After I left

IX

Callie's P.O.V.

"Ow," I hissed, as the doctor jabbed at my ribs again.

"I'm sorry. I know it hurts but we need to know if they're fractured. I can tell you that they are now, but I wouldn't have been able to then, you know?" She said, trying to explain the basics of doctoring to me.

"Yeah, got it."

"Okay, well. Your ribs are fractured, you could have a mild concussion, and you need to take it easy with your throat. You could easily injure your esophagus, so eat mainly soft foods and no yelling. For your ribs, take it easy for about four weeks until they are almost healed. It'll take about six weeks to heal them all the way, though," The doctor said, shaking my hand and leaving. Even if it seems like the smart thing to do, I could care less about what the doctor had to say.

Mrs. Winters called the doctor first thing this morning.

Last night after she told me about her ex-husband, Nathan slept on the floor next to me. I looked over to where he was still asleep.

Poor baby.

"Nathan!" I called, refraining from yelling.

He jerked awake, his eyes scanning the room for any intruders.

"What is it?" He asked, racing next to me.

"Will you help me down the hall to the bathroom?" I asked, smiling innocently.

"Of course," He mumbled.

I slowly snaked my left arm around his shoulders, letting him lift me out of bed and set me on the floor. As I steadied myself, my head started spinning. I almost lost my balance but Nathan's arm held me steady.

"What'd the doctor lady say?" He asked, smiling at her before we walked down the hall.

My body aches, begging me to go back to sleep. I want to wash my face, though.

"Nothing important," I mumble, remembering he asked me a question.

"Come on, what'd she say?" He pleaded, his eyes filled with worry.

"I have fractured ribs and maybe a concussion. Also, I can't yell or eat anything solid for a few days. Also, she gave me a pill to make sure I wouldn't get pregnant after.. well last night," I mumbled, wincing as pain shot down my side.

"Are you okay?" He asked, taking my arm from around his shoulders so it wouldn't be stretched.

I looked at my arm, where he was holding it. There were bruises on my wrists.

There were bruises on my hips.

There were bruises on my neck.

Thank you, Colton.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, pulling my wrists from his grasp.

When I did, I lost my balance. I started to fall backward but Nathan caught me by the arm. It hurt extremely bad, but it would've hurt worse if I would've hit the floor.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.." He started, trying to apologize for something that was clearly my fault.

I stopped him, pulling myself into his chest, wrapping my arms around him.

"Just hug me," I mumbled, trying to be gentle so my ribs will stop throbbing.

He didn't think twice, wrapping both arms around me. He squeezed me gently as he placed a small kiss on my forehead.

"Anytime."

We stood there for at least a minute, hugging in silence. My head was tucked up under his chin. I didn't know I was crying until he pulled back and wiped one of my tears with his thumb.