Turning on the water I step in wincing quickly at the pain of water hitting my injured skin. It's refreshing but also burns lightly. I need it to be over, so I shower as quickly as possible without hurting myself and step out get dressed and walk out to my sister. Her boyfriend is gone from the door. I'm assuming getting the car. I continue to shuffle towards the bed as she places fuzzy slippers at my feet. She brushes wet hair out of my face and lightly squeezes my shoulder.
"I was so worried, Ariya don't ever scare me like that again"
"I'll remember that next time I get in an accident" "I took care of getting you a new car and all the insurance"
"what!"
"It's fine don't freak out I have some money so I took care of all of it" "Ttt Take it back..." I stutter. "No deal" she stands looking at me. We start our voyage to the car while passing the nurse station. They all smile and wish me luck.
"They all love you Ariya"
"I have been out, why do they care"
"because they know a good person when they see them" she says as she puts her arm in mine. I smile weakly. Stumbling outside we get me settled in the back seat and I sit quietly as they drive me home. I bask in the bright sun missing the warmth on my skin ignoring the dull pain of my body. When I walk in my door Bella walks carefully up to kiss my hand as if I would break.
"I love you Bella" I sigh and she lightly wags her tail still cautious making sure I am alright. She follows me as my sister takes me up to my room.
"We will be down stairs just take your time and when you come down we can hang out and watch some movies" I smile weakly in response and she closes the door behind her. I slide slowly to the floor and Bella lays next to me. I grab one of my mother's shirts and breath in the scent of home.
"Mom, I miss you" a silent tear runs down my cheek and I close my eyes for what seems like a few minutes... Opening my eyes I realize I am in my bed...but have no recollection how I got there. I sigh. Sarah must have put me here. Which makes me even more upset. I don't like when people take care of me. Especially because it means I have to depend on people and I have never been good at that. I was a very independent kid except when my mom was here...I stopped in my tracks not prepared to go down that road. I sit up and look at my legs and arms. Covered in scratches and bruises. Despite the pain I want to get out of the house. Not that my house isn't great after being in the hospital for days. I need to walk, I slowly move my way to the edge of the bed and Sarah walks in.
(Sarah)
"Good morning sleepy, what are you doing?"
"I'm going for a walk."
"Uhm, no you are not." she states simply.
"But I need to, I have been in the house cooped up for too long, I need some fresh air."
"Alright but you have to let us come with you..." "Fine, but don't be gross" "What do you mean?" I start making kissy faces at her trying not to laugh. "Oh shut up. Someday you will have that" I scoff. As far as I'm concerned it's netflix and chipotle. She places a huge pill on my dresser and a glass of water and points to it as she walks out.
"Hurry up and get ready" she says as she closes the door. I acknowledge the pill but just get up and shuffle across the room to my closet. I dress as fast as I comfortably can. I look in a mirror and immediately regret that decision. I brush my hair back into a messy bun and shrug. That's as good as it's gonna get. Bella follows me close out of my room and down the stairs. I reach down to pet her and open the back door to let her out but she just looks at me and I step outside with her. Bella never breaks eye contact until I am to the edge of my patio and she then runs into the yard to do her business. I roll my eyes. Looking around the yard I see my sister and her boyfriend giggling and kissing each other in the kitchen window. I'm gonna need to lay down some ground rules if they are going to be staying here. Bella comes running back to me. I breathe in the fresh air and watch the clouds as they pass overhead.
"Are you ready to go?" I jump and look back at the door.
"Sorry if I scared you"
"It's fine Nick" I turn back and head towards the house. Ignoring the pain in my legs.
"Lets go" I put Bella in her kennel and stand holding my front door open. Locking the door I turn to my sister.
"So can we just follow my usual route?" "Absolutely... lead the way" I begin walking and turn down my street. I figured that I need some coffee so i'll just show them my favorite little coffee shop. I continue to watch the sky as the clouds swim in the atmosphere. I notice birds flying over head. I wish I was a bird. I feel the wind and be so free. The pain in my legs is starting to get worse as we reach the coffee shop. I hope HE isn't here... I don't want him to see me like this. Wait...Why do I care? I shake my head at myself. Promising myself that I don't care what Mich...Mr. Tobias thinks about me.