Ballet And The Beast

Chapter Twenty One

"Hello Brooke I'm Doctor Rhodes." The doctor greets with a warm smile as he enters. I just smile and urge him to get on with whatever he has to say. Talking about my problems is something I have always despised, probably because I find it so difficult.

"How are you feeling?" He takes a seat on the chair next to me, obviously easing into it slowly.

"I'm ok." I respond, not really knowing what else to say. I feel as good as I can in the current situation I suppose.

"That's great to hear. I've written you a prescription for iron and a couple of other meds to keep your body function working normally." He tells me as he hands me three boxes of pills. "All three once a day."

"Thank you." I respond, not really knowing what else to say. Even in my hospital bed, I can't help but notice how well sculpted he is with a glimmer in his eye. Don't get me wrong, he's not quite Mason but he really is something.

"Your father has also suggested that you see a psychiatrist once a week, which I completely agree with. Since you're over eighteen it's your choice though." He states.

"Course he has." I scoff, rolling my eyes. "Look sir, I'm really ok I promise." I try to reason with him.

"It's fine not to be ok you know, most people go through dark patches in their life, it's how we deal with it that matters."  Although I know that what he's saying is true, it's just difficult to believe at the moment.

"Anyway I won't bore you for too long, you have visitors waiting outside. But Brooke, if you need anything at all just let me know. Even if it's just a shoulder to cry on." He tells me sympathetically as he takes hold of my hand.

"Thank you." I smile genuinely at his kindness, no matter how much I hate people feeling sorry for me. He leaves the room and the next thing I know I'm being squeezed to death by Alice as her and my other friends come into the room.

"Hey guys."

"Hey Brookie." Shane greets with a warm smile.

"How are you?" Alice asks with a concern as they all sit down next to me. Turning to face them, I sit up and cross my legs.

"I'm good, so what have I missed?" I respond, trying to change the subject.

"Well Jess is as bratty as ever now, trying to act like she's the best." She chuckles with an eye roll.

"And Alice and I have made it official."  Chase adds, causing her face to heat up like a tomato.

"About time. So how did this happen?"  I wink at them both.

"It wasn't anything romantic, we both just sort of agreed." Alice laughs as she looks at her boyfriend adorably.

We carry on talking for what feels like ages just about the small things: class, weather and anything else. Eventually Alice and Chase head off, leaving me with Shane.

"So how are you really feeling?" Shane questions with a raised brow.

"Honestly Shane, I'm ok." I tell him with a nod. "How's Mason?

"He's barely spoken to me really, we had a bit of a fall out." I can't imagine those two ever falling out. "I punched him in the face." Hey tells me causing my jaw to drop.

"You what? I ask in disbelief.

"He's been a real ass, I think he blames himself for what happened to you but is taking it out on me. He still thinks there's something going on with us." He explains and I don't blame him for punching Mason, I've been tempted a few times.

"We spoke briefly yesterday but I fell asleep shortly after waking up then he was gone." I tell him with a shrug. Our relationship is still up in the air as we haven't had chance to talk things over properly. To be quite honest I don't know what I want from him now.

"Hopefully this was the wake up call he needed." Shane shrugs as he comes to sit next to me on the bed.

"If he wants a mentally unstable girlfriend." I chuckle dryly with an eye roll.

"The crazy ones are more fun." He laughs and I nudge him on the shoulder.

"I just don't know if I'm strong enough to get over this Shane. I know how silly it seems but it's been my life for so log now." I tell him truthfully as my eyes bore into his.

"You will and we will all be here for you." My eyes begin to water as he continues. "We won't let you fall back down, you're stronger than this." He tells me as he wraps me in his arms comfortingly. Although it's incredibly comforting, I can't help but wish it was Mason here. I love Shane to pieces and he's my best friend but I want my boyfriend back. We lean against my headboard, me breathing into his neck trying not to cry.

"And there's nothing going on is there?" I hear Mason scoff with a bitter tone. My head snaps up instantly and Shane tenses next to me.

"I'll give you guys some space, I'm glad you're ok Brookie." Shane gets up and leaves wih a small smile.

"Hi." Mason says with an unreadable expression.

"Hey." I respond in a slightly softer voice.

"How are you feeling?" He asks, his voice softening, although his body remains tense. I take in his dishevelled appearance and the bags under his eyes from a lack of sleep.

"I've been better, how are you?" An attempt to steer the conversation away from me.

"I've been better." He copies my answer and sits in the chair.

"Look I know we need to talk Mason but can we please wait until I'm out of here? I love you and nothing will change that but I want to be in the right frame of mind when we talk things over." Without saying a word, he takes my hand and we sit there in silence left to our thoughts. In a strange way, it's comforting.

"I love you too." He tells me after what feels like hours. Did it really take him that long to decide? Or did he feel like he had to say it? We stay sat in a comfortable silence for all while longer with my hand in his. I've missed his company.