KNEW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME- PART 3

Jen and Tilly sit in silence. Jen studying Tillys face for some kind of sign. Has she forgiven her? When Tilly was unconscious she didn't have a choice if she let her visit or not. Now she's awake is she going to go back to being cold, distant and dismissive of her? Give her that look that smashed Jens heart into a million pieces everytime. The disgusted look. The what was I ever thinking look?

Jen clears her throat and asks the question she is dreading the answer to. Trying her hardest to sound nonchalant "So, erm… shall I come back tomorrow?"

Tilly looks at Jens face. Etched with worry. She just wanted to kiss every part of it, tuck her hair behind her ears and make her smile. That smile that could melt even the darkest of hearts. The smile that Tilly had fallen in love with even the very first time they'd met. But she couldn't. Nothing had changed. Sure Jen had showed her that she cares but she'd do that for any student wouldn't she? It's just the kind of beautiful soul she is.

"I'll take that as a no then shall I?" Jen half laughs at Tillys silence. In Jens mind speaking a thousand words all of which meaning no.

Tilly opens up her mouth to speak but nothing comes out. Inside she is screaming for Jen to stay longer today, come again tomorrow and the next day. Forever.

"No. I mean… yes come again tomorrow. I mean if you want to?"

Jen stops on her way out and turns around.

"Of course I want to. Just didn't know if…"

"Look. Life is too short. We've been friends before…. Maybe we can be again?"

"Friends?" Jen smiles and Tilly can't identify if it's relief or disappointment she can hear in Jens voice.

Tilly nods. "Friends."

Jen walks down the corridor. She turns and starts to walk back to Tillys room but then as if having a silent conversation with herself stops again and heads for the exit.

When Jen gets outside Ester is sitting with her head in her hands crying.

"Esther?"

"Leave me alone."

Jen crouches down and sits next to her. "Esther. What's wrong?"

"It's all my fault. Should have been me."

"Ruby dying is not your fault and don't ever say it should have been you. That's ridiculous"

"She was beautiful, had a boyfriend, loads of friends... She was going places. Not like me." Esther is pulling at her own hair. Hatred for herself making her lose control. Jen grabs her hands.

"Esther stop this! Have you been drinking?"

"Oh what do you care? You only pretend to care because you're paid to!"

"Esther do you know what? I am starting to get sick of your little pity party. Instead of focusing on what you haven't got all of the time look at what you have. You're quirky, intelligent, pretty and when you're not crying a river you're pretty charismatic"

Tilly sits looking at the sketch Jen had left. Wondering why she would do that? Jen chose her career over Tilly. That's it. She made her choice. No matter how many times Tilly repeated that on her head... Over and over again she still couldn't get the look on Jens face as she realised Tilly was ok out of her head. She wasn't just doing the teacher bit. It suddenly dawned on Tilly and she ran out of the hospital and down the corridor to find Jen. Like she said life is too short. She needed to tell Jen she loves her before she bursts. Heart on sleeve time.