The Invisible Girl

Chapter 28

By now everyone had gone home again, leaving me and Hailey in her hospital room. We didn't do much except talk. We talked about anything and everything- the way we were feeling. I had one burning question that I wanted to ask about.

Rape.

I couldn't believe that she had been raped and she hid it from everyone. She didn't tell a soul- and she still wouldn't tell anyone. She made me swear to her that I kept it to myself.

Hailey had been to a psychiatrist session about an hour ago. She came back with tears streaming down her face and I did the only thing I could think of that was to just engulf her in my arms and hold her. The one thing I wanted to make Hailey feel was safe.

"I'm gonna look after you now Hailey." I whispered as I kissed her hair. "You're mine."

I had it all figured out. As soon as we get out of this damn hospital I was going to make sure I could spend as much time with Hailey building up the relationship that we had at the beginning and then when it's time for her to go back to school, I'm going to parade her round like a princess. Fuck what anyone says, it's about time I stood up for myself.

"You want me to get you anything?" I asked as we both laid her in a cramped hospital bed.

"Water." She nodded. "Please."

I climbed off the bed, giving her a quick kiss before walking out into the corridor to head towards the drinks machine. My attention shifted when I noticed Hailey's parents sitting on chairs with the doctor stood in front of them. Hailey's mom was crying into Mr Carmichaels arms.

"Is everything ok?" I asked as I got closer.

They all looked up at me in alarm.

"Justin, do you think that we could have a moment." Her dad asked as he stood up. "Nothing to worry about, I just want a chat."

"Oh, um, sure." I stuttered. I was beyond nervous.

"Let's take a walk."

I followed her dad as we worked our way around all the different corridors of the hospital until we eventually reached outside. On the way her dad thanked me countless times for saving Hailey, praised me until he could praise me no more and asked me what I wanted out of life. Then he turned and stopped.

"Justin, would you mind if I asked you to go home for a few hours. It's just that I and Hailey's mom really need to talk to Hailey about a couple of things, just to get everything sorted. You know?"

I most definitely didn't want to leave Hailey but I didn't really have a choice.

"Um, I guess." I nodded shoving my hands into my pockets. "When can I come back?"

"Around 7?"

"Tonight?" I frowned. "Ok."

"Thank you so much Justin, you really are a brilliant boy." He patted my back in a friendly manner. "I got you a cab."

I knew he was just being polite but I really didn't want to go. I sighed as I looked at the yellow taxi pull up. I reluctantly said goodbye to Hailey's dad telling him to say goodbye to Hailey for me before climbing in.

--

"WHAT!?!" I screamed at my Mom and Dad who were sat in chairs facing towards my hospital bed. I sat up and stared at them.

"Hailey, calm down. It'll be good for you, it will be good for us!"

"How will moving away to a complete different unknown place be good for us!" I spat in disgust.