly had so much light... as well as my hand being unable to move as I tried to separate my fingers.

What happened? I felt disgustingly ill, and as I grew to be more and more concerned, I struggled through a deep breath. "...Where... where am I..?" I managed, hoping someone was in the room as I did my best to sit up, a dizziness pushing me back soon into my attempt.

I quickly looked over at the sound of something right beside me, and when I saw Skyler leaning up I was nearly at a loss for words. "Oh thank god. At the hospital. How are you feeling?"

"...Confused..." I frowned. I could only remember the horrible things I said to him... Why he was by my side made no sense... "Why- why are..." memories of last night were coming back to me slowly, and even though it was all a blur, I could remember how scared he was. "I'm so sorry..." My voice cracked instantly, and before I could turn, Skyler's arm moved around me and brought me close.

"I'm just glad you are fine. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner." He held me tighter, and surely, the day before was coming back to me.

I was too tired to keep crying... "Why... Why are you here..? After all those disgusting things- I- I said..." I hesitantly returned his embrace though I felt like it would be more deserved for him to hit me.

"You will have to apologize. I'm not letting you off the stick, but I don't care for what you said on drugs too much." He leaned back to look at me but I couldn't manage to stay up and I rested back against the pillow, "why didn't you text me? I'd rather be annoyed being pulled out from class than crying over a grave, you dummy." With a sigh, he leaned down, and I closed my eyes as his forehead pressed against mine.

"...I'm sorry... I didn't- I didn't mean anything I said... I was just... I should have texted you... and I'm so sorry, Skyler..." I felt as warm tears fell from the corners of my eyes, and gently, I brought my arms around him. "I wish I had never been so mean to you..."

"I forgive you, Ema. So don't worry. Just don't do that again, ever. Then I can't forgive you." He sighed and I thought back on last night.

"...I promise, Skyler... I don't know what I was thinking- I don't know why I took those stupid pills- I should have just texted you... But when you didn't show up... I thought you were busy... Does my mom know I'm here..?" I looked up at him, keeping my arms around even when they began to shake.

"No...? I don't think so. I gave them your name but I don't know who's on your contact list. You can leave after the doctor makes sure you are fine." He made sure to hold me as close as possible, and it felt entirely undeserved, "and even if I'm busy, contact me. I don't care if it's because you are lonely or a roach scared you, contact me."

"I will... And I won't try something so stupid again..." I sighed, bringing him to my neck as I looked up at the ceiling.

. . .

Sitting on a pillow on the floor, I looked up while Skyler very carefully sorted out the medication the doctor had given me into their own containers for when I was supposed to take them. Which I found slightly redundant, but I wasn't going to argue on why he thought he needed to do that.

The dorm had been a mess when we got back, and as I moved my hand over the rug, I felt when I found probably the tenth pill. Tossing it in the garbage, I laid back, still not having the energy for anyone but Skyler... "You're going to miss your classes..." I pointed out my head fell to the side and I looked at his bag.

"I'm not leaving you alone again." He shrugged as if what he said was just nothing, "so, you're coming to class with me."

"...I don't think that's a good idea... I already have so many messages from other students who don't even know me..." Hedi had already stopped by the hospital before I was discharged, and after getting all her words out, for how long she cried to me had been one of the most painful experiences in my life. "Not only about the rumor... But the ambulance."

"... They can all get a fist to the mouth." He made a face, "then I'll stay here." With a sigh, I raised my hand for him to come over.

I kept my palm lightly against his jaw as he leaned down. "You really don't have to... I don't even know if by now my mom took all my funds from the academy or not. And if she did, it's not like I have a trust fund accessible until I graduate."

"You don't have any funds to continue your studies?" He paused and I grew insanely insecure. Skyler had worked, he had his own money... I was completely reliant on my mother.

"...My Grandfather technically opened a trust for me, but since he passed away before I was born, it's not under any claimable name until my mom puts it in mine. It's complicated, but no, I don't. At least not independently. I already got in on a partial scholarship, so it would be incredibly easy to lose it." I looked away, using his hand to stand up. "Can we go on a walk..? I think I want some fresh air."

"Yeah... Of course." Skyler took my hand, pulling me with him as he paced to get my coat then his, and then his phone, not seeming to want me away from him for even a second, "and don't give up, I'll talk to my mother."

"No- Skyler, don't worry. I don't even know your family. And my mom will only get so mad if she knew I told people about that." I shook my head, tugging his hand to walk slower as he opened the door.

"Do you want to rely on her longer?" He slowed down and I walked beside him, "and... my mom, she funds students who she thinks could really use it. Since she thinks many charities are scams."

"...That's really sweet of her, but I don't even know your family." I sighed, still exhausted from everything that happened. "...Skyler?"

"Think about it, I'll organize a dinner for us. And yes?" He looked down at me and I stopped walking as I leaned into him.

He smelled so nice... and he was always so warm. "Maybe, it's not the worst idea to go to class... I don't really want to think about last night." I adjusted my hold on his hand. "What do you think..?"

"Then let's go. We basically have the same ones. We can skip some of yours for mine and vise-versa." He nodded and I stared for a moment.

"...You really won't let me go to a class without you?"

"Mhm. You, are on suicide watch." Oh my god.