Let Me In Your Heart Again | Hardzello♡

Chapter 16

The next morning, Rami and Gwil are having breakfast early.
It doesn't take long for Joe to come down as well, and as soon as he gets his breakfast from the buffet, he sits down with his friends. 'Good morning boys. Isn't Ben awake yet?'
Gwil and Rami shake their heads.
'I'll go get him then.' Joe wants to get up and walk to the hall, but Gwil stops him by taking his wrist.
'Just let him sleep for a while, it was a tiring day for him yesterday. And for you too. I think it's a freaking miracle you woke up so early.' Gwil says, deciding against mentioning last night.
Joe looks at him and shrugs. 'I was just hungry I guess.' He laughs before stuffing his mouth with a piece of pancake.
'Hey Joe, have you actually called your parents about being out of the hospital yet?' Rami asks after a while.
Joe stares at his plate of food, avoiding any kind of eyecontact. 'Uhm no not yet.' He mumbles.
Gwil gives him a questioning look. 'Why not? Your mom will be happy to hear that you're all right.'
Joe doesn't say anything.
'Joe?' Rami says, not sure if the boy is really paying attention to the conversation.
'Uhm, sorry what did you say?' The ginger asks, blinking a few times.
Rami and Gwil look at each other in confusion.
'Why haven't you called your parents with the good news yet?' Gwil asks.
'Because I didn't even tell them I was in the hospital?' Joe says the end of the sentence at such a low volume that Gwil and Rami can barely understand.
But they know all too well what Joe just said.
'What? Joe, say you're kidding?' Rami looks at his friend with wide eyes.
'You stopped breathing for 2 minutes. Your parents have the right to know.' Gwil says before he takes Joe's phone from the table and hands it to the boy. 'Call them.'
'But Gwil I-.' Joe stutters, trying to get out of it.
'Joe call them.' Gwil says penetratingly.
The ginger lets out a loud sigh. 'Okay then.' He picks up the phone and reluctantly dials his mother's number. 'But I'm not going to video call them. I don't want them to see the scars on my face.' He mumbles.
Soon, the phone is ringing.
After waiting a while, it still doesn't answer.
'Uhg my phone has no signal within these walls. I'll be right back.' Joe says before walking away.
Rami and Gwil nod and continue with their breakfast.

Not much later Ben also enters the breakfast room. He sits down next to Gwil. 'Where's Joe? Is he still sleeping?'
Rami giggles. 'Good morning to you too Ben.'
Ben smiles and blushes when he sees the smirk on Gwil's face.
'Joe is calling his parents to say he's out of the hospital.' Gwil says.
Ben nods. 'I'm gonna go get some breakfast, I'll be right back.' He says before he walks towards the buffet. While grabbing some of those small pancakes, he thinks about his and Gwil's conversation last night. It feels good to have told someone, but it also brings back memories. He had a nightmare about it last night, but he didn't want to bother Gwil any more.
As soon as he has his breakfast he walks back to the table where his friends are sitting.
'That took a long time.' Rami says. 'Are you okay? You look a little pale.'
Ben quickly forces a small smile on his face to reassure Rami. 'Yeah, I'm just a little tired after such a long week, that's all.' The boy quickly starts eating his breakfast before Rami starts asking more questions.

Ten minutes later, Joe is still not back.
'I'm gonna check where he is.' Rami gets up from his chair. 'Be right back.' He walks towards the hotel garden, hoping to find Joe there.
As soon as he's out of sight, Gwil turns to Ben. 'Did you actually tell your parents what happened?'
As soon as Ben hears that question, he chokes on his food. 'Uhm no, I haven't really been in touch with my parents since I was 17.' He mumbles.
Gwil's eyes widen. 'Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that. Is that because of that one thing from the past?'
Ben nods.
'But that's not fair! I mean-' Before Gwil can say anything more, Ben interrupts him.
'Just leave it Gwil, I don't need my parents, I have my friends, that's more than enough.' Ben says.
Gwil nods. 'I'm sorry, you're right. I should leave it. It's non of my business.'
Ben smiles at his friend. 'Thank you. For listening and not judging me.'
Gwil smiles and puts his hand on Ben's shoulder. 'I will never judge you, you know that.'
Ben nods.

**************

Rami searches the entire yard for Joe. He goes by every spot Joe likes to go to whenever he tries to relax. Most of the time it's in the small park behind the hotel.
'Joe? Joe where are you? It's Rami!' He calls.
A young couple sitting on a bench close to the small lake glares at him for interrupting the silence.
'Sorry.' Rami says before quickly walking on.
After scouring the entire yard, he still hasn't found Joe. He walks back to the hotel to see if Joe might have gone back to his hotel room already.
Rami walks to the elevator. He pushes the button to their floor, and the elevator opens. He is about to get in, but suddenly hears a cough coming out of the hallway. He knows that cough all too well.
He rushes towards the hall and sees Joe sitting on a bench there.
The ginger is staring straight ahead, not noticing Rami until the boy is right next to him.
'Hey, there you are. Are you okay? How did the conversation with your parents go?' Rami asks as he sits down next to Joe.
Joe looks the other way. 'Good, I guess.' He mumbles.
Rami raises his eyebrow. 'Not so good then?'
The ginger lets out a soft sigh. 'I made my mom cry. I know it was just because she cares about me, but still it was hard to see. And I've never seen my father this speechless before. They are really glad that I am okay again.'
'Is that the only reason you look so glum?' Rami asks, knowing his best friend really well.
Once again, Joe lets out a sigh, followed by a silence.
Rami sees the boy's eyes getting watery. 'Hey, you know you can tell me anything right?' He asks a bit worried.
A tear finds its way down Joe's cheeks. He nods. 'It wasn't until after talking to my parents that I realized how close I was to- to dying.' Joe says with a soft sob.
Not sure what to say to this, Rami puts his arm around his friend to comfort him. 'It's okay, you're completely healthy again. You don't have to worry anymore, Joe.'
Joe gives Rami a hug. 'Thank you.' He whispers.
Rami smiles at him when they let go of the hug. 'You're sure that's all what's bothering you? It's bigger in your mind. You might feel better when you say it out loud.' He says.
Joe looks down at his hands, as he starts fiddling. 'Sometimes my mind drives me crazy, you know.' He says softly.
Rami can't resist and a smirk appears on his face. He gently nudges Joe. 'Who is it? Who's the lucky one?'
Joe looks up in surprise and starts blushing. 'But how - how do you know that I'm...?' Joe asks, trying to find the right words.
Rami gives him a gentle pat on the back. 'That you're in love? I know my Joey.' He gives Joe a wink.
The boy starts blushing even more.
'You should tell him sometime. This could end up in some epic romaaaance.' Rami says teasingly before getting up and walking away.
'Y-you don't even know who it is!' Joe calls after his friend.
Rami smirks. 'Yes I dooo!' He says in a high-pitched voice before getting into the lift.

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I don't really have much to say today🙃
I hope you had/are having a great day❤

Btw my school is trying to kill me or something😥 I have two tests and a presentation tomorrow

Sending love to you from Holland❤