The Locker (Completed)

Chapter 17

(Lila's Point of View)

"MOM!!!" I screamed as I sat up. My breathing becomes heavy as I awaken from another nightmare.

"Shh… it's ok baby, everything is ok." I hear Josh's soothing voice as he tightens his grip around my waist. That's when I realize I am not at the hospital anymore. I start to panic. I take a deep breath and wipe the sweat I feel rolling down the sides of my face from my forehead. I notice that I am lying in a bed that is definitely not mine, but Josh is with me so it must be his right? I don't know where I am or how I got here, but I need to get back to my mom, that’s all I care about. I try to wiggle out of the firm hold I am in.

"Relax baby, it's ok your safe." Josh's comforting words make me feel more calm, but they still don't keep me from wondering.

"What happened? Where are we? How come we aren't with my mom? Josh we need to go back!" I say in a panic. Josh tightens his grip around my waist.

"Lila you’re okay. I brought you back to my house so we both could rest. You have barely gotten any sleep since the past week your mom has been in the hospital."

"But I don't want to sleep Josh, I want to be with her!"

"I know I know baby, but right now it is late, so please just relax and go back to sleep, then I promise, first thing tomorrow morning we'll go back and see her ok?" I sigh as I think over his compromise. My eyelids become heavy, then I find my self falling back into a deep sleep. "Thank you." I hear Josh say before I drift away.

(Josh's Point of View)

I start to wake up when I feel Lila's small hands playing with my messy hair. I love it when she does that, it feel so good. I don't open my eyes right away, as I want to enjoy this moment. I feel her soft touch against my cheek as she strokes it with her thumb. Then I feel her move really close to me, I can feel her warm minty breath on my lips. I'm assuming she already brushed her teeth because nobody's breath smells that good in the morning! She peppers small kisses all across my jaw line until she leaves a lingering kiss on my lips. I try to hold back a grin, but there is no use. I know I am caught when I hear the cutest giggle escape from my darling's beautiful lips. "I know your awake you faker!" I chuckle and slowly open my eyes.

"Morning beautiful." I say, making that adorable little blush appear on her cheeks. I notice she is on top of the blankets and fully clothed. "When did you get all ready?" she tilts her head up and scrunches up her nose as she contemplates my question.

"Uh about an hour ago." she says shyly.

"You got up at 8:00 a.m.?" I asked surprised. "Well I better get moving then, so we can see Mrs. Johnson." I jump in the shower, then when I finish, I through on a fresh shirt and pants. Once I finish brushing my teeth we head off to the hospital. I see Lila's foot tapping on the floor of the car. "Don't be nervous darling, everything will be just fine." She gives me a weak smile then turns her head out of the window.

"I really just hope she wakes up soon. What if-" she chokes back tears

"No stop that Lila." I tell her.

"But wh-"

"Don't even go there. She is a strong woman, she will make it ok? She is going to wake up and the first thing she'll see is your beautiful face." I say to her confidently.

"Okay." she whispers. The rest of the car ride we sat in comfortable silence. Each of us lost in our own thoughts.

A few moments later we pull up in front of the hospital. We walk in and approach the front counter for a visitors pass. When we arrive at the door of her moms hospital room, I notice that Lila hesitates to go in. So I open the door for her and encourage her in.