Holding Onto You

Ch. 9

Demi's pov

I watch Maya's face go pale before her eyes open and show a look of pain, "How are you feeling Maya?" I ask.

"Ava and I got you some cereal if you want any." Bailey says.

"What time is it?" I hear Maya ask weakly.

"Almost 3 pm." Ava says.

"I guess." She mumbles.

I pass the cereal bowl to Ava and she opens it before giving it to her sister. Maya takes it from her and I watch her eat it slowly. I'm definitely relieved to see her eating, maybe Bailey and Ava can convince her to drink something as well. They managed to get her to eat which is something Wilmer and I couldn't manage to do this morning.

"Do you want anything to drink? There's a vending machine down the hall." Ava says.

"I'm fine, but thanks."

"How are you feeling?" Bailey asks.

"Like shit."

"Maya do you need more pain medication?" Wilmer asks.

"No."

"Can you feel a lot of the pain?" He asks.

"It's whatever."

"Maya you aren't supposed to feel the pain." I say.

"I said it's whatever, leave me alone."

I take a deep breath and refrain from saying or asking anything more. If she want's to be left alone by her father and I then I guess that's what we need to do for her. I don't want to upset her right now.

Ava pushes Maya's hair from her eyes and I hear her mutter something in Spanish and I look to Wilmer for a translation, "She said she feels like she's going to throw up." He mumbles.

Which is what I was afraid of, I know sometimes pain medicine can lead to nausea or vomiting. I didn't really want to see Maya have that effect, but it's looking like that's what is going to happen.

"Ok maybe you should stop eating and see if you can keep down what you have before you try and finish?" Ava suggests.

"I don't know." I hear Maya mumble.

"I think that's probably the best idea. If you can keep down what you've eaten so far then you can eat the rest later." Bailey says.

Maya passes the cereal to her sister and Ava sets it on the nightstand behind her. I see Mayas head fall closer to the bed railing and as the gagging starts. Bailey grabs the bucket on the nightstand and holds it near Mayas mouth just as the cereal begins to be vomited up.

I walk to the bathroom and get a washcloth and wet it with cold water. I walk to the side of the bed she's throwing up at and just wait until she's finished before I gently put her head back on the pillow. She avoids eye contact with me as I wipe the sweat from her forehead and the vomit from her chin. I pull the pony tail holder off my wrist and get her hair into a messy bun and out of her face.

"Well that was a no." Ava sighs.

I take the bucket from Bailey's hand and go to the bathroom with it. I wash it out and clean it before setting it back on the nightstand. I don't think this will be the last time it'll be used today.

"Mom, if you or dad want to go to the cafeteria you can. Bailey and I can stay with Maya." Ava says.

I turn my head to Wilmer who gives a small nod, "All right, but please text us if anything happens." I say.

"I will." She says.

I grab my purse and leave the room with Wilmer, "Why do you think she's so irritated with us?" He asks once the door closes behind us.