"Miss Fray."
A voice awoke me from my sleep, I opened my eyes to the bright lights of my room. My head ached as I sat up and pushed the blankets off me. I looked towards the large mirror on the wall beside the door. They were staring at me, observing me on the other side. My red hair was messy, my eyes looked tired. A nurse opened the door and came to my bed side.
"I'm just going to check your blood pressure, is that okay?" The nurses always asked me if it was okay, as if I had a choice. She wrapped the cuff around my upper arm. I closed my eyes and relaxed. It only took a few seconds until she removed the cuff from my arm and took out her clipboard and wrote something down. She looked at me, right into my eyes and smiled gently.
"Someone will come in and take you to breakfast, and you'll get to see your friends. Don't you want to see your friends?" I nodded and twiddled my fingers. She exited the room. I was alone again. Alone with my thoughts. I stood from my bed and walked to the back wall, where my pictures were. I saw the pictures of my mom. She was smiling, a sincere smile. I saw a picture of Luke, and Simon. My family. I sat down on the floor, still looking at the pictures. I had my drawings on the wall, I drew my friends, my family, and I drew the nurses, the doctors and even myself. I heard the door open, and a person stood in the doorway. My friend, Dr. Bane.
"Come on, Clarissa." He gestured me to follow him. I stood and walked to his side. We walked down the long hallway and turned a corner to the cafeteria. Dr. Bane walked me to the round table, near the window, where my friends were sitting.
"Clary!" Jace called, he was sitting with Isabelle and Alec. I smiled and sat down in the chair between Jace and Izzy. Izzy smiled and hugged me from my side. While Dr. Bane brought me my plate of eggs, sausage, and a cup of orange juice. Alec was quiet, as usual.
"Do you want me to stay?" Dr. Bane asked me gently. I shook my head. I looked to Jace, his blonde hair messy and his golden eyes bright. He was wearing his usual outfit, white shirt, white pants, like the rest of the boys. Izzy was wearing the white gown, like the rest of the girls, including me. I brushed my red hair back and ate a piece of sausage.
"Its good huh? Way better than yesterday." Izzy said and took a sip from her cup. Jace tapped his spoon beside Alec's hand. Alec looked up at Jace, as Jace leaned forward and planted a small kiss on Alec's forehead. Alec looked down again and started to eat. That was Jace's way of telling him that everything was okay. I finished my breakfast, I knew what came after breakfast, and that was to go take my medicine. I hated the medicine. Everybody hated the medicine. Jace glanced at me and touched my shoulder. I flinched and backed away. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes.
"Clary, you haven't said anything all morning, are you doing okay?" It was pointless to ask that, I wouldn't be here if I was okay. I shrugged. He reached out to touch my cheek, a gentle touch that always made me feel good. His thumb stroked my cheek, it was soft and warm. I leaned in to his touch. I loved Jace, I loved all my friends. Jace always knew how to make us feel better. He leaned and gave my cheek a light kiss. I felt my cheeks flush. He pulled back and leaned back in his seat. Izzy looked angry, as a doctor approached her.
"Isabelle, its time for your treatment." The doctor touched her shoulder. Isabelle resisted and smacked the doctors hand away.
"Don't touch me!" She shook and crossed her arms, and kneeled down onto the tile floor. Two more doctors came and helped Izzy to her feet. She screamed and flared her arms up. Izzy always did this, almost every day. I don't know why the doctors can't get the hint, and just back off. The doctors then proceeded to take her off the floor and walked her out. Alec still sitting at the table, just watched them leave silently.
"Its alright Alec." Jace assured him. "You'll see her for lunch, I promise." Alec stood and walked to the window and peered outside at the bare trees. I stood and walked to the window to stand beside him. My breath appeared on the window, telling me that it was getting cold out. I haven't been outside for at least a week. I loved the cold, it reminded me of Christmas. I couldn't wait until visiting hours, so I could see my family.
"Clary." Dr. Bane called. "Come on." Dr. Bane is probably the only one here besides my friends that didn't talk to me like I was a helpless child. I waved at Jace and Alec and walked to Dr. Bane. He put his hand on my back and we walked to his office. He opened the small bathroom door in the corner for me,and I went inside to get my toothbrush and brushed my teeth. When I finished I went back into the room.I sat in the comfy chair by his desk. He put a blanket over me and gave me a pillow that my mom bought me for my birthday. Dr. Bane sat in his desk chair and pulled out my file from his file cabinet, and turned on the radio he had on his desk. The music was very comforting, so I closed my eyes. I always loved Dr. Bane's office, it was one of my favorite places.
"I asked the nurses to skip the treatment today, they weren't too happy about that." He laughed softly. I opened my eyes to meet his cat-like pupils studying me. He looked at me like he actually cared about me. He was by far a better doctor, than my last one.
"Your mother called and asked how you were. I told her you were doing great, and haven't had a breakdown for a while now. She was so happy, and told me she was bringing you something special." I felt my heart race.
"W-what about…" I began but stopped, my voice surprised me. I noticed Dr. Bane glanced up at me from his desk.
"Clarissa?" He asked calmly. Slowly I began to speak again, trying not to show the surprise in hearing my own voice.
"What about….Simon.." I missed Simon desperately, he always made me laugh. Dr. Bane looked shocked, then he looked away from me. I looked at him with confusion.
"Isn't he going to come and see me, doesn't he miss me too?" I felt my throat get tight, liked I was about to cry. Dr. Bane glanced at me and nodded.
"I'm sure he misses you very much." He put the papers back in the folder and checked his watch. His black hair was spiked up, as it usually was. I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head to see Chairman Meow, Dr. Bane's cat. I moved out of the seat with my blanket and picked the small cat up into my arms like a baby. I cradled it and looked at my doctor. He was watching me, with his hands propping up his chin. I walked to the small window beside his desk and looked outside.
"Is it cold outside?" I asked as I played with Chairman's paws.
"Yes, its quite chilly, but its not too cold yet. Do you want to go outside? I know you like the cold." as he rose from his chair, I nodded and put Chairman down onto Dr. Bane's desk.
"Dr. Bane….." I began.
"I've told you to call me Magnus." He laughed softly. "I am your friend too, not just your doctor." Which was true, Magnus was one of my best friends. He pulled a sweater off the coat rack and slipped it over my head. I put my arms through, and slipped the slippers on. Magnus pulled my hair out of the sweater, and kissed my forehead. He took my hand and we walked down to the main office. The nurse at the front desk didn't look too pleased to see me. She ignored me and looked to Magnus.
"I want to take Clarissa out for a walk, that won't be too much trouble, right." Magnus was charming, usually getting his way. She frowned and checked the computer.
"Clarissa Fray has not had her treatment today, I don't think taking her out today will be the best idea." She looked out of the top of her glasses. Magnus looked annoyed, but passed it off quickly.
"I do believe I am Clarissa doctor, I know that it is okay, and you will sign her out until 11:00am. If you do not, I will be privileged to removed you from your duties at this hospital." He raised an eyebrow at her and turned his back. The woman looked mortified, and typed something on the computer. Magnus then took my hand and we walked out the doors of the hospital.