Forsaking Lilly

Chapter Thirty One

I was released from the hospital early sunday morning, and, believe me, I was more than ready to return home. I didn't get to leave the hospital right away, seeing as I had to wait for my mother to go home and get me some clean clothes, but I was ready to dart as soon as I got dressed

" Be easy, honey," my mother said from behind me as she reached to help me put on my shirt. I tried to shrug her away, but my body was still just a little swampy. 

" Mom, I've got it," I said for maybe the hundreth time. During my whole stay at the hospital, she'd been fretting to do everything for me: fix my pillows, help me to the bathroom, help me drink my water. I was fed up with it and I felt like I was on the verge of snapping.

" Okay, okay, Calla. Sorry." She moved towards the door instead as I bent to scoop down the bag that held my costume from the night before. I was starting to remember the party in bits and pieces but some things were still hard to remember. For example, I couldn't remember whether or not Corrie dressed up as a fairy and I couldn't quite decide which of the twins got to be Batman.

" Did they ever find out who spiked the punch, mom," I asked but she shook her head.

" That sucks," I muttered, bending to tie the laces on my sneakers. I teetered a bit, but I managed to keep myself steady. " Alright, I'm ready to leave." My mother wasted no time, softly she began to usher me from the hospital room, staying close so that she could catch me if I fell. I kept thinking to tell her that it wasn't like I broke my leg, but I figured I should just leave her be.

When we got out to the waiting room, I was surprised to see Cooper sleeping in one of the chairs. Even from the other side of the room, I could hear his snores. The little bags under his eyes told me that he'd had a hard time sleeping. I fantasized that it was because he was worried about me, but I quickly told myself that it wasn't true. His hair was mussed in a seriously sloppy manner, and I even took note that he was still wearing his cowboy outfit. I couldn't help but giggle at the way he was sprawled over the small waiting chair, his left leg dangling over the arm of it. Without a word to my mother, I began to walk over to him and was shocked to see that I made it all the way over without him sturring at all.

" Hey," I said softly, shaking his shoulder gingerly, " Cooper, wake up." His eyes snapped open and he sat upright, as if I'd startled him. Surprised, I took a step back and waited for him to see me. When he did, his eyes softened and he even managed to smile, though he really looked like crap.

" Hey, Cal, you're okay."

" Yeah, not really. I still feel a little muddy, but I've been discharged at least." With a grunt, he managed to slide out of the chair and stand up. Most likely sensing that his hair was a mess, he began to use his fingers to comb through his tangeled locks. I smiled, unable to help myself. He did too, but then he turned to look back at my mother.

" Do you think it would be alright if I drive Calla home Mrs. Loren?" I was shocked, but I didn't show it when I turned back to look at my mother. I could see the strain going across her face, she really didn't want to let me out of her sight. But, alas, her normal ways won out and she nodded with a forced grin. I watched as she waved at me, a final look of concern gleaming in her eyes, and she turned to Cooper.

" If anything happens to my daughter, I'll have your neck Cooper." That was the first time I'd ever heard my mother threaten anyone. We watched my mother leave before Cooper spoke again.

" Calla, I really am sorry for what happened to you."  I looked down at my hands at that. I never really blamed Cooper for what happened to me. It wasn't like he could have known the punch was spiked. But I couldn't help but wonder if I should blame him. I mean, if he hadn't been ignoring me, if he hadn't made me feel like I needed to get away from him, I never would've went to the punch bowl in the first place. Despite the feelings that were swirling in my mind, I shook my head at him.