Chapter 23
She felt weak. Her brain muddled and body sore. Everything was dark and she could only see the room from the light in the window. The walls were bare with paint peeling all over. She tried to speak, her throat constricting with the feeling of dehydration amounting greatly. She tried to call out to someone, anyone. But all she was met with was soft wheezing. There was one door at the other side of the room, but her limbs wouldn't move however much she wanted them to.She felt scared. Terrified of what would happen if she didn't get out. Her heart racing with every second that passed and she didn't know what was happening. Her body was failing her and she didn't know what to do. There was no longer light coming from the window. There was on longer a door. Just a cold and empty room, consuming her until she couldn't breathe and saw black.
Anabelle woke up gasping for air and tears in her eyes. She looked around the room, a sense of relief filling her when she realized she was in her hospital room. The curtain was up, making the room darker for everyone to sleep. She couldn't stop the tears from appearing in her eyes. She made soft sniffling sounds causing Jacob to awake.
"Belle? What's wrong?" He asked, his voice husky and deep with sleep. " Why are you crying?" He moved his chair her ways and grabbed her hand. Anabelle sat up and wiped her tears with her other hand. Amber, Anabelle's night nurse then walked in a worried expression on her face.
"Are you ok Anabelle? There was a spike in your heart rate." After noticing her tears she grabbed her other hand and asked, "Did you have a bad dream?" After nodding Amber motioned for Jacob to follow her. "I'm going to show Jacob where he can find the snack and drinks for you ok?" After making sure Anabelle was comfortable, Jacob followed Amber out of the room.
She led him down the hall to where a little kitchen was that connected the two sides of the floor. "Here's where the Gatorades are." She said opening the fridge and taking out a red one." There are also snacks and soup in the cabinet. If she wants some and I'm busy, you can use that microwave and heat it up in a bowl that is also in the cabinet." Jacob nodded before following Amber back to Anabelle's room.
They found her silently reading a book, a light attached to the handle of the bed. Paul was still sleeping on the couch, snoring softly. Jacob slowly sat in his chair and placed the Gatorade on the tray.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly. Anabelle slowly closed her book and placed it next to her on the bed. "It might help to share what it was about."
Anabelle sighed before speaking. " I've had it before. It comes and goes sometimes. I'm always in a dark room with only light from the window coming through. My body would feel sore and stiff and I can't move in any way. There's a door I always try to reach but I never do. It disappears along with the light, making the darkness consume me before I have a chance to call for help. I started having it the first time I was in the hospital."
"When I'm in here, I feel useless in every way. Having people tend to my every need makes me feel like a burden that doesn't need to be here." Jacob's face fell when hearing those words coming out of his imprint's mouth.
"There is no need to feel like that, Belle. You are loved by so many people who care for you. Just because you are in here doesn't make you useless." Jacob said trying to assure her, grabbing her hand and interlocking their fingers.
"I haven't always had this family Jake," Anabelle said somberly. "Two years ago, I had no friends at school, I couldn't perform in any sports, and my Dad and brother had other things going on. I was going through a tough time and was depressed for most of it. I didn't have any place in the world, nothing to be good at or to be known for. Sometimes it was easy to imagine if I wasn't here at all." Anabelle's voice broke, tears spilling down her face, suddenly overcome with emotion. She quietly sobbed, leaving Jacob feeling heartbroken for the girl in front of him.
"Feeling out of place isn't new for me. Yes, I have friends and family who love me, but what's the use of being with them and loving them when you can't learn to love yourself? I like things about me, but to be honest, I don't love myself. I never have. And I don't know if I ever will." She finished in a broken whisper, letting go of Jacobs's hand to wipe her tears and cover her face.
Jacob, having been slammed with this newfound information was silent. He quickly drew in a breath, angry at himself for not knowing any of Anabelle's internal struggles. "Anabelle, I can't even fathom what you went through, or what you're currently going through. But I will tell you this. I will never ever let you feel like that ever again. I'm going to remind you every day how special you are. How much better my day is when I see you. You are beautiful in every way. Your heart, your soul, your character, everything. You have touched so many people's lives with your kindness."
"You are going to get through this and when you do, there is a cake empire waiting for you to create." Anabelle giggled through her tears making Jacob light up with a smile. "You are not useless. You are not a burden. You are a beautiful, smart, kind, and most of all, brave girl who can do anything you set your mind to."
Anabelle burst with fresh tears of joy when hearing Jacobs's words. She pulled him towards her and embraced him the best she could from the bed. "Thank you." She whispered in his shoulder.
"Anything for you," Jacob replied.
"You have two more days here girlie. How do you feel?" Julie asked, bringing in Anabelle's breakfast.
Anabelle softly smiled, not letting it reach her eyes. "I'm eager to go home. I really want some spaghetti when I get home. And ice cream." Julie chuckled before placing the plate on the tray and taking off the lid, revealing scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. "Don't get me wrong, I like it here but I miss cable." This made both girls laugh before Julie left to tend to some paperwork.
She smiled when Jacob and Paul walked in, both sporting smiles on their faces. "Hey, guys. How was it sleeping in your own bed
"It went well. I was able to eat anything in the fridge without you telling me that I'm going to spoil my dinner." Paul said making Anabelle roll her eyes. "And Dad will be coming during lunch, ok?" After another nod, Anabelle started eating, her stomach begging to be filled with food.
"After breakfast, do you want to take a walk?" Jacob asked, taking a seat in his usual chair.
"That sounds nice. Yeah, we can take a walk."
