Anything But Normal

Chapter 10: Hurt Inside And Out

Sam's POV

Pain. That's the first thing I feel as my eyes blink open. I see white walls and floors, a window at the far end of the room wide open and letting in a gentle breeze which fills up my lungs.

I see Asia sitting anxiously on the edge of the visitors chair. "Merry Christmas," she smiles and hands me a gift and card.

I smile back at her and try to sit up so I can kiss her. But my neck and face begin to throb. I am just about to ask Asia what happened when she answers my question for me.

"When you passed out Rob called the police and ambulance straight away. I slapped Dame across the face and told him not to be so heartless, it's defenetly over and I never want to see him again."

"I'm sorry Asia," my croaky voice squeezes out and I clutch onto my throat.

"Don't," she says softly taking my hand away and kissing my cheek. "The bruises will get worse."

"I really am sorry," I tell her as I lie back down. "If I hadn't had kissed you all of this wouldn't happen. You wouldn't feel so hurt and distraught, Dame wouldn't have got angry and..." I point to my face and neck. "Done this."

"I feel bad about him beating you up, yes," she whispers looking at her bump, then she grabs my hand. "I'll always love you though, scars or none."

I smile and kiss her hand gently then hold it to my cheek. "I love you too."

I truly do, there is no one I love more, apart from my sister of course. They both mean so much to me that I'd crumble away inside if I lost either of them.

"Ocean and your Mum..." She begins, but stops herself.

"What?" I ask urgently.

"They went up to Cumbria. I tried to stop them but your Mum said that they promised to go up and that she dosen't break promises." She blurts out.

"She promised me something too one time," I fume. "She said that she'd never leave me behind anywhere."

"I'm sorry," she whispers back.

"No no don't be," I sigh. "I've saved up some money for a while. I'll buy a cheap and crappy place to stay, she obviously dosen't want me with any of them."

"You can stay with me," she blurts out again. "Rob has plenty of rooms to spare and we're all happy for you to be staying. You'll be closer to your children then."

"I have children?" I frown.

"Well, yeah," she blushes and rubs her bump. "I couldn't ask for a better person to raise them. It's if you wanna though."

"Of course," I smile so brightly that I'm afraid I'll break my face. "I'd be honoured."

"Great," she squeals leaping off the chair and lunging at me before wrapping her slim arms around my neck. "Open your present then." I can tell that she's still excited as she sits back down in the chair.

I slowly take off the wrapping and it reveals a superman snap back. "Oh cool," I exclaim, slipping it onto my head.

"Haha, I thought you'd like it." She laughs. "And I love my present too."

I got her a big baggy grey sweater which I think looks really good. I brush a stray piece of hair away from her eyes and smile. "You truly are beautiful," I smile. "When can I be let out?"

Asia bites her lip. "The Doctors want to make sure that your breathing is all right and that so are you. So if your lucky, maybe some time before new year."

"New year?!" I screech.

"Ssh," she hisses. "You'll wake everyone up, and I wasn't supposed to tell you. So keep quite about it."

"Why couldn't you've told me?"

"Beca..." She begins but she's halted by a doctor coming into the room. She's about 30, with short auburn hair tied back into a tight ponytail. She's short and curvy with high cheek bones and a heart shaped face. She could've been a model if she wanted to, she obviously loved caring for other people.

"Hello Sam," she smiles. "Finally awake I see."

" Yeah," I reply, shuffling around in my hospital bed.

She turns so that she's looking at Asia, "you may go now Miss Barrett."

"But I," she begins however she's stopped by a harsh glare from the doctor. She slips off of the chair gracefully and glides to the door. Touching the bottom of her bump to hold it up, she spins around to say one last thing. "I love you."

When she's gone, an awkward silence fills the room for 5 minutes.

"Young love is a lie," the doctor whispers to no one in particular. "I gave someone my heart and they threw it back in my face."

"Anyway," she smiles ad outstretches her hand. "I'm Doctor Morris, I'll be caring for you whilst your here. So let's look here... Samuel Bolden..." She says glancing down at her clipboard and scans the writing with her beautiful amber eyes. "Abused by girlfriends ex-boyfriend in a territorial attack. No severe damage to lungs, just a little bruising to the neck and face. Minimal cuts which will heal easily however, they may leave scarring..."

When will I be let out?" I ask, even though Asia's already told me.

Doctor Morris frowns and looks down at her clipboard again. "That time is still unknown. "

"What're you doing here anyway?" I frown, shuffling uncomfortably around in my bed.

"Just a routine check," she smiles again and smoothes down her doctors coat. Underneath, she's got on a baby blue crisp shirt, which dosen't have a crease, which is tucked into trousers of the same colour and is just cut below her ankles. The only stylish thing about the outfit is her white ballerina flats with a little heel, the rest just looks crap. "So, is your breathing ok? No trouble?"

"Yes it's fine," I murmur which makes my throat tickle.

"Good," she smiles writing some more down and checking to machine that makes a 'BEEP...BEEP...BEEP' noise. "I'll be checking in again soon," she tells me and she begins to leave the room. But as she leaves, I see a glimpse of the clip board and my throat hitches in my breath.