Desolation // l.p.

Chapter XXXV

"It is sprained, but not badly. It should only be sore for a few days." Mr. Matthews, a surgeon at the best  hospital in Seattle, comments as he wraps my wrist in a splint. "Keep use of it to a minimal and it should feel better in no time." He says with a warm smile as he secures the wrap and steps away from me.

"Thank you." I say and observe the tan wrap that will be on for a few days.

"It's only a sprain, why do you look like the girl is dying?" Mr. Matthews jokes towards Liam whose looked so worried that he may be sick for the past hour that we've been here.

"I just. . . feel bad." He mumbles and for the first time that we've been here, I can almost see the guilt that troubles him. I'm not sure why he feels bad, this is in no way his fault. I should honestly take all of the blame since I was standing in the middle of the stairs.

"She'll be fine." Mr. Matthews assures him with a pat on the shoulder and a reassuring smile. The older gentleman has peppered hair and a clean shaved face. He's probably in his late forties and has one of the gentlest voices I've ever heard. It's comforting and I can't imagine how many of his patients it soothes.

"I'll walk you out." Liam says and they leave towards the elevator, leaving me alone. I jump down from the table I was sat on in the kitchen, I can still feel a steady throb in my wrist and desperately wish I could have been given pain medication. If it's only going to hurt for a day or two like he said I should be okay though.

After the last hour, I almost forget why I'm here. My wrist was the center of attention with good reason, but now that we've taken care of it I have to do what I came here to do in the first place. Apologize.

It feels shameful. I don't see anything wrong in my actions from earlier today but I still have to do it. I can't lose my job, I like it way too much. If anyone was out of line it was most definitely him. Not me. Right?

"Is it feeling any better?" Liam asks as he joins me in the kitchen once again.

"Yeah. Are you? You looked like you were going to burst into tears." I tease him, remembering the way he hovered over the Doctors shoulder, observing the entire time.

"It's like I told him, I feel bad." He shrugs and crosses his arms. He leans against a counter across the kitchen from me.

"Don't. Your not the one who shoved me." I frown as I remember the man shouting at me to watch out after it was too late for me to move.

"Yeah." He clips the word, his voice is haunted. A moment passes between us and I watch him. His gaze is directed towards the floor, his forefinger and thumb pinch his bottom lip between them as he zones out. His mind is far away and something tells me it's not in a good place either.

"I wanted to apologize. For earlier." I comment and seem to pull him from his thoughts. His eyes move from the floor and lock with mine. I've forgotten the soft darkness to them.

"No, I need to apologize for earlier. I was way out of line."

"You were." I agree, surprising us both.

"I didn't mean any of it, I was just. . . you don't understand, Sarah." He takes quick steps over to me, stopping a few inches from me. Almost like how he stood this morning but this time it seems different. It's not as threatening as it was earlier. "You left and I was so angry. So. . ." He struggles to find the word. "Furious. I was furious. I lost my temper this morning and I'm so sorry."

I never thought that he would apologize to me. He just doesn't seem like the kind. But he looks genuinely sorry, and whether he deserves it or not I know I have to forgive him.

"It's fine."

"It's not. I just- god!" He exclaims in frustration as he turns away from me. His hands tug on his hair from impatience and I struggle to understand where all of this is coming from. Why is he being so open? "I couldn't have been further from the truth this morning when I said you were just like the rest of them. You're not. You are so different that it drives me mad."

"You're not exactly an open book either." I mumble to him, thinking about how confusing I find him to be. At least I know that it's not a one sided thing and that he feels the exact same way.

"I never said I was." He says with a sigh. I can see so much raw emotion in him that I'm not sure I understand where it is he is coming from. What it is that he is trying to admit. "I'm sorry, Sarah. About everything."

"It's fine." I feel my phone vibrate in my purse, the sound of it distracting me from Liam momentarily. I pull my attention from him, digging through my bag and finding it almost immediately. I grab it to see a text from Alex, asking where I am. I forgot I was supposed to meet him at my apartment at five o'clock, it's only ten past but I'm still late to meet him. "I have to go. I'm supposed to be meeting someone." I tell him distracted by the fact that I forgot about Alex. How could I possibly have forgotten about him?

"Yes, of course. I didn't mean to keep you." he apologizes but it's not like he knew I had plans, so I don't know why.

"I'll- uhm. See you later." I tell him and he nods, moving from in front of me and stepping aside.

I run down the stairs that I'd only fallen down less than an hour ago and head for home. My walk will only be around ten minutes, so I won't be making him wait long. I pull out my phone and tell him that I am running a bit late but I will be there soon. I get a "can't wait" in response and it brings a smile to my face. Most of the things he says bring a smile to my face.

A/N: Short chapter, but still important! -Rachel Xx