Playing Perfect

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 Nichole

                The familiar sound of beeping and hushed voices woke me up for the millionth time. The moment my eyes fluttered open Louis was sitting on the side of my bed. His eyes had bags underneath of them and he looked completely exhausted. “Lou.” My voice was a whisper and my throat was dry. He turned his puffy, red eyes to look at me. I smiled and he completely collapsed in sobs. I was surprised. I’ve been passed out many times before. “Lou what’s wrong?”  He looked up at me and shook his head.

                “Do you know how long you’ve been asleep?” I shook my head. He sighed and wiped off his face. “A week. You’ve been in a coma for a week.” He shook his head again. “This week’s the last I have with you before I have to stay on The X Factor set and I didn’t think you would wake up.” A week. I’ve been asleep for a week. I ran my hand down my face.

                “Go spend your time with your family. Don’t waste it on me.” He shook his head and kissed my cheek.

                “You should be able to go home tomorrow.” I stared at the ceiling. OS many unspoken words hung in the air between us. Yes we talked about what happened, but we didn’t discuss what was going to happen in a week. My gaze shifted to Louis who was looking at the floor.

                “So what do we do now?” He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I sighed and pulled my blanket over my head. “Well then.” I felt the bed move and the hospital door shut. And I was alone. I realized that I quit talking to everyone so I had no one. I reached over to my bedside table and text Ashli and Blaine asking them to come visit me. Within seconds they said they were on their way. Louis walked back into the room with a lemonade. He handed it to me and sat down in the chair across from the bed. “Ashli and Blaine are on their way.” He scrunched his face up.

                “Why?” I sighed.

                “Because I haven’t talked to them in forever.” He shook his head. “Thanks for the lemonade.” He nodded and stared out the window. “You don’t have to be here anymore. The way we’re acting it’s not like we’re together.” His head snapped in my direction.

                “Really Nic?” He shook his head. “Seven days. I haven’t left this room in seven days. I haven’t eaten in seven days. I’ve been worried sick about you for seven days and you think we’re not together?” he narrowed his eyes.

                “Then why are you acting like a distant asshole!?” I threw my hands up in the air. “I’ve loved you since day one and I always will, so it’s always been your decision.” He was now pacing back and forth.

                “Do you know how much I’ve changed for you? I used to not let people in. I never cared. I never cried. With you it feels like I can do whatever I want because you’re the only person I need to impress and you love me for me.” He shook his head. “Example one.”

                “Then why are we even having this conversation?” I shook my head. “Come here.” He laid and faced me. I kissed his chapped lips. “Don’t ever leave me.” He smiled and shook his head.

                “I should be telling you that!” I smiled and Louis began to softly sing to me. “First winter snowfall, throwing backyard snowballs, warming up by the fire place, marshmallows catch fire on an open flame, all my friends get together, wishing I was there but I’m never, living in the sunshine oh been dreaming of a place called home,” He started running his fingers through my hair. I knew this song was going to end in bad news of some sort. “I wanna run wanna run away, I’m dreaming of a place called home, I could try but I’m stuck here today I’m dreaming of a place that’s three thousand miles away, feels like it’s forever, seems like yesterday we were running ‘round town together, this place just ain’t the same, I miss the stormy weather, I’m not okay, three thousand miles away,” I looked over at him and noticed that he had started crying before I had. Then it hit me. He’s talking about leaving for the X Factor like if he actually wins. I closed my eyes pushing back all my screaming negative thoughts and listened to Louis’ voice. “You don’t pick up but I keep redialing, Cause you’re asleep got your phone on silent, Still early here I’m wide awake, Just wanna hear you tell me all about your day, Although I never really showed it, I had to leave for me to notice, that living in the sunshine’s cold, I’m dreaming of a place called home,” I was waiting for someone to interrupt the moment just so he would kiss me and tell me it will be okay, but no one came in. “I wanna run wanna run away, I’m dreaming of a place called home, I could try but I’m stuck here today I’m dreaming of a place that’s three thousand miles away, feels like it’s forever, seems like yesterday we were running ‘round town together, this place just ain’t the same, I miss the stormy weather, I’m not okay, three thousand miles, If I could go back for the weekend, or just for a day, to see familiar faces, that’s all it would take, now it’s too far, three thousand miles away, feels like it’s forever, seems like yesterday we were running ‘round town together, this place just ain’t the same, I miss the stormy weather, I’m not okay, three thousand miles away, three thousand miles away, feels like it’s forever, seems like yesterday we were running ‘round town together, this place just ain’t the same, I miss the stormy weather, I’m not okay, three thousand miles away.” He kissed the tip of my nose once he was finished. “I’m going to be traveling a lot when I go. I just want you to know that you’re always on my mind.” I cupped his face in my hands and pulled it down where I could kiss him. Someone cleared their throat behind us and Louis moved to reveal Blaine and Ashli. Two girls I haven’t seen in forever.

                “Dear god. You’re not pregnant are you?” Blaine fanned her face and before I could answer she turned towards Louis. “You were supposed to use a condom or multiple ones to prevent this from happening idiot!” He raised his arms and she started pacing back and forth. “I’m way too young to raise a child. I don’t even have a job. Oh who am I kidding. I can’t even count to three!”

                “She not pregnant Blaine.” Ashli hit Blaine in the back of her head. Blaine flipped her off, but it ended her rant. “She’s obviously getting Botox. Duh.” I hid my face in my hands. I peeked out from in between my fingers at Louis who was trying not to laugh. “Don’t worry Nic. I’ve read all the plastic surgery magazines.” I shook my head.

                “I’m not getting Botox. And I’m not pregnant.”

                “Damn it.” They both said it at the same time. “I wanted to be the fucking god mother.” Blaine kicked a chair and then sat in it caressing her toe. Louis burst out laughing and we all turned to look at him.

                “Girls never change.” He kissed my forehead before slipping out of the room. We spent most of the day ordering all the hospital’s food and watching soap operas. When we weren’t doing that we’d turn on the radio and have our own version of karaoke. By the time Louis came back in the room visiting hours were over and a nurse walked in behind him.

                “Excuse me ladies, but you have to leave.” Blaine rolled her eyes.

                “Don’t tell me how to live my life.”She turned the soap opera up louder. Ashli flashed her award winning smile at the nurse.

                “We’ll leave soon.” She added to be on the safe side.

                “C’mon Ashli! Don’t be a wuss. We’re allowed to do whatever we want! It’s America!” Everyone in the room looked at Blaine like she had three heads.

                “No it’s not.” Ashli interjected. Blaine shrugged.

                “It felt right. I was too into the moment.” She shoved another spoonful of green jello in her mouth.

                “Well if you two could just follow me-” the kind nurse started, but god forbid my friends be nice.

                “For fuck’s sake lady! She said we would leave soon! Now get the hell out! I’ll make sure to leave a post it saying we’re gone!” The nurse left quickly after that and the moment the door shut Blaine hopped up. “Let’s go Ashli I got shit to do.” We all gave her a confused look but she didn’t notice. “Love you Nic!” She walked over and gave me a hug before eyeing Louis. “I’m just going to say bye from over here…so bye.” Louis gave a small wave before they left and the room was eerily quiet.

                “I love you.” Louis whispered in my ear as he climbed into bed next to me. I turned and kissed his cheek.

                “I love me too.” He softly punched my arm before squeezing me in a hug.

                “I wouldn’t want you any other way. Nichole Kiyren Banks you are perfect. I am lucky to have you and to love you. Hopefully I’ll never forget that and lose something golden.” He gently kissed my lips before falling asleep in the crook of my neck.