No Choice {GaLe}

Chapter Eighteen

I couldn't help but curl into a ball of sheets and sorrow. I couldn't help but bite my cheek to keep myself from sobbing. I couldn't help but to wish things were easier. If my mother never abused me, if my father never died, if Gajeel didn't...... didn't know me, things would be better. Things would be so much more bearable and maybe then, I would want to live.

"She was discharged an hour ago, why hasn't she left?" A soft voice from the other side of my closed door asked someone.

"She won't answer anyone. We can't force her to leave." Another voice answered, seeming a bit distressed.

"But she's fine! Her vitals are normal, no heart trauma, nothing! It's not like we have to keep her for observation anymore."

"What do you want me to tell you, Cally? She's a patient. And the patient chooses what they want to do."

"But doesn't she have any family? Anyone who can talk to her?"

I felt my heart skip a beat when she mentioned family. No. I have no family. I don't even consider myself related to my witch of a mother.

"There's really no record of any family members recently....."

"Poor girl..... something must've happened....."

I hugged my knees closer to my chest, closing my eyes tightly. What was I supposed to do? Just sit here, miserable for who knows how long? I couldn't even bring myself to move. I couldn't bring myself to do anything, anymore.

"Levy?"

I didn't even need to look up to see who's silky smooth voice that belonged to. I could just picture Wendy is her usual shy demeanor standing in the doorway.

"I'm sorry I left before. I-I was so scared a-and....." She trailed off, the last words, barely being over a whisper.

"Don't be sorry......" I told her, unraveling myself from the mess of blankets that surrounded my petite body.

"The nurses said that you can..... leave." She said, playing with the ends of her high, dark blue pigtails.

"I know...... you guys can leave if you want. I'll just..... stay here."

"W-What? You can't stay here alone!"

"Wendy, I've been alone before..... I can handle it......"

I've been so alone. Ever since..... ever since I met Gajeel. He reminded me that there was a reason why people didn't want to be alone. He showed me what it felt like to love.... again. That's why I needed to get him out of the situation. I needed to leave his life before anything happened.

"N-No!! I won't let you! Levy.... you're just like my mother..... sweet and kind..... you put everyone else before yourself. And I don't want to lose you......"

Was I like her..... mother? But her mother...... died.

"Please don't go." She cried a flow of tears, falling from her face.

"Wendy....." I whispered, my hand, reaching out to her. She jumped into my arms, hugging my body tight.

"You're better off without me, Wendy."

"I'm not. I want you to stay with me. With us..... don't leave....."

I wrapped my arms around her torso, wrinkling the light blue fabric of her dress. I wanted to follow her wish. I wanted to stay. Take care of her, be the mother that she never had. I wanted to stay with Gajeel, build a life with him. A...... happy one. But could it ever be happy with my mother around? Would it..... ever be safe? Right now, I didn't know. But for once.... for once in my life, I was going to take a risk.

"I won't."

I felt her smile, as she hugged me tighter. Her tears stopped falling.

"I'll go tell the nurse you're ready to go," Wendy smiled, pulling away. I nodded, my lips curling upwards. She skipped out of the room, disappearing into the maze of hallways.

"Why do I love you so much?" I asked myself, sighing and resting my eyes on the dark wood floor.

"You better not be talkin' about some other guy,"

I looked up, to see Gajeel, leaning his large frame against the wall near the door. His dark hair, restrained by a wine red bandana.

"I'm not." I giggled, giving him a small smile. He smirked, uncrossing his arms and making his way over to me in just a couple strides.

"I'm sorry...... I shouldn't have yelled or gotten so worked up..... I feel horrible." I breathed, looking up at him through my long lashes. He shook his head, cupping my face with one hand and running his fingers across my face.

"I shouldn't have pried so much. You'll tell me when yer ready."

I don't know if I'll ever be ready..... will I?

"How can you deal with me?" I asked, snuggling my face into his large hand. He smirked, leaning down and pressing his forehead against mine.

"Because I love ya,"

I smiled, kissing the top of his nose ever so slightly.

"I love you too."

I could stay like this forever. Gajeel right beside me. The whole world slowing down, making it so that it was just me, and him. I felt like we could conquer the world, do anything. The love I felt for him was filling my entire body, feeling like I was going to explode.

"Don't do that again." He told me, gripping my hand that was resting beside me.

"Don't do what?"

"Don't..... don't leave me again. You almost died during your heart surgery. And when they took you from me in the ambulance when you were out cold, I didn't know what to do....."

He closed his eyes tight, his piercings above his eyes, going downward forming a frown.

"I won't leave you or Wendy. I promise."

Once those words left my mouth, I immediately regretted saying them. I couldn't promise them anything. Not with my mother around to ruin my life.

"Miss McGarden? Are you ready to be discharged?" A nurse asked, timidly. I pulled away from Gajeel's touch, nodding. She unhooked some machines and took out some needles. As I was getting changed in the bathroom of the hospital lobby, I couldn't help but stare at myself in the mirror.

I frowned at the large bandages that covered my skin. Leaving almost none, showing. The little cuts on my arms and legs reminded me of the easy times when my mother only took shots. But the large gashes that were covered with white fabric, caused me to shiver. I shook my head, letting the horrible memories slip away into the back of my mind. Slipping into the orange dress Gajeel gave me, I was glad it covered most of the bandages. I hadn't noticed before, but as I put on my red flats, I felt a rough fabric run against my foot.

"I guess they did find the glass," I sighed, fixing the straps on my shoes so they fit over my heel. Without thinking of past memories or the scars on my body, I opened the door and stepped out.

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Hey, my little droplets! I don't know why but I have a good feeling about this chapter! Before writing this chapter I just finished an art project due in a couple of days. Unlike the other homework it had, it was pretty fun! I love having art during school ^-^ and I'm also glad I was able to get this chapter finished today!