Anxiety // Alternate Ending // Jakob Delgado

43. | 2 weeks after

Hailey:

All people have done all day is stare at me. Chris has been by my side every second he can be. I haven't been to school in so long and I didn't think the rest of the students would know anything even happened to Jakob. Turns out the teachers told the entire year level that Jake had an accident. I sat with Chris, Ethan and Lara at lunch. It was like old times but I couldn't help but feel out of place. Now it's one minute until the end of school and after, Mum is driving me straight to the hospital to spend some time with Jakob. The bell goes and I pack up my stuff, rushing out of the classroom.

I say goodbye to Mum and almost run into the hospital. I know my way to Jakob's new room and I do so without hesitation. When I push open the door, I find Jakob out of his bed, sitting by the window on a chair. He turns when he sees me. The trolley holding all of his drips is standing next to him, still attached to his arm.

"You're not in bed." I observe, dragging another chair next to him.

"They're changing my sheets." Jakob replies bluntly, looking over at his bed. I do the same and realise that it, indeed, has no sheets on it.

"Um, I brought you another book." I suddenly remember, taking off and unzipping my school bag. Paper Towns by John Green is one of my favourite books ever.

"You didn't have to do that." He tells me as I hand it to him.

"I'm sorry it's so mainstream." I try to make a joke, lightening the mood.

"No, I've heard of this. Thank you." Jakob smiles, putting the book down beside him.

"I went back to school today." I try to make conversation.

"How was it?"

"They know you had an accident," I start. I didn't realise how easy it would be to pretend like I don't know anything. "I mostly just got stared at."

"I'm sorry." Is all Jakob says. It was enough, though. He knows how much I hate people noticing me.

"Don't apologise. It wasn't your fault." I try my best for a smile. He only holds the eye contact for a second before dropping his gaze to the floor.

"How long can you stay here?" He asks, changing the subject.

"As long as you want me to."

We talk about books for the next few minutes and he gives me a list of ones to bring from his room next time I come here. Then he stops talking and looks out the window. There isn't much of a view, just old buildings and a car park. Then I remember something.

"Hey, I just wanted to let you know," I start, working out that the best way to say this is to just say it. "When you were in the coma, only your immediate family were allowed in to see you. Um, we sort of told the doctors that I was your sister."

"But you don't look anything like me." Jakob laughs a little.

"They believed it," I shrug, smiling at his laugh. "I just didn't want you to say something and then get anyone in trouble."

"I'm glad you lied to them. I needed you in there." Jakob tells me. I move my chair a little closer and take his hand. I feel like I do this a lot but he seems to like it.

"Me too."

•••

Later that night, I'm in my bedroom just sorting out the books Jakob told me to get when there's a knock at my door. I look up to see Chris standing there, a smile on his face. He's wearing black jeans and a grey sweater, a backpack on his back.

"Guess who's sleeping over?" He announces, walking in. I move the pile off books across the floor and under my bed so we have some room. "What are those?"

"Books for Jake." I reply, moving off of the floor and sitting up on my bed.

"Did you see him today?"

"I was there all afternoon." I answer, standing up.

"Are you okay?" Chris asks, stopping me in my tracks. I haven't asked myself that question in a few weeks and I don't know why it's having an affect on me.

"I think I'm just stressed."

"Well, hey, that's why I'm here. Tonight we are going to bake brownies and relax." He smiles, walking over and wrapping me up in a hug. I can't help a smile either. This just reminds me of how Chris and I used to be and I like it.

"Sounds good."

"You know," he says over my shoulder. "I'm really glad we're close again. I missed you."

"I missed you too." I whisper, trying to ignore the little thought poking at the back of my brain. Does he like me again? I don't want to lead him on.

"So, brownies?" Chris finally pulls away.

"Yes, brownies."

A/N: I know this is a really bad and short chapter but interesting things are coming.