The doctor soon returned to the room, carrying a small bag with the few possessions Cara had on her that morning that weren’t covered in blood or broken. She smiled, sliding from the bed and standing, a little wobbly, to take them.
“Thank you.” She nodded, her eyes glued to the floor and one hand playing with the hem of the hospital gown.
“Mr Horan and Mr Tomlinson will be here for you soon Miss Adams, we just need you to sign this form and you are free to their care for the next three months.” Dr Browne said, as blunt and emotionless as ever, his hand extending to hold out a single white sheet of paper.
Cara took it silently and placed it next to the bed, signing quickly and handing it back with a sigh, it wasn’t exactly her choice to go with the boys and perhaps she did regret it now, she didn’t fit in with them, she wasn’t part of that lifestyle. Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts there was a knock at the door, tentative but loud enough for her to hear.
“What?” She sighed, running a hand through her fringe, cringing as it felt knotted and dry.
“Can I come in?” A voice said, decidedly Irish. The door cracked open slightly, revealing Niall’s face, still set in a worried expression and not quite as lively as he normally appeared, the stress of earlier having made him appear pale and tired.
“You’re going to anyway.” Cara nodded, her voice softening despite the harsh words, she couldn’t continually be mean or blunt with Niall, he was only trying to look out for her and she supposed that she might have done the same had it been someone saving her.
“I guess so.” He laughed, a little forced, and sat on the bed.
“Thank you for agreeing to come with us.” He said again after a moments silence which he spent twiddling his thumbs around each-other.
“Don’t worry, I won’t bother you guys, you won’t know I’m there.” Cara smiled, returning to her calculated and controlled manner.
“No it’s not that...we want you there, you don’t know how thankful we all are, the state we were in today and...” Niall began, talking quickly and managing to say most of his speech several times.
“I don’t care for politeness Niall, I’m used to it, I’m going to go with you and that’s it okay? I didn’t agree to spend time with you guys, to be seen with you guys or to have to talk to you guys. I agreed to live with you for three months until I can go back to how things were before.” She said, looking away from the small frown of hurt that grew on Niall’s face.
“You don’t understand.” He said simply, turning his head away and staring intently at the wall.
“Neither do you and if you did you’d never want to see me again anyway.” Cara’s voice was quiet, as though this was something she didn’t tell many people, let alone those she’d just met.
“Perhaps you could explain.” Niall pressed, shuffling closer to her.
