Bliss

Chapter 4: A Loss For Words

Matt's POV:

I finally get to go home, but I actually don't want to. I'd rather stay here with Dom. I know it's childish, but being able to visit my crush everyday makes me insanely happy. And going home means that I have to start going to school and work again.

I'm packing my last bag when someone walks into my room, leaning heavily on the wall.

"Dom what are you doing here?" I ask, getting up as quickly as I can and rushing to his side. He puts an arm around my shoulder and I help him walk over to the bed. He sits down and takes a moment to catch his breath.

"I wanted to see you before you left," he says, still gasping for air. He's sicker than I thought.

"I was going to stop by," I say with a dry laugh. I sit down next to him and readjust the beanie he has started wearing since our last visit. I guess he's really upset about his hair falling out.

"I just wanted to be sure," he mumbles, looking to the ground. His usually cheerful smile isn't present and that worries me.

"Dom are you okay?" I ask, moving closer to him.

"My parents visited yesterday," he whispers, his voice shaking heavily and tears forming in his eye. "They told me that if I get out of here, I'm not welcome at home."

I'm at a loss for words. He blinks and tears start falling from his eyes. I pull him into my arms and he doesn't hesitate to burry his face in the crook of my neck. How the hell could someone do this to their own child? He has enough to worry about as is and they go and kick him out.

"Why me?" he whispers in between quiet sobs. "Why do I have to be so sick? What did I do to deserve this?"

I don't know how to respond to something like that. It's true. He hasn't done anything wrong, but he's the one suffering.

"I don't know," I manage to choke out. "But you'll get through this. You're strong and brave and everything that I wish that I was. I've never met anyone as amazing as you."

He starts to shake more and his sobs become slightly louder. I hear footsteps and look up to see my older brother Paul leaning against the doorway. I hold up one finger to let him know that it'll be a moment. He nods and walks out. After a few minutes, Dom calms down and pulls himself out of my arms.

"I'll be back soon. I promise," I whisper. I stand up and help Dom up as well. He puts his arm around my shoulder and we slowly make our way to his room. Dom sits down on his bed and I turn to leave, but he reaches out and grabs my wrist. He pulls me closer and I understand the signal. I bend over and wrap my thin arms around him. He doesn't hesitate to do the same. I pull away after a few seconds.

"I'll see you soon," I say. He doesn't respond and I leave the room. I return to mine and Paul is sitting in the chair in the corner.

"Was that your boyfriend?" he teases as he gets up and grabs my bag for me.

"Ha ha very funny," I scoff, rolling my eyes. I grab my crutches and we slowly make our way out of the hospital. My leg is killing me but that's my fault. I went too long without the crutches. I awkwardly fall into Paul's car and let out an exasperated sigh. I don't want to go back home. I get along okay with Paul and my dad is the coolest person in the world (he's a musician and I intend to dedicate my life to music just like him), but I don't get along with my mom too well. I can never do good enough in school to keep her satisfied, even though I've always been an A B student. Paul graduated at the top of his class and apparently she expects me to do the same. I skipped a grade in primary school and everyone thought that I was a genius, but now that I'm an average student, I'm not good enough to have my mothers approval. I thought that parents were supposed to love their children unconditionally. But compared to some people, my home life is near perfect. I guess that I've got it pretty good.

I turn on the radio and change it to the station that I like. The station had just started playing is All My Life by Foo Fighters. Paul and I both sing along at the top of our lungs. Paul can stay in tune, but his voice isn't really anything spectacular. We pull into the driveway and my heart starts beating faster. I don't want to hear mom screaming at me for being in the hospital for so long because now I'm behind in school. I just don't want to hear any of that bull shit.

I get out of the car and grab my bag. I awkwardly make my way up the front steps and open the door. Dad is sitting in the living room reading a book, but I don't see mom.

"Matt!" he says, a huge grin forming on his face. I just ignore him and slowly make my way upstairs to my room. I throw my bag in the corner and sit down on my bed. I look around my room and it's exactly the way I left it; every wall covered with band posters, laundry piled up in one corner, my bed is still a mess, and my guitars are just sitting in the middle of the floor.

It's nice to be in my room again, but there's nothing that I want more than to be with Dom. I pick up my acoustic and a note book.

I think I'll write him a song.