Tender Kisses and Gentle Hearts

chapter 4- Replaced.

"Some things, once you've loved them, become yours forever. And if you try to let them go, they only circle back and return to you. They become part of who you are."

- Allen Ginsberg, Howl and Other Poems

Chapter 4- Replaced.

I stepped inside the empty white room. The nauseating smell brought back memories from the last time I was here. So did all the blinding white lights. Except the last time I was here, I was the one in the hospital bed. This time, however, I was only a visitor.

I sighed and headed to the receptionist's desk. A young girl, about my age or one-year younger, greeted me. She had pretty big blue eyes and soft light brown hair. Her skin was that of a porcelain doll and she looked fragile but beautiful.

"Hi, my name is Eleonora." She spoke with a soft British accent, barely noticeable. "What may I help you with today?"

"Hello, I'm Amelia and I am here to see Levi Williams." I say then raise an eyebrow. "Not to sound rude or anything, but aren't you too young to be a nurse?"

She laughs softly. "I am. But I am studying to become a nurse so I volunteer here in my free time, just to learn more about the system." I nod. "Well, let me see here. Oh yeah, we do have a Levi Williams. Room 285." She looks up and smiles sweetly at me.

"Thanks, Eleonora." I wave and walk away. There was something weird about this girl. She seemed genuinely nice but there was a strange feeling I couldn't quite shake off. I shivered, suddenly feeling cold. I had brought only a thin sweater, which might not have been the best idea.

I go to the elevators, which are very close to the reception and push the 'up' button. I wait for a minute and then the elevator's door opens. I step inside and watch as a mop of black hair walks in. His movements are graceful and he looks like he's glowing. I watch him grin and walk towards the receptionist desk. Eleonora smiles and walks over to him. The elevator slowly closes as I watch Luca kiss her.

"Here it is." I announce to myself as I finally find room 285. I was still too shaken up from my encounter with Luca's girlfriend. Of course, it was she. I should have known. I knock softly on the door as I hear Levi's voice telling me to come in.

I push open the door and see Levi. He has purple bags under his eyes and had a white cloth draped around his head. He had bruises all over his face and arms. He had a scar that reached from the top of his left cheekbone to his eyebrow.

"Hey." I say softly. His eyes follow mine as I grab a chair and sit beside him.

"Hey." He says back. I can tell it hurts him when he speaks, but still he smiles at me.

"So, how've you been?" I ask him narrowing my eyes. He makes a face and I laugh softly. As I had mentioned before, Levi and I had gotten really close in the past 4 years. Seeing him like this broke my already damaged heart.

"How have you been? You look furious." He asks looking over at me. "You met Eleonora didn't you?" He smirks.

I nod. "I can't believe Luca is going out with her."

"No, you can't believe Luca is going out with anyone." He shakes his head in disapproval. "I bet you thought he would be in love with you forever."

I sigh. "Yeah I guess I did." I furrow my eyebrows. "What happened with you and Amy?"

He looks away. "She thinks I cheated on her."

"Why would she think that?" I ask, stunned.

He laughs bitterly. "Maybe because I did."