The Truth Comes Out

Chapter 18: Healing

"It's been three months, you'd think the swelling would've stopped by now."

Chloe examines her nose in the mirror. "I know, Aubrey..." She gently feels around the purple and blue spots marking her face. "But the doctor said after the splint is removed this would happen."

Aubrey shifts on her bed, watching Chloe with a creased brow. Chloe glances at her in the mirror and sighs. She turns her attention off of her nose and faces Aubrey. 

"What." She says dully. 

Aubrey shakes her head. "Nothing. I just - I don't like to see you like this, Chloe." 

Chloe slides next to Aubreys spot on the bed. 

"It seems like you've given up," Aubrey continues. "Before, you would visit the hospital every week. You would always text me about Beca, talking about how you miss her smell, her voice, stuff like that."

 Chloe lies back on the bed and gazes up at Aubrey's bumpy white ceiling. 

"It was expected; you loved her. It was a normal reaction." Aubrey sighs. "But now, it seems you've just stopped...working, and that's what really scares me. You're not the Chloe I know."

"I'm sorry, Aubs," Chloe whispers. The bumps in the ceiling turn into stars and constellations. "I'm still here. And I still miss her... so...much. And I feel her too; I know she's alive and breathing or whatever. But that's not enough. I want to hold her." She closes her eyes. "I want to kiss her."

"I know," Aubrey murmurs. 

Vrrrr. Vrrrr. Vrrrr. 

Chloe's phone vibrates on the bed. She opens her eyes and sits up before reaching to her phone. It's Cynthia Rose.

"Hey." Chloe says. 

"Hellooo. I'm having a couple of the girls over tonight for a movie. Wanna come?"

Chloe side-eyes Aubrey. "Can Aubrey come?" 

Aubrey points a finger at her chest. Me? She mouths. 

"Yeah that's great, she was next on my call-list." Cynthia responds. "So it's six o' clock at my place."

"Sounds good." 

Chloe ends the call. She puts her hands on her lap and purses her lips. Aubrey stares at her. 

"Oh, right. Cynthia is having a movie night tonight, and I agreed...for some reason. It's at six."

Aubrey relaxes. "Oh, fun!" 

"I guess."

Aubrey pouts. "Lighten up, Chlo. This could be good for you; take your mind off of Beca, Tom, your multi-colored nose..."

The edges of Chloe's lips turn up. "Thanks for that."

Aubrey pegs her with a pillow. "Come on, let's get ready."