Salient Secret

Chapter 26

Even though I'm in hospital this was one of the best weeks of my life, Kai came by every single day except the days I had immunotherapy, I just told him the nurses had to do tests on those days. But all the other days were filled with laughter and entertainment, I genuinely felt happy. 

We played charades, we played truth or dare, I did his make up, he tried to do mine (I ended up looking like a prostitute.) There was a day I pulled out 'Vogue photo shoot' from the jar, we took the most ridiculous pictures, we started posing with random items like soap, on the hospital bed and with the drip, it was so much fun. My favourite one was the 'Do an Instagram challenge' one. We did the 'Flip the switch' challenge, it's basically where you start taking a video to the song 'Nonstop' by Drake, and then the part that says "I just flipped the switch," you actually switch off the light and then switch it back on but you and the person you're doing it with switch clothes. Seeing Kai in a crop top and shorts was definitely the highlight of my week. I don't think I've ever laughed so much. 

Today is my last day here, my mom is coming to pick me up in an hour. I managed to finish all of my videos, my moms was definitely the hardest to do. Doctor Mitchell explained to me how the tumor has stopped growing and thanks to targeted therapy which is basically just specific medicine, the tumor is small enough to try and remove, I have to go home for a week though, doctors orders. I'll be back in no time if I decide to try and remove it, it is risky because if the procedure is unsuccessful, it could just make things a lot worse. 

An hour goes by and I see my mom at the reception desk having a heated conversation with the nurse so I walk towards her, 

"Who paid then?" my mom asks aggressively.

"Ma'am this happens often, anonymous donors pay for patients' rooms," the nurse explains to my mom in a calm tone.

"Mom what's going on?" 

"Someone paid for all your room expenses."

"Why is that a problem?" I ask wondering why my mom would be upset about not having to spend more money. 

"I just want to know who it was, I'm worried it could be someone who will later expect a favour in return..." Her words trail off and I can tell she is talking about someone in specific, but who?

"Who would do that mom?" she doesn't say anything. "I just want to go home, can we please just leave." She sighs in defeat.

"Okay, let's go." She gives the nurse one last look and then turns around, picks up one of my bags and starts walking out, I pick up the other bag and follow her. 

The only sound in the car ride home is the radio. When we get home she brings my bag inside and tells me she has to go somewhere and how she'll be back later. I don't question her, I leave her to do whatever it is she needs to do, she will talk about whatever it is that's bothering her when she is ready. 

"AVERY!!!" Chloe runs into my room and gives me a big hug. 

"Hey Chloe! I've missed you so much!" I say while holding her tightly. 

"Sooo? Are you still dying?" I laugh at her abruptness.

"Unfortunately no, so you'll just have to wait a bit longer before you get my room," I say with a smile, a guilty look covers her face and we both start laughing.

"You're home," Jason says standing in the door frame and the room becomes silent.

"Yeah," I say with no expression. 

"I think I have homework to finish..." Chloe says feeling uncomfortable making her way out of the room. 

"I won't apologize for falling in love," he says with his arms crossed. 

"What about you lying? or betraying me? or going behind my back?" I say in a very harsh tone,  he looks taken aback by those words, I have no idea why when it's simply the truth.

"Well what did you want me to do then? Tell you when it happened? 'Oh Avery, btw, I screwed your best friend last night while you were asleep.' Get off your high horse, if you were me you would have done the exact same thing."

"That's where you're wrong Jason, I would have never screwed your best friend in the first place." I walk toward him and hold the door, implying he must leave, when he does, I close the door behind him and take a deep breath, then start to unpack all my stuff.