Chim - Make You Stay

Chapter 8

Cheryl

When I open my eyes, I feel like my brain is trying to escape through my scull, pounding on it constantly. I remember what happened the previous night, and where I am and I just want to break down and cry.

I feel someone holding my hand and look down to see Kim clutching onto me with her head on the bed, asleep. Why is she even here? I remember being so rude to her, shouting at her on the phone. She looks so gorgeous when she's sleeping and I know I don't deserve her at all.

I squeeze her hand and her eyelids flutter open, two gorgeous green eyes staring into mine. I can't keep her eye contact, guilt overtaking me. Why is she still here with me?

She squeezes my hand and I look up at her and there are tears spilling from her eyes. I shuffle over on the bed to make space, pulling the duvet back and letting her climb in beside me. She instantly hugs me and I feel so safe and loved in her arms.

We hold each other and cry for a short while and she tucks some loose strands of hair behind my ear.

"This is all my fault and I am so sorry"

I'm surprised by her comment- I've done this to myself.

"How is it your fault? I've done this to meself. I got drunk and decided to go wandering about on the streets"

She pulls me closer, holding onto me tightly.

"I should have been there to protect you"

I don't say anything, just gently rub her back in an attempt to soothe her whilst she cries.

After a while she calms down, and her breathing slows as she falls asleep, still holding on to me tightly as she drifts off.

It's only when I wake up that I realise I'd fallen asleep. Kim's no longer beside me, and I panic a bit, but I soon see her coming towards me with the doctor.

"You can go home this afternoon" the doctor tells me, and I'm so pleased. I've never liked hospitals and I'd rather be laying in my own bed.

"You need to listen to me Miss Tweedy. No going anywhere for about a week. You need to eat properly or you're going to end up here again soon, and no more alcohol! The next time you end up here like this, you will be forced to get mental help, is that clear?"

I just nod, scared. I never want to end up in this situation again but at the same time, I don't know how I'm going to break this cycle. It has become my life now.

The doctor leaves and Kim climbs into the bed again.

"What am I gonna do?" I whisper.

Kim looks at me defiantly.

"You're going to stay at my house for a week or so. Let me look after you until you can handle things on your own. Sort this out together"

I go to protest but she puts her finger over my lips, stopping me.

"Babe, this is what's best for you, I promise. I can't let this happen again"

She cares about me so much and it scares me slightly. Nobody has wanted to look after me like this in a long time. I shuffle closer to her and put my head onto her chest and my arm over her middle, and she slowly strokes my hair. We fit like two pieces of a puzzle, hugging like this, and I never want it to end.

I wake up with a jolt and I can't believe that I fell asleep again. Kim has been shaking me to wake up.

"It's time to go home"

She helps me out of my hospital gown and into some new clothes, which I realise she must have got for me when I was sleeping.

"How did you get into me house to get these?

"You left the door unlocked"

I feel like an idiot all over again. Kim helps me out of bed and supports me whilst we go outside to the cab. I didn't realise how tired I was until then, and how hard it was for me to walk.

When we're in the cab, Kim lets the driver know where to go and we set off.

"I'm gonna pop into your house first and grab some things you'll need, phone, clothes, pjs and stuff. That okay?"

I simply nod. She's so thoughtful, I love that about her.

She faces away from me, staring out of the window, but she holds on to my hand throughout the journey.

****

Kimberley

I go into Cheryl's house and walk straight upstairs into her bedroom. It looks un-lived in, crazily neat and untouched.

I find a small suitcase and began piling things in. Clothes, underwear, flannel, toothbrush, phone. I find her cigarettes and lighter and put those in too, knowing that she'll be mad at me if I don't.

I close the case and leave the house, a small flutter of excitement inside me. Locking the front door, I go back to the car, put the case in the boot and we set off for my flat.

Once we're up the stairs and into the flat, I carefully help Cheryl onto the sofa. She groans, leaning forward and putting her head in her hands. She had struggled getting up the stairs and it's made her breathless and dizzy.

I go and sit down beside her, putting my arm over her shoulders. She has her eyes shut tightly, trying to block out the dizziness. She opens them suddenly and looks into mine, and I melt slightly inside.

I help her lay down on the sofa, then go into the kitchen to make us both a cup of tea. It feels so nice having her here with me, at least this way I feel like I can always keep her safe and make sure that she's okay.

When I take our drinks into the living room, she's fallen asleep on the sofa. She's done nothing but sleep for most of the day, but of course I don't mind. She looks so breathtakingly beautiful when she sleeps.

I get a blanket and put it over her, deciding to leave her to it. She looks so small and gentle and so special to me, and I cant help but lean down and kiss her softly on the forehead.

"Sweet dreams babe"