Not proof read this hoe needs to skadaddle byeee
---
The next few hours were slow. Very slow.
My mother apparently called again, making someone have to come into my room and give me a phone. Really annoying. I told them I didn't want to answer though.
Every time I did accept, she'd seem upset. But she'd just go on and on about my eyes and how they were ruined. Made me feel like I was just one of her dolls that's now damaged.
That and the fact she couldn't be bothered to fly back from Paris even though her only son got attacked really made me salty.
When my father called he at least had the decency to not mention it. But that could be because he has tact rather than not being concerned about my 'appearance being ruined'.
I'd do anything to just restart my life with good parents. Well, there are some things I wouldn't want to leave behind though.
Ugh, well you certainly can't have everything in life.
I slept a little, it made me feel slightly better when I woke. But waking up wasn't very pleasant because it was from a loud crashing sound. Scared the shit out of me.
It was just someone in the hall though.
I'm really anxious on my own... but at least I'm not on my own in the house. I don't think I could handle that, especially with no sight.
Since then I've just been sitting by the window feeling the breeze. Not much else to do.
And that's the 45th siren I've heard since I opened the window...
The door suddenly opening made me jump and spin around.
"Sorry." A young ladies voice apologised. "I've been told you were a bit jumpy...it slipped my mind. I apologize."
"It's alright." I sighed in relief, before making my way over and sitting on my bed.
"I'm Genevieve. I'm an orderly here. I was told to check up on you? I know you're not usually on your own. Where's your partner?"
"My what??"
"Oh, sorry. Are they not...? Uh." She coughed awkardly. "I just always see them in here. Well, this is a great start..." She trailed off and I chuckled.
"It's alright. I can see where the confusion would be. It's... complicated."
"Ah, I see." She approached a little, and I tried not to visibly tense. "How is everything? Care wise I mean, I don't know anything medical." She chuckled. "I know your food might not be up to par. We don't get many with your diet in this hospital."
"Right... sorry about that. But I really couldn't stomach...other stuff."
"I understand, I'm a vegetarian. It wasn't too much trouble to acquire it. We are legally required to stock all kinds of meal types based on diets and beliefs."
"Right." I frowned as I noticed footsteps stop just at the open door.
"Oh, hey there Kiba. Oh! Ey
Riley, would you like a visitor?"
Uhhh. What.
"Um...sure?"
"Great! Come in come in!!"
She got excited fast...who is this person.
"Hey doofus...uh, this is Riley right? I am next door so I've seen you around. Sorry, not like creepily or anything. I just walk a lot...uh. yeah I'm being creepy, sorry." The young man chuckled awkwardly.
"That's fine. I'm sure if I could see I'd wander around to fill the time too. Kiba right?" Just going to roll with this...
"Yes, that's me. I'm here a lot so Genevieve is a good friend."
Well I certainly wasn't expecting for the day to go in this direction.
"You're here long term?" I wondered.
"Oh, no, just a lot... I'm HIV positive."
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry."
"Does talking about your injury make you uncomfortable? Because I'm mighty curious." He asked and I smiled.
"No, it's fine. I got it from...an angry ex. I guess."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Genevieve gasped and I chewed on my lip.
"It's whatever. At least he didn't kill me."
"Looking on the positive side huh?" Kiba chuckled. "And the man that's in here a lot? He had an injury too right?"
"Oh, yeah, he got shot too. Trying to help me..."
"Wow....so is he your boyfriend?"
Again with this question??
"No."
"Oh, sorry. I assumed." He chuckled awkwardly. "Are you gay? I mean, don't be afraid, 'cause I'm gay too, I mean, I have a boyfriend. Well, did. Uh."
"Don't worry about it, it's complicated is all." I shook my head in amusement.
"What do you mean 'did'? I thought he was just here?" Genevieve asked him quietly.
"Yeah... well he just can't handle it well. I don't know. Maybe he'll be back."
"Sounds like you're not having a good day?" I commented.
"Well, I'm positive, he's not. So he can't handle the hospital...and he's so paranoid about catching it off of me."
"Oh, right... I'm sorry."
