Friends Don't Kiss, Do They?

Chapter 19

When I awake I find myself in a different location. It takes me a few minutes to realise I was in hospital. I strain my brain to remember what happened and why I was here.

"Hailey?"

I glance over to see Mom sitting on a brown cushion chair in the corner of the room, holding onto her phone. As soon as she sees I'm awake, she slips her phone back into her handbag, and walks over to stand beside the bed.

"Thank goodness you're alright." She takes my hand and squeezes it.

"What happened?" I ask. "Why am I in the hospital?"

"Honey, you don't remember?"

"No. That's why I'm asking."

"You fainted in class."

"Oh."

I try to recall it, but honestly couldn't remember.

"Hailey, I need you to be honest with me. Have you been eating?"

"Mom, of course I have."

Mom shook her head. "No, Hailey. You're lying. I was speaking to the doctor, and he said the cause of you fainting was because you haven't been eating."

I turn away from my mother, unable to look at her.

"Hailey, if there is something going on, you know you can tell me. Starving yourself to solve the problem is not going to work."

Knowing that this time I could not hide anything, I come clean and tell her about Samantha bullying me. I tell her how I started starving myself in hope to lose weight and hoped that Matt will like me, especially when Samantha said that's the reason why he will never like me. Mom listens carefully. She even shed a few tears. When I finished telling her the story, she hugs me. She tells me I should have told her, and I knew I should have. I was just afraid of what would happen if I was to tell someone. She then tells me that I shouldn't have dieted the way I did in hope it would impress Matt. Besides, he liked me the way I was, and not the way Samantha said he would.

But maybe now it doesn't matter. Matt doesn't give a damn about me. He never had and never will. I was just another girl who he wanted to bang. And now I just don't know if I want to be his friends. How can we after everything we have gone through together?

When lunch was delivered to the room, Mom made sure I ate it. I was served a ham and cheese sandwich and a small cup of diced peaches. Eating the sandwich felt good to eat after not having any food for a week. I took my time eating it, enjoying every moment of the soft white bread. Once I had consumed it, I felt a sudden guilt, thinking I would put on weight and Samantha will laugh at me. I didn't tell Mom this, but she hugs me, telling me how proud she is of me.

Around two o'clock Mom leaves me to go pick up my brothers from school, and promises to come back later.

I grab my phone from my bag that is on the floor beside the cupboard. I had messages from all five of my friends. I was surprised to have heard from Emma. Tayvon probably messaged her because I doubt that Bailey would have told her about me, especially when Bailey has spoken to either of them from last night. I text them all back to say I'm fine, and may be able to go home tonight.

Matt was the only person who I hesitated on messaging back. I stare at his text for a long time, trying to hold tears back.

Hey, I heard what happened. I hope everything is okay. Let me know if you need anything. I'm sorry about last night, Hailey. I was being stupid. Please forgive me.

I re-read the text over and over until I finally just put my phone back in my bag, ignoring Matt's message.