Butterfly

23. A Nice Distraction.

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Nice Distraction.

♡ Jessica Washington ♡

The next few weeks are spent in hospital with my mum. My mum woke up the next morning after she went to hospital, and we spoke to her about her options, but she decided that it wasn't worth having the treatment when she's sure that it won't work. Essentially, she's waiting it out. It was a difficult decision, but I suppose we have to respect what she wants.

Today is the first day I haven't spent in the hospital. I've been in and out of the hospital for the past two weeks, but I haven't really spoken to anyone other than family members. However today I've had to go out shopping, because it's River's birthday and I feel like I should get him something, even though I haven't really talked to him except through texts. He's having a small party, with just a couple of friends coming over, but I'm not sure that I want to go. I'd rather spend it with my mum, but we'll see.

It's a school day as it's a Wednesday, but I've been allowed to not go into school as long as I do the work at home and email it all in at the end of each week, so I've been doing my work in the hospital room.

Now, I'm walking through a shopping centre trying to find something to give to River. What the hell do you get the boy you like for his birthday?

I start off by walking into some clothing shops and buy him some clothes, including a new jacket, a new pair of jeans and a new t-shirt. Then I head out of the shop and walk into a video game store. There's a new game out which is supposed to be good so I buy him that too, which is fairly expensive.

Although I feel like I have got him terrible, basic presents, I do think it is easier to buy for girls than boys. For girls, you can just get them jewellery, makeup, shoes, anything really. For boys, it's more difficult.

As I'm walking out the shopping centre, I buy a box of chocolates for him, some wrapping paper and a card, before heading to the bus stop to get a bus home.

The bus journey is long. The bus jolts forward every time it brakes and everyone is chatting loudly, which is giving me a headache. I lean my forward against the dirty window and watch as the other cars pass by, before the bus reaches my stop. I press the button as the bus approaches my stop, before the bus stops and I walk down the aisle and get off the bus, thanking the awful driver as I do this.

I walk the rest of the way home which takes around ten minutes, before I finally reach my house. My dad hasn't left the hospital yet at all, while Jasmine, Joe and Blake have been going back and forth. I've spent all my time at the hospital, apart from coming home to get food for my dad and I and to get clothes for us too. Other than that, I've been at the hospital all the time.

I walk into the living room where Blake and Joe are watching TV, while Jasmine is making them all lunch.

"Do you want something to eat?" Jasmine calls from the kitchen, hearing me walk into the living room.

"Yes please," I accept her offer, before I start to wrap up River's presents. This doesn't take long, and I quickly write the card, before putting it all into a gold gift bag.

I eat my lunch after this, watching whatever Joe and Blake are watching - I think that it is one of those shows like Embarrassing Bodies or something, which puts me off my lunch a little bit. I quickly finish my lunch, before I head upstairs to my room.