Waves, Sunsets, & Coffee

Chapter 9.1

I opened my eyes to see dim lights as I was lying on a bed that I do not own.
Looking around, I saw Keith on a small couch sleeping, and only then did I realize that I was in a hospital room.
I tried to sit up, only to feel immense pain on my chest. I looked down to see bandages and a cast wrapped on my arm and around my shoulder.
"Alex?" I heard Keith's voice as she called on the nurse to come in and walk to check on me.
"Stay still." She says and I asked what happened and why I was here.
"You got in an accident. You were drunk Alex and you went to the road. Luckily the car was able to hit the breaks on time and minimized your injuries." Keith explains and I groan.
"Doctor Shepherd?" I say as I recognized the man who treated Liam's wounds before.
"Yes, and it seems like your group attracts accidents hmm?" He says and we chuckle.
"That's us."
"Well anyways, as you can see, you've suffered a clavicle fracture. It's when you break your—"
"Collar bone. I'm a nursing student doc, I can understand medical terms." I say and he shakes his head in amusement.
"Okay Alex. You're lucky the car didn't hit you too hard and you've only suffered clavicle fracture and an open fracture in your radius. Should heal in a couple weeks. Five, six weeks more or less, but lookin at your charts, I could discharge you in a day or two."
Doctor Shepherd went on to check on me and left me with Keith.
"I got you these. Hospital food. Not the best, but it'll fill your stomach." Keith offers and I accept just as my stomach grumbles.
"So, do you want to talk about it?" She asks and I shake my head.
"Nah, not really." I say and she raises her eyebrow and I sigh.
This girl in front of me is the mother of the group, and how can I not tell her what happened?
"Fine. Pretty sure Enzo told you some things?" I said and she nods.
"I don't know Keith... you guys know I hate people forcing or pressuring me to do things that I don't want to do.
Ares wants me to let him in. It's not that easy." I say.
"You like him Alex." Keith says and I stay silent.
Do I really like him?
"I know it's hard for you to bring down your walls Alex. I've been there. But the group's right you know. You'll just keep hurting yourself the more you hide under your walls. The pain you'll feel will be worse when it crumbles.
It's best to slowly build it down, rather than destroying it all in one go.
Now I'm not saying that you go and just give the key to Ares. But we want you to give him a chance and see."
Keith doesn't usually meddle with matters like this since she's like me. She doesn't like confrontations and doesn't know how to comfort people the best way, but when she talks to you on things like this, then you should know that what she's saying is right.
But I find it hard to listen. I'm stubborn, I know.
"Alex, you're the person who has helped us with our problems. You're the one who brought us up back.
You gave us a reason to try again.
The Alex I grew up with knows nothing but always taking the risk. Ever since, you're the carefree and free spirited member of the group. You'd always convince us to ride that roller coaster, to jump the cliff and to do other things that I never thought I'd ever do in my lifetime.
You have to bring that Alex back. The Alex who doesn't pass the chance to go on a great adventure. The Alex who loves the adrenaline flowing in her."
My heart warms at what Keith just said. I never really thought they saw me that way.
"Keith, those are adventures, it's different from letting people in."
"You're not getting it are you Alex?" She says and I shake my head no.
"Being with Ares is an adventure Alex. He took you hiking and surfing. You told us how he takes your breath away and how the world melts when he kisses you.
What you're feeling when you're with him? It's the same thing your heart feels when you first went skiing. Or when you faced your fear of tight spaces and went through a cave. And the time you jumped from a cliff Alex.
You felt the adrenaline didn't you? You felt alive doing those things. You felt free. That is what you feel when you're with Ares. You're just denying it in your heart.
You couldn't accept the fact that a person can make you feel that way when you're on an adventure. And it can happen Alex.
Your short time with Ares? It was the first time we've seen you smile a genuine smile ever since what happened before Alex.
You've helped us be ourselves in the best way possible. You've helped us be happy. Now it's time for you to help yourself.
He cares for you Alex. Don't lose him because you're afraid. Don't let that happen."