Zailey (Sequel) ✔️

Part Six

"You seem in good spirits."
Keegan announced as we hit the freeway, headed for the hospital.
Why didn't our government bother to give Reef Bay it's own hospital?
A Medical Centre really wasn't enough, especially in the event of an emergency.
"I am."
I agreed, dragging my gaze back inside the car.
"Bails... I don't wanna rain on your parade..."
Great.
Here we go.
I felt my heart clench.
"Just say it Keegan."
I muttered.
My brother winced.
"I don't want to upset you..."
"As I said. Just say it."
"I don't want you to put all your faith into that he's better already."
Keegan confessed.
"I'm not."
I denied.
"Bailey..."
I sighed heavily, clenching my hands into fists atop my thighs.
"I'm not in denial Keegan."
I tried to explain.
"He told me he loves me and misses me. He also told me he really hopes he doesn't screw us up by pushing me away too much. I know there'll be good days and there'll be bad days."
"I hope you do."
Keegan muttered, sounding guarded.
"Why can't you just have some faith that he's starting to feel better?!"
I all but snapped, shooting him a glance.
"I hope he is. But I remember Arian changing big time when he was attacked. And I've seen the way Zander has been in that hospital."
"Well maybe that's part of the problem. He's stuck in Hospital."
I reminded.
"True."
He agreed.
"The longest either one of us has been in hospital is long enough to be casted up and discharged."
"Well there you go. It's a week today since..."
I couldn't say it.
Was it classed as an attack?
An accident?
"All I wanted to do is make sure you're aware that he's not quite Zander at the moment."
Keegan insisted.
"Mum and Arian have been reminding me of that, because for me it's been pretty damn hard to watch my best friend go through this."
Guilt clenched at my heart.
I've not even taken notice of how Keegan's coping through all of this.
"Well he wanted us both to come in today!"
I said, slipping a smile into place.
"And I didn't get a call that said he's changed his mind."
Keegan released a breath he'd apparently been holding onto.
"Hopefully he's having a good day then."
That would definitely be a good thing.

Keegan and I made our way towards the Ward desk that I'd been turned away at a few days ago.
A raven haired woman was sitting behind a computer and she turned almost instantly to us as we stopped at the desk.
Finally somebody around here who understands customer service!
"How can I help you?"
She questioned with a smile, glancing between Keegan and I with her grey eyes that were framed by square dark purple rimmed glasses.
"We're here to see Zander Hunter."
I explained, my voice not quite working at full volume.
"Just let me check the computer."
She said with a smile and turned back to the screen.
She clicked the mouse a couple of times, then turned her gaze back to us.
"Your names?"
She asked.
"Keegan and Bailey Evans."
Keegan explained, folding his arms on top of the desk.
The lady looked back at the screen.
"It tell's me that the two of you have been assigned a probationary status."
She explained.
"I was on the phone to Zander last night and he requested Keegan and I to come in today."
I offered, my voice slightly scratchy.
Keegan shot me a small smile.
The Receptionist lady offered us a smile too.
"I'll be back in a few moments. I just have to go check that the probation status means the visit is allowed."
She explained and pushed back from the desk.
Well this is a little better than last time...

