Caught In The Way You Got Me (Book One)

You Know You Should Take It A Day At A Time

Asteria:

I feel like I was living a nightmare and woke up to a dream. Brendon is so sweet and he's telling me the little things he knows about me. We just met. I have a mean boss that got me a big job. He doesn't know what classes I'm taking but he knows that I only go to school on Mondays and Wednesdays. I'm a little nervous to...I guess go back to school. Especially since it's actually my first day of college to me. Why did I choose to major in business? How gross...

Davey comes back after a while with trays from Denny's.

"I thought you could use some breakfast," he says. He hands Brendon and I each a tray and we both open it to find pancakes topped with strawberries, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.

"My favorite!" We both shout. "Wow really?"

Brendon nods and starts cutting up my pancakes for me before eating his. He's really sweet. I like him a lot...well...I have since I was thirteen but I never thought anything of it.

"Thanks!" I slowly start eating, trying not to move too much. I wonder what happened to me...

"So what have you two love birds been up to?" Brendon throws the salt packet from the plastic utensils package at Davey and I think he makes a face at him. I giggle but it hurts.

"Brendon was telling me things about myself. I'm an artist at Fueled By Ramen!"

"I know!" Davey responds with mock enthusiasm. I give him a sharp glare.

"I can't kick your ass right now David but wait until my ribs and skull aren't cracked." I smirk at him but he just looks down and starts eating his burger. "So...Davey, who do I live with?"

"You live alone, munchkin."

"Wow I can afford that?! Sick! Who do you live with?"

"I live by myself too!"

"That's dumb, why wouldn't we just live together to save money?" Brendon shifts at the side of my bed and Davey looks at me.

"You know why."

"Oh you're still...um...highly active?"

"Oh, Asteria, gross don't say it like that! Yes a lot of the time I am but don't say it like to that!" We all laugh but this one really hurts me and I start coughing. Brendon quickly grabs a napkin to cover my mouth and when he pulls it away it's stained with blood. I push the button for a nurse.

"Hey, you're okay, okay? You're fine. This is gonna go away." Brendon is holding my face and I nod.

"I know but...what happened to me?"

"Let's not worry about that right now Asteria," Davey interrupts. I sigh and give him a nod. The nurse rushes in with a syringe and vile.

"Sorry honey, we wanted to see if we could switch you to pills. Are you in pain?"

"Yes."

"Scale of one to ten with ten being the worst pain you've ever felt?"

"Six...six and a half..." She nods, pats my head and puts some of the liquid into my iv.

"This is gonna make you sleepy, hun. Try to finish those pancakes though. That'll do the soul some good." She winks at me and looks to Brendon and Davey before leaving.

"So, Asteria. I've been thinking that maybe it'll be good for Brendon to help you get back into routine. I'll fill him in and we'll both go everywhere with you for the first couple of days but then he should be good." I look to Brendon with excitement. He gives a hesitant nod and I can't believe that I'm going to get to spend that much time with him. The medication is starting to kick in.

"Can you help me lay back down, please?" Brendon smiles and wraps his arms gently around me and I place mine over his neck. He places one hand at the back of my head and slowly lowers me down. I decide to use the medicine as an excuse for my own behavior and give him a quick peck on the jaw. He smiles and my eyes grow to be too heavy to keep open. He pushes my hair away from my forehead, plants a kiss where my bangs once were, and I feel his weight leave the bed as I drift off.

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I look at the clothing that Davey has brought me for my release. It's so odd...I don't remember them at all but they look worn in...

"It's going to be hard for her to change," the nurse says to Davey and Brendon. They awkwardly glance at each other.

"That's all you," Davey says as he pats Brendon on the back. "I'm going to get the car."

I feel my cheeks heat up as Brendon steps into the restroom with me and starts untying my hospital gown. He only does a few at the top before draping the fabric down my shoulders. He doesn't pull it any lower than my collar bone and helps me with getting dressed, careful not to look. Once my under garments are on he turns me around. I slowly put my arms through the holes in the smooth and oversized grey t-shirt and then hold out one leg at a time for my leggings.

"Thank you," I accidentally whisper. He helps me back into the wheelchair I was in and starts pushing me to Davey's car. I'm nervous and afraid for my first day back in the world. A world I don't know...but a world with Brendon Urie.