In that moment the metal door slid open with a screech, and a young woman stepped into the room. She balanced a tray of food in her hands and gave the two men sitting near the bed a disapproving frown before shoving them aside and carefully placing the tray on May's lap. "Can't you give her some space?" she snapped at them. "May needs rest, not you guys crowding around her like that. Don't you see how uncomfortable she is?"
Her words had an immediate effect, as both men hung their heads in shame like scolded puppies. Carter wore an especially pitiful expression, while Ian's face remained stoic and unreadable.
May was astonished at the effect, the woman`s words had on the two. Who was she?
When she turned back towards May, her demeanor completely changed, her voice gentle. "Here some food May. I know all of this must be very confusing and overwhelming, but it is important that you take good care of yourself, for your memories to return quicker. Don`t bother about the both of them. If you need some space just say the word and I will shoo them away for you."
The young woman wanted to take May`s hand when talking, but hesitated, halting them midair, then pulling them back with an embarrassed grin. "I guess even I feel strange to you, right?" she said, sadness tinging her voice. She then pulled herself together, looking at May with a sparkling smile. "Let me introduce myself, I am Lilly, your older sister."
May nodded, taking the time to muster the woman.
Her features were indeed similar to what May had seen in the mirror, the blood connection was obvious. Just that her blonde was a little brighter and freely fell over her shoulders in light waves. The nose was a little higher, the lips thinner, her eyes a deep blue and even radiated under the modest lightning of the hospital. Her figure, clearly visible under the summer dress, was more on the slim side. All in all one could describe her as a more petite kind of beauty, while May embodied the slender kind.
Just like with those two men, May didn't particularly feel anything looking at her so-called sister, not to mention remembering anything. Her mind was still a blank slate.
"I met the nurse on my way to you and she told me that you finally woke up. She also told me about your memory loss. Don`t worry, for now just focus on getting better. Quick, eat before it gets cold. This is all they got for now as lunch time was already over. I had to fight by tooth and nail for it."
May couldn't imagine what it would look like for this fragile woman to fight. Shaking her head she lifted the cover, when a disgusting smell assaulted her. Wrinkling her nose she looked up at her older sister reproachfully. Was she supposed to eat this?!
Lilly returned her gaze with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of her head. "I know it might not be to your taste, but as I said, this is all they got for now. For dinner I will make sure to organize something better for you. And see, I already picked out all the peas for you. I know you hate them. It's just that there is still some smell left…" Her voice turned quieter and quieter under May`s gaze until she turned completely silent.
"Don`t be so picky," Carter intervened, pulling his chair closer again. "You need to eat to recover."
May turned to look at him, her brow furrowed. She didn't appreciate being called picky, especially not by someone she couldn't even remember.
"I'm not being picky," she said, her voice coming out sharper than she intended. "I just... I don't think I like this smell."
The man's face softened, and he leaned back in his chair. "I'm sorry, May. Of course, you're not being picky. This is all new to you right now."
Lilly shot the man a glare before turning back to May with a gentle smile. "It's okay if you don't want to eat it. We can get you something else later. Maybe some fruit?"
May nodded, grateful for the suggestion. She pushed the tray away, the smell still making her feel nauseous. As she did so, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself, but the room seemed to spin around her. When she opened them again, she found three pairs of concerned eyes fixed on her.
"Are you alright?" Lilly asked, her voice laced with worry. She reached out, this time not hesitating to place a comforting hand on May's arm.
May nodded slowly. "Just a bit dizzy," she muttered, for now tolerating the woman's touch.
Ian, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Maybe we should call the doctor," he suggested, his deep voice tinged with concern.
May waved her hand dismissively "He should be on his way. Sharon, the nurse went off to get him."
As if on cue, the door opened again, and Sharon entered, followed by a tall man in a white coat. The doctor's presence seemed to fill the room, his authoritative aura causing everyone to straighten up slightly.
He nodded at everyone and then focused on her. "Good afternoon, Ms. Davies," he said, his voice warm but professional. "I'm Dr. Elliot. How are you feeling?"
"Confused, and, a little dizzy," May answered truthfully.
Dr. Elliot nodded, his expression thoughtful. He turned to the others in the room. "I'll need to examine Ms. Davies now. If you could all step out for a few minutes, please?"