Again

Chapter 20.

''And?'' Heather is the first one to speak up, as we appear out of the door. Two nurses roll Finn down the hall with the bed.

I look at Niall. ''You thought wrong. It's not fully broken, but the Articulatio capitis costae has cracks, though," I bite my lip.

"It's not fully broken," I repeat for myself. I am so relieved even though I am furious at Harry.

Emma blinks repeatedly, looking at Heather. ''The what?''

She raises her hands in surrender. ''Don't look at me, I'm not the biology freak.''

I roll my eyes at her. ''Thanks,'' I say sarcastically. ''It's the fifth rib. We have twelve.''

''And what are they doing with him now?''

''Doing some more tests,'' I explain, taking my phone in my hands. ''He's not allowed to do anything for a month, but the doctor is positive that the cracks will heal fast. It probably won't even take a month, but just to make sure you know," I explain, while typing a text. I read over it again and send it before I can change my mind.

''And what about the bruises?'' Niall asks, picking at the skin around his nails. He seems nervous, shifting nervously around. I push my phone back into the pockets of my jeans.

I lick my dry lips. ''It's from 'the fall'. A reaction of the skin, nothing more. He gave us some salve and pain killers,'' I grab Niall on the arm. ''Will you please, please look after him?''

He nods. ''Of course. He's one of my best friends," he says, a grin spreading on his full lips. "But you're always welcome to make us food."

• • •

An hour later Finn is back in his bed, surrounded by hundredths of pillows and his laptop. ''I will just watch Netflix for a month,'' he says groggily.

I laugh. ''As if you didn't do that before. You're finishing five seasons in a weekend! I would finish three seasons in a month. I'll give you a list with movies to watch,'' I say, and place a tray of coffee and sandwiches I made next to Finn's bed.

"If I find 'the notebook' on it, I will burn it."

"That's not my favorite movie and you know it," I roll my eyes playfully. ''Here. I have to leave now, but I will text you as soon as I'm home.''

''Okay,'' he grins, his eyes widened like the ones of a little boy as he also discovers the cookies on the tray. ''You're the best friend in the whole world,'' he sings, taking one in his mouth. I smile, feeling the anger dissolve a little in my chest.

''How are you going to get home?'' Finn asks, before I get the chance to get up the bed. I remember Finn's old bedroom and how he would play video games on his bed, while I was next to him reading a book. He hated when I did that, he would rather have me join him. And I did once in a while. I only now realize how often I used to visit him, but since I'm here, he never invited me over. I still have to figure out what that means.

I look out the window. ''We called Emma's mum,'' I explain, avoiding his curious eyes. ''Don't forget to take your medicine.''

I place them in his hand and he does as he is told, gulping them down with his glass of water. ''Thank you,'' he smiles. ''And now tell me who really is bringing you home.''

For a moment I freeze, before my smile fades. ''W-what?'' I stutter dumbly. Smooth, Mia.

He narrows his eyes at me. ''Do you really think I suddenly forget how you never look at my face when you lie?''

''That's not true!''

''I can ask Mrs. Brown if you like. I have her number right here.. .’’ he says, showing me his phone. I could feel my cheeks coloring red, and the air in the room suddenly seems to get thicker. I scratch my forehead.