The Mistake [Norman Reedus] Book One {{COMPLETED}}

Chapter 8

When I woke up, I realized the heart monitor clip had fallen off in my sleep.  I rummaged around in the sheets and place it back on my finger.  Norman had moved himself back to the chair, probably because I kicked him off the bed while I was sleeping.  Since that little sleep session was just a nap, it was almost time for dinner and I was feeling back to normal.  I was even hungry, and knew I wouldn't have an urge to throw it up like I would usually do.

"Norman," I whispered, aiming to wake him.  It didn't work so I called his name louder.  After a couple of failed attempts, I felt annoying.  Why would I want to disturb his peace?  I can't blame him for how overly-tired he must get during his busy schedule, and he looked so peaceful in his sleep.

I finally gave up and laid back down as I stared at the ceiling fan twirl around.  It was quite amusing, and kept me occupied (As well as my thoughts) for a solid twenty minutes.  

Norman sucked in a deep breathe while he stretched his arms and adjusted his eyes to the light in the room.  "How long have we been asleep?" His voice was hoarse.  

I looked at the clock and replied with "A couple of hours." Even though it was more than a couple-more like all day-I didn't feel like doing the math.  

"Where are we going to eat?" He asked. 

"Not sure.  We have to have the doctor approve me getting out of here first." I said.

Norman heaved a sigh and got up, walking out to find the doctor.  He came back a moment later and the doctor began to check me out.

"Well, you seem alright.  I think you're good to go.  Just have N fill out the papers at the front, and make sure to check back in with us every Wednesday at six."  She explained.

She exited the room and I instantly looked at Norman.  "N?  Really?" 

He laughed and I got up to change my clothes.  Norman got his stuff together and I walked out of the bathroom, fully dressed, and ready to go.

"Alright, I know your hungry, but I have to go to an interview with The Walking Dead cast and talk about season three.  Then, I promise, we'll go eat." He had a sense of rush in his voice and I agreed.  My stomach could hold up for a bit longer.  It also should have some time to rest from food since I basically am still recovering.  

We walked outside after "N" filled out the needed forms.  The air was humid, but cold and nipped at my nose.

We strapped our helmets on and I swung my leg over my bike.

"How 'bout you ride with me?  I'll have Sean pick your bike up later." Norman suggested.

This proposal was uncalled for.  Why would he all of a sudden show complete interest in me when we're not even dating?  Was it the kiss?  Correction; Kisses?  did I say something while I was asleep.  No, I never sleep-talk.

I couldn't stop asking myself these questions, and when I snapped to reality I realized my feet were already taking me to his bike. I took off my helmet and hung it on the handle of my bike.  I had a glimmer of a smile on my lips, and was surprised to find myself tightly comfortable behind him.  My arms wrapped tightly around his chest and my legs straddled around the back of him.  He surely kept me warm, and maybe that's one of the explanations of why I wasn't freaking out and stiff, but I couldn't figure out why I didn't see a hint of awkwardness in any of this.

The engine spurred and we took off heading to the interview.  

The whole ride was silent.  And I don't think neither of us cared. It was nice.  Peaceful.  

The building was extremely large and when we got there, Norman slipped his sunglasses and hood on.  It didn't do much, but it prevented screaming crowds and fan girls.  

He parked and I slid off the bike.  I stretched my legs and looked at my iPhone.  Seven.  My stomach gave an occasional rumble, but I wasn't starving and I figured the interview would only last and hour or so. 

"Let's go.  You'll be waiting backstage.  They'll be cameras so you can watch it." He said as we made our way through a back entrance.  The halls were much like those at the signing.  I made sure to stand close to Norman as we walked to his room and a lady got his wardrobe and outfit ready. 

We walked through the halls again and Norman stopped me backstage as he jogged out to the stage.  Cheers and claps filled the air and I turned my eyes to the screen that was broadcasting the interview.  

Questions and suggestions were given and Norman answered them with ease.  He was sitting next to Micheal (Merle) and Melissa (Carol) and looked like he was having a great time.  

An hour passed and I found myself sitting on the floor, gripping my stomach as it cramped and rumbled.  I didn't think I could go any longer without food.  My stomach ate my spine and I groaned, getting strange looks from people around me.  

Carol finally let the crowd down gently with "That's all the time we have," and I breathed a sigh of relief when the cast got up, waved, and walked backstage.  I greeted Melissa (Carol), Michael (Merle), Chandler (Carl), and so on before Norman was standing before me.

"I'm starving!" I groused. 

"I know, I'm so sorry it took so long.  I think there is an after party.  They'll have a bunch of food.  Cake, soup, pasta, bread, pizza, wine, beer-" 

I cut him off.  My mouth flooded with saliva and I couldn't take it anymore, "OK, let's go!" 

We followed the group of cast members through the halls and came to a room that smelled absolutely amazing.  I looked at all the selections and just about trampled everyone to get in front of the line.  Hershel and Maggie managed to get in front of me, but at least I was third and not last like Lori was.  

I loaded my plate with green, red, brown, yellow, and every other color of food, and even grabbed a beer before sitting down at the long table.  Daryl was near the middle of the line, and after he got his food, he plopped himself down beside me.  

"Wow, you got a lot." He stared at my plate and then took a look at the bottle.  "I've never seen you drink before!" He acted surprised.  

"Yeah, well, I did turn it down at the airport."

I saw a smile pull at his cheeks and he scooted his chair up.  

Hershel proposed to pray and we all joined hands.  When he was finished, Norman didn't drop my hand.  Just held it swinging in between our two chairs.  It was a bit difficult to eat with my left hand, but it was fine because I couldn't complain about Norman wanting to hold my hand.  No one seemed to notice our interactions, and after a while, he got up to get another bottle of beer.  

He sat back down and gulped it down in moments.  In a matter of minutes, he was already drunk and laughing.  I knew that if he was drunk, I had to stay here as well since we didn't bring my bike.  

A couple of the other cast members decided to get their party on as well, and they drank a bunch.  I felt really awkward then, being one of the few that wasn't drunk.  I stood against the wall beside Chandler and Michael and Madison who were the other three that didn't get drunk.  Hershel and Carol went home, and that leaves all the others.  It was a mess.  

We waited in the echoes of laughter for twenty minutes and most of them had stumbled to their rooms to fall asleep.  Norman, Maggie, Shane, Lori, and Rick all were still in the room, winding down and sitting in chairs.  The servants and agents were only serving water now, and after a glass, Norman got up to use the bathroom.

He disappeared around the corner that led to the bathrooms, and stayed back there for a surprising amount of time.  I knew his stomach was hurting from all those drinks but after a long ten minutes I went to go see what was taking him so long.  

He's still drunk, so he probably just got tired and fell asleep or something.   I reassured myself, walking back there to find him.  

When I emerged around the corner, the sight of one drunk man and one of the cast member's agent's startled me.  The pair was standing in between the two bathroom doors, lost in each other.  In a tight hug, the man was leaned over the lady, kissing her passionately.  I thought it was just Andrew (Rick) and a random lady, but when I focused my vision, I just about collapsed in a heap of heartbreak.

It was Norman.