"It's... probably for the best. I mean, the whole...sick all the time...Limited life span... constant hospital visits and crippling medical debt doesn't really make for a good relationship."
Wow. Uh. This is getting heavy.
"Were you together when you found out you had it?"
"Yeah... it's been so long that it's AIDS now. I came in because I collapsed a few months ago. I must have caught the HIV virus a few years ago, before I met him. By some miracle he didn't catch it off of me. But he never wanted to touch me again...it's been tough."
"I'm sorry, I don't know much about it. I thought AIDS was HIV?"
"It is, kinda. You get AIDS after having the HIV virus for a few years. When your immune system has been worn down. If you catch HIV early on you can get it treated, and even prevent yourself from getting AIDs. But, I didn't. So....here I am."
"I'm... really sorry to hear that."
"Yeah it kinda sucks. I mean I didn't get tested and that despite having unprotected sex, because I didn't want to waste money. Now I've got about a few thousand dollars more than I would have had, but only around 3 years to live instead of potentially decades. So, that's great."
Uh wow I'm feeling a little awkward right now.
What do I say. I just keep on saying sorry. Ugh I'm awful.
"You're doing fine at the moment Kiba. Your cell count is up!" Genevieve interjected.
"Yeah, how long is that going to last." He chuckled. "Well my end point is, stay safe and get tested, all right. Don't be a me."
"Uh, will do...will... definitely do."
"Anyway, how are you, injury wise? Are you here long term too? I mean.. your eyes..."
"I'm not blind. It was a close call though."
"What exactly happened?"
"Well, first I was shot, in the waist. And then he tried to scratch out both of my eyes with a knife."
"Oh, my god. He's a psycho."
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure he is actually. He's been like that for as long as I've known him..."
"What?? Like violent? You said he was an ex?"
"Well we didn't have a very consensual relationship..it's complicated."
"Oh...I see. Man... I'm sorry." He chuckled slightly. "We're a right bunch aren't we. Have you got any dark and traumatising secrets Genevieve?"
"Uh...I broke my wrist once."
"Nice."
"Do you go to school Riley?"
"I did...kinda. I don't really know anymore. This whole mess has kinda...fucked it up."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I definitely recommend sticking with it though. I'm ...I was doing my second year of college. Studying chemistry. It was fascinating."
"I'm really not much of an academic." I smiled. "Pretty sure my IQ is like...five."
"Same here." Genevieve chuckled. "I dropped out of med school. Now I'm just an orderly."
"How come?"
"I didn't have the patience for it. I may go back one day. But it was my fascination with hospitals that inspired me, so being an orderly is fine too."
"Really...I don't like hospitals to be honest."
"Well, for a patient it has many negative connotations, so I'm not surprised. But for me, I love the healing atmosphere. It makes me happy to make others feel better, as much as I can."
"Hard work, especially in today's climate."
"Yeah..."
"It's only going to get worse. You guys have fun with that." Kiba chuckled. "I don't have to pay my debt back because I'm going to be dead and everything. But if I was, it'd be hard to put me in a good mood too."
Oof...dark humour.
"Kiba... you're going to eat your own words when you're still alive in 30 years."
"Always the optimist huh Jenny. I better not be...then I'd have to get a job."
"You like to make dark jokes about your mortality don't you." I commented.
"Yes! It's my favourite thing. It's amusing and makes people really uncomfortable at the same time. Sometimes they even give me pity gifts."
Welp...
"Do you have any family Riley?"
"Both my parents are...alive."
"Hm. Well that's nice." Kiba chuckled. "Guessing that description isn't a good sign."
"Well, they could be dead. Or drug addicts...So. Yeah."
"Yeah, they could..." Genevieve replied awkwardly.
Don't tell me one of them has dead parents...ugh nice one Riley.
"Who are the strange amount of men I see visiting you then? Not brothers?" Kiba chuckled.
"Oh. Right. They're step brothers...I guess."
"Ooh, is that the complicated part? That guy is your step brother?"
"Ooh spicy."
"Uh, no, actually. Well, he is, but that's not the complicated part..."
"Whaattt?"
"Yeah...I guess I didn't really think about that. The other stuff is kind of a bit more... pressing. Especially because the step brother part definitely isn't permanent..may not even last the year to be honest."
