by Simone Elise
“See you tonight, Chloe?” Scott asked quickly, while walking backwards.
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” I replied and sat on the edge of a desk. I had a feeling I would be here for a while.
“Awesome. Hospital at five,” Scott said over his shoulder before darting out the door. Xavier closed it behind him.
Scott and I had made plans to drag Dan to the hospital tonight. I still hadn’t seen him or had a chance to talk with him about his mate, seeing that he had just disappeared and gone to stay with his grandparents for a bit.
But Alec had let it slip and told me that Dan was returning today. So Scott was dragging him to the hospital. I would meet them both there.
“So what is it now, Xavier?” I sighed. “Here I was thinking I could avoid you for a whole week.”
Xavier didn’t look amused as he crossed his arms. I had avoided every conversation he had attempted to start with me at school, and I had made sure that as soon as I left the school grounds he couldn’t find me.
“What are you doing this weekend?” He attempted to hide his annoyance but I was his mate. I could hear through him.
“Anything that doesn’t involve you.” I crossed my arms. “Why? What do you and Emily have planned?”
“Saturday night are you free?”
He ignored my reference to Emily. Maybe he had forgotten he had a wife.
“Define free.”
“Chloe.” He growled and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t play with me.”
“I have no plans.” I uncrossed my arms. “How are the boys?”
“I think you know how they are.” Xavier gritted his teeth. “They’re staying at your house.”
“What?” I got up from the desk. “Since when?”
“Since your father thought it best.” Xavier snapped. “Emily isn’t coping well.”
“Oh.”
I looked at the ground now, suddenly feeling guilty for making Xavier’s life just a little bit harder. I wanted to slap myself as soon as I thought that. Xavier didn’t deserve my sympathy. He’d brought this on himself.
“So, Saturday night?” I could feel Xavier’s eyes on me as he spoke. “Would you go on a date with me?”
“WHAT!” I let my eyes snap to him. Was he crazy? “You can’t go out dating! Especially me!”
“Why?”
“A, you’re my teacher. B, you’re married. C, I don’t know if you have noticed, but I’m not talking to you.” I counted the reasons on my fingers and arched both eyebrows at him.
“You’re my mate. I want to take you out.”
“That’s a really lame reason.” I scoffed. “Sorry, not happening.”
“Fine, you just got an F in gym and health.”
“YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” I yelled and walked up to point a finger in his chest. “You aren’t blackmailing me into this!”
Xavier pushed my finger from his chest and looked smugly down at me. “Want to bet?”
“I’m not doing it.” I placed a hand on my hip and moved my schoolbooks to my other side. “Not now, not never.”
“Fine. Have a good weekend.” Xavier’s was still smug as he walked around his desk and sat down in his chair. Placing both hands behind his head, he leaned back and grinned at me. “Have fun telling your parents you failed.”
“You are an evil son of a bitc—”
“I’ll pick you up at seven then.” Xavier grinned, cutting me off.
“I’ll make sure I tell Emily next time I see her.” I threatened. “I wonder how she will take that.”
Xavier shrugged his shoulders, calling my bluff. “I guess we’ll both have to find out when you tell her.”
Groaning, I swung around and opened the door with more force than needed. “I hope you choke on your supper tonight,” I yelled over my shoulder before storming off.
“I’ll make sure I take smaller bites just for you tonight, Chloe.” Xavier’s voice floated smugly behind me.
I clenched my fists at my side. Why did I end up with him as a mate?
***
“YOU HAD ONE JOB, SCOTT! ONE JOB!” I yelled into my phone, receiving some annoyed glares from people as they walked past me in the hospital foyer.
“It’s not my fault,” Scott snapped on the other end of the phone. “He didn’t come here!”
“Where else would he go?” I groaned. “Alec said he was coming home.”
“He said he did come home.”
“What, you talked to Alec?”
“Yeah, he said he picked Dan up.”
“And then where did he go?”
“Alec didn’t know.”
I groaned into the phone. Why was Dan making this so much harder? “Fine, Scott. See you at school.”
“Chloe.”
“Yes, Scott.”
“Maybe Dan’s at your place.”
Pausing, I thought Scott’s idea over. “Yeah, maybe. I’ll let you know if I find him.” I closed my phone and turned it over in my hand. I glanced at the elevator doors. Maybe I could stumble across his mate and befriend her.
Walking over to the elevator, my finger hovered over the buttons. I couldn’t do it. Was it selfish of me to want to speak to Dan first? I turned away and quickly took long strides out of the hospital. I knew Dan wasn’t mine. I knew he needed to be with his mate. But that didn’t mean I wanted to let him.
***
“Ok, I have some serious problems.” I walked into Chad’s room. “Dan found his mate. You already know this. Xavier asked me on a date tomorrow night. AND THEN I have this human guy, Cole. Well, he wants to hang out with me too. I have three guys Chad. THREE! What should I do?” I sat crossed-legged on the couch in his room. And it was only as I looked around, I noticed something was missing.
Chad.
I palm-slapped my forehead. Of course. Chad wasn’t here. How could I forget! Chad had gone away with Dad. I crossed my arms and groaned. This meant I had to make my decision without input.
