Chapter 9: You Knew That Subject Hurts
3rd POV
Brooke grabbed an extra hospital gown and left to go shower. She hadn't showered once when she was at camp, and while most girls would shudder in disgust, Brooke had gotten used to it when she had spent her time on the streets. She also wasn't going to shower in front of the boys, despite a special stall installed for her; she had a bad feeling about the showering with a camp filled with boys. Brooke walked into a shower room and turned on the water, letting it run to heat up. She stripped off her purple hospital gown and walked into the water, letting the heat calm her goose bumps.
Ian had visited her as much as he possibly could. And even thought Brooke had enjoyed his company for he was her best friend, there was one person she had hoped would visit her, but she knew that thought was farfetched. Her Uncle Chris would get in serious trouble if he even went into the same building as the metal eyed girl.
Recently though, Ian's actions had been somewhat strange. Brooke just convinced herself it was just because they hadn't spoken to each other in a while and they hadn't wrote to each other while she spent her little time in the camp, but he seemed to act more intimate with her. Brooke shook her head and continued to wash herself before turning the steaming water off and getting dressed in a new gown that was light pink now.
She walked back to her room, feeling sort of awkward being barefoot and walking around in a nothing but a gown while other people were fully dressed, she sent sharp glares to those who looked at her with judging eyes and the people instantly cowered and quickened their pace. Brooke had been at hospital for at least three days now, and as much as she hated the camp, at the moment she rather be at the camp rather than the hospital. To her, hospitals meant death, people died more in hospitals than anywhere else, and she sort of felt like Zigzag being constantly paranoid. She felt like every nurse that walked in would do something to her, and always kept her guard up.
3rd POV
Four days. Four days since Brooke had been sent to hospital, and to say the d-tent boys were worried was an understatement. They hadn't heard anything about her state and from what Mom had told them about the high chances of heart giving out after almost giving out from earlier times made them worried. But all never showed it. They continued to laugh, joke, and be themselves so it would appear that they weren't worried about the girl, but there were subtle hints about their worry, especially Squid. Squid had been sourer than usual, always picking fights and getting angry while Magnet looked just plain sad, Armpit and X-ray looked a bit down and even Zigzag seemed to miss the metal eyed girl who could eat metal nails for breakfast. Hector of course, stayed neutral for he didn't talk much anyways, at least not to everybody else, so he really missed Brooke, the two had become like siblings to each other when she spent her time on the streets. The whole camp however, haven't been as lively, they looked forward to waking up and going about the day for during the time some of them were able to get a good view of Brooke and her sexy body. Sending the wolf whistles and the cat calls her way.
Currently, the d-tent boys were messing with each other in the tent when Mom came in. A big, goofy smile splayed across his face. "Boys, I think you'd be glad to hear that Brooke is doing alright and she will be sent back to camp tomorrow." Mom announced, leaving before any of them had a chance to respond. A hint on a smile curled at Squids lips, but Magnet just full out grinned. Armpit, Zigzag, and X-ray all looked a little bit up.
Brooke POV
"You've been doing well Brooke, just remember to start eating more and keep drinking water. I suggest trying to find a way to help you sleep better, maybe try counting sheep or possibly sleeping with something maybe for some comfort." The doctor suggested. I nodded my head in understanding. "We'll be sending you back to camp today and I suggest you get as much sleep as possible."
I sighed when the doctor left the room; happy to leave the dreaded yet I felt my stomach do summersaults at the thought of going back to the camp that I also dread. The only plus side would be seeing my lizard friend who I would have to continuously apologize to him somehow for abandoning him. "Hey there criminal," a teasing familiar voice said.
I looked up to find a smirking Ian, who was forcing the smirk on his lips, but I could see in his eyes he was actually sad. "Don't worry Ian, I'll be back again before you know it, okay?" I tried to reassure him, grabbing onto his arm and looking sincerely into his eyes.
He let out a sigh, dropping his façade as he sat on the hospital bed and rested his elbows on his leg, roughly running his fingers through his hair. "I know… I just… I miss you, you're my best friend, and I don't feel happy about leaving you alone in a camp filled with juvenile boys that's miles away from any form of civilization," he replied, letting out another heavy sigh that ended up a growl.
"Ian, since how long have you known me? I can take care of myself, and you know it," I snapped, tired of him treating me like a crimpled child, like he has been the past days I've stayed at this dreadful, death filled place.
"Oh really," he snapped back, making me remember he had a temper as terrible of mine. "You didn't seem very good at 'taking care of yourself' when Michael did that to you!" I took a step back, my throat burning as I felt bile rise up it. It felt like I had been slapped, Ian never mentioned that, he had promised he would never mention that again, it appeared my friend wasn't truly my friend. "Oh Brooke," Ian said softer, probably just realizing what he had just said. I knew he was reaching out to touch my arm, but I shoved it away and took another step back.
"You…" I growled in a low voice, my body having trouble functioning. "We'd promise," I sobbed, the tears I had been holding back letting loose.
"We'd promised we would never speak of it again, how could you! You were suppose to be my friend," I yelled, looking up to find a Ian looking at me with regret evident in his eyes. He started to reach out to touch me again but slapped his arm away. "Don't touch me!" I screamed, now probably gaining the whole hospital's attention. "You are not my friend, and I never want to see you again," I growled. Ian knew how sensitive I was about the subject, he knew I acted unreasonably whenever it was brought it, it hurt that he even mentioned it.
"Brooke," he tried to reason softly, but I shoved past him and stormed out of the room, walking to anywhere but there.
"Miss Brooke, it's time to leave," the familiar security guard said, grabbing my arm roughly. I heard Ian call my name behind, but I shut out the sound, scraping the tears off my face. I will not be weak.
3rd POV
The back to camp was going to be a long one. After the argument with Ian, Brooke fell asleep, feeling exhausted. She also wasn't looking forward to going back to the hell hole. But she figured that at least it was a distraction, a distraction from her Uncle Chris, a distraction from Ian, an distraction from life. And thankfully, when the metal eyed girl slept, it was complete black, no dreams of any whatsoever; a sleep where she would actually feel rested, and at peace.
The security guard looked down on her with saddened eyes. Despite knowing what she had done to get herself here, he knew she probably wasn't that bad of a girl, and didn't deserve to be sent to a juvenile camp that was made completely up of her opposite sex. He looked back out to the sky that was starting to very slowly darken for the sunset would be soon.
To be continued…
A/N: Yep, another chapter. Thank you for reviewing, favorite/following! Also I would like to say I don't own Holes, but if I did I would've put Brooke in there!
