I woke up later than I wanted to but I still had time for the visiting hospital guests. I left my room in slippers and a hospital gown with my IV tube to Lyra's Aunt's room. I knocked before entering to make sure she knew I was coming, and she responded.
"Come in."
So I did. She looked like she saw something haunting because her skin was so pale.
"Hello." I greeted her, waving my hand.
"Hello my child," she said, her voice gentle and quiet.
"I'm Shon Bougainvillea." I said formally.
"I know, Lily talks about you all the time."
"Lily?"
"Yes, Lyra. I call her Lily."
"Oh."
"Are you in the hospital too? What for?" she said inspecting my outfit. She was very observant.
"Oh my boat crashed so they're checking up on me here."
"I'm sorry to hear that, child. Who saved you?"
"About that..."
Aunt Sabine motioned me to sit down. I suppose she expected me to be here for a while with my facial expression, so I sat down and continued.
"It was Lyra."
Aunt Sabine's face turns into worry, then surprise, then comprehension
"Did you know that she was um…. a syren?" I asked.
"Yes, I found her on the shore. Her mother turned into sea foam when she gave birth; sirens aren't supposed to give birth. We don't know where her father is either."
"Oh."
"I know it's a lot to take in, hun, but she wanted to keep the secret from you because she didn't want to lose you."
"I….understand."
"She also has a healing power."
"So that's how her arm got better!"
Aunt Sabine gave me a confused look.
"Oh nevermind," I said, nervously rubbing the back of my head.
Aunt Sabine gives me a suspicious look then goes back to talking. "She's been working at the flower shop by herself for a while and that's how it's going to be for now on. She's also busy these days with school so she can't take breaks. I have to stay here because I'm not healthy anymore. Uncle Tom is in another state working on his job there, so she'll be by herself for now on." Aunst Sabine's face got sad, and worried. "Now she does school and surfing, she needs to take breaks or she'll turn into me, unhealthy." she adds
"Don't worry. I'll do my best to take care of her."
"Thanks hun." Aunt Sabine puts her hand on mine. She's so weak and frail, if Lyra turns into this at her age….. I can't let that happen. Aunt Sabine looks out the window and continues. "That choker she wears helps her turn into and from syren, it also helps control her powers. She smiles so much that it worries me. She doesn't know how much pain she's in, but she's brave enough to hide it from you and her friends."
I gave her a thoughtful look, "She must've been through alot."
"Yes, all she wants is a family, a real one. She's never had one, so she doesn't know half of the things families know. That's why she's so stubborn."
"Does she know about you and Uncle Tom?"
"Yes, she visited last night."
"How did she take it?"
"She was upset and left after I told her, so I shouldn't reason with her. I hope you can though. She trusts you, and she loves you. She just doesn't want to lose you because she's afraid she'll mess up, and then she'll lose you. I'm guessing she hasn't told you that either?"
"No."
I felt dejected, and a bit mad at Lyra for hiding things from me for so long.
All she could've done was say something, but she was scared, and she had enough to deal with.
She was also the one who helped everyone, and was there when no one else was. I should give her time, and if she wants to tell me she can.
"Is something troubling you, child?"
"Yes. I'm just wondering why she never told me any of this. I know she has her reasons, but if she trusts me she should've told me."
Aunt Sabine seemed to know what I was going through.
"I'm also thinking of going to the village once I graduate. She'll be mad about me leaving, but I haven't decided yet."
"This does seem to be a tough decision for you-"
"Yeah... I guess it is."
"When will you be discharged?"
"Tomorrow, then I can continue school."
"Oh that's a shame, I thought I was going to have a friend to talk to." she laughed.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that. But the people in this hospital are really nice."
"Is that so? Well I guess I won't be lonely after all."
There was a moment of silence.
"Well, I won't keep you anymore child. I know you have a lot of things to do."
"Thank you, goodbye." I left and headed to my room. I got out my phone and texted Lyra.
"Can we talk?"
"Sure, how about tomorrow or so?"
"Perfect."
She responded more quickly than I expected her to.
Guess she really does make me her favorite. She's at work right now, but she makes time for me.
While I was still lost in my thoughts a knock came from the door, which awoke me from them.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Jake, from the surfing competition."
I was suspicious as to why Jake from Statefarm would be here. "Come in." He comes in, a smirk on his face.
"We have a lot to talk about." he said as he closed the door.