It was the big day; the discharge day. After two weeks of staying at the hospital, Nora was finally strong enough to go home. That didn't mean she could live her normal life, but she could rehabilitate at home, in a trusted surrounding. Two weeks full of rehabilitation, examinations, visits of doctors, was it finally time to say goodbye.
Or at least, in a couple of hours. Nora was asleep, she was too excited last night after hearing she could go home, which caused that she didn't get enough sleep. Napping in the late morning wasn't a problem at all.
George let his eyes rest on Nora, who was facing towards George. He's been here since ten o'clock, he and Nora talked, but she fell asleep. George didn't mind it though, he was a company, and Nora felt comfortable around him - so falling asleep while he was keeping company wasn't a bad thing. He could look at her without getting her notice. Nora still looked the same; the first thing you notice when you see here were her eyes. Her eyes were closed, but her dark eyebrows were notable. Under her eyelids were hiding those brown coloured eyes, you could drown in those eyes. Her perfect pink lips were shaped into a thin line, but yet they looked so kissable.
The corners of his mouth curled up. Nora looked better, the colour in her face was back for the first time in weeks. George caught himself on smiling, what one person can do... He broke the stare and looked down at the notebook what was in his hands. It was not like he was reading her personal stuff, but he thought it was sweet to leave a small note in the notebook for when she was home - just a small sweet note to surprise her.
Yet he promised himself he wouldn't read Nora's own stories, George's eyes fell on her last story. The last thing she wrote was 'I want you.'. A thin line appeared between his eyebrows. It was already too late, his eyes glanced over the words she wrote. He must say, her handwriting improved - it was less messy than a view days ago when he saw her writing some things down.
And even when we look at each other, I always wonder what crosses your mind when your eyes meet mine.
George bit on his lip, about who is this?
Sometimes you make me feel like I actually have a chance with you, but when I try to take that chance, you make me realise I never really did.
Is it who he thinks it was? George tightened his jaw. He had to stop reading, but he couldn't stop. He had to know about whom this was, he needed the confirmation of the name what was going through his mind.
Sometimes I think I'm special to you, but then I realise you are acting the same with everyone else and I just...yup, that's cool, alright. I'm not that special, I guess.
It had to be him, no one else is treating more persons at once, or treating people when Nora saw it.
I don't even know why I even bother to like you, to have feelings for you, because it's not like we will end up dating or being together. It's a bloody waste of my feelings and time. It's just...hearing your name makes me smile like an idiot. I want to hold your stupid hand, I want to hug you as much as possible without getting weird looks.
Did she hug him? And did she has feelings for him? He looked in the upper corner of the page and saw the date: Tuesday 15th of January, the day after she had met him. George felt his heart break in pieces. His eyes became blurry because of the tears what were forming in his eyes. He blinked them away and let his eyes rest on the three last words of the page.
I want you.
Ben, she wanted Ben. Of course, she wanted the hot doctor. The moment Ben stepped inside of the room, she was sold, George knew that. The pink blushes on her cheek, her racing heart rate, not being capable of giving normal answers...how stupid could George be? He let out a deep breath and looked down, at the floor. If that was her choice, it was her choice. But what was the utility if he still stuck around? It was obvious for him she didn't want him. Why would a beautiful girl like Nora like a boy like George? George was nothing, he wasn't special or looked extraordinary; he was just a simple boy from King's Lynn and nothing more. Ben was exceptional, he was saving lives every day, and he looked handsome as well.
George got up and closed the notebook, the stupid notebook. He pressed his fingers in the paper and looked around in the room, he wanted to smash this book into the ground so badly. It wasn't right to think that, because she went through a hard time, and he shouldn't have read it. He put the notebook back on the table and got on his coat.
"Hey," a soft, but sweet voice filled his ears. George turned around, facing her again. "Are you leaving already?"
He tried to smile as good as possible, he hoped it was a warm and convincing smile. "Yes, I'm sorry. Mum called for help," he made up.
