Escape || an LGBT+ story (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 34

The closer they get to the hospital, the more frequently Nick glances at Jake to see how he is doing. The younger is extremely quiet, and he looks like a ghost because of his pale face. His body is tense, he is squeezing the fabric of his T-shirt tightly and Nick sees his Adam's apple move up and down multiple times. 

Ever since that day, he hasn't set a step in the hospital, and the last memory he has about it is that of his mother's ravaged corpse. Now, Jake is even afraid to speak to someone who is in the hospital, even if it is over the phone. One time, when Nick was beaten up by a busky, aggressive drunkard at the bar, he hadn't called him either. But Nick never took that personally, because when he came back, Jake had been the one taking care of him, asking if he was alright, bringing him drinks and food and moving him ever so gently when he asked for it.

Jake is a loyal friend, but the fact that he is at odds with himself takes a great toll of his friendships. 

He parks at the hospital parking area and gets out. 

He waits.

'Jake.'

No reaction.

'Jake, are you still coming?'

'What- oh, yeah.' Jake wakes up from his trance and gets out as well. As he stands next to Jake, Nick hears his short and irregular breaths and stands in front of him. 'Jake, don't force yourself.'

'I have to.' Jake says through clenched teeth. 'Don't stop me, there's a whole friendship at stake.'

'I get it,' says Nick, 'but take your time. As much as you need. Ten minutes less or more won't matter to Joshua, as long as you turn up.'

Jake nods and lowers his head.

'Is there anything I can do for you?' Nick asks after a while of silence.

'Hmm.' Jake hesitantly says: 'I... I think I need a hug.'

Oh.

'Well, my arms are wide open.' Nick plays it off as a joke, but the truth is that he really wants to hug the boy. Jake can be quite cute for a nineteen-year-old sometimes. Sometimes.

Jake steps forward, wraps his arms around Nick's waist and rests his cheek on the 22-year-old's shoulder. Nick pats his back awkwardly. Jake is a nice person to hug. His hugs are smooth, warm, soft and spontaneous. He definitely knows worse huggers. But yeah, we're talking about Jake here, who wraps girls around his finger every week. You gotta be a bit smooth if you can do that.

Jake lets go after a few seconds. 'Thanks.' His voice is still rather stifled. 'We can go now.' 

Nick puts his hand between Jake's shoulder blades. 'Okay.'

The hand on Jake's shoulder turns out to be practical, since Jake's pace slows down considerably the closer they get to the hospital. Finally, Nick gives up on pushing Jake and stands still. 'Jake, take your time, okay? Look at the building. In this building, lives are saved and lives start, but sometimes, the hospital can't save a person anymore. You know with your brain that the hospital is not the cause of people dying, they just happen to die here, just like they can die in their house, on the streets... don't look away, try to convince yourself.'

Jake nods and lifts his chin to take in the sight, the huge white building with the many windows. His eyes are glossy, he bites his lip. Nick feels his hand travel over his arm, searching. Jake is searching for Nick's touch to reassure him. Should I take his hand?

But then, Jake's hand finds his already and clings onto it, so Nick opens his hand and lets Jake's hand slide in his palm.

Jake squeezes it. His voice determined, he says: 'Alright, let's go.'

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Word count: 625

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You can think all you want about Jake but right now I'm hecking proud of him.