Paper thin // Joe Sugg au

*8*

The next few hours were spent removing Brennon from the house and being questioned. By the time everything was sorted it was 2:00am.

"I should really get going" Joe yawned. He stepped out the front door waving and I quickly followed.

"Hey, earlier you were saying something. You got cut off by Brennon" I turned behind me to carefully shut the door.

"Oh, yeah. It doesn't matter too much. Don't about it" He smiled.

"It doesn't matter. Just tell me"

"Honestly..." He began but he stopped and redirected his sentence after sighing "The date. Friday? Next week? YouTube kind of has me busy, you know all the meetings and interviews and i'm busy with my new book" He blushed a little and looked down.

I didn't know what to say. I felt so bad for him. I wasn't being serious but I couldn't just tell him, he wanted to go ahead with it.

"Yeah, that'd be nice" Joe looked up and smiled which, weirdly, made my heart flutter.

"I'll text you about times and stuff. See you then?"

"No, let's meet up before then. It's been nice seeing you even though it hasn't gone down well either times..." I wandered of and gave a nervous giggle "it's still been  nice and we should meet up often. Pop by mine after an interview or before if you have time?" He nodded in reply whilst having an ever-growing smile spread wider across his face.

Unexpectedly, he hugged me.

'Gosh, he's got to stop doing that'  I thought as I hugged him back. Some part of me loved it when he did it though.

"Thank you so much Joe. For everything you did tonight"

"No worries, I told you I'll always be here. No matter what" He said so reassuringly that I nodded and said "Thick and thin?" He laughed a little before replying. "You're my ride and die" I laughed at this too. It'd been our inside joke for some time now. When ever we got onto the subject of being there for each other or our friendship we would mock the popular girls who would always say 'your my ride and die'. It made me feel so happy that he hadn't left everything behind.

"Ride and die. Bye Joseph Sugg"

"Bye Milly Turnstol" And with that, Joe turned around, opened his car and climbed in, eventually driving away.

He left me feeling something I realised I hadn't felt so strongly in a long time: happy.

...

"Millyyyyyy! It's 1pm!" Nikki's voice echoed. How could she be that active after last night? "You've got to tell me EVERYTHING that happened with Joe! You came in last night smiling like an extremely mad madman" She sniggered at her attempt of a pun (could I even consider it one?).

I really didn't want to explain. Explaining would mean she knows. That, in itself, is bad. Let alone everything else.

"Joe and I are meeting up in the week. I'm just glad we're becoming friends again" I shrugged, trying to stay calm and fight all of the butterflys caused by the thought of what actually happened.

"O-M-G! Really? You guys are sooo getting together!" She said in a stereotypical Essex accent. I have laughed under my breath. I felt bad for lying but I didn't want a fuss over it. Joe and I were just friends. Besides, I only agreed to the date because I felt bad.

"No! Did you say it's 1pm? Oh no, I need to get dressed quick. I'm going to miss visiting times.#

...

I arrived at the hospital, drawing a deep breath as I parked my car. I knew what ward Zoe was in but I knew nothing about what kind of state she was in and how she was doing. I hadn't gotten a chance to visit and nobody would keep me updated.

I opened my car and stepped out. My guilt couldn't over-ride me, not now. I had to be mature and stay strong. Even though it was a hospital, a place where tragedies either lead to a miracle or an even worse tragedy, I still couldn't cry here. Not when it wasn't just because Zoe might not be doing well.

I slowly walked to Zoe's hospital room. I couldn't quite put  a pin on what my feelings were but all I could make out was that I was anxious and extremely guilty. 'Joe's told you already, It wasn't your fault!' I tried to convince myself. It made no difference. 'Joe's just a very nice person, that's all'.

I stopped outside the door, looking to my left and right. Whatever state Zoe was in, whatever her conditions were, I could not cry. If I started crying I would not stop. If I started crying my thoughts would be more vulnerable and be taken over by the dark horrors that lurk deep in there.

I very anxiously pushed the door open. Beeping, heavy breathing, silence. The air was thick with a daunting silence. 

I walked in and let my eyes take in the scene, adjust to the painful sight.

Zoe was laying on a hospital bed with tubes of all sorts were connected to her and machines surrounded her, eager to see what happened.

I edged towards her, tutting at her state.

"Sorry, Zoe. I love you so much! I should... I should have done something" I tucked a strand of her brunette hair behind her ear and wandered towards the window.

It's view was of the beautiful fields that stretched for what seemed like miles.

"The view is amazing, right?" I gasped out of fear "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Would've thought it was hard coming to this room. After everything..."

I thought I recognised this room. It was the room my mum almost died in.

"Yeah, it was. Just not for that reason" I looked over at Zoe and Back to him. "How'd you know she stayed in here?" I asked, fairly curious.

"I visited her once in a while. She was my second mum to be fair"

My eyes pricked with tears.

"Oh gosh, i'm sorry. Sh.it! Don't start crying, please?" Joe rushed over and hugged me. Every time it comes as shock.

"It's fine, not your fault. I wonder if it's always going to be this room?" I tried to giggle but it just didn't work.

"Hey, why don't we go to that starbucks near by? Take your mind off of things and, I don't know, catch up?"

I nodded.

Joe took my hand in his and led me out of the hospital room.

A/n-  Guess who is very busy with school  >this gall<. Sorry for not uploading in forever (and a half) but school has me shook. Hoping this good enough for y'all though! Sorry for any grammar mistakes too, I didn't proof read (yay for time consuming homework) :)