My heart was pounding in my chest as Keegan and I made our way down the corridor which was behind the green reception desk.
Both of us glanced at the number's on the room door's as we passed them, checking for room three hundred and twelve.
"This one."
Keegan declared, grabbing onto my hand.
I followed him to the left, toward a nearby green painted door that was closed.
"Does that mean he's in?"
I whispered nervously.
Wouldn't the door be open if he was in the room?
"Guess all we can do is check."
Keegan muttered.
He used his free hand to knock on the door.
"Yeah?"
A muffled version of Zander's voice answered after a moment.
It felt like a bucket of cool water washed straight over the top of my head.
For some reason, Keegan didn't open the door yet though.
I eyed him curiously.
He shot me a small smile, then turned his attention back to the door.
"It's Keegan and Bailey."
He called in a slightly louder than talking volume voice.
I guess he is trying to talk through the door...
Silence.
Uh oh...
"C'min."
Zander's slightly muffled voice said.
My heart just about tried to beat it's way out of my chest.
Keegan shot me a smile, his blue eyes shining and he grabbed the door handle to push it down.
The door eased into the room.
Keegan followed it, continuing to push it.
I slipped my hand out of his as we stepped into the room.
My gaze landed on the foot of the bed.
I slid my eyes up until my gaze landed on Zander propped up slightly in the stark white sheets.
My heart pounded inside my chest.
Keegan shot me a glance, then shook his head and walked up the side of Zander's hospital bed, offering him his right hand.
"Hey man."
He greeted, his back now to me.
"Hey bro."
Zander's voice was little more than a whisper as he grasped Keegan's hand.
Naww!
"You doin' alright today?"
Keegan asked, taking a slow step back from the bed.
Zander offered the smallest of smiles.
Unfortunately it barely reached his eyes.
"I'm sick of being here and being in pain. But my head seem's to be screwed on a bit straighter lately at least."
He admitted.
My heart clenched for him.
"Go on, have your moment."
Keegan said with a roll of his eyes, but a smile playing on his lips.
He turned around so that he was facing the tiny bathroom that adjoined the room.
Zander's smile was now slightly brother as he looked at Keegan's turned back.
Feeling a blush rise on my cheek's, I slowly made my way toward the bed, the soles of my Vans sliding on the hospital floor.
Zander's gaze snapped to me.
My heart pounded in my chest as our gazes locked.
It literally felt like it was attempting to escape out of my body.
His smile stretched wider still.
"Hey beautiful."
He all but whispered.
My blush raged hotter and I dropped my gaze to his right hand which I laced my fingers through his.
"Yuck."
Keegan muttered under his breath.
Zander grinned.
I poked my tongue out at Keegan's back.
Zander laughed.
Then he grimaced and went to place his left hand across his body and onto his right side, but he paused just before he made contact.
"I'm sorry."
I whispered, my heart twisting.
"What?"
Keegan asked, turning around.
His eyes widened.
"You okay Zan?"
"Fine."
Zander gritted through his teeth.
"No you're not."
I squeaked, tears pricking at the back's of my eyes.
"I am."
He promised, finally opening his eyes.
"I'm gonna go grab us all a drink. You two do whatever it is you need to do."
Keegan declared and turned on his heel to leave the room.
I was torn between being embarrassed or grateful.
"I'm so glad to see you."
I whispered, stepping further up Zander's bed.
"Not as glad as me."
He whispered, giving my hand a light squeeze.
I couldn't help but smile.
"I can't really sit up yet. So can you come down here a bit closer?"
He used his left hand to gesture me forward.
What does he want from me?
Does he want a kiss?
Feeling my heart rate accelerate, I leaned down.
Using his left hand, he gently cupped my cheek and softly pressed his lips to mine.
A storm of butterflies exploded in my stomach and I felt a delicious shiver run down my spine as I caressed my lips against his.
"God I missed that."
Zander whispered, resting his forehead gently against mine.
"Me too."
I told him, a smile stretching my lips.
"Take a seat."
Zander urged.
I turned my head to scan the room for seating options.
There were two chairs in front of the window on Zander's left side of the bed.
I turned back to Zander, forking my lips into a pout.
"Those chairs are too far away for my liking."
Zander smiled.
"Well if you go around to the left side you can sit on the side of the bed if you want."
His statement confused me.
"Why not this side?"
I asked.
He bit into his lower lip and dropped his gaze to his body that was hidden beneath the strong white sheet, before pulling his gaze back up to mine.
"I can't risk you bumping into my right side at the moment."
He confessed, his voice little more than a whisper.
Oh yeah!
The shark bit into his leg and his side.
"Of course."
I agreed, giving his hand a squeeze.
He smiled ever so slightly.
"Honestly I forgot all about it."
I confessed.
I was just so happy to be seeing him right now.
His smile widened just a little, but I could see it.
"Then why the heck would I still be in this bloody place?"
True that.
"I'll come sit around on your left."
I promised, my legs now feeling the burn of standing too long.
He released my right hand.
I took myself around the end of his bed and up to the left side, then carefully pulled myself onto the bed so that I was sitting part way facing him.
I couldn't resist grabbing his left hand with my right one.
"Today's Saturday right?"
Zander asked.
What the?
"Yes."
I agreed with a nod.
He nodded.
"Whys that?"
I asked, cocking my head to the side.
"I've missed an entire week of school holidays right?"
He asked.
"Yes."
I whispered.
"So school starts again Monday?"
I grimaced and nodded.
Zander too nodded.
"I guess you're not too devastated to be missing school."
I stated with a smile.
He rolled his eyes.
"Trust me I'd take school over this."
My heart clenched.
"Do they have any idea when you'll be back on your feet and what not?"
I asked carefully.
He gently shook his head.
"Not really."
Damn.
Once again I felt my heart clench.
"I already know though that they're not gonna let me leave until I can move around on my own and I pass their mental health tests."
That sucks...
"I'm sure that will happen soon."
I whispered.
"Maybe."
He whispered back.