The Things We Do (Under Editing)

The People Around Me

"Please tell me you got a look at the psychopath's face."

I turned my head to the door of my hospital room as Kacie marched through the door.

"The sooner someone figures out who that woman is, the sooner her reign of terror ends." She threw her purse at the floor and dragged a chair to my bedside, dropping into it.

"Honestly I didn't see much of anything while I was there. Pretty much any time I wasn't unconscious, my head was covered." My voice scratched through my throat and I winced. Kacie immediately jumped to get me some water.

"How are you doing?"

I accepted a glass from her and paused to drink before answering. "I'd like to brush it off and say I've been worse, but I don't actually know whether that's true."

Her gaze immediately softened, the target of her anger shifting. "One of these days, we're going to stop ending up in situations where that's even a question."

"Well then you'd better make some new friends, because I seem to attract the worst sort of people." My laugh wasn't believable even before it broke into a cough.

Kacie fell back into her chair, sighing. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, hun. I just would like to go more than a few weeks without having to worry about you."

"I don't see that happening any time soon." The look she gave me turned my stomach. I hated making her worry. "Besides, I'd get bored."

A small smile pulled at the corners of my friend's mouth.

"Seriously, though, I consumed food and water," I raised my glass at her, "and I managed to get sleep that wasn't caused by chemicals or blunt force trauma. I'm fine."

She clearly didn't believe me, but she also knew me well enough to know when I didn't want to be drowned in sympathy, so she dropped any hint of worry from her face and voice. "You were starved and nearly shot on live television. You are going to take care of yourself so that I don't have to deal with you keeling over."

I knew what she said about my treatment was supposed to be a big deal, but that hadn't been the worst part about almost dying. I'd been treated horribly before. No, the worst part had been looking up and seeing myself holding the gun. It was like some twisted metaphor.

When I just looked at her blankly, Kacie folded her arms and held my gaze. As usual, she caved first. "Fine, but I'm not planning your funeral." Her gaze shifted past me to stare out the window, across the cityscape.

I leaned back on my pillows and closed my eyes. After a moment, though, Kacie broke the silence again.

"Who brought those?"

I picked my head up and followed her gaze. On the table in the corner sat a jar full of forget-me-nots. "No clue. I figured you or Mel had."

Kacie snorted. "Mel works in a garden. If she was going to bring flowers, do you really think she would bring like one of everything."

"You're right. She'd overdo it." I joined in her laughter.

"Well, I guess we're not the only ones who care about your wellbeing."

I dropped my head back and closed my eyes again. Lips twitching, I half muttered, "Who would have thought?"

Mel made sure to pick me up when I was discharged. She didn't want me attempting to walk all the way back to the apartment. I probably wouldn't have made it even halfway, but I definitely would have tried.