Kalopsia // Fillie

Chapter t h r e e

♥three♥

ღadaptingღ

I come-to slowly, and slightly disoriented. Not exactly remembering where I am, I sit upright abruptly in the bed, only to be held down by my cast.

"Morning Millie," Finn says cheerily as he turns a black nob on his oxygen tank.

"Oh, good morning Finn..what time is it?"

"Eleven thirty, we both slept in," he laughs. I lay back down against the pillow and stare at the wall. The door creaks open slowly as my stomach grumbles, gaining a chuckle from our visitor.

"My my! You sound pretty hungry! No worries, we'll get you fed in a minute. I'm Dr. Ryder, just came to see how you're doing Miss. Brown."

How am I doing?

"Besides the fact my legs are both broken from my father's doing, I'm considerably fine."

Dr. Ryder's face turns sad, making me uncomfortable. Glancing over at Finn, I see he's trying to ignore our conversation while reading The Fault In Our Stars. "Overall Millie, how are you feeling? Not physically, but emotionally."

The middle-aged woman's eyes twinkle with sincerity, almost making me want to break down and spill everything I've held inside. Almost, but not quite.

"I'm okay, really. I promise."

Dr. Ryder wavers slightly, then shakes her head and sighs.

"Nurse Tessa will be here soon to bring you and Finn breakfast. I assume you're both acquainted."

Me and Finn lock eyes, causing him to smirk.

"Yeah," he begins. "We talked a little last night."

"Finn Wolfhard!" Dr. Ryder gasps. "You didn't let the poor girl sleep?"

The frail boy forces a sheepish grin.

"I mean eventually, yes, but I wanted to-" "I'm messing with you Finn, glad to know you talked. But next time, let Miss. Brown rest."

Dr. Ryder opens her mouth to continue, but gets interrupted by a small knock and a auburn-haired girl peeking in.

"I brought them breakfast."

The girl - who I'm guessing is Nurse Tessa - seems to be younger than most in her field. Maybe she volunteers, but of all the places, why here? Dr. Ryder motions for her to place the trays on our plastic night stands. To my disappointment, the meal is meager. A simple bowl of oatmeal, can of peaches, and an apple juice juice-box. Tessa must've noticed my look, because she leans over and whispers: "it tastes a lot better than it looks, trust me."

Giving her a small smile, I grab the tray and place it on my lap.

"Well, me and Nurse Tessa will leave you two to eat, if you need anything Millie, there's a small 'help' button on the side of your bed. Finn can show you later."

Dr. Ryder gives my arm an assuring squeeze right before she exits the room. Chuckling lightly, Finn flounces back on his mattress, reverting his attention to his book.

"Finn," I begin.

He casts his beautiful brown eyes over to mine, making me suddenly very self-conscious about being around him. Okay, focus Millie, focus.

"Yesterday, you got to know me, but I didn't really get to know you."

He sits up gingerly and adjusts his tube. "Okay, what would you like to know?"

I'm about to ask, but I get distracted. Distracted by the way the sunlight streams through the window and dapples his iris, turning the rings a hazy chestnut. Distracted by the way his black curls perfectly loop. I clear throat and look away. I really need to stop staring at him, definitely don't want to make things awkward.

"Um.."

Biting my lip, I realize I should've planned this out.

"What are your hobbies?"

He runs a hand through his hair and smiles, a truly genuine one.

"Prior to cancer, I loved playing guitar and singing, but singing takes too much air from my lungs, so the doctors made me stop. Mainly, I just draw, read, and listen to music now."

Glancing over at his nightstand, I point at the blue sleeve.

"I see you like The Fault In Our Stars, never met a boy that has."

At this, he laughs. Which turns into a slight snort, then a wheeze.

"It's...it's just so poetically beautiful. It's my Imperial Affliction. The quotes are also wonderful."

"Yeah, that's one of my favorite books." Finn grows serious and sweeps his legs over the side of the bed so he's facing me. "Millie," he starts.

"Mhm?"

"I have a very important question to ask you."

"Okay..?" I giggle.

He clasps his hands together and takes a deep breath, as deep as his lungs will allow.

"See, I know we just met and all, but I was wondering, will you be the Hazel Grace to my Augustus Waters?"

His eyes adorably plea with me to agree. "Which Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters? Pre or post Amsterdam?"

He taps his fair, freckled cheek lightly, contemplating my question as if I just asked him the meaning of life.

"Pre, the best friendships start out that way." I nod, in full agreement. "You better eat Millie, that stuff is awful cold." I grin at him, and he does likewise, but this time it's different. His eyes sparkle in a beautiful manner....making me believe I'll be okay here.

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~K