Tricky Angel

Chapter 7 Secrets

"Gabby, sweetheart, you've got to get up. We have to be at the hospital soon, so that you can get these casts off." Mum had had enough of lugging the wheelchair up and down the stairs every time I needed the bathroom. I knew she'd been looking forward to today. Though the bones had mended, bruises still covered the left side of my body. I looked around to see Mum had already hauled the wheelchair up the stairs.  

"Simon, get your ass in here. Gabby needs to get in the wheelchair." Dad came in and tried to explain that if I got in the wheelchair now, she wouldn't get me down the stairs, while I argued that I still wasn't dressed. Eventually she gave up. Dad took the wheelchair back downstairs as Mum helped me dress into a purple top and denim shorts.

After spending an hour in hospital, I was back in my room. The tree outside my window rustled. My head snapped up from the book I was reading, to find a face looking through the window, pebble in hand, with a look of terror on his face. I slid the window open, stood back and crossed my arms.  

"Can I come in please, this branch is snapping." 

"Whatever." I turned my back to him as thudded into the room. He walked round me and sat himself down on my bed. I couldn't look at him without feeling unwanted feelings of love.  

"Gabby, we really need to talk." His face was pained and his voice was almost silent. No shit, I thought but I didn't dare say it out loud.  

I started. I explained about the day he first started to ignore me being the day I felt abandoned again, he looked confused.  

"Matthew I was adopted after my parents left me in a box of clothes at a charity shop, in the middle of the night." He looked taken aback. No one knew that about me other than Katie (who had been the one to find me, thinking I was a doll) and my 'step parents'. 

"Gabby, I had to make a major decision that day." 

"You mean between your best friend and popularity? SOME CHOICE!" I was in tears, but he just shook his head. I could see his face getting redder by the second.  

"I'M AN ANGEL, GABBY!"

Mathew's POV 

The room was silent. I couldn't believe what I had actually done to he over the last 4 years.  

I'd almost killed her, abandoned her and now I'd scared her. Great! What an amazing friend I was. She'd backed away into a corner. I stood up from the bed and headed for the window. I was stopped by a pair of hands appearing around my waist.  

"Don't go. I need you. I-" she stifled a sob "I love you." I froze in place. That hadn't be what I'd expected. I turned slowly to face her.  

"I love you too, but I have to go." I kissed her forehead as she unhooked her arms. Then I was out the window.