Chapter inspired by the song "Bored" by Billie Eilish here is the first chapter of this story which would be nice to listen to in the background. :)

1 — The Strange One

I almost died yesterday.

People say that when you die you enter a transcendental realm. That you crossover to the other side and go to heaven. But that's far from the truth. There's no bright light or God waiting for you on the other side of a tunnel. No. There's only darkness and loneliness and then you simply start to fade away from existence but before I fade away completely the doctors always bring me back to life.

Sometimes I wish they wouldn't.

When the nurses ask me how I am, I respond in the most natural way I can. "I'm great," I usually reply and add a smile to my words to give them more authenticity.

But in the inside I'm anything but great.

My heart is broken.

Literally and figuratively.

I see no purpose in these hospital visits or in taking all these drugs for pain. I'm not getting any better and having blood type AB negative wasn't helping either. It was the rarest blood type accounting for less than five percent of the world's population.

I sigh at the thought. "I wonder what my diagnosis will be this time," I remark as I munch on my toast at the overbed table. It's late evening, but we're oddballs, so we're just starting breakfast, even though it's past seven. "I just want to go home already."

"Doctor Quack said he'd meet with us soon," my mother answers as she collects her mug and takes a seat across from me. "You know the protocol so stop being so impatient."

"I can't help it. We've been waiting since yesterday to talk to him, haven't we?" I ask, reaching for the butter. "How many patients can he have?"

She sips the coffee then places the mug on the table. "Sweetie, there are a ton of kids out there that are sick, both young and your age. Even older. You should realize just how lucky you are to be up and moving and having a mom who spoilsK the living daylights out of you. Some children don't have it so lucky."

My mother is probably one of the strangest guardians ever, but in the best way possible. She uses phrases like, "spoil the living daylights out of you," and dresses in flowery dresses all the time. Plus, she bakes the best cakes ever.

"I know how lucky I am," I tell her. "So lucky in fact, that I know you're going to let me paint my room pink and black."

"Let me guess. Pink walls and red hearts."

"Hey, how'd you guess?"

"Because it's exactly how my room looked when I was your age. You're so much like me it's frightening sometimes."

"Well, there goes my theory that I was secretly adopted."

I don't really have that theory. Vanilla isn't my real mom but my foster mom. As far as I know, my real mom was some teenager who gave me up for unknown reasons. The most obvious possibility being that she was just too young. It didn't bother me as much as one would assume. My foster mom was a wonderful and a sweet woman. I even had my foster siblings who were total sweethearts so I had nothing to complain about.

"Knock, knock!" Doctor Quack greets as he strolls into the room carrying his clipboard.

"Hello, Doctor Quack," I greet with a smile. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Doctor Quack walks over to check the monitor besides me and lifts his hand for a high five. "Can't say I feel the same way, kiddo, knowing you're back at the hospital."

My mother's face falls, and she frowns at him. "Do you have her diagnosis?"

He nods as I slam my palm against his. "I sure do, Miss. Vanilla."

"So, when can I go home, Doc?" I ask with hopeful eyes, fingers crossed.

"Miss Rose, you suffered your second cardiac arrest and that enough is a miracle." Doctor Quack explains, looking over my information on his clipboard and narrowing his eyes in thought. "I'm afraid we can't just send you home just yet."

"Aw, really?" I laugh out bitterly as I grip the blankets on the bed tightly. "My surgery went smoothly yesterday though, didn't it?" I ask, glancing at the nurses walking past my bed in the ICU, wishing I could get out of her already.

"We almost lost you yesterday," He hesitates as he clears his throat and takes a deep breath, "it's best you stay for a few days at most so we can see if how your body reacts to avoid any postoperative complications."

I grip the sheets tighter and take in a breath, fake a smile, and nod at Doctor Quack. "I understand."

"That's alright," Mother says with an encouraging smile aimed at me. "It's better to know you're going to be looked after the doctors and nurses."

"Then I'll arrange for the nurses to transfer you to another room," Doctor Quack explains, ruffling my quills. "Until then, kiddo."

I watch him leave and take in a breath as I glance of at my mom who holds her cross necklace in her hand and bites her lip nervously. I hate this. I wish I didn't worry her.

I hate being a burden.

Within an hour they immediately transferred me to another room with my mother tagging along like a puppy as the nurse took me to another room. She gave me a sad smile and I could feel my heart tighten. I hated seeing her worrying so much all because of me. I smiled back and turned my attention in front of me as the nurse pushed me on a wheelchair through the elevator and endless hallways.

