Thank god, that the doctor came in at the right time. I don't know if either of us is comfortable enough to act on it, whether it's rejection or acceptance. I rushed out immediately after receiving a call from my mom, she was furious because I had told Henry to go home from the party whereas I didn't. I told her I stayed the night at Sadie's but she still wanted to see me.
I had informed Noah to tell Audreya about Josette being in the hospital, turns out Noah was with her the whole night comforting her when she was overly concerned about Josette not being at home. He brought Audreya to meet her in the hospital but had to leave for some work emergency. Audreya and Sadie got along in no time, they never met but already knew so much about each other through Noah.
As soon as I arrived home, my mom bombarded me with a barrage of questions. After the 'peaceful' conversation with my mother, I went upstairs and freshened up. The gentle exchange of words had left a soothing resonance in the air, like a soft melody playing in the background. As I ascended the stairs, a sense of calm enveloped me, and I felt a newfound closeness with my mother. In my bathroom, I turned on the warm, inviting light that casts a comforting glow around the room. The sound of running water from the faucet seemed to harmonize with my relaxed breaths. I splashed cool water on my face, the droplets feeling like tiny, refreshing kisses from a gentle breeze. The soft scent of lavender soap filled the air, enhancing the tranquillity of the moment. As I gazed into the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the serene reflection staring back at me.
After I had carefully dressed myself, I set out on my way back to the hospital. The attire I chose was not just a matter of fashion; it was a symbol of my readiness to face whatever lay ahead. Each button or zipper felt like a small step towards confronting the challenges at the hospital.
As I walked towards my car, I couldn't help but notice the world around me. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm and reassuring light that seemed to promise a better day. The chirping of birds overhead added a touch of nature's melody to the moment, a reminder of the continuity of life even in the midst of difficult times. The drive back to the hospital was full of contemplation, both good and bad. I decided to grab food on my way back for Sadie, Audreya, and Noah, they've been there since I left. I made sure to pick a selection of food from the hospital canteen for Josette, too.
With lunch in hand, I made my way to Josette's room. Upon entering the room, I noticed paper wrappers scattered on the floor, indicating that they had already enjoyed their lunch. Noah was present in the room with us, but it was evident that his mind had wandered off to a different place entirely. His attention was completely absorbed by his phone, as he navigated its digital realm, leaving his physical presence to linger as a mere formality.
Josette's face lit up with a bright smile as she eagerly glanced at the food in my hand, a spark of delight in her eyes. I swiftly made my way towards her and placed the food on the side table. "You've already had your lunch, I presume," Hearing no response from their side, I knew they definitely had. With a warm smile, I began to carefully open Josette's lunch, ensuring it was within her reach. "Here. This is yours."
"I thought you were talking to me," she exclaimed. "And what made you think I wasn't?"
"Not this one, the other one. The assumption."
"I know who ate all those burgers," I said turning to Sadie. "You think that low of me? C'mon Chris. I hate to break it to you but you're wrong." I glanced at her after she ended her sentence. "Okay, maybe it was me." She grinned.
"Hasten before the meal cools down," I told Josette and she nodded positively. She commenced her meal, and I stayed serenely, monitoring her until she proposed that I accompany her.
In the hushed, antiseptic hospital corridor, Noah firmly detained me, his urgent grip halting my departure for LGC, a moment after Josette and I had concluded our shared meal. "Are you leaving now?" He asked to which I gave my approval with a nod.
As we sat in the car, the anticipation building, we were en route to LGC, The deafening silence sliced through our ears like a sharp blade, and neither Noah nor I made any effort to dispel it. After several minutes of profound silence, Noah made the decision to break the growing awkwardness that had been intensifying with each passing minute. "I don't know how to play word games, so I'll ask you directly. Is something going on between you and Josette?"
"No"
I could tell he's exasperated. I had instructed Henry to remain at the hospital with the girls and urged him to contact me immediately if there was any sign of an emergency, so I was the one driving. "Did you know that Josette was going to be there, last night?"
"No"
I kept my eyes glued to the road, intentionally avoiding any glance in Noah's direction. "Tell me what happened last night, Chris. And I want the details." Upon the completion of his sentence, I promptly halted the car, opened the door, and stepped out. It was at that moment that he realized we had arrived at LGC. He and I have been practically living together since kids. After Sadie moved out, it was always him who had been with me through everything. Might as well add, that he always knows when I'm telling the truth or not. Right now, I could sense his penetrating gaze drilling into my back, silently urging me to confess the truth while I vanished deep inside the walls of LGC.