burn for you

Healing pt. 1

~Y/n's POV~

     The fluorescent lights flickered overhead as I sat on the edge of the hospital bed, my hands gripping the cold metal frame. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of flowers from the bouquet Paige had brought me. It had been weeks since I woke up from the coma, and even longer since the accident that tore my ACL. Today, finally, I was going home.

     "Are you ready?" Paige's voice broke through my thoughts. She stood in the doorway, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and excitement. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into her usual ponytail with her two braids, and she wore a UConn jacket over a simple white t-shirt. She looked like a beacon of normalcy in the midst of all the chaos.

     "When am I not, Bueckers?," I replied, trying to muster a smile. The truth was, I was terrified. Leaving the hospital meant facing the real world again, with all its challenges and uncertainties. But having Paige by my side made it a little less daunting.

     Paige walked over and gently helped me up, careful not to jostle my injured leg. "Take it slow," she said, her voice soothing. She gave me a comforting peck on the cheek. "We've got all the time in the world."

     I nodded, leaning heavily on the crutches. Each step was a painful reminder of how much my body had changed, how much I had to relearn. But Paige was there, steady and supportive, guiding me through every step.

     We made our way down the corridor, the sound of my crutches echoing in the empty hallway. Nurses and doctors smiled and waved, offering words of encouragement. It felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream.

     "You're doing great, baby," Paige whispered as we reached the elevator. She pressed the button, and the doors slid open with a soft ding.

      "Thanks," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. But the thought of going home, of starting a new chapter with Paige, kept me going.

     The elevator ride was short, but it felt like an eternity. When the doors finally opened, we stepped out into the lobby. The sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow on everything it touched. It was a stark contrast to the dim, artificial lighting of the hospital.

     "Almost there," Paige said, her grip on my arm tightening slightly. "Just a few more steps."

     We made our way to the entrance, where a nurse was waiting with a wheelchair. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of pride. But Paige's reassuring smile convinced me to sit down. She knew me too well, knew how much I hated showing weakness.

     "Let's get you home," she said, her voice filled with determination.

      The ride to Paige's apartment was a blur. I leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the city pass by through the window. It felt strange to be outside, to see people going about their lives as if nothing had changed. But for me, everything was different.

     "How are you holding up?" Paige asked, glancing over at me as she drove. She rested a large hand comfortingly on my thigh.

      "I'm okay," I replied, though I wasn't sure if I believed it. "Just... tired."

     "We'll get you settled in, and then you can rest," she said, her voice filled with a gentle resolve. "I've got everything set up for you."

     When we arrived at her apartment, Paige helped me out of the car and onto my crutches. The building was familiar, a place where we had spent countless evenings together. But now, it felt like a sanctuary, a safe haven where I could heal.