A crazy old man in a wheelchair is in one of the hallways we pass laughing and talking to himself. A couple of girls pass by, probably visitors for a patient, giggling to themselves and stealing glances at him. I don't find it funny though. It's more like a reminder that the world I live in isn't healthy like the people outside.

I look away as we pass him and feel the heat coming in from the window and I can almost hear the distant laughter coming from outside.

Saint Joseph's Memorial Hospital is located just across downtown Station Square's Blue Ridge Plaza. I watch outside the window and watch the people move in their daily lives without a care in the world. Everything appears so lively and beautiful in the outer world while I'm stuck in here like a caged animal.

It makes me feel bitter.

That will never be me.

I'm not part of their happy world.

"Here we are," The nurse says, breaking me out of my thoughts as my eyes roll over to the change of setting. White walls surround me as the nurse strolls me into my new room, the smell of iodoform entering my nose instantaneously.

As the nurse helps me get onto my new bed my eyes glance over at the curtained bed that is visible from the other side of my own bed. This is the first time I see another bed in my room. Some else is here as well.

"Oh, I was not aware that we would be sharing the room with someone…" Mother says uneasily, glancing at the glass between my room and the one next door.

The curtain did help keep privacy. The glass however did not extend fully, but it ended just half across making it possible to hear everything going on with the other patient: parameter monitor, pump, and other machines.

The nurse glanced at the wall and then turned her attention back to setting up my information on the whiteboard. "I'm sure that patient will not bother you. He doesn't talk much."

My eyes find themselves back on the curtained bed and I wonder what kind of person I will be sharing my room with. It seemed like a quiet one. At least it wouldn't feel as lonely now.

"Hello," I call out, in an attempt to be friendly, and doing my best to seem cheerful as I get co but all I get is the sound of the machines and cold blunt air from the AC.

I only have one thought.

How broody.

Now lying on my hospital bed, I tinker with my mother's phone. With the glare on the phone screen, and mindless scrolling I wonder out loud. "Why do I have to share this room with someone like that."

"Amy, be nice!" My mother scolds me with a stern look, taking the phone away as punishment.

I roll my eyes. "Like you weren't thinking it."

"Don't mind him." My nurse comments with a chuckle. "He's rather mute at the moment, if put into words."

I wonder what she means by that.

The door opens, and another nurse enters the room for her round of rotations, she wasn't there for me though. She was there to check on my new, broody roommate

"Alright, dear." She greets, walking to his side of the room. "I'm here to give you your daily dose of Zolpidem."

As she goes to inject his Zolpidem, she uncovers a part of the curtain. The same hospital curtain that separates me and him. Naturally, I was curious. So I surreptitiously took a peek of my new roommate, but before I could sneak a glance I felt my mom cough, distracting me just enough time that by the time I looked back, the nurse had already closed the curtain.

I frown at mother but all she gives me is a stern, pointed look.

To that I cross my arms in defiance.

"Well then, that should be all for now," The nurse says with a smile as she finishes writing my information on the board. "I hope you get well rested and if you need anything just call us with your control there." She explains, motioning to the remonte by my lap.

This I know already but I salute her anyways and say, "Sure thing, ma'm."

She smiles and nods before exiting the room and leaving mother and I somewhat alone with Mr. Broody. Mother turns to me now though and caresses my face with a sad smile. "I have to get going now, sweetie." She said tenderly. "Any requests before I go?"

I smile. "I'm craving some ice cream right about now."

"Ice cream at this time?" She asks as she laughs and I nod in response. "Alright, I'll tell the nurses on my way back to get you some."

"Thanks, Mom."

"I love you, sweetheart." She says to me as she kisses my head and walks to the door. "I'll make sure to come first thing in the morning when it's visiting hours."

I nod. "Love you," I say back and give her a wave.

She stands there hesitantly as if she doesn't want to leave but waves back at me and leaves me alone. Somewhat. Mr. Broody is still here.

My eyes roll over to the curtain that divides Mr. Broody and I can't help but wonder what's his problem? I tired being nice and he completely ignored me.

"If you don't like me just say it," I try again.

No reply.

I frown.

So much for that.

He was a strange one.

That's alright though. I'm not here to make friends, especially with rude individuals like him. I lay my head on my pillow and shut my eyes in hope of falling asleep. I was still tired from yesterday's surgery and I needed to rest.

So here is Chapter 1 :) I hope you enjoy! The real story starts in the next chapter so prepare for some cute moments! Also please review I really appreciate it. :)