Happier With You | ✓

Chapter 10

The world spun.

Bright lights stabbed my eyes.

A mask covered my face. My body screamed. Every breath burned.

I tried to move my leg. Pain exploded.

I whimpered. "Where am I?"

A calm voice answered.

"You're in the hospital."

"Where's Cody?" Tears blurred my vision.

"He's close. We'll get him."

I blinked hard, heart racing.

Then my eyes landed on my leg again. The twisted mess of bone and skin. Bandaged up.

A scream tore out of me, raw, broken, desperate.

"No it hurts, please."

My hands clawed at the bed.

The pain was unbearable.

Someone's hand squeezed mine.

"We're here. You're safe."

But I wasn't safe.

Not yet.

****

Breakfast was barely touched on the tray beside me when Cody stepped into the room, his hair messy like he'd rushed just to get there. His eyes lit up the second he saw me sitting up in bed.

"Hey, you." He said, a soft grin on his face as he made his way to me.

"Hey.." I murmured, smiling despite the ache in my body. "You're here again."

"Of course I am. You think I'd let you wake up to hospital food alone?" He leaned down and kissed my forehead gently. "Looks like they're trying to torture you with eggs and toast."

I laughed a little. "They succeeded. I took one bite and almost cried."

"Well, I brought backup." He pulled out a little paper bag from his backpack and set it on the table. "Your favorite muffins. Smuggled in like a total criminal."

I lit up. "You're officially my hero."

He pulled a chair up next to my bed, his hand finding mine like it was second nature. "How are you feeling today?"

I shrugged. "Physically? Eh. Emotionally? A complete mess."

His smile faded just a little as he looked at me. "Flashbacks again?"

"Yeah. During physical therapy. It felt like I was back in the car... the rain, the lights... and then nothing. Just fear." I looked down, tears stinging my eyes.

Cody gently tilted my chin up so I'd look at him. "You're safe now. I'm right here. You don't have to go through this alone."

I blinked slowly, tears slipping down my cheeks. "I'm scared, Cody. Scared that I'll never be the same again. Scared that I'll never feel okay."

He squeezed my hand tighter. "Then I'll wait for you. However long it takes. We'll figure this out together."

Later, my mom, stepdad, and Iris showed up with board games and snacks, filling the room with warmth and laughter. For a little while, I forgot the pain and just felt like myself again. But time always runs out. As the laughter faded, Cody checked his watch.

"I have to head down for chemo now." He said, his voice quieter than before.

"I'll go with you." I said without hesitation.

Mom gave me a look, not disapproving, just worried. But after a moment, she nodded. "Okay. We'll head out and let you two have some time."

As we made our way to the oncology ward, the hallway felt endless. The silence between us was comfortable, but the weight of everything unsaid hung in the air.

Once he was settled in the chemo chair, I wheeled my chair closer beside him. "How's everything at home?"

He sighed. "Still chaos. The divorce is getting worse. They can't agree on anything. I hate that my little sister has to be in the middle of it."

"I'm sorry." I whispered, brushing my fingers against his. "You deserve peace, not more pain."

He turned to look at me, and for a second, all the sadness in his eyes softened. "I don't know how I got so lucky with you."

"You didn't." I smiled. "I chose you. Every day, I'll keep choosing you."

He looked down, then back up, voice trembling slightly. "What if one day I'm not here to be chosen?"

"Don't say that." I said, suddenly choking on emotion. "You will be. You have to be."

He reached out and touched my cheek. "If something ever happens, I need you to know... being with you has been the best part of my life."

"No." I said, shaking my head. "You don't get to talk like that. You're going to beat this, and we're going to grow old together and argue about what movie to watch every Friday night."

He smiled, and even though his eyes were glassy, he still looked like my Cody. "Deal. But only if we watch the one I pick at least half the time."

"You drive a hard bargain, Cody Taylor." I whispered. "But I guess I can compromise."

****

It had been a little over a month since the accident. I was still recovering and doing psychical therapy, weekly and recovering mentally.

"My Sweet girl, even though we part ways today, my love for you will never fade. You are always my heart's treasure, and i hope you find a life full of joy and love. Always remember, you were my greatest gift."

Her tears trickled down her face and landed on my cheek.

The woman used her sleeve to wipe the tears off my face.

Everything was foggy and dark until i felt a shift, like in the moves when you cut scenes.

"Mom." I gasped as i woke up, in panic.

For a second i felt lost, i didn't know what happened.

I walked to my bathroom and looked in the mirror.

I was me.

London Anne Wesley.

Discussion: What are we thinking about London's nightmare?

Spoiler: Gender reveal! Boy or Girl?