"Oh, a divorce huh? Who is it, your mum's partner or your father's?"
"My mother's...she does it a lot."
"Gets divorced?"
"Yeah..it's her thing."
"Oh my lord...your ex is a psychopath, your 'it's complicated' is your step brother. And your mother is a professional gold digger?"
"Also, my parents only got together to have me, like some kind of pedigree dog. And my father is married to a man, who also raped me, when I was trying to steal money for my friend with kidney cancer. In England."
"Dude. Now my traumatic backstory would seem unoriginal." Kiba sighed.
"You go to therapy, right?" Genevieve asked seriously.
"Uh, no. Not my thing." I chuckled awkwardly.
"Are you sure you wouldn't benefit from it? Maybe someone to talk to."
"I do talk to...a person..."
"Who?"
"Uh...Aaron."
"Is that the guy always in here?"
"Yeah...."
"So you talk to him about the deepest darkest parts of yourself, and he spends nearly every waking moment by your side making sure you're okay despite having his own injury? Also caused by the fact he was risking his life trying to save you?"
"Uh...yeah."
"What's this ' it's complicated' thing again?"
"It's..." I sighed.
"Complicated?" Kiba chuckled.
"Yeah." I smirked. "It's a long story."
"Why? Is there someone else?"
"Oh, maybe the person he mentioned he was getting money for?" Genevieve suggested in excitement.
"Uhhh. Guys."
"Yeah...I think that could be it. Is he nice? Handsome?"
"It's complicated."
"So he's not handsome but is at the same time?" Kiba teased and I chuckled.
"Don't worry, I'll...sort it out." I sighed, frowning a little.
"Oh dear, we've launched him into a pit of despair."
"I just have a lot to think about I guess..."
"A lot! There's more?"
I huffed. "It's... very complicated."
"Oh my gaawdd." Genevieve giggled.
"Can we not talk about it?"
"Oh, you want to talk about how I'm dying of a terminal illness instead?"
"Yikes. Low blow. Fine, continue torturing me."
"Personally I think your choice is clear." Kiba commented with a sigh.
"Why? You haven't even met them?"
"Has to be at least one of your visitors though? Besides, that's not what I'm judging it on."
"Judging on your type huh?"
"Actually, one is clearly in love with you. The others, debatable. But even if they were, they aren't half as dedicated. Also, yes, he's definitely my type. So if you're not keeping him, yes please." Kiba chuckled and I made a face.
"What was that mouth twitch? Do I detect a hint of jealousy? Hmmmmm." Genevieve started giggling again and I shook my head at her.
"Discomfort, maybe. You two are too much."
"You always scare people off Genevieve." Kiba tutted. "I on the other hand, think I should take up counselling, I'm pretty good at this."
"No, you aren't, my mind state is no different than beforehand."
"It totally is! Besides, don't you think getting advice from someone who's dying could be like...deep or something. Some people would pay a pretty penny for that..."
"Better take me on a holiday if you get rich." Genevieve chuckled and I smiled.
"Who's that?" I asked quietly when I heard someone stop at the door.
"Oh, hello!" Genevieve chirped, then giggled.
"Sorry, I'm just wondering how he managed to make two friends in the small amount of time I was gone." Aaron's voice answered and I smiled brightly.
"Hey."
"Oh my, I've been here way too long. I need to get back to work. Bye Riley, Kiba!" Genevieve suddenly scuttled off with a start.
"And she's gone..." Kiba chuckled. "Well, I should probably go back to my room too."
"I'm not that scary am I?" Aaron asked.
"Not at all, sorry. I'm Kiba. Nice to meet you." He chuckled.
"Aaron. I've seen you walking around, your room's around here isn't it?"
"Yeah, I'm his room neighbor. So, I'll be back. See you later Riley. And you too." He chuckled again.
"Oh...okay?"
"Bye!"
It was quiet for a little bit until he sat next to me.
"How'd you manage to meet people while staying in your room like a hermit?" He chuckled.
"The orderly came in and brought him too. It was an ambush. But I enjoyed it." I smiled brightly.
"Are you feeling better now?"
