“You never told me Alex was in hospital” I shivered , and Rian rolled his eyes .
“Oh , relax , Hazel” He said , pulling the car into the parking lot . “You'll see for yourself , he's fine .”
Rian ignored the receptionist and walked straight to the elevators . “He's on the fifth floor ,” Rian told me .
Obligingly , I pressed the button then watched as the glowing digits flicked slowly from G to 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 … and to 5 .
The elevator dinged as the doors opened slowly , leading onto the kind of pristine hallway that you only ever get in hospitals . Doctors hovered around with their clipboards , nurses with medication and visitors with gifts . I plunged my hands into my pockets and looked at the floor guiltily . It was my fault that Alex was in here .
The rockstar had a private room all to himself , down at the very end of the corridor . Jack , Sam and Pommie sat on the plastic chairs outside his room , and they looked up when they saw us coming .
“Found her” Rian said , taking a seat next to Sam .
“The hill ?” Jack guessed , and Rian nodded .
“It's official , I'm a genius” Jack crowed .
“I wouldn't go that far” Sam laughed , hitting her adoptive father lightly . Immediately , Jack counter-attacked with a headlock .
“Is Alex okay ?” I whispered to Pommie , and she smiled at me and nodded .
“Don't worry” She told me , “He's fine .”
Once Alex's parents came out , I was told to go in . Peter and Isobel kept me outside for a few mintues beforehand , though .
“Oh , sweetie” Isobel said , “How are you holding up ? We heard about … everything – and we're coming to the trial on Saturday , of course .”
“Thanks” I said awkwardly , as she pulled me into a hug .
“We're behind you all the way , Hazel” Peter told me sincerely , “Supporting you one hundred per cent .”
I looked up at Peter , and for the first time realised that – in a way – they were my grandparents .
“Thank you so much” I replied honestly , “That means a lot , really . More than I can explain .”
Alex's room looked almost as personal as his bedroom at home did . Some band members must have tweeted about his fall , as GET BETTER SOON cards were overflowing off the windowsill . Either Rian or Isobel must have brought some of his clothes , and one of his acoustic guitars .
“Halo !” Alex said when he saw me . His face split into a relieved smile , and he let out a sigh . “Thank God you're okay . You scared the balls off of me .”
“You're not mad at me ?” I asked in surprise . His thick eyebrows flew off his face .
“Mad at you ? For what ?”
“Well” I paused , frowning . “First of all , in case you hadn't noticed I'm kind of the reason you're in here .”
Alex laughed . “You mean – in this hospital ? You're not worried about that , are you ? I'm fine , Halo . Just a few scrapes and bruises .” He stopped suddenly , and bit his lip .
“Alex ?” I asked , worried . “Alex , what is it ? What's wrong ?”
“When I fell” He began awkwardly , “I kind of … smashed ...”
My mind was sent into a frenzy of worry . “A bone ? Tissue ? Wait , you can't smash tissue ...”
“Halo” Alex said , catching my attention . “Your guitar .”
I looked at him blankly . “What ?”
“I smashed your guitar , Halo . I'm so fucking sorry , I'll buy you a new one and -”
“No” I interrupted , “I … I don't want a new one .”
Maybe I was overreacting . But it had always felt like that guitar connected me with Steven , my dead brother . And now it was destroyed , just like him .
“You okay ?” Alex asked carefully . I looked at him , but I could neither nod nor shake my head . Alex pursed his lips .
“Come here” He said , patting the space in the bed beside him .
Obligingly , I climbed onto the bed beside him . When he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug , I didn't protest .
“I'm sorry I yelled at you” He said softly .
“I'm sorry too” I whispered .
We were quiet for a moment , until Alex spoke again .
“You said … earlier … about why I adopted you” He said , sounding out each word carefully . “And … you were right . When you asked me that day we went shopping I wasn't completely honest with you . I said that I liked you best , and that you stood out . Which was true , I swear !”
I looked up from his chest to meet his eyes . “But ?”
Alex looked at me , his face carrying an expression I'd never seen it wear before . It was soft , and caring and … loving .
“When I was about your age” He began slowly , “Younger , actually , my brother died .”
I gasped quietly . He'd never mentioned this .
“And it hit me hard” Alex continued , “Like you'd expect it to . But I got through it . You know how ?”
I shook my head .
“My family . My friends . And – since I started learning guitar that same year – my music .”
“And then – more than ten years later – I met you . And you reminded me of myself , because you'd lost a brother too . Not only your brother , but your mom . Only you didn't have family or friends . You had a guitar , but you didn't know how to play it . So I figured ; I can adopt a kid who can sing like an angel . Who can play ten different instruments , and still have time to be the funniest person I ever met .”
“Or I could adopt – well , myself . Or someone who reminded me of myself anyway . And I could help that person , help them cope with their grief . I could give them the friends , family and music that they never had before .”
“And you did” I told him . He looked at me in surprise , as if he'd forgotten that I was here . “You did help me , and I for that I can't thank you enough .”
Alex hugged me tightly , and I did the same to him . I knew in that moment that it wouldn't matter what the judge decided , because Alex would always be my dad .
After what seemed like hours , the doctor in charge of Alex came in and said hat visiting hours were over .
“See you Friday , Halo” Alex said softly .
“Bye Dad” I replied , and his face lit up like a Christmas tree .
Outside Alex's room , two people were waiting for me . The first , the woman who'd come this morning to bring me to a foster home , and the second ; our lawyer , Mr Sullivan .
“Um , hey” I said awkwardly .
They both stood up . “Hazel , my name is Ms Lawrence” The woman said , “It occurred to me earlier that you would be living with me for the next few days , at least , and you have yet to learn my name .”
I nodded . “Right .”
“Hazel , I'm just here to let you know that I saved your ass today” Mr Sullivan said .
“Huh ?”
“Have you forgotten already ? The judge specifically instructed that after this morning you were to have no more contact with Alex until the next trial . You two disobeyed the judge , and could have lost yourselves some serious brownie points .”
“But we didn't” I pieced together , “Because of you . Thanks .”
Mr Sullivan shrugged .”That's what you hired me for . But please , Hazel , be careful .”
“I will” I promised .
Mr Sullivan persuaded the doctor to let him see Alex to repeat to him the message , while Ms Lawrence led me to her car .
“We already have all of your belongings at the house” She said , “I'm afraid you have a very small room , but you'll only be here temporarily so that should be alright .”
I nodded politely . “Yeah , that'll be fine thanks .”
My new room was basically a cupboard , with a bed , a lamp and a window . My bags were piled high on one side of the room , but despite the things that I had all I could think about were the things that were missing . My guitar … and Alex .
A/N - Shorter chapter today guys , but still important ! Hope you liked it :) Vote , fan and comment !