0.30

William

After I ate a few bites of the sandwich and half of the grapes, Nicholas told me he was going to leave once my sisters and parents came.

I didn't want him to, but I know he would just be awkwardly sitting there with my family, holding my hand.

Lucille came back and helped Nicholas encourage me to eat. Without both of them, I knew I wouldn't have been able to eat as much as I did.

I didn't feel as guilty as I did when I ate breakfast. Yes, the bread from the sandwich made negative thoughts run through my head. But that was only a few bites and I focused on eating the fruit instead.

I even took a nibble of the pickle.

"Everyone's on their way up." Lucille informs me, watching as I frowned but nodded. "They're all just worried. Rose has been upset about it, but she wants you to get better. Be nice, please."

I nodded, thinking of her words. I know my sister meant well but I was just upset that I had to be here. "I will."

The door opens and instantly, Daisy yells my name, running over to me. "I missed you!"

I smile at my younger sister, "I missed you too."

She gasps happily at Nicholas's and my hands together, "I knew you two were dating! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!"

Chuckling softly, I glance over at the door. My parents were already in the room, but Gabrielle was in the door way, saying a few things to Rose, who was still in the hallway.

My face falls a bit but I quickly just smile at Daisy, who was poking at the narrow tubes running down my arm.

"Is that going inside of you?" She points to a bag with clear liquid in it.

I nod, "yep." She looks at all the machines in fascination, poking the clear bag. "Drink it."

Her eyes widen, "no! I don't know what that it!"

"Yeah, me either. I forgot what they told me. I think it's just vitamins or something."

Daisy looks at my right arm before her eyes wandered to my left one, her face dropping into a  frown, "does it hurt?"

I look at my bandaged arm, "a little, it's just itchy." She nodded, quickly looking away from my arm, sending me a smile. I couldn't help but smile back at my sister, letting go of Nicholas's hand to open my arms.

Daisy hesitantly hugs me, avoiding my arm full of wires. It was a short hug, I patted her back once or twice before she pulled away, smiling sadly at me.

Gabby came over, giving me a quick hugged and asked if I was doing alright, the same sad smile on her face.

Rose was standing near the door, awkwardly looking at all the machines around me. She didn't make eye contact with anyone, just let her eyes dance around the room.

Gabrielle sighs at our sister, "she thinks you're mad at her."

I frown, "I'm not. I hate to admit it, but she did the right thing." Nicholas squeezes my hand, my frown disappearing into just a thin line.  "Rose."

Her eyes locks with mine and she instantly frowns. I nodded for her to come over,watching as she slowly shuffled towards the bed, keeping her head down.

Gabby goes over to our parents and my other sisters, who were busy talking about something.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you in trouble. I didn't know you'd have to stay in here for an eating disorder..." She fumbled with the thin blanket covering me, "I'm really sorry. I understand if you hate me and this is all my fault."

I shake my head, tilting her chin up so her eyes would meet mine. "Don't be sorry, you did the right thing. I'm sorry I tried to stop you. I don't hate you, I could never hate you. None of this is your fault, I did it to myself. If anything, you helped."

Rose weakly smiles at my words, "that's good, then." Her eyes wanders to my arms, eyeing the needles, then the bandages. "Is... Is it bad?"

"I haven't looked, so I don't know." I shrug, feeling Nicholas rub at my knuckles. His touch calmed me in a way and I felt better. "Did you guys burn down the house when Mom and Dad were here?"

Rose giggles, "Daisy almost did. She was making eggs and forgot about them. The smoke alarm even went off."

My eyes widened and I looked over at Daisy, who sheepishly smiles.  "Really, D? You're supposed to stay at the stove."

"SpongeBob was on, I needed to watch it!" She insisted, throwing her hands into the air. "I didn't think I would watch the entire episode."

"Is that what happened to my pan?" Mom questions, furrowing her brows at Daisy, who innocently shrugs.

Everyone just laughs.

Nick squeezes my hand before speaking, "I'm going to go, let you spend time with your family."

I nodded, a bit upset he was leaving. "Okay." I put my arms out, desperate to hug him again.

He wraps his arms around me, whispering, "make sure you eat dinner, just try your best. I'll text you later and I'll be back tomorrow."

"I will, can you bring your mom? I really want to see her again. She only said hi yesterday before you had to leave."

Nicholas nodded into my shoulder, "she'd love to see you. She kept asking about you." I smile, squeezing him tighter. "You'll be out of here before you know it. Just keep going, I'm here for you, baby boy."

I melted at the name, feeling my cheeks begin to heat up. If anything, I was happy to blush so I didn't look sick.

"Thank you for being here."

Nicholas pulls away, smiling gently at me. His lips pressed against mine for a moment, quick enough so my parents couldn't see. "Bye, Shorty."

I huff, "go away Daddy Long Legs."

"I feel like you call me that just as an excuse to call me Daddy." Nick says in a low tone, smirking. "I'm not mad at it."

After he left, Rose instantly spoke, "so, you're dating Nicholas?"

"Maybe."

"I don't think they would kiss if you were just friends." Daisy giggles, making my eyes widen.

I lick my lips, "I didn't think you saw that."

"Oh, I saw."

Rose furrows her brows, "so you are dating him? Or are you just friends?"

Lucille scoffs playfully, "it's obvious they're dating. They've been together for over 3 weeks!"

Oh, it has been three weeks and a day, hasn't it? It's felt longer but shorter at the same time.

"You guys weren't dating when he came over?" Rose questions.

I shake my head, "no, we were just friends." My eyes fell to the food in front of me, feeling a bit hungrier. Eating some more grapes wouldn't hurt.

I take a small bite of the fruit, cringing at the bitterness and how it was no longer cold. But I just swallow it, letting the grape sink to my stomach.

"Is the food here good?" Daisy asked, causing Lucille to slap her arm. "What! I'm just asking!"

I set the grape down, "it's alright, I guess."

"Not like he eats it." Mom mumbled, thinking I wouldn't hear. I frown, my mind beginning to swirl with thoughts.

You're such a worthless son. Such a disappointment. You can't even eat food because you'll get fat. What a fucking pathetic bitch.

"Mom!" Lucille snaps, nudging her. "He's doing fine. It's better than nothing."

"I suppose." My mom mumbled, grabbing her purse and keys. 'I have to go to work, someone booked the entire salon for a wedding tomorrow."

"Mom." Gabby frowns, "can't hog call in for some time off? Your son's in the hospital with an eating disorder."

You just had to bring that up?

She sighs, "I wish I could, but they need me at work. I'll come back tonight."

My mom didn't bother saying anything else before she left, slamming the door on her way out.

"She's on her women cycle, don't listen to her." Dad told me with an assuring smile.  I shrug it off, but it honestly hurt.

Your mom hates you because of how pathetic you are. You had to put everyone through so much trouble just so you could be at the hospital. You aren't even doing well here.

"She's right though." I mumble, glancing at the full plate and half full bowl. "I don't mean to waste anyone's time. It's spring break, you should be having fun. Not here."

Lucille frowns at me, shaking her head, "we're not just going to leave you here. I think we all rather you be healthy and okay then just sit at home."

"And she's not right, you're doing fine, William." My dad assures me, glancing at my food. "You're doing really well."

"I guess." My eyes flickers to my lap. "She's kinda right though. I'm barely eating anything."

"It's better than nothing." Gabrielle points out and I just shrug.

It might as well be.

I am now piecing together how long this book is going to be...

~Whoops