"Yeah." I smiled, then tilted my head. "Yeah I'm really good."
"Wow, maybe you really are an extrovert, if making friends makes you feel better."
"It wasn't really that, just...some perspective." I jumped up and then pulled on his arm. "Let's go for a walk."
"Really?" He stood up cautiously.
"Yep, but if you make me crash, I will not forget."
"I will try my best Sunshine."
"Great! Let's go, I wanna go outside."
"Okay, it is a nice day I guess."
"Hurry up! It's not like I can be the one pulling you along."
"Alright, calm down." He chuckled. "But you're forgetting shoes."
"Ugh. Damnit. Can't I just walk around like a hobbit?"
"No, we're not adding a nail through the foot to your injuries."
"Fine, hand me them and I'll do the rest myself."
"You're going to tie your laces blindfolded?"
"Yeah sure, can't be that hard. Oh, uh, maybe tell me which shoe is which though."
"Right, will do."
---
It was really stressful walking through the busy hospital. And the lift was terrifying. I didn't like lifts in the first place, but not being able to see made it feel even weirder.
Eventually we made it to the courtyard garden though. It was so much quieter. The other side of the hospital as the ER, so no loud sirens. And certainly less foot traffic.
The sun felt really nice on my skin.
"Is it a clear sky?" I wondered as we walked.
"Mostly, a few fluffy clouds."
"Fluffy?" I smirked.
"Yeah, fluffy. Fluffy clouds... that's.. totally a saying, right?"
"Mhm." I smiled.
"What?"
"Nothing." I chuckled.
I squeaked and jumped back when the surface suddenly became squidgy. "What is that??"
"...Grass."
"Oh, could've told me."
"Sorry, I didn't think it would be too noticeable...I guess I take the feeling of the ground for granted..."
"Wait, hang on a sec, can I sit down?"
"On the grass?"
"Yeah...I want to feel it."
"Sure, we can sit down, over here though." He said, pulling me further along. "A little incline here." He warned.
"Why, is it prettier or something?" I chuckled.
"And away from foot traffic."
"Okay then."
I felt his hand move as he seemingly sat down. "Come on."
"There's nothing in the way is there...?"
"No, it's an open space."
"Are you sure...?"
"Yes, just sit, right where you are."
"What if I like, accidentally hit you or something?"
"How heavily do you sit down?? It's fine, just sit."
Eh...
He tssked after I stayed still and I yelped when he tugged me down by my arm.
He made a little noise of pain when I elbowed him... possibly in the crotch, and I started laughing.
"Karma."
"Please lift your arm up." He chuckled and I struggled to get off of him.
"Grasssss." I smiled, patting it with my hands.
"I'm glad grass makes you happy."
"It does. Warm, sunny, but still cool, grass."
"It is unusually nice weather. Think we're having some kind of heatwave. Probably nice down at the sanctuary."
"Aw, how are the lambs?"
"Doing fine, apparently. Very active."
"Cuties." I sighed. "Shouldn't you go see them?"
"I need to go back eventually. But it is a volunteer job after all, they can't fire me or anything. Well, at least, not for not turning up. If they didn't like me they could."
"That would be impossible."
"Impossible not to like me? Well, thanks for the compliment."
"That, and the fact that no normal human being will be able to feed the calves with that stupid lever." I joked and he chuckled.
"Right. Maybe you just need to go to the gym." He commented and I gasped.
"Wow, are you body shaming me?"
"Not shaming, just advice."
"Pfft. I get by thanks very much."
"Yes, that's because you have people doing the heavy lifting for you." He stated and I chuckled.
"Mhm." I smiled, then laughed. "Wait, what heavy lifting are you even talking about. I haven't had to lift anything in a while."
"Well... I'm sure eventually you might need an ounce of physical strength."
"Oh my god! Are you saying I don't even have an ounce of strength? Maybe you are a lion after all. Meanie." I snorted. "Besides, I think I could best you in a fight."
"Oh really? You're only saying that because I can't prove it right now."
"Who says that? Go on, come at me bruv." I teased with a fake London accent.
