Luna

• 24 •

Your Mom...She's From Here

I felt myself waking up slowly,

My senses gradually started coming back to me as I rested under a thin cotton blanket. I could feel the rise and fall of my chest as the movement synced with my tranquil breathing. A regulated beeping echoed throughout the silent room, bouncing off every last wall.

Eventually, my groggy eyes peeled opened once I established there was not a chance of me lulling myself back to sleep. It felt as if I hadn't slept for months and had been running a marathon within that time- every inch of me was exhausted.

As I woke, I began taking in my new found surroundings. Although I had never been in this room before, it was undeniably a hospital room from the limited decor and simple white walls. Unlike the movies and everything I had ever read, there wasn't a brilliant blinding light coming from overhead, as all the lights were turned off and the only dim color came from a small beside lamp.

Soft snores alerted me to someones presence and I looked rapidly to my left. However, I was instantly put at ease to see Paul sitting in a chair besides my bed, his arms folded on the bed as his head rested on them. One of my hands were loosely lying in his own as his fingers curled and rubbed against my palm.

My gaze of pure fondness and admiration for him began to die down as I began to realize the state he was in. His hand that was intertwined with mine had bitten down fingernails and skin, dried blood coating his cuticles. Paul's skin was always such a rich tan but now it had lost its shine and considerably paled as dark, deep set circles cursed his face.

I was aware of the dull ache that began spreading in my body as my consciousness grew, but my concern for Paul topped everything else and right now was becoming a high priority.

"Paul." My voice had barely any volume and my throat felt particularly scratchy, so I cleared my throat and tried once more.

"Paul?"

He mumbled something incoherently in his sleep and began stirring. Smiling lightly as his sleepiness, I pulled my hand from his and ran my fingers through his hair.

Something about my touch must have shocked him to his core for as I continued to gently scratch his scalp, he shot awake- wide eyed and heavy breathing.

"Aurora?" He questioned, in disbelief as we made eye contact. "Y-you're awake?"

I couldn't stop my small smile from spreading, "Hi..."

"Thank fucking god!" He grinned and rather abruptly, he took my face in his hands and kissed me.  

Our lips moved against each other and it was as if a part of me began regenerating. His warm touch felt invigorating against my cool skin and I could stop the smile stretching across my face. 

Paul was the first to pull back, yet not completely as his lips grazed on mine and his nose gently bumped against my own.

His natural aroma of pine filled the air between us and I took a deep breath, still having a small smile on my face as he sat back in his chair.

"You're awake," He repeated once more as if he couldn't believe his eyes, "you can't believe what a relief it is to see your eyes opened."