Breakaway | d.h

Chapter Nineteen

"Sorry I'm late,"

"No worries. I'm Daniel. But you can call me Dan,"

"I'm Katie. It's nice to meet you, Dan."

I slowed as I neared his room, stopping a few feet away from the door to catch my breath. Running wasn't exactly my thing, but if it meant being in his arms- Hell, it was worth every step.

Suddenly a wave of realization flowed over me. Dan was all I had now. He was mine.

If he didn't make it, I'd be alone. He was the only thing that kept me hoping, keeping me alive. All this time I was just wasting my life running around in circles, like a dog chasing his tail.

Lance ruined my life, only because I allowed him to. Dan always had my back, even when he probably shouldn't have.

I sighed and continued walking down the hallway of broken dreams. I began to chew my finger nails as I couldn't recall just what room he was in.

How could I have forgotten?

I stood up straight and swallowed my fear of strangers for a moment to find somebody to help me.

I sighed with relief when I spotted a nurse writing on a clip board just down the hall from me.

"Excuse me," I said as I approached the lady in white. "Would you happen to know what room Dan Howell is in?"

The nurse looked up at me from her clipboard, her face dull and tired. She sighed and flipped through the pages in front of her. She paused on a page that read 'Patient 687:HOWELL'.

"A couple rooms down to the left. He should be waking up any moment now," she told me and pointed down the hall.

I thanked her and hurried off. Tears began to wet my eyes as I reached his room. I peered into the small window on his door, it was him alright.

I sighed with relief as I pushed the door open, only to interrupt a conversation between Dan and a red head I had never seen before.

"You must be Katie," she said flatly, looking me up and down as if I was some sort of foreign object.

I nodded, "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

Dan shook his head, a dull smile on his face. He looked so fragile, but his eyes oozed with life.

"I made it," he chuckled slightly.

I smiled and fought the urge to run into his arms. Who was this girl, that he had never mentioned before?

"Yes you did. Just like you promised," I replied, my voice cracking.

I wanted to kiss him so badly, but how could I with that witch standing there.

"Say your goodbyes," She ordered and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

I turned to Dan and waited for an explanation. He frowned and moved his shoulders up and down slowly, "Sorry, that's my sister."

I nodded and sat myself on the edge of his bed. I hadn't knew he had a sister, or was close with anyone in his family. He hadn't mentioned a sister on any of those cold nights, when he talked so badly about his family.

"That's alright, at least she's here," I forced a smile on my face as he sat up in his spot.

"I guess," he breathed and looked up into my eyes.

"You never mentioned a sister," I exhaled through my nose, baffled.

He frowned and cupped my face with his hand, melting me with his touch.

"I love you," he whispered and pulled me close.

My face softened as he pressed his lips to mine. I kissed back as soft as I could, afraid I would hurt him in our moment of bliss.

He pulled away, but instead of seeing love in his eyes, I seen tears.

"Oh, I didn't hurt you did I?" I asked, panic filling my voice as I quickly moved.

He quickly wiped his eyes and held his hands over his face. A prolonged sigh escaping his lips.

"She wants me to leave with her tomorrow," he whimpered into his shaking hands.

I felt my heart sink, " W-what?"

He took a shaky breath before moving his hands to his hair. Tears streaming down his face as he shook his head at me.

"I have a chance out there," He breathed, his voice shaky.

I stood up, my vision beginning to blur with tears, "So that's it? W-were done? Just like that?"

He grabbed my hand and pulled me back towards him, "I'd be damned if I let you slip away that easily."

I threw myself into his arms, letting out small whimpers as I clung to his black cotton shirt, "I love you so much"

"Come with me?" He asked and placed gentle kisses on my temple.