Nightmares

Chapter Eight

"Of course I'm here," I chuckled. "I couldn't leave my best friend her all alone in the hospital. How are you?" I asked.

He smiled up at me. God, that smile was so bright and beautiful. "I got X-rays done, and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. They said I should stay for one more day just to make sure, but Dan, I'm all better. I'm okay," he said cheerfully.

I leaned in and put my forehead against his. "Yes you are, Phil. And I'm so glad," I said quietly. Suddenly I started crying.

"Oh my God, what's wrong? Dan? Dan! What's wrong?" Phil looked at me worriedly, his crystal eyes searching my face.

"It's just-I just," I lay my head down on the side of his bed and he stroked my hair, sending in chills down my spine. I pulled my head up and tried again. "Last night was so awful. I was in the hospital all day, then I got home and didn't get to sleep until really late, and I had terrible nightmare," I said, still crying.

Phil rubbed my shoulder. "It's okay, Dan. It's okay. I'll ask if you can sleep here tonight. How's that?" he asked.

"Th-that sounds okay," I said and leaned my head against him. "I seriously was afraid Phil. I'm just so relieved you're better."

"Yeah," he said. "I was afraid too."

...

I was with Phil all day. We talked, laughed and even played cards with a deck one of the nurses brought in. We enjoyed some lunch and posted an update on Twitter telling our fans about Phil's situation, making sure they knew he was okay. We watched YouTube all day and ordered a pizza that evening. It was one of the best days I'd had in a while.

Later, a nurse opened the door and quietly stepped in. "Mr. Howell, visiting hours are almost over," she said gently.

"Can he stay here tonight? Please," Phil asked. He looked up at the nurse with such sad, pleading eyes. I smiled inwardly as I knew it was all just an act. And it worked.

The nurse gave him a pitiful look. "Of course, honey. I'll go get a hospital bed if he won't mind sleeping in one," she added, looking in my direction. I shrugged and nodded. She left and was back in moments, rolling another bed to stand on the left side of Phil's.

"Just call if you need anything dear," she said to Phil and left, wishing us a good night.

I turned to Phil, a smile playing on my lips. "Do you do that to all your nurses?" He look up at me with a confused expression. "The 'look' you gave that nurse was priceless. I bet your get whatever you want around here you twat!" He and I both laughed.

"Actually, everyone here is really kind," he said.

"That's just because you're you. Everyone loves Phil," I said, gesturing to the several cards and even a bouquet of flowers sent to him by different YouTubers we knew.

"That is true," he replied. We spent the night talking about different things until we both agreed that we were exhausted. I got up and shut the lights off then walked back over got comfortable in my makeshift bed.

"Goodnight, Phil," I said. He was already asleep.