After finishing up her breakfast, Anabelle got out of bed before fixing her shirt that was wrinkled. She was glad she changed into regular pajamas a few days ago, the gown not feeling comfortable the more she wore it. She stood up and unhooked her IV from her bed, wheeling it to Jacob. He grabbed her hand before leading her out of the room, telling Julie they were going to walk a few rounds.
They walked around the floor before Anabelle stopped and pointed to the room where toys and games were stocked. "Let's go do a puzzle." She said leading Jacob to the room.
They both walked over to the door, opening it to find people already in the room. A girl in pajamas with an IV playing a card game with a guy with blond hair wearing jeans and a blue shirt.
"Mike Newton?" Jacob asked, making the guy look up from his game. The guy in question looked up and widened his eyes.
"Jacob Black?" He asked, getting out of his chair. Both Anabelle and the girl looked at each other in question before Anabelle spoke.
"You two know each other?" Jacob smirked before looking at his imprint.
"Yeah went to see a movie with Bella one time." He then looked at Mike. "What was it? Face punch?" Mike started becoming red before looking back at the girl.
"Well, I'm Anabelle, Jacob is a friend of my brother, Paul who is eating right now. What's your name?" She asked the girl.
"Dani, short for Danielle. I'm Mike's sister. We're playing cards if you want to join us." Dani looked to be about one or two years older than Anabelle. Smiling, Anabelle turned towards Jacob who looked at Mike before nodding his approval.
The four then sat while Mike dealt the cards for SlapJack. "So Anabelle, how many days do you have left?" Dani asked.
"I have two more before going home. What about you?"
"I'm getting discharged after lunch. That is a cool scar by the way." Anabelle instinctively looked down to see her scar that was running down her chest, from her collarbone to below her breasts. It was a little bloody and covered with protective clear medical tape.
"Thanks. I guess I'm going to have to get used to it being there." She gave a small smile making Jacob grab her hand from below the table. They shared a smile before Mike spoke.
"Are y'all together Black?" He asked. "Because I thought you wanted to get with Bella." Anabelle frowned and looked to Jacob for the answer. Jacob glared at Mike before taking a deep breath.
"I was just friends with Bella. Nothing more. And actually yes. Belle and I are actually going on a date when she recovers." Anabelle gave a bright smile when looking at Jacob.
"That's too cute," Dani said. "Sadly, my boyfriend isn't here. Just my brother." She looked at Mike with a boring look making Anabelle giggle and blush and her use at the word 'boyfriend.' She has never had a boyfriend but could get used to the idea of having one.
The four of them continued to play cards before Mike and Dani left to go eat lunch resulting in Anabelle and Jacob leaving soon after. "What did Mike mean when he said you wanted to get with Bella?" Jacob tensed, clearing his throat before speaking.
"Back before I phased, Bella invited me to the movies that her friends were going to go see. Only when I got there, it was just Bella and Mike. So we three only went to see the movie. Halfway through, Mike went to the bathroom because he felt sick. And to be honest, I did have a crush on Bella and that night I did try to tell her that but Mike interrupted making me angry, and later that night, I phased for the first time."
"But you don't still like her right? You wouldn't want to go on a date with me if you did right?" Anabelle asked meekly, walking over to her chair.
"No of course not!" Jacob exclaimed sitting next to her and grabbing her hand, interlocking them. "My feelings for you are true and real. You believe me don't you?" Anabelle looked up at his handsome face, placing her hand on his cheek.
"I believe you. I do. I guess my insecurities are getting to me."
Jacobs's face lit up in a big smile. "There's nothing to be insecure about. I like you and only you." His face was closer now. Anabelle could feel his warm breath on her face and couldn't take her eyes off his brown ones.
"I believe you." She whispered. She saw Jacob lick his lips making her heart rate increase. Their faces mere inches away. She softly nodded, giving him permission to continue.
Right when Anabelle closed her eyes, she heard Paul's voice coming from the door. "Hey Belle, I have your lunch for you." She quickly jumped back from Jacob, him doing the same and standing up and facing the opposite direction. She smiled in Paul's direction when he placed her tray on the table.
"Thank you." She said, looking at Jacob who was now standing on the other end of the room.
"What's with you? You look flushed." Paul noted sitting in the chair Jacob was sitting in not a moment ago.
"I guess it was just from the walk over here." A knock then sounded at the door and revealed Gene standing and holding a white plastic bag. "Hey, daddy!"
"Hey princess! I came just in time for lunch huh?"
"Yeah, seems like it. What's in the bag, dad?"
"Oh, I uh- brought you some of those chips you like from the convenience store." He said, taking out a bag of cheese puffs.
"Thanks, Dad," Anabelle said, grabbing the bag from him before taking a bite of her chicken strip. Gene sat on her bed, a smile adorning his face making Anabelle do the same.
"You excited to be coming home soon princess?" Gene asked. Anabelle nodded before eating one of her fries, telling him how excited she was.
Gene and Anabelle continued to talk while Paul led Jacob outside and into the hall. With a cold, hard glare on his face, Paul spit, "What the hell were yall doing before I came in?"
"What do you mean?" Jacob asked feigning innocence.
"Don't play dumb with me Black. You know I'm just going to see it in the pack mind when we go to the meeting." Jacob sighed and rolled his eyes. He had to learn how to block out everyone. Sam had learned for the sake of Emily. Both she and Sam didn't want anyone to see anything from their intimate moments.
Glaring at Paul, Jacob entered the room, wanting to say bye to Anabelle. "Hey, dad, Jacob and I are going to get more clothes for the next few days and probably pick up something to eat, ok?" Gene nodded checking a text he received on his phone. Paul scoffed before heading outside.
Jacob quickly kissed Anabelle's cheek before waving bye and leaving to go to the meeting.