Within your heart

Chapter 8: Home sweet home

My eyes peered open timidly. The doctor stood over me smiling- creepy. "Good Morning" he said as I slowly dragged myself up so I was sitting facing the doctor.

I readjusted the pillows to suit my new position as my eyes took in my surroundings. My mother was once again asleep in the chair, wearing the same clothes as she had been in yesterday. I could see a new resident in the room lying asleep in the bed accross from me 'Aaron Smith' was written on the board above him.

Hmm.. I snapped my eyes back to the doctor just as he began to speak "So I've had a look over your tests and you seem to have healed well- which is great news, In terms of when you are going to be released we are going to keep you in until tomorrow just to monitor your stats for another day now that your awake.

We would still like an overall better picture of how your body's functioning now that you are out of your comma. This is very standard, we just have to be able to prove that without a shadow of a doubt you are stable enough to leave our premises.

I would of loved to catch your mother to inform her of this decision however as she is still asleep would you mind passing on this information?" The doctor said. Bright eyed and seemingly unblinking- he was almost robotic in his movement and manner of speaking. I slowly nodded- it was far too early for such an overload of information.

I was sure I could relay it back once I had time to process what he had even said. "But- hey look on the bright side, you appear better rested so feel free to roam around the facility.

There's our lovely cafe and social area. You might even make some friends" the doctor said as he left the room. Make some friends? As if. I looked over at the small white plastic clock next to my bed 7am? Since when do I get up at 7am? "Stuff this" I uttered to myself as I readjusted my pillows, lay back down and went back to sleep.

When I woke again it was 11, a much more reasonable time to wake up. I peered over to see that my mum was awake, blowing on a seemingly fresh tea trying to cool it down. "Morning" my mum said. How did she know I was awake? She didn't even look at me? Strange... "Mum I think you should go home and get some rest" I said with genuine concern leaking from my voice.

My mum was a very pristine woman who cares alot about her appearance and what others think of her- looking at her now you'd never assume that. She looks, to put it kindly, a mess. Her hair is everywhere, there are food stains on her clothes, her eyes appear sulken and deflated.

She needs to shower and put on some fresh clothes asap. My mum didn't even reply. I expected some snarkly comment or a scowl but nope nothing. Not even a glance in my direction. She sighed into her tea and uttered "I know".

My mum left around 20 minutes later. I feel guilty for saying this but I was glad that she left. Purely because she needs some rest and a shower!! I could see some shuffling from the bed accross from me. Moments later a boy sat up, he looked to be around the same age as me if not older.

He had a mess of tousled brown hair adorning his head and brown eyes, he is ever so slightly tanned and very chisled. Much better looking than most people in this God forsaken town.

He peered over at me "Hey" he said, voice grovely from having just woken up. "Hey" I uttered back hoping he wouldn't instantly hate my guts like most people tend to do.

"Know what time it is?" He said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "11:25" I stated as I peered at the cheap plastic clock on the bedside table. "Ahh shit.." He groaned as he began to properly sit up. "Is there a problem?" I hesitated, not wanting to intrude.

"I missed breakfast" he said with a pout. The fact that the first thing on his mind when he wakes up is food makes me believe we actually could be friends. "Hey Aaron-" I began, "how do you know my name?" He questioned defensively. "It's on the board above your bed" I said matter of factly as he glanced up.

"Oh sorry" he retorted back shyly. "Wanna get some food? I know breakfast is over but we could check out food in the cafeteria?" I asked, "Sure" he replied back as he pulled back the covers and stepped off the bed, revealing a large tattoo sleeve of Ravens . I got up out of bed too, questioning whether or not I should get changed...nah fuck it.

We trapsed along the long white halls that all appeared the same for atleast 20 minutes just going round and round in circles.

Eventually we broke the loop and managed to find the escalator to the floor with the canteens. I ended up ordering the most appetizing thing I could find. Vegetable soup and toast.

Aaron ordered mashed potatoes, chicken and gravy with vegetables which he came to regret after taking a bite. Hospital food is vile.

Always play it safe. The soup was more like vegetable stock but whatever I was just glad I was vegan and not having to eat the slop on his plate. We joked about how bad the food was and how robotic the doctor was. We each had our conspiracies.

When I asked Aaron what he was in for he wouldn't tell me. He said it would "make it real" I could understand that. I of all people completely understood where he was coming from.