Musically Problematic

Chapter 34: By Now

I close the game and turn off my phone so I can lay down and get some much needed sleep.

Sophie's POV:

I wake up to Karen placing some bland looking, hospital made, breakfast foods and juice on my bedside table.

"Good morning, Soph. I'm sorry if I woke you."

"No you didn't, it's ok. Good morning."

"Once you've eaten, I can officially sign you out. So I'll get everything set up for you to go and you can message or call someone to come and pick you up."

"Ok, thanks Karen."

"It's all good, I'm just really glad you're okay. You've been like a daughter to me, ever since you and Mikey...became good friends."

"It's okay to bring up the fact we dated, because it's exactly that...a fact."

"I know, but it's I'm used to talking to Mike. It's not like that for him...he misses you. But it's perfectly fine for you to move on and like someone new."

"I know it is. I have moved on, but I'm happy to be Mike's friend if he can settle for that."

"I think that would hurt him more, but that's something you'll have to decide with him. This isn't something that we should be discussing. I'm just glad your ok, sweetie."

"Thanks Karen, for everything."

"You're very welcome, darling."

She leaves and I pick up my phone and dial Anthony's number. He picks up immediately.

"Hey babe, are you ready to come home to me?"

"Yeah. Can you come get me?"

"Course, I'm just finishing breakfast now."

"Thanks baby, see you soon."

He hangs up and put my phone down on the tiny bedside table and I drink the almost flavourless orange juice. I leave the seemingly flavourless food so that I can get Anthony to take me out somewhere after I get changed. I go into the overly clean bathroom and brush my teeth and hair. I feel fresh enough so I walk back into my room to see Anthony sitting on the stereotypical looking hospital bed with my pink spotted bag on his lap. I walk over to him and put my brushes in the bag and carefully zip it up before kissing him.

"Hey babe, ready to go? It doesn't look like you've had much to eat..."

"Nah, I was hoping you'd get me something. The food here sucks."

"How about I make you something at home? I'll wait on you all day."

"That sounds good, but what about Lora?"

"She can fend for herself, she's leaving tonight too, so we won't have to worry about her tonight."

"Ok. Let's go, I'm hungry."

"Course you are."

He grabs my hand and carries my bag in the other. We stop at the front desk to say I'm signing out. Once we get to our new-ish, red Range Rover he opens the door for me and puts my bag in the boot before getting in himself and driving us home. We walk into the house to see Lora sitting on the couch watching TV while eating a packet of chips. Anthony takes them off her and walks into the kitchen to prepare my meal. I quickly unpack my bag and go into the kitchen. I take a seat on the bench beside where Anthony is cooking. He serves up bacon and eggs on a plate before walking over to me and standing between my legs. He kisses me and his hands rest on the bench beside me. My hands go behind his neck as we deepen the kiss, his hands are now on my waist and he's sliding me off the bench. My legs are wrapped around his waist.

"Keep it PG, at least until I leave."

We both pull away and I take my plate of now cool-ish food and go into the lounge room. I feel the couch dip so I look over and see Anthony. His strong arms snake around my waist and he rests his head on my shoulder. He leaves light kisses down my neck and starts whispering things to me. I finish my food and place my now empty plate on the couch beside us. I wrap my arm behind Anthony's waist and rest my head on top of his. Lora walks in a stands in front of the Tv.

"Ok, I've decided you guys are gross. So I'm gonna head off now. Thanks for letting me stay. Bye!"

She then walks out before we get to say anything else. I hear the door close. And then Anthony pulls away and looks me straight in the eyes.

"Finally...I thought she'd never leave."

He grabs my hand and tries to pull me up.

"I know what you're thinking...can't we just stay down here and cuddle."

"Ok...if that's what you want."

"Thanks, Anthony."

"It's fine, babe. I understand that you probably still aren't at your full health, I can wait until you're better."

"You're so sweet."

"Thanks, I love you."

"I love you too, Anthony."

"You know you can give me a pet name or something, my name is pretty long."

"Ok...how about ant?"

"Please, anything but that!"

"Ok, I'll work on it."

"Why don't you just call me 'babe' or something?"

"It's complicated..."

"How is using a pet name complicated?"

"It just is okay?"

I get up and go upstairs to get away from him. The thought of calling anyone but Mike 'babe' is scary. I thought he'd be the guy for me, seeing him again yesterday gave me slightest bit of hope that he still could be. I feel the bed dip and large, warm hands on my tense shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Soph. I went too far, you don't have to give me a pet name if you don't want. I just thought it would be cute."

"Thank you, babe."

He pulls away from me and spins me around to face him.

"I was right, it is super cute. But you don't have to call me that if you don't want to, okay?"

"I know, it's ok. It's time I moved on."

"Was this about that, Michael, kid?"

"Yeah, we ended back in high school. I should be more than over this by now."

"I agree."

He pulls me close to his warm torso and hugs me tightly before pulling away slightly to kiss me tenderly.