LIAR | QUEEN AU

Chapter 35 - Yesterday, My Life Was In Ruin, Now Today I Know What I'm Doing

I fluttered my eyes open. It was a struggle. They felt heavy. Very heavy.

All I saw was white at first. My heart started to beat faster. What the hell? Where was I? My fleeting panic died down as I realized it was only the ceiling I was staring at.

My neck still feeling too sore to move, I managed to direct my eyes down at my hands. Wires. Lots of them. With my head pounding, I clenched my teeth as I looked to my side. Monitors. Lots of them.

A loud, annoying beeping rung out from my left side. It synced up with the own beating of my heart. A heart beat monitor. Am I in a hospital? Why would I-

"JOHN!" Julie cried out. Before I could even react, she dashed towards me and attacked me with the grandest hug I think I've ever received.

Speechless, I rubbed her back attempting to assuage her sobs. I guess she noticed my faster heart rate and thought to turn around. She was hysterical. I couldn't do anything but quietly embrace her.

My eyes darted around the room. There was Mum, Dad, Julie of course, Brian, and Roger. I didn't think I'd be seeing them all in one room. They all seemed shocked. For what? Is it because I'm awake? I didn't know they liked my good company that much.

Julie squirmed a bit accidentally hitting me on a spot that hurt a bit too much. I winced as her hand hovered over my left side. I cursed, my throat dry, "Sh*t!"

"S-sorry..." she mumbled, wiping her tears. I frowned as her sniffling only became stronger. She looked a mess. I couldn't speak. I had no idea what was going on! She squeaked, "I, I'm sorry, John."

Barely able to move my arm, I motioned for her to come closer to me. She hugged me again. This time, I whispered into her ear, "Don't be sorry, Julie. I'm alright. I'm awake."

"You... you weren't. And my God, John, you scared me... you scared me so much..." Julie clung onto me tighter, her voice shaky and quiet.

I couldn't express how confused I was. I tried my best to console her, but I couldn't even bloody remember what happened that got me here! I just felt like it was my fault.

All the pain around my body started to settle in more. Everything hurt. My nose, my cheek, my torso, oh that hurt the most, and my arms. Mum and Dad rushed by my side and hugged me. I hadn't seen them cry in a long time. It's been years. And now they were crying over me! What the f*ck happened?!

I poked through the people crowding around me. It's not that I didn't appreciate their hugs, but I felt uncomfortable with all this without knowing what was going on. Roger and Brian remained silent in the back of the room. Sh*t, when I told you Julie looked disheveled, Roger looked worse.

I let my family hug me a little longer because you know, they're my family. I just stayed quiet and waited until they were ready to let go. My body still stung from all the pressure being put on from them, but it's fine. I hadn't been hugged like this in a while.

After they let go, Brian and Roger decided that it was their turn to sit by me. Before they could, I leaned towards Julie, "Could you maybe give Rog, Brian, and I a minute?"

She nodded. It took me by surprise how easily they obliged. I thought they would have resisted more. Maybe they wouldn't have wanted to leave. But they did. Julie did damn well convincing Mum and Dad to exit the room.

Once Julie shut the door behind her, Roger sat down on a stool beside me. He stared down at the floor, fumbling with his fingers. He couldn't even look at me. I didn't think I looked that bad.

"God dammit, John! You're alive!" Roger tossed his head up, smiling sheepishly.

I raised an eyebrow. Odd reaction. I nodded, "Yep, I'm here."