(58): She's Up

Just started school again today 😩. missed my friends so i guess it wasn't that bad. anyways i'm telling you guys this so you can be a little more lenient with me updating. i'm sorry if i don't do it often but i will really really try to ❤️. don't rlly have time to edit either so sorry for the errors in advance.

also #BLM. let's not forget. 🤎🖤

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Kyle's POV.

After my shower, food and a short nap, which in itself was a struggle to take, I decide to drive my way back to the hospital.

Winona hasn't called, signaling that Chelsea-Anne isn't up yet. It's a good and a bad thing. Good, because I at least didn't miss the moment. Bad, because obviously she's still not up like I'd want her to be.

I finally reach it, park the car and make my way inside.

I get to the waiting room to be greeted by the same faces. Nicholas, Nathan and Winona all wave at me and offer me small smiles. I return it meekly.

"So, uh, her parents are here" Winona says softly when I take my seat next to her.

My eyes widen slightly "They are?"

The thought that they might be here eventually completely slipped my mind. I mean their daughter is in a freaking hospital bed; of course they are.

"Yeah, Kat is just keeping them occupied for now" Nicholas tells me "Dude, her mom looks strict as fuck. She was not happy to see boys here"

Wait till she finds out that I'm with her daughter.

And wait... her parents are here together? I remember her mentioning that they hadn't seen each other or spoken in years. I sure do wonder how that went down.

A few seconds later, Kathrine walks into the waiting room with two people behind her.

My eyes find the lady first. She has the same blonde hair as Chelsea-Anne and same height-ish but other than that, they don't look much alike at all. She's very beautiful though and that beauty has been passed on to her daughter. I won't lie, she doesn't look strict, I can just see it.

The man... yep, Chelsea-Anne was right when she said she looks like him. Same blue eyes and- basically- face. Of course he's much older and he's a man but you can easily tell that his daughter took after him physically.

"Mr Richards" I get up stiffly and make my way to the man as I shake his hand. He looks chilled.

"You must be a friend of my daughter's" He says and I nod "Nice to meet you. We appreciate all the support"

I give him a tight smile before making my way to the woman.

"Chelsea-Anne's mom" I greet awkwardly.

I can't call her 'Mrs Richards' because she's not married to her father. I don't know her maiden name so I couldn't think of anything else to say. I hope she won't hate me.

"Hi" She croaks, eyes red and puffy.

She must've been crying.

"It's an honor to meet you, ma'am" I say politely.

"How do you know my daughter?"

Awkward.

I cough "Uhm, she's a good friend of mine, ma'am"

She doesn't look impressed but nods nonetheless.

We are all stuck in an awkward silence before the doctor enters the room. Everyone gets up on instinct, anticipating the news.

"She's up" The doctor says with a smile.

I breathe a huge sigh of relief.

"Can we go see her?" Her mom immediately begs, eyes wide with hope.

The doctor nods "Of course. This way"

The rest of us, who are her friend, aren't really sure what to do. We keep looking awkwardly at each other for answers. Is it only her parents that are allowed or everyone else?

Mr Richards looks back at us when he sees that we aren't moving "You kids can come"

Thank god.

I can't help the smile that breaks out of my face as we follow them.

"You good?" Kathrine asks from next to me.

I'm surprised she does. I thought she'd be blaming me for the accident. God knows she doesn't like me at all.

I nod "Yes. Are you?"

"I am now" She says with a small smile.

I offer her one back as we silently make our way down the hall and finally enter Chelsea-Anne's room.

The first thing I notice is that there is another person inside, who I'm guessing is the nurse, who looks to be feeding her. She must be very weak. I guess being in a coma for almost two days does that to someone.

I'm the last to fully enter and smile when I see her face.

She looks much better than she did yesterday. There's some color to her body, and she's breathing quite easily now.

"Mom? Dad?" She gapes surprised.

Her mom runs to her daughter, tears streaming down her face "Baby. Are you okay? Oh god, thank you so much"

Chelsea-Anne flinches slightly when her mom hugs her, signaling that she's still in pain. It's not hard to guess with all the bandages and stitches.

My poor baby.

"I'm okay" She assures hoarsely.

Her dad hugs her next when her mom is done "I'm glad you're okay, princess"

"What are you guys doing here? Together?" She asks surprised and still taken aback by everything.

"What do you mean? You were in an accident, sweetheart" Her mom reminds worriedly.

The nurse coughs awkwardly.

"I was?" Chelsea-Anne mutters confused.

She doesn't remember?

The nurse looks at all of us "We haven't gotten around to telling her yet. It's perfectly okay for her to not remember everything. Please just keep the accident at a minimal"

"What accident?" Chelsea-Anne demands.

"Sweetie, we'll tell you later" The nurse assures "For now just focus on your friends and family and getting better, yes?"

She nods obediently "Okay"

The nurse then leaves.

Her eyes find mine immediately before she smiles, her eyes bright and hopeful. She tries not to give too much away because her parents are still here, but I can see she would be doing anything to be touching me right now. I would too.

"Hey guys" She greets, looking at us.

Her parents are sitting on the two chairs on the other side next to her bed and just watching their daughter with concern but joy.

"Little, Chels" Nicholas breathes with a small smile taking a few steps forward.

"We missed you" Kathrine says moving closer to her best friend and enveloping her into a tight hug.

"Can't. Breathe. Hurts" Chelsea-Anne wheezes causing Kathrine to move away sheepishly "I missed you too"

"Hi Chels" Winnie says softly also moving in for a softer hug.

She smiles "Hey, Winnie"

She looks to Nathan and I who are just standing a bit further awkwardly. We aren't really sure what to do. I want to shower her with kisses and thank her for waking up, but I obviously can't because her parents are here. I think Nathan is just shit scared of her mom.