Getting up from Chad’s couch, I walked out of his room and closed the door softly. Maybe I was beginning to rely on him a bit too much.
Opening my door, I shook my head as I took in the large body lying on my bed.
Looks like Dan has been found.
Maddison
I pushed the Coke button harder and when the little LCD screen displayed the words, ‘out of order,’ I wanted to kick the damn thing! So I did, and it hurt.
“Maddison! Did you just kick that vending machine?” My mom shook her head at me. “Really, Maddison! Control your temper!”
I rolled my eyes and settled for a Fanta, even though I disliked the flavor.
“I’ll meet you back in your room.” My mom sighed and left. I watched her walk out of the cafeteria and I wondered why she had even bothered walking down with me in the first place.
I dragged my feet, walking slowly out of the cafeteria. The only time I got to leave that damned hospital bed was to visit the vending machine. So to say I drew out the walk back to my room was an understatement.
“Convincing enough?” a deep male voice chuckled. Another voice cursed continually. I popped my head around the corner and was sure my eyes snapped to double their size as I took in the drop dead gorgeous guy.
His eyes were flushed with amusement, his jaw clean and strong. He had short dark hair. My eyes took in his flexing, tanned muscles while he supported his friend.
“Dude, I’m sure it isn’t that bad.” The handsome man laughed at his friend, still supporting his weight. His friend continued to limp.
“Where’s reception?” The injured guy glared, clearly not happy. But for some reason he also had amusement in his eyes.
“You’re in the wrong area.” I walked around the corridor and looked at both of them. “You’re not even in the right wing.”
Both guys looked at me. The handsome one I was drooling over moments ago looked at me like I was alien, while the injured guy looked thankful.
“I got a thing, in the um, thing. And, well…” The boy looked at me, then straightened up. “Dan, lets go.”
“But your foot is bleeding.” I pointed out at the guy who’d just suggested leaving. “You should get that checked.”
“It’s nothing. This was a bad idea,” he said lightly. “This was just a joke.”
“How is injuring your foot and coming to the hospital, a joke?” I frowned at him. I glanced at the gorgeous guy. He was still staring at me with a slightly blank expression.
“I wanted to get with a nurse.” The guys face dropped. “Shit, shouldn’t have told you that.”
I laughed lightly and shrugged my shoulders. “You’re honest, I guess.”
I glanced back at the hot guy, expecting his stare, but quickly looked to the ground when I noticed his stare had turned into a glare. Not a friendly one, clearly.
“So what is a pretty girl like yourself doing here?” The injured guy asked and grinned at me.
“I’m a patient.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I wish I could say I was here to get with nurses too. But, you know, not all of us can be awesome like you.”
“Scott.” He placed a hand out for me to shake. I placed my tiny one in his.
“Maddison.”
“This is Dan.” Scott gestured to the hot guy next to him. He wouldn’t look at me now. He was staring, glaring and now not looking at me at all. Strange.
“Nice to meet both of you.” I smiled and pulled my silk dressing gown tighter around me.
“You don’t look sick.” Scott arched an eyebrow. “You’re just here for the food?”
“I wish,” I scoffed. He was lying though. I looked the image of death and I knew it. “I’d better go. Nice meeting you both.”
“Can you show us the way to Emergency?” Scott asked, with a charming grin.
“Um, sure.” I frowned and turned around with Scott now walking next to me. His friend was walking slowly behind me.
“So, what you in here for?” Scott’s steps were normal now and his injury was clearly faked.
“Just sick.” I quietly answered and looked at the ground. I didn’t like telling people I was a dead person walking.
“Emergency is just around the corner. I suggest you start limping again.” I smiled and Scott stopped suddenly.
“Thanks for the heads up.” Scott leaned on Dan and started limping again. I kept walking with them. It wasn’t like I had anything else to do. Though I was starting to feel the energy leaving me.
“I hope you find a hot nurse.” I grinned and crossed my arms.
“Thanks.” Scott suddenly knocked up his limping another notch and leaned most of his weight onto Dan.
“You must owe him something,” I said to Dan.
“What?” His voice was short and snappy. I noticed even Scott frowned at him.
“I…just…well…you would have to owe him. For him to get you to agree to this,” I stuttered, unable to look at Dan’s hard face as he continued to glare at me.
“Hey, Maddison. What are you doing down here?” The reception lady, Mai, greeted me as I walked to the intake desk with the guys.
“Just giving directions.” I smiled shyly.
“Sorry, I heard you got your results today.” Mai smiled sadly at me. That smile I knew too well. It was the ‘sorry-to-hear-you’re-dying smile.’
“Another test, another result.” I shrugged, and then brought her attention onto Scott. “This is Scott. He needs to be admitted or looked at.”
“MADDISON!”
I quickly turned around. Oh, that voice scared me.
“You’re in trouble.” Mai whispered at my back. I noticed both the boys had turned around to see the crazy woman taking long strides towards us.
“Do you not understand BED REST!” My mom’s face was turning redder by the second. “I understand that being in bed may be boring, but you have to stay there. You know that. Wandering to the vending machine is one thing, but walking around the hospital is another!”
