My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 11

Carly burst into my ward, her face lighting up the moment she saw me awake.

"Sharon! You're awake! How are you feeling now?" she asked, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Okay..." I murmured, my voice low, still weak from the fall and everything that had happened.

Carly's eyes sparkled with curiosity, that insatiable energy of hers. "So... who's that guy I saw just now? Looks like there's a lot I don't know," she asked excitedly, leaning forward like she was about to dig into a mystery.

I ran my hands through my hair, trying to find the right words, trying to defuse her excitement. "No... it's not what you think," I muttered, wishing for an escape.

"You don't need to pretend, Sharon. What's there to hide? You have a boyfriend," she said, winking mischievously.

"I don't! I'm serious. Stephen is not my boyfriend," I said firmly, tone sharp enough to cut through her teasing. Does she seriously think any boy who cares about me is automatically my boyfriend? I scoffed at the thought. That could never happen. Not with Stephen.

"Hmm... liar. He's handsome anyway. You have good taste," she said, patting my hands lightly, nodding with approval.

Carly leaned closer, her curiosity unrelenting. "Have you guys had anything together? At least... kissed?"

I felt my chest tighten. Seriously, Carly, can we not? I bit my lip as a smile escaped before I could stop it, my mind flashing back to our last kiss. My heart thudded, and before I knew it, my cheeks burned bright red.

"Hmm... I knew you had a soft spot. You don't know how to lie to me. Gist me, Sharon. Have you had... you know?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

I shook my head quickly, though my voice wavered. "No! I'm not that... cheap. I said no to him. He's asked me out so many times," I added defensively, feeling like a child caught in mischief.

"So... what's stopping you from saying yes?" Carly pressed, leaning on the edge of my bed.

"His ex-girlfriend," I said quietly, looking away.

"How is that stopping you?" Carly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's... like a friend to me," I replied. I didn't want any unnecessary drama with Patricia, not now, not ever.

"Patricia? That Patricia?" Carly asked, recalling our elementary school days. We weren't close, but there had been some history.

"Yes," I admitted reluctantly.

"Oh, please. You guys don't even talk like that," Carly scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"But still..." I muttered, trailing off, not wanting to admit too much.

"But what? You like him, don't you?" Carly pressed, her tone teasing but sharp.

"Yes..." I confessed, the single word tumbling out, impossible to hide.

"So what are you waiting for? They're not dating," she reminded me, shaking her head.

"But she still wants him back," I argued softly, trying to justify myself.

"It's your choice," Carly said, surrendering the point. "So... how did this happen to you?" she asked, curiosity winning over judgment.

"Long story," I began, finally letting it all out.

"Tell me," she urged, eyes wide, ready to absorb every detail.

I narrated everything—the fall, the hospital, Stephen's stubbornness, the kisses, the push and pull of emotions. Carly listened intently, hanging on every word like she was watching the most thrilling movie.

"This guy likes you, believe me," she said finally, smirking.

"Who likes who?" My mom's voice startled us as she entered the ward, having overheard the tail end of our conversation.

"It's nothing, Mom," Carly said quickly, trying to change the subject.

I took a deep breath, desperation bubbling up. "Mom... I'm getting sick of staying here. I want to go home. Please..." The thought of spending another night in the sterile hospital room alone was unbearable.

"But you just recovered," my mom replied, worry etched across her face.

"I'm okay... really," I assured her, meeting her eyes with a faint, hopeful smile.

"You're sure?" she asked again, cautious but trusting.

I nodded firmly.

"Alright... let me inform the doctor," she said, leaving for a few minutes and returning shortly with the good news.

"You're discharged," she announced, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

A surge of joy coursed through me. Finally. I could leave this place, leave the hospital, leave the fear and tension behind. My legs felt light even though I was weak. I couldn't wait to get home.