Broken

Chapter Thirty

My hospital room was dull. The walls were white. The bed was white. The couch was white. Everything was white. Perhaps the only thing in the room that was not white was my bright blue hospital gown. The television that was hanging from the ceiling was a large box and the screen flickered in dark hues. I looked over and saw a figure laying on the white couch. Blonde locks were covering the person's face.

I tried to sit up and miserably failed while letting out a wince. I reached up to the source of my pain and felt a large bandage covering my neck and chest and a rough line of stitches. I looked down and saw the needle stuck into my arm. I closed my eyes again. My head was pounding.

"You're awake!"

I looked over to the couch to see the blonde hair being pushed away from the face. Nora sat up and smiled at me. She got to her feet and moved to my bedside. She put her hands on the bed rail.

"Yeah," I said.

"Thank God you're okay," said Nora. "Everyone was so worried. I have to text your dad that you're awake. He's on his way here."

"You know my father?" I asked.

"No, but Justin had his number," said Nora. "We got ahold of him with my phone since Justin obviously didn't have his." Justin did not have his own phone. I remembered that. Justin's dad had it for some reason.

I nodded, "Where's Justin?"

My stomach churned, almost afraid to know the answer. I feared for his safety. In my dream, he was so...broken. I watched Nora carefully, ready to pick up on her response whether it be words or an expression.

"He's downstairs," said Nora.

"Downstairs?" I asked, not understanding what she meant.

"Yeah, probably getting something to eat," said Nora. She now had her phone out and was typing on it. I closed my eyes and leaned back into my pillow. I felt so sore everywhere. "Your dad is about five minutes away."

"Is it...Saturday?" I asked.

"Yes," said Nora with a nod.

"So...whatever happened, happened last night?"

"Yes," said Nora. "You're lucky. Every time I'm admitted here I slip into a coma for at least a week." She let out a shaky laugh. "You are okay, right?"

"I think so," I said. "My head hurts, but other than that..."

"I should get a doctor," said Nora. She slipped her phone into her pocket before moving towards the door. "I'll be right back."

I nodded and Nora left the room. I took a deep breath, trying to relax. A million thoughts and feelings were coursing through my body. I tried to push away thoughts questioning what had caused me to end up here. I was afraid to know. I kept reminding myself to relax. I was okay. I was going to be okay.

I looked over as the door gently was pushed open. I saw my favorite pair of brown eyes look in on me. My lips parted, but I said nothing as he entered the room. He pulled the door shut behind him without a sound. He slowly made his way to my bedside. His eyes were swirling with emotions like they had been in my dream. To my surprise, he looked exactly the same as he had in my dream. The same look in the eyes. The same clothes. The tension was new.

"You scared the hell out of me, Hayley Ann," he whispered as he took my hand in his. My eyes looked away from his to our hands. The IV in my arm stuck out like a sore thumb. I looked back up at him.

"Sorry?" I responded softly. There was a small smile on his lips for a flash. His eyes moved down, looking at the bandage on my neck that disappeared past the collar of the hospital gown. My free hand immediately went there. I had no clue what the damage was underneath. My fingers touched the edge of the bandage.