HOSPITAL STAYS
Chapter two
Research
After I assure him I'm fine I watch him hit the button for bedside assistance. He seems nervous now that I'm awake again. His fingers are fidgeting with each other as he glances up at me in short bursts. I can't stop smiling and I bet it creeps him out. As to cut the tension off for him the nurse finally walks in.
She's letting out a gasp as I smile and conjure up a weak wave. I almost laugh as she rushes to find a doctor. I turn back to Erik, he stills seems to be in shock of our whole state of affairs.
"Uh… sorry about that…" he says almost apathetically. I give a quizzical glance. His arm comes up and he does a small dance with his fingers that makes me snicker. He doesn't seem to understand as I un-attach and pull an I.V from my arm. I smile and stretch my hand out to him.
"Christine Daae"
I feel as though even my smile is smiling right now. He reaches his own hand out and grasps it just like the door knob, as though I may crack under pressure.
"Have a seat Erik," I say blissfully. My now free hand motions to the foot of the bed. He mumbles something incoherent like 'How did she know that' but it goes unanswered as he obeys. He seems unaware of what to in now. I look at him blatantly waiting for more conversation.
"Miss Daae!"
I almost feel almost disenchanted as the doctor rushes in. Erik gets up and watches from the wall as I'm given all sorts of tests and evaluations. The doctor asks him why he was there but I don't stay awake long enough to hear his reply. Sleep overcomes the need for anything else. I guess I got that miracle I was hoping for.
When my eyelids chose to unfasten I am welcomed by a soothing hum. I search the room only to find Erik sitting in a chair reading. The book is held with both hands betweens to knees. His posture is hunched over it, his hair covering his face. I am now completely and utterly confused. So instead of asking a normal question I do this-
"What are you reading?"
He lets out a short gasp before recomposing himself. His book fell to the ground but seems to be forgotten in his psyche. His eyes flash in anxiety.
I smile at him, but he still seems concerned. I watched as he got up only to pace by my bedside.
"Do you feel dizzy or faint? They said you may be slightly dehydrated…"
He was listing off symptoms so fast I could hardly decipher one complete sentence. I shook my head and looked down at my arms which I found void of past I.V's and tubes. The respirator now sat in a corner, a mere vision of the past. This answer seemed to calm him down. Once again, he fidgets with his fingers as a sign of discomfort. I smile at the gesture and look down at the book on the floor. Silence breaker rediscovered!
"So, what book is it?" I ask as a reminder.
I watch as he reaches back into his memory as though he hasn't read a novel in years. I see his eyes click with recognition.
"Reckless Lives to be Lost…" he says in a soft voice after a short pause.
"I've read that, too. It may be a classic but the main character seems too unbelievable for me to enjoy it. What do you think of it so far?"
"Yes… unbelievable," he spoke almost as though it wasn't even about the book anymore.
I don't know why but I feel I need to talk to him. If I didn't he may leave and, I didn't want to be alone again. Just the prospect f being alive seemed amazing to me. While in the coma I had just given up on it all. Come to think of it… how did that happen? I looked over to Erik who reciprocated the action.
"Did they say how this happened?"
"No… but they said you needed to eat once you woke up. You were also cleared to go to the cafeteria."
My eyes move to a clock at my side to see that I have truly slept until noon. I nod and watch as he unfolds a collapsible wheelchair. He brings it over and motions for me to sit down.
"I don't remember breaking anything," I say, wearily eyeing the chair.
"They said it was hospital protocol," counters an inwardly smug Erik.
I sigh and pull back my blankets. The entire process seems to take longer than it should have. My limbs are achingly slow as I move down to my new seat. I guess that comes from laying motionless for more than a few days. A moment after I am seated Erik is pushing me to the door. I crane my neck to look back at him.
"Why are you doing all of this?"
He just shrugs and opens the door to the outside halls. They smell of a cheap bleach and cleaner that seems like home to my weary mind. He turns a corner and hits a pair of double doors that seem to explode in a soft noise once opened.
A/N- Just so you know… the book Erik was reading isn't real. Made it up :D Well not sure if I like the chapter so much. Tell me your opinion and I may rewrite it a tad. Thanks for your help and praise.
PhanforLife- Thank you so much! I thought it would be fun to write. Sorry it took so long! Feel free to give any ideas you would like later on!
Sandal Walker- Thanks! To me Christine is fifteen or sixteen and Erik eighteen. If you want to give some input PM me : )