“Yeah, because lying in bed all day is going to help me.” I rolled my eyes at her.
“Maddison, do not use that tone with me! You heard what the doctor said this morning!”
“Yeah, Mom, I did hear what he said. The question is, did you?” I snapped and shook my head at the same time. “Because last time I checked, lying in bed isn’t going to help me.”
We had now scored the attention of all the bored people in the waiting room.
“Maddison, he said resting could help.” My mom’s voice waved in emotions as she spoke. I knew my condition was hard for her to come to terms with.
“No, Mom. He said that was all my body will be soon able to do.”
“You’re starting the new course of medicine tomorrow.” My mom stood a tad taller. “And in the meantime you will continue on bed rest.”
“I’m not starting the medicine, Mom.” I looked her square in the eye. “And you can’t make me anymore.”
“You are damned well taking it!” she snapped and the venom in her voice even made Scott flinch. “You will take this new trial medication, just like before.”
“I’m eighteen now. You can’t tell me what to take.” I crossed my arms. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m not starting a new trial.”
Was this how I wanted to tell her? No. But she was pushing me, like she always did when it came to my medication and treatment. The thing was there was no treatment for me, and Mom had yet to accept this.
“No.” she shook her head. “That’s not happening. You are taking the medication.”
“No, I’m not. I already told the doctor and my specialist.”
“Without this medication, Maddison, you won’t last more than four mouths!” Her voice went up an octave as panic crept through her.
“Actually it’s two. Two months max, Dr. William told me. He said, considering my case, I would be lucky to survive the month.” My hands began to shake at my side and I quickly wrapped them around me, holding myself tightly. “Can we not talk about this anymore? Or at least can we argue about this in my room?”
She nodded her head quickly and I noticed the tears in her eyelids that she was trying to blink away. She glanced briefly at the room full of people, who were all staring at us.
“There you guys are!” Logan walked up behind our mom. He grinned at me, and, like always, my mom quickly spun around and walked away from us, heading back in the direction of my room.
Logan frowned at her retreating back and then arched an eyebrow at me. I just shook my head. Our mom was a tight woman when it came to emotions.
“Good luck with your nurse.” I looked sideways at Scott before walking to Logan. I noticed the look in Scott’s eyes as he nodded his head at me, a pitying smile.
Yep, there it was, the smile I got all the time. My eyes flicked to Dan’s for a moment. I couldn’t connect with them when I saw the anger in them. This face was tight, his jaw clenched and his eyes slightly darker than before. He was clearly angry.
Well I prefer anger to a pitying smile, even though his anger didn’t make sense.
I walked over to Logan and he quickly wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I curled into his side, and we walked together slowly. Logan supported my weight, like most of the time. He was a great brother. I don’t know what I would do without him.
“You feeling ok?” he whispered down to me and I nodded my head.
Truth was I felt fine one moment and then could barely move the next. Some days were better than others, and then some minutes were harder than others. But it was nearly over now.
I didn’t have much longer to go and I guess I should have been scared, but I wasn’t. I was sick of being sick. I was sick of new treatments, which only made me sicker, and I was sick of being weak.
I was never going to get better, and once I was told that again today, I knew I had
to come to terms with the fact I was dying.
Sure, I knew it before the doctor told me for sure today. But hearing it such certain terms, well, it made me know I was never getting better. So I welcomed death because death took the pain and sadness from me.
But, at the same time, I felt robbed. I would never drive a car, get married. Hell, I haven’t even been on a date! I yawned again in Logan’s arms and I heard him say that we were nearly there.
My feet suddenly got heavier, and I felt like I was dragging myself. Though it was more like Logan dragging me. My eyes fluttered closed, as Logan helped put me back in my bed. A bed that I attempted to always run from, but always ended up back in.
Feeling the blankets being wrapped around me, I snuggled into my pillow and felt sleep taking me.
Another early soundless sleep awaited me, and I knew soon I would enter a sleep that I would not awake from.
Chapter 20
“Come on.” I dragged Dan up the hospital corridor. He was using all his force, trying to delay us. “Dan, I swear I will kick your butt.” Dan’s face was so smug. He knew that even my hardest hit would most likely not hurt him.
I stopped and twirled around, still with his hand in my grasp. “Look, we go meet her and at the end of it, if you still don’t want to save her, then we walk away. And I won’t bring it up again.”
Dan attempted to pull his hand from my grasp, but my fingernails dug into his skin. He wasn’t leaving, not after the hours I had spent to get him to this point.
“I already know I don’t, so why does it matter!” he snapped, his jaw clenched and his eyes wide with disgust. “I don’t need to see her again!”
“Dan, having a mate is a beautiful thing. She has been designed for you. You have been designed for her. Don’t turn your back on this.”
“Xavier has been designed for you.” He spat. “Why don’t you go play with your mate, and leave me and mine alone.”
“Don’t try and get me angry with you. It’s not going to happen.”
“Fine.” He sighed, defeated. His shoulders shagged slightly, and he glared down at his feet. “Let’s get this over with.”
