I squinted at the bright lights of the hospital as I was pushed down the hallway. I was having problems breathing and that was what I was trying to focus on - in and out, in and out. But Simon crowded my thoughts. I wondered what he was doing and I wondered how he would react when he found out I was in the hospital. I hadn't been in the hospital in ages. When I was fifteen my lung collapsed and I was in and out of hospitals after that with breathing problems. But they hadn't bothered me for a while. But I guess they were back. My vision started to get blurry and the voices around me became distant. I turned my attention to the nurse that was speaking to me. "Can you hear me?" I slowly nodded, though the slight movement made me incredibly dizzy, too dizzy to keep my eyes open. And as soon as I shut them, I felt myself becoming unconscious.
•••
When I woke up I had an IV stuck in my arm and I could feel the tubes in my nose that were feeding me oxygen. I took as deep of a breath as I was able to, coughing as I exhaled. A nurse walked in and smiled at me. "How are you feeling, Mackenzie?" "I feel good. Better." She nodded and joined me by my bedside, looking over the monitor that had wires connected to me. "Well it was the same thing as last time. Fluid in the lungs. I'm surprised it hasn't happened before it has, but thankful." My lungs filling with fluid is what my problem was years ago, and then after I turned eighteen it seemed my problems were gone. I could work out again without breathing problems and the thought of my lungs giving up was pushed to the back of my brain. Until the middle of the night last night when it came back in full swing. I looked at the nurse's face and realized I had never seen her. And if I did I didn't remember her. She probably looked over my medical records and knew everything there was to know about what was wrong with me. "We think you should stay overnight for a few nights to ensure there are no more problems. If anything happens just press that button on the wall right there. I'll be back in a few hours to check up. Oh, and your phone is right there. We took it out of your pocket." She pointed to the table beside the uncomfortable bed I was in and looked over at it and nodded. I should probably call Simon. It had been two days since we played football together and I hadn't seen him since, but we still texted every moment we weren't together. I reached over and grabbed my phone, sighing once I unlocked it. I had missed calls and texts from Simon and Lucy. I was supposed to have a meeting today, which was why Lucy probably called. It was nearly noon now, and I was extremely late to this meeting that I couldn't go to. I decided to ignore Lucy for right now, clicking on Simon's messages first. I read through them with a frown.
Simon: Hey I'm bored xx
Simon: Mackenzie? Are you dead? x
Simon: Why aren't you answering?
Simon: Okay I'm worried now. I'm coming over.
Simon: What the fuck, Mackenzie? Where are you? Answer me please
I also had a few texts from the other guys, just asking me where I was. I clicked on Simon's contact and called him, pressing the phone to my ear. It rang twice before he answered. "Mackenzie? What the hell, man? I was worried sick. Where the fuck are you?" His voice was tired, telling me he probably was up all night worrying about me. Which made me feel guilty. "Funny story." I laughed awkwardly, hearing him sigh on the other end, waiting for an explanation. "I don't want you to worry because I'm okay. But I'm in the hospital. I was having trouble breathing." I gave him a short explanation, not wanting to go into detail. "Pulmonary edema." I added, leaning my head back as I listened to him. I could hear movement in the background but he hadn't said anything yet. "What hospital? I'll be there." I saw a small sign on one of the bland walls that told me the name of it. Once I told him the name I heard him sigh. "I'll see you soon." And then the line went dead before I could even reply. I dropped the phone to my side and brought my hands up to the tube that led into my nostrils. I adjusted it slightly and mentally cringed. I hadn't had to deal with one in two years. I looked down at the IV in my arm and sighed, following the tube with my eyes all the way up to a bag filled with a clear liquid. I could feel the wires on my chest that measured my heart rate. I leaned my head back against the pillows, waiting patiently for Simon to arrive.
•••
I jumped when the door opened, which made Simon freeze at the door. He looked me over once before continuing to walk. "I got you these." He said, holding out a bouquet of flowers. A smile crept its way onto my face as I looked at the flowers.
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"You didn't have to, but thanks anyways." I placed them delicately on the table beside the bed. "So what happened?" Simon was sitting now, edging the chair closer to me. "When I was fifteen my lung collapsed. For years after that I was in and out of hospitals with fluid filling my lungs, unable to breathe. Then my problems stopped when I was eighteen and I thought I was done with hospitals and almost dying. But I guess my lungs had an idea of their own." I forced out a laugh at the end, hoping to lighten the situation, but it didn't work. Simon gulped, looking away from me. I reached forward, resting my cold hand on his arm. "I'm okay, really." He looked at my hand and then back up at me. "How long do you have to stay here?" He asked. "A few days." I shrugged. "Well when you do get out I think you should consider staying with me and the rest of the guys. Just in case, you know?" I felt another smile come to my face. He was worried about me and it made me feel so loved. "I went years without any problems, Simon. I can manage on my own." He shook his head, dismissing my statement. "But you shouldn't have to. We could move all of our stuff out of the spare room and you could stay there." I finally removed my hand from his arm, resting it on the bed. I shrugged, telling Simon I'd think about it. My phone started ringing and I sighed when Lucy's name popped up on the screen. There was no doubt she was pissed because I flaked out on the meeting, but she didn't know what had happened. I ignored the call, sending her a text instead.
Mackenzie: I'm in the hospital for a few days. Sorry.
I didn't explain anything else because she didn't need to know. And it seemed she didn't really care.
Lucy: Couldn't have told me that before the meeting?
Mackenzie: I just woke up.
Lucy: Call me. We need to have a serious talk.
I ignored her text, looking up at Simon again. "You look tired." He said simply. "I am." I admitted. I felt him grab my hand, the warmth of it making me smile. "Get some rest, love."
A/N I have no idea if lungs collapsing can cause pulmonary edema or vice versa. Just please go with it. I hope you all have/had a beautiful day!