"Firstly, I wouldn't anyway. But secondly, I'm not going to try and fight a blind patient in public even if I wanted to. People would probably taze me or something." He huffed and I laughed.
"I would die to see that." I chuckled, and then couldn't help but laugh again as I pictured it in my head.
"I'm glad you find the idea of me being electrocuted so amusing." He chuckled.
I paused when I felt some vibrations in the grass. "What is tha- eek!" I jumped up when something wet touched my hand, and then the feeling of teeth or something brushed against my skin. "What is that??" Is that a dog? That felt like a panting dog. Why is a dog here. Is it loose. Is it aggressive am-i-about-to-die!!
"Hey hey, it's just a dog."
"Why??"
"It looks like a Therapy Dog, I don't why it's loose though.." He explained as I felt him lean over me and pet it.
I sighed in relief, but still felt pretty tense.
"Is it mean.."
"No, it's a cute fluffy retriever, calm down." He chuckled. "Hey cutie."
I slowly reached out to pet it nervously.
"Certainly smells like a dog." I made a face as it moved towards me and got it's breath in my mouth.
"He wants to say hi, clearly."
"Dogs do seem to like manically running up to me."
"That wasn't manically, it was a very calm and collected trot."
"You saw him coming and you didn't tell me? Rude!"
"Sorry, my brain didn't process it fast enough."
"Now who has the 5 IQ." I smirked.
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing. Sorry." I chuckled. "I was talking about it with the orderly."
"You told her she has low IQ?"
"Oh no." I chuckled. "I said I did."
"Well, despite the fact you think five IQ is a thing, I'm pretty sure you're quite intelligent."
"It's not a thing?"
"Well someone without a brain would have an IQ of five."
"Well, I mean, I was over exaggerating. It's my dramatic flare."
"Mhm."
I smiled as I pet the dogs head. "I wish I had a dog." I sighed. "Pets are great." I frowned when I thought of Ana.
"I wish I had several dogs." Aaron sighed. "And Guinea pigs. And goats. And lambs. And horses. And turkeys. And cows. And pigs. And chickens. Some donkeys too. Rabbit's of course. Maybe a parrot? It would have to be free roam or something though..."
"Uh, steady on there Noah, do you even have the ark yet?"
"What..." He seemed confused for a few moments, before laughing. "Oh, right, very funny."
"Napoleon!" Someone shouted loudly and I tilted my head.
"Do you think that's the dogs name?"
"Yes, stay here while I take him back, alright?" He said as he stood up, but left before I could reply.
Ok...
I hugged my knees uncomfortably and waited, listening.
Hm...
Aaron hasn't been going to the sanctuary, the nursery or his college this whole time... I really hope he isn't neglecting his life just because he's worried about me.
School...
I've really been in a bubble these past few days. I've got so many things to worry about and sort out.
School..the brothers... Finn's trial. Matias's trial...my mother beginning the divorce... which is bound to happen soon. Especially after this.
I want to stay in this bubble...
Maybe I don't want to go back to the house.
"You alright Sunshine?" Aaron asked as he walked back over.
"Yeah, just, thinking about the future...and that."
"You don't need to worry about it. Just concentrate on recovering."
"Yeah, takes all my concentration to sit around all day. Hard work." I smirked.
"Rest helps you heal faster. And seeing as your eyes are the fastest healing part of your body. Maybe it's not too long now before you can see again."
"Hm..."
"You can be discharged and go home if you really insist. I didn't ask them because I knew the tension would be bad for your stress anyway. But, just want to you to know the options there."
"What as in if I be an annoying Karen about it they'll get fed up and kick me out?"
"Uh... Sure."
"I'd prefer not to. To be honest."
"You don't want to go home?"
"The house is a bit stressful at the moment. And I know not being able to see would...make it a lot worse. I don't think I could handle it." I sighed. "As pathetic as that sounds."
"That's not pathetic. It's perfectly rational. Thanks for being honest about it."
"It would save money though..."
"Riley." He huffed and I chuckled.
"Joking. It's covered by my insurance anyways." I laughed.
"Right...you ready to move on?"
"Just...a little longer." I smiled, before relaxing and leaning back on my hands.
"Alright. The sun is nice and pleasant today anyway."