Refusing Love

23. Call it a bluff

"You're exaggerating." I stood up with the intent of walking out of Alison's office. Adam grabbed my hand making me stop. "Why are you always so hasty? Stop for a second." he sighed. What did he expect? I knew Julian could never like someone like me.

"Look at me. Please, just take a good look at me then tell me how much can someone like Julian ever like me!" he was being too annoying for my taste.

Kyle walked over in a rush only to pinch my shoulder. "You're being stupid."

"That hurt!" I sulked rubbing my shoulder. "Julian likes you whether you want to believe it or not." Adam said again. I exchanged looks with Alison. She had her arms folded and I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Hey!" Adam pointed at me then at Alison. "Stop it." she said to Alison. "What?!" she shrugged her shoulders. "You're giving her the look."

"What look?!" she exclaimed.

"The one that says don't-believe-anyone." Adam explained and Alison scoffed.

"Shut up, Adam. I don't have a look!"

"You do, I've seen it on you before!" Adam waved his finger around Alison's eyes. She slapped his hand. "Fine, I have a look but I have the right to give it to her. This isn't a joke!" she sighed.

Adam turned to look at me again.

"Charlie, my parents don't know the whole story. They blame you for what happened to Julian. Don't be too harsh on them if they say anything. Please!" he pleaded.

I nodded. "Call me if you need anything!" I said to Alison then left.

All day I have avoided anyone in relation to Julian. I did my work on certain areas that I knew for sure I wouldn't stumble upon Mason or Julia or even Adam.

Julian likes you too, Charlie.

That's absurd and ridiculous and very much not true. I shook the thought away as soon as it came to my mind, and it came a lot of times.

Alison asked for another piece if cake. It was the third today, that girl was in a lot of stress.

Once I gave it to her, Adam came to her office again. I rushed to get outside before he started talking nonsense.

It was weird to see him with Alison all the time but I didn't think about it much. All I could think about was whether Julian will wake up or not.

Just as I was about to leave the reception, Hannah, one of the nurses stopped me.

"Charlie, please take this to room 204. I have so much going on and I am completely alone." she cried. "Where is everyone?" I asked grabbing the heavy bag. "Having a life!"she rolled her eyes. "Who has one of those these days?!" she shrugged her shoulders. I scoffed then proceeded to the room.

There was a small tag attached to the bag but I didn't bother looking. If this were a normal day, I would because I'd be curious. I always made up a story of the patientes lives trying to get a glimpse of their souls. All out of curiosity.

But it seemed like my curiosity was now directed towards Julian.

All of it.

I let myself in the room. The first two beds were empty. I looked at the third and last and saw a boy with a bandage over his nose and a lot of scraches on his face.

His eyes widened as soon as he saw me.

The first thing on my mind was to run as fast as I could but I stopped my self. For that brief second, I was to become strong.