A yawn left her mouth, and she stretched her arms while nodded. "It's fine, tell her I said hi," she sleepily smiled.
George bit on the inside of his cheek; she looked so innocent but how... He didn't even want to finish the thought. "I will, don't worry," he shortly replied. He stepped towards the door, being her with another minute wasn't right for him now.
"George?" Nora asked and slightly sat up now. He looked at her, but he wasn't making eye contact. "Can we meet-up next week?"
He tightened his jaw and walked over to her. "We will see, okay? Just focus on your recovery," he said and cupped her face in his hands. "Don't worry about that," he added, or did she has to?
"I will find a way to communicate," she softly chuckled.
"I have to go now, good luck this afternoon," he whispered and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Goodbye."
"Bye," she softly said and watched him leave the room.
Nora yawned again, the last few hours in this hospital, maybe even minutes. She blinked a few minutes and laid down again. Her eyes were focusing on the ceiling; the days she thought would never end, came finally to an end today. Yes, it was safe in the hospital, and she made some friends, but it was time to leave it all behind. Nora wanted to look forward only, she wanted to leave this horrible unknown story behind her.
"Nora Clarke." It was the deep voice of Ben.
"Norie!" The high voice of Aubrey said.
Nora sat up and faced her sister, dad, step mum, doctor Kline and Damien. For how long did she stare at the ceiling? The corners of her mouth curled up. "Hello."
"Where's George?" As you can guess, it was Aubrey who asked the question. "He said he would be here too."
"He had to leave, his mum called or something," Nora replied.
Doctor Kline cleared his throat, mainly to get all the attention of the room. "So, today is the day," he said. Nora nodded happily. "Last night went well, I see, no complications or other weird things."
Yesterday was the day Nora entirely was disconnected from all the machines, except the one monitor to keep an eye on her heart rate. "Nope, everything went well," she smiled.
"That's wonderful," he replied. "We have discussed everything yesterday, about the meds and the information you need to know. Do you have questions?"
"No," she said and shook her head. "I don't think so."
"Family?" Kline turned towards the family, and they all shook their heads. "Good. I hope I will not see you again, not that I don't like to see you, but seeing you again means something is wrong. I will see you twice at the appointments, and I hope that will be it."
Nora smirked. "Thank you for everything," she smiled thankfully.
Kline gave her a nod and stuck out his hand. "It's my job, but it was my pleasure, Nora," he said. Nora gave him a hand and shook it. "Have a nice day and don't forget to enjoy life, but take it easy for now."
"I will, you too."
The family thanked the doctor before he left the room. The environment wasn't this positive in a while, everyone was relieved; Nora was okay and that she finally could go home. Nora got up from the bed and needed a few seconds to find the right balance. Victoria collected the last things and put it in a bag while her dad was helping Nora with getting her shoes on.
"Last minutes," Ben said and pressed a smile on his lips.
"Yup, but I'm sure I will see you again when I have my appointments, Ben," Nora replied and sat down in the wheelchair. Ben and Nora bonded over a few days, a new friendship was born. And yes, there were rules about relations between a doctor and a patient...but sometimes rules are made to be broken. "Missing me already?" Nora teased when Ben was the person to push the wheelchair.
"No," he said. "I will just bring you to your car, it's part of the service."
For the last time, Nora had a look over the room; chapter = closed. A soft smile was pressed on her lips when she left the room. Her family was following her. It was also the time to say goodbye to the nurses. The hospital may the place where you get scared, but all those people who work there are all legends.
"Promise me you will call when things go wrong," Ben said when they arrived in the parking lot. He stood in front of her. "Here," he said and gave her a note.
"I will," she smiled. Nora's eyes fell on the note, it was a phone number, probably his. "Thank you, Ben, for everything. You take care," she said. "And make sure you don't kill someone."
He smirked. "Thank you, Nora. And I won't, I promise." He leaned in for a hug, what Nora happily accepted.