Don't Blink

Awkward Encounters

Iris was finally out of surgery and I was able to see her. The same nurse collected me, once she saw me circled up on a chair, trying to cry as quietly as possible. She assumed that I was worried about my friend (which I definitely was) but the pain Barry had caused me was my main problem. The fact that he was right about it all made it worse.

As she took me to Iris, I passed Eddie and Barry. Eddie looked confused as Barry and I avoided each others glances but looked like he was too tired after today to ask right now. We exited the waiting room and made our way through many corridors, all looking the same especially through my teary eyes. She passed a few doctors, all of which asked her what a non-member of staff was doing here; sometimes she got away with it, others she had to do a lot of lying or explaining. At long last, we were outside her room. She wanted me about the condition Iris was in as it might come as a shock to me. I nodded and thanked her once again before venturing inside.

Just like the nurse had said before, Iris was not awake. The drugs were probably still working on her, meaning that she would be asleep for a while. Nevertheless, I sat in the uncomfortable leather armchair next to the bed, scooting forward so that I could hold her hand. Sighing, I rested my head on the bed, reviewing all of the things I had said to her before this all happened.

But as I remembered what had happened, it dawned on me that I had said some terrible things. We argued in the store cupboard and I didn't stick up for her when she confronted the leader of the gang. I hoped that when she woke up, she could forgive me.

Another hour or two passed but I never noticed. I kept falling asleep and waking up minutes later. After another long time there, I felt Iris' hand twitch underneath mine before squeezing gently onto it. Looking up, I saw a drowzy Iris; I wondered if she looked like this all the time when she woke up.

"Hey." I whispered.

She smiled back."Hi "

"Feel any better?"

"Better than I was when I had a bullet inside me."

I laughed quietly."I'm staying here until your dad gets here. Eddie and Barry are waiting but they weren't allowed in."

"Oh god, I totally forgot about them!" She placed a hand on her head."And I forgot about you too, look at your face! I just kept blabbering on, trying to act like a hero when I could have gotten us killed!"

I stood up and hugged her, careful not to hurt her."Hey, it's alright. We're here now, that's all that matters. Oh and by the way, your dad and Eddie told me to tell you that they love you."

"What a load of girls."

Pulling away, I slumped back down in the seat, giving up on finding a way to be comfy. Iris looked over last me, concerned, she knew something was up.

"Bethan, what else has happened?"

"Don't worry, everything is fine." I protested, feeling the burning sensation in my eyes again as I thought about him.

"Please tell me. The least I can do is offer some advice, seeing as I got you into danger."

A forced chuckle left my mouth but it was followed by a whimper."It's just...Barry decided to break up with me."

Iris patted the spot next to her on the bed. I laid down, curling up in her arms."Why? Why would he do that?"

"He said that...that it was getting too dangerous. He saw what happened to you, you know, cause you're dad is a part of the police so he thinks that I could get in trouble due to him being a part of the police too." A little white lie wouldn't hurt anyone.