"Come here, you two" She beckons.

I hesitantly start to move closer, and Nathan follows suite before we're right next to her bed.

"Hi, little player" Nathan greets with a small smile, whispering the last part softly so her parents won't hear.

I don't think they'd appreciate their daughter being called a player.

She grins "Hi Nathaniel"

He just laughs and doesn't say anything else. We're all just admiring her, so fucking happy that's she's up and okay. I really don't know what I would've done if she wasn't.

"I'm not really sure what exactly happened but I'm glad you guys are here" She tells us, her eyes lingering on mine for a while longer.

I can't help but smile.

"Anytime" I find myself saying.

I see her parents getting up "I think we should leave you kids alone for a while. Princess, do you want anything?" Her father asks and she shakes her head no.

"You kids call us when you're done" Her mom says before they both exit.

Thank goodness.

"That was so weird" She breathes laughing.

"What was?" Winona asks.

"Seeing then together. I don't think I have since I was like five" She explains smiling "It's good to see"

"I'm happy for you" Kathrine says.

She smiles one more time before she looks at me again, this time, eyebrows furrowed looking concerned "Are you okay, Kylie?"

No.

"Yes" I nod meekly.

She frowns "You're lying"

Shit. She doesn't even remember that I'm the reason she's on this damn hospital bed. How am I supposed to explain that to her? I wonder if her parents know...

I lean closer and kiss her bandaged forehead "I just missed you, that's all"

"I missed you too" She croaks softly.

I think she's about to cry.

"No crying" I warn sternly.

"Please tell me what happened, Kyle, I'm so confused. The last thing I remember is getting ice cream with you" She begs, wiping her tears before they fall.

"Do you guys want a moment?" Nicholas interrupts awkwardly.

I'd even forgotten they were here.

"Yes please. I hope you guys don't mind" Chelsea-Anne replies softly.

"It's really not a problem" Kathrine waves her off.

"Try not to bump into her parents. I think they'll notice that you guys left us two alone" I tell them and they nod assuringly before they're out.

She looks to me "Kyle..."

"Yes, baby?" I reply, sitting on the chair so she's not having to crane her neck to look up at me.

"Why am I here?" She asks slowly.

I take her cold hand in mine and kiss it gently, so fucking grateful that she didn't leave me "I'll tell you later. I want you to focus on getting better"

"It had something to do with your father, didn't it?" She asks knowingly causing me to gape.

I nod regretfully "Do you hate me?"

"Of course not, you idiot" She half-scolds squeezing my hand with hers "I know it's not your fault"

"How'd you know?" I ask slowly.

"I heard the doctor mentioning something about a car accident and it just didn't make sense. You're a good driver so I knew there was no way that someone else didn't play a part in its occurrence. It made sense that it was your father. I was acting all confused with my mom cause I thought she would tell me everything because the nurse wouldn't at all. I just don't remember much"

I gulp, angry at the mention "He was trying to hurt me, but instead hurt you. I'm sorry"

"He was trying to hurt us both"

"Fuck, I hate him so much. I almost lost you because of him" I grate, clenching my jaw on instinct.

I swear to God he will pay.

She reaches to touch my face "We're not focusing on the negative now. I'm glad we're both okay"

She's an angel.

I lean into her touch "Okay"

"Okay" She breathes smiling "Be honest... I look horrible right?" Her eyes deflate a bit as she lifts the blanket and looks at the bandages down her legs and reaches to touch the one around her head.

I smile amused "You never look horrible in my eyes"

"Kyle" She complains frowning "I have bruises everywhere. You're probably disgusted by me. Oh god"

"Chelsea-Anne" I warn sternly "I will never ever be disgusted by you, okay? These bruises are a sign that you fought for your life, capisce?"

She frowns unsatisfied "Okay, fine"

"I want to see a smile" I scold.

She feigns a smile and I give her a dry look that I didn't buy it before she tried harder and I can tell this time it's genuine.

"Good girl" I smirk.

"I want to tell my parents about you. More like have to really" She says suddenly causing my eyes widen slightly "Even if I think mom will kill me"

"Are you sure?"

She nods "It's only a matter of time till they'll find out. I have to tell them everything"

"Even the roommate thing?" I ask slowly.

"I have to" She tells me.

I kiss her hand again assuringly "Anything you want"

We stay silent for while. With me just admiring her face. Even with all these bandages, scars and stitches she still looks so damn gorgeous. Good god, she's precious. I'm so lucky.

"Are you okay?" She asks, concerned.

I nod "Of course, why?"

"I don't know. You look tired and deflated. I don't like seeing you like that" She frowns stroking my cheek meekly.

"I promise I'm okay now that you're up"

"How long was I gone?"

"Basically two days" I tell her and she sucks in a deep breathe shocked "It could've been worse"

"Still" She gapes, mouth wide.

"I'm glad you're up. I was going to lose my mind if you stayed out for a minute longer" I tell her honestly.

She smiles sheepishly "Aren't you cute?"

Before I can say anything else, I hear footsteps causing me to look back and be greeted by her nurse.

"Sorry young man, but she has to go for a few scans" She says giving me a small smile.

I get up from the chair "Of course"

I give Chelsea-Anne a soft kiss on the temple causing her to grin at me "Bye, Chambers"

"Bye. Be good"

"You know me" She smiles as I shake my head at her and make my way out of the room happily.

Thank you, Jesus.

I'm about to turn the corner leading to the waiting room when I bump into someone causing the can of coke that was in their hand to go rolling down. I quickly recover it and get up to hand it to the person.

My eyes widen at the sight and I swear I stop breathing.

"Kyle?"

"RJ?"

Oh god.

***