Safe

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The sound of steady beeping woke me up. It was tinny, and ridiculously annoying.

Oh my gosh it's going to drive me insane!

"Shut the fuck up," I groaned, and my voice cracked. My throat and tongue were dry as bone.

"Well good morning to you too," someone chuckled from the back of the room. I opened up my eyes, blinking several times, adjusting to the sudden brightness.

Sitting across from my bed was Drake, looking relaxed as ever in the wooden chair. He smiled, and stood.

"Where am I?"

"You're at the hospital right now darlin,'" he drawled. Oh, hospital... right. My eyes widened as a sudden thought struck me.

"Oh my god, my dad!" I shrieked. I began hyperventilating; I was ready to have a full on panic attack.

"Hey, hey settle down," he said in a soothing time, gently rubbing his hand on my shoulder.

"But he-!" I began, but he cut me off.

"I called and explained everything sweetheart," he replied.

"And!?"

"He's on his way," he said cryptically. Argh! I can only ever get half assed answers out of him!

"By everything, do you mean-"

"Every detail," he interjected smoothly.

"I really wish you'd stop interrupting me!" I snapped. I tried crossing my arms, but a cast stopped me. I sighed, a tangle of thoughts swirling around in my head. Drake kindly gave me my time, letting me wrap my head around everything that had happened.

"Thank you, Drake," I said suddenly.

"It wa-"

"No! Don't say a word! I owe you my... I owe you my life. And Jungxiu... Where is she anyway?"

"Waiting outside; she wants to say goodbye to you before she leaves to go back to her home," he explained.

"Sh-she's going back?" I whispered, excited for my recently acquired friend. He nodded, a sad looking smile on his mouth.

"I'll go get her, but first let me call the nurse," he said, pushing a little orange button next to my bed.

Only a few moments later, a frazzled looking nurse rushed into the room. She had curly red hair, that nearly reached her waist, braided into two long braids. She smiled and a single dimple showed on her freckle covered face. She looked like she was about a year or two younger than my dad. In a way, she reminded me of Pippi Longstocking, but with a white coat and scrubs on.

"You're awake!" she exclaimed.

"Uh, yeah? How long was I out?"

"Nearly a week, you gave your little boyfriend here quite a fright!" She laughed; she had a strong Texan accent, which made her sound even friendlier. I turned to Drake, an eyebrow raised. He didn't look as taken aback by her outrageousness as I did. He must have met her before.

"He refused to leave; poor guy has been surviving on hospital food and sleeping in those absolutely horrible wooden chairs. Even your own dad got bored after a few days. But Mr. Stubborn here..." she continued. Drake looked a little embarrassed, and wouldn't quite meet my eyes.

"Ya'll are so cute! Now don't ya want something to drink?"

"Sure." While she made me a glass of water, I stared at Drake, who was playing absentmindedly with the fingers on my right hand, the hand of the broken arm. I could really feel his hands on mine; it was surreal.