Speak Now

Chapter 18: Tris steals my phone

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

-Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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When I return to consciousness, the first thing I hear is my mother's voice.

I try to peel open my eyes but my eyelashes stick to my skin, as if I've been out for a long time.

"Mom?" I croak.

"She's awake Doctor! Oh thank God!" My mom takes my hand in her small rough ones and relief pumps through me. The events of the night seep into my memories and I shiver.

"How are you feeling Madeley?" A man's grave voice asks, and I force my eyes open to look where I am.

White walls seem to press in around me. I'm lying on a soft cushioned bed with narrow rails to keep me from falling out in my sleep. Besides my bed, there are two leather sofas on which my mom resides.

At the front of the room, near the door, stands a man wearing a white coat. He smiles at me kindly, waiting for a response.

"Am I in a hospital?" I ask meekly. My voice sounds hoarse and dry.

My mom bites her lips nervously,"Yes darling. Two boys dropped you off. I think they're still waiting outside."

Two boys. Adrian and Tristan?
But then why aren't they at each other's throats?

The Doctor comes up to me and checks my temperature,"Good. Your fever has worn off."

I blink,"Fever? How long was I out?"

My mom purses her lips,"About 10 hours."

TEN HOURS?

My mom pats my hand reassuringly, "How do you feel honey?"

I wince as my headache returns,"Um my head hurts and my throat...."

The Doctor shakes his head,"You shouldn't have drunk at the party Madeley."

My mom nods,"I TOLD you. It triggers your anxiety and I was SO WORRIED." She sighs in relief,"Thank God for those boys. If it weren't for them..."

"Well, Madeley," The Doctor interrupts,"Do you think you can go home now?"

My throat still feels a little parched and my headache isn't that bad so I nod expressively,"Yeah. I feel much better."

The Doctor nods,"Okay. Well let me know when you're ready." and with a smile, he walks out, scribbling on his clipboard.

For a moment, my mother and I remain silent, and disppontment courses through me.

Why do I always make things hard for  her?

"Mom," I say,"I'm sor-"

"Madeley!"

I turn to see Holland grinning at me from the doorway. His hair is dishevelled so that it falls more on one side of his face than the other. Under the harsh light, his freckles are more apparent that they were the first time I'd seen him.

"Hi!" I say, smiling back.

And then I pause. From behind Holland, a guy clad entirely in black appears. He leans against the door frame, his intense eyes burning into mine.

"Ah they're here," My mom stands up to smile at them,"I can't find enough words to thank you too for helping my daughter."

Holland shrugs,"No biggie, Mrs Prince."