SEVENTEEN
May 31st, 2015
"You've got a visitor," Olivia says, coming into my ward, even though it's dark outside and it's definitely past visiting hours. Still, my head jerks up expectantly, and the corners of my mouth tilt upwards when I see the Boy.
He's wearing a tie. An actual tie, with a shirt and everything. I wouldn't have thought of him as a tie kind of guy, but admittedly, he looks good. A flush creeps its way onto my face and I try to mask it with a smile.
"Hey," I whisper, not wanting to wake everyone else.
"Look," he says, fiddling with his tie. "I don't have much time, so here goes nothing."
In the split second it takes for him to reach my side, he grabs my face and kisses me.
I freeze.
This boy might actually like me back. And maybe not even because he feels bad for me, because that would be taking it too far, even for him. When did this even happen? Was it my charming hospital gown that pulled him in? Or was it my wheezing coughs?
This must be a strange sight to witness, what with his tie and my hideous gown. But all thoughts of my image and the consequences to follow desert my mind as I sink into blissful oblivion. Pa always told me to live in the moment.
This is a highly inappropriate time to be thinking about my dad.
He pulls away to meet my slightly dazed eyes. "What are you thinking about?"
"My dad," I answer, and he gives me a weird look.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"That came out wrong," I admit, and he nods his head.
"It did," he agrees.
"So, um, what was all that about?" I finally break the silence.
"You mean the Dad part? I don't know, either."
I glare at him, and he scratches his neck, averting his gaze.
"I mean, there isn't much to say, is there?" he mutters shyly. "You know, I like you, and you may not like me, and—"
I cut him off by wrapping my arms around his waist. I do not regret my decision to stay. Not one bit. Not since he came into my life.
He responds likewise, pulling me closer. My ribs, which definitely haven't healed yet, scream in protest, but right now, I couldn't care less. The adrenalin coursing through my veins numbs it all.
"I think I might like you, too" I say, my voice hoarse for some reason.
"Thank God, or that would've been pretty embarrassing."
I scowl at him. "How hard would it be to shut up and not ruin the moment for once, Boy?"
"Sorry," he says and starts humming a 90's pop song.
"Just remember," he says with a sudden burst of inspiration, "there's always a light at the end of the tunnel."
"That, my friend," I state, "is a train out to slam into you. You worry me. Don't go around standing in tunnels."
He snorts. "Only you, Girl. Only you. But seriously. Promise me you'll die in a nice, warm bed. Not a hospital bed. Or in a freezing ocean. Next to a sinking ship."
"That seemed oddly specific, but I won't let go, Jack," I say earnestly.
We share one long look before cracking up.
His fingers gently intertwine themselves with mine, and I try not to drown in sweat and tears.
"But seriously," I mimic, leaning on his chest. "I thought I'd made it clear that I'm not going anywhere."
His face breaks into a real smile, before he snickers. "I mean, I don't think you could, even if you wanted to. You know, with the wire things and stuff."
I shake my head, seriously questioning why I have the biggest crush on this loser. We lapse into silence again, and I focus on my breaths, trying to make them steady and not too obvious that I'm literally sniffing him. He smells like bleach and the beach. Probably because he spends his days rolling in sand. I can't explain the bleach. "I thought you said you didn't have much time? Do you have to go somewhere?"
"Hours behind schedule, but I'll live."
A/N
This was one of my favorite chapters to write haha
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