Our Sandbox

twenty - nolan

Don't let me fool you. 

Getting hit in the head by a 200 pound linebacker hurts. 

A lot. 

But the good part of being stuck in the hospital is that Piper has been staying with me the entire time. I don't remember most of my stay, the pain medication they gave me was so strong. 

Had some crazy dreams though. Crazy, nice, piper-related dreams. 

I get to go home today, and part of me wishes I could stay and watch Piper's slightly opened mouth breathing as she sleeps on a chair next to my bed, her hair up in the world's messiest bun, tendrils of hair floating up and down with her inhales and exhales. Her face is free of makeup, and slight bags hang from under her tired eyes. But she's perfect, the light stippling of freckles scattering her cheeks like a connect the dot, just waiting for someone to pencil in the gaps. 

I stand up from the hospital bed, now fully dressed in the sweats and t-shirt my mom had brought me to change into. The slight creak of the bed's springs wakes Piper, and she lets out a little snort as she wipes drool from the corner of her lip. 

Rubbing her eyes, she squints up at me sleepily, giving a soft lipped smile. 

"Morning, Duchess." I greet her, my voice hoarse and cracking still. 

"Morning, Duck." She yawns, stretching her arms away from her and emitting a tiny squeak as she does so. 

She pulls at the sleeves of my hoodie that's draped over her like a blanket, the arms hanging at her sides as they engulf her hands. I can't lie, I love seeing her in my clothes. 

The door of my room opens and heavy laughter is heard as I turn to face Mike and William. 

Mike's eyes go to Piper, who waves shyly. 

They're just friends. I tell myself. 

"How you feeling?" Mike turns back to me, a white toothed grin on his mouth. 

"Like a million bucks." I say sarcastically, and we clap our hands together, bros. William does the same, and I step back, subconsciously stepping to the side to block Piper from Mike's view, at least a small bit. 

"How about you, Reynolds?" William is the one to speak to Piper this time, and I'm grateful for it. 

"I'm doing well." She says quietly, yawning slightly into her, well, my sleeve. 

The room is quiet for a second, as we all try to think of something to say. 

"Coach is pissed, man. He almost clobbered the other team's coach after you got taken to the hospital." Mike laughs slightly, placing a hand in front of his mouth. "Was screaming about how they were playing dirty and should just forfeit right there." 

"Yeah, that guy just went at you like a bulldozer." William agrees, making the sound of an explosion with his mouth, pushing his hands out to the side. 

I'm only half listening, as I watch Mike walk over to Piper from the corner of my eye. It's fine, it's fine, everything is fine. 

"How've you been?" He asks her, sitting down in the chair next to her. "I heard about your step-dad." 

I turn to them slightly, waiting for Piper to lash out at him for mentioning Jerry. But she doesn't, just smiles softly, her eyes twinkling with something that doesn't settle well in the pit of my stomach. 

"I'm fine, I've been staying with Nolan for a while, waiting for everything to calm down at home." She smiles up at me, and my annoyance fades slightly.