Olette held Roxas' hand, as a doctor entered the room.
"Well?" she asked nervously, looking at the doctor.
"He's not in the best of shape," he said, looking at the three concious people in the room. "His spinal cord is bruised, his nose is broken, he has a black eye, and minor bruises all over his body. He possibly has a minor concussion. He lost a fair amount of blood when he broke his nose, too."
"But nothing too serious, right?" Hayner asked, blushing as his voice cracked mid-sentence.
"Nothing too serious," the doctor replied. "But it's not very good either. If you could give me the contact information of his parents, that would be great."
"Uhm..." The three exchanged glances.
"He doesn't... have... uhm, parents," Pence said slowly.
"Oh!" said the doctor, obviously embarrassed. "Well, in that case, who does he live with?"
"No one," Olette said sadly. "I was trying to convince him to come live with me."
"I'm not sure if that's the best idea for you at this time, given your situation. It could turn out terribly for your mental and his physical heath. I'm not sure your stable enough to help him along, especially with your mother in the terrible condition that she's in," the doctor to her. Olette turned away, and, letting go of Roxas' hand, she walked toward the window, staring out of it determindly.
"I think you should go now," Hayner spat, venom dripping from every word. The doctor opened his mouth to say something, but Hayner cut him off. "Now." He left, glancing back awkwardly.
"Olette..." Pence said softly, standing up from his chair next to Roxas' bed. Hayner looked at him, telling him with a glance that he could handle this. Pence nodded and sat by Roxas' bed, looking for some form of life.
"Hey," Hayner said softly in her ear. "Hey... It's okay. Right? We're all still here. He's a dumbass. Don't listen to a word he says. Okay?" He walked past her and leaned on the wall, so he could see her properly. Silent tears were pouring down her face. Hayner brushed some of the hair sticking to her face away. "Don't cry, Olette. Please. That jackass isn't worth it. Okay?" There was a pregnant pause. "Please, say something, Olette. Anything."
Suddenly, Olette threw herself into Hayner's arms. The room was filled with her sobs. Hayner wrapped his arms around her and tried to comfort her.
"I've never felt like this, Hayner," she cried, though her voice was muffled due to Hayner. "I feel so lost. It's like everything I thought I could depend on is crumbling. First Mom, now Roxas. I just feel so lost. I just want it all to go away. I want to forget. I want Roxas, Hay."
"He's fine. He's gunna be okay."
"I know... but-"
"Why can't you talk to me and Pence. We're here too, Olette," he said, sounding annoyed.
"I know. And I'm sorry."
They stood like that for another few minutes. Olette stopped crying finally. He pulled away from her, and they stood there awkwardly.
"Thanks," Olette said finally, a corner of her mouth curling, making a half-smile.
"You know we're here, right?" Pence asked from his chair.
"Yeah," she said. "I just opened up to Roxas first, and, I dunno, I guess I just assumed that I could only talk to him."
"You're wrong," Hayner said flatly. Olette laughed.
"I know now. Thanks, guys." They smiled at each other as Brandia walked in.
"Hey Mom."
"Hello, Hayner, Pence, Olette. How is Roxas?"
"Still nothing, I'm sad to say," said Olette, pursing her lips slightly.
"Well, I was sent here and inform you that only family is allowed. Non-family members, basically all of you, must leave," Brandia said, without a trace of sympathy.
"Wait," Hayner said. "You were sent? What does that mean?"
Apparently, Dr. Sairuki didn't feel comfortable coming back in here," she said, staring pointedly at him. He just shrugged.
"He deserved it."
"Hayner!" Brandia shrieked.
"What!" he cried. "It's true." She took a deep breath before speaking again.
"I'll deal with you later. Now, you all have to leave."
"Excuse me?" Olette said softly and polietly. "Could I stay?"
"Are you family?" Brandia asked.
"Well, no. But-"
"Then you must leave."
"But, Ma'am, please. Listen to me, for just a moment." Brandia fell quiet. No one had called her Ma'am for a very long time. "Roxas has no family. He must have someone here for him. What if he wakes? Then he'll be alone in, what could be, a frightening place. It's possible that he may not remember how he got here. He could freak out and start attacking people. I know that Roxas isn't violent normally, but I've not seen him extremely frightened or panicked. He could turn violent. And he is very strong. He could do some damage. Also, I just don't feel comfortable leaving him here all alone, not before he wakes at least once. I'll stay the night if I must. Please. I'm the closest thing to family he has. I've known him for ages, and I'll leave after he wakes, if I must. I just don't want anything more to happen to him. I don't think I can handle anything else going wrong."
For the most part, she was just stating facts to persuade her. Toward the end, however, she was putting herself into the words. She showed that she really needed to be here. Brandia looked at her sadly and thought for a moment. All the girl said was true.
"Alright," she said softly. "You can stay." Hayner opened his mouth. "But just you. Sorry Pence, but it's against my better judgement to even have her stay."
"Thank you," Olette said with a small smile.
"Bye, Olette," Pence said, leaving. "If he wakes up, tell him that we'll be back tomorrow."
"Okay," she said, nodding. "Bye."
And she was alone.
Well, not quite alone. Roxas was still there, but he hardly counted. He hadn't made a sound since Brandia and Pence carried him here. That was frightening, Olette thought. He just started thrashing and screaming.
"No!" he had screamed. "You can't! How can you say that! It's not true, no!" It was horrible. They had to lay him down in the center of town and wait for him to stop thrashing. Brandia was mortified, but the three friends were worried. But he quieted down soon after. Nothing had happened since.
I wonder what he was thinking? Olette wondered, as a small moan came from the body next to her. She whipped around to face him.
"Roxas?" she said quietly. His eyes were clenched together tightly. She slipped her hand into his, and he subconciously wrapped his fingers around her hand. She did the same. "Are you there? Are you alright?" He opened his eyes slowly, and he blinked repeatedly.
"Olette?" he said with a hoarse voice. Olette stiffled a gasp, his eyes looked dead for a moment. They had lost the life that he had.
"Yeah, babe," she said, her throat tight. "It's me."
"Where am I?"
"In the hospital." Roxas looked around, confused.
"Why?"
"You don't remember?" He shut his eyes.
"No... Not really." Olette sighed sadly.
"You got in a fight with Seifer."
"I did?" Roxas asked, opening his eyes again. "Oh, yeah... I did. He was... making fun of you, wha'in 'e?"
"Yeah," Olette said. "Just a little bit. It was no reason to get in a fight over." Roxas laughed airly.
"Sorry," he said with a grin, and the light began to return to his eyes.
"It's alright," she said smiling. "Just don't do it again." He squeezed her hand gently. Their eyes met and locked. Olette felt something in her chest, almost like a key locking her heart. She felt connected to him. She leaned down, and their lips met.
Their very first kiss.
I figured that Roxas needed some lovin' after getting beat up. :)