Chapter 11: Days to Come – Seven Lions

'The days to come

Feel it. The days, I feel it.

Quietly, I keep you close to me.

Quietly, I feel you when I'm dreaming.

Quietly, I keep you close to me.

Quietly, I feel you when I'm dreaming.

Follow the feeling, but patiently waiting.

I lose my feelings to oblivion.'

You love waking up like this, snuggled into Amy's arms. You've missed this. You guess it's true: you really don't realise what you have until it's gone.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," she whispers in your ear and you open your eyes, smile in place.

"Hey."

"Hey." You both smile at each other.

"Eurgh, hello, we're here, too," Lauren says, waving her hand in front of your face and dumping a bag filled with who-knows-what on your lap. "Here, a breakfast muffin each for you two idiots." She turns around and waltzes her way to an empty seat next to Farrah. Farrah who's smiling softly at the two of you and sitting next to your mother, who looks at you both with the same expression

You roll your eyes.

Great.

"Hey, guys." You awkwardly wave in their direction before taking your muffin and leaning away from Amy. She smirks at you and continues devouring her breakfast which is already half finished. You shake your head and smile, digging in to your food. "Tastes so good," you say, moaning and catching sight of Amy as her food hovers just in front of her lips. She's staring at you, her green eyes getting a little darker before she shakes her head and digs back in to her breakfast.

"You're welcome," Lauren says, huffing and picking up a magazine to flick through.

"Yeah, thanks."

"No problem, girls. I couldn't have Amy complaining about the food, too much, could I?" Farrah winks at you and you laugh along with your parents.

"Hey, I wouldn't have moaned." You raise an eyebrow at her. "Too much,' she says, looking down and taking a small bite.

"If you say so, Amy, baby." She coughs to clear her throat. "So, I have to go back to Austin for work and Lauren's coming back with me—"

"I'm not leaving." Farrah sighs. You think everyone knew that this would be Amy's response so you just shrug it off and continue eating.

"Me and Lucas are just gonna…go but Amy, if you want to stay, you're welcome too." Your mother hobbles over and rubs Amy's arm. "We know what you girls are like." Your parents kiss you on the side of your head before they leave. Youwish you could, too. You've always felt awkward when it comes to confrontation and even more so with Farrah around.

"I'm not leaving until Karma is back in Austin."

"But—"

"No. Just…no." Amy puts her food down and faces her mom. "I'm not leaving her and that's it."

"Okay, okay," Farrah says, holding her arms in the air. Lauren huffs and puts down the magazine.

"Look, you need clothes and to go to school and just because Karma is hurt, you can't put your life on hold. She's fine, look at her."

"I don't care. I'm staying."

Lauren rolls her eyes.

"What about Reagan? I'm sure she wouldn't be happy with this little set up." You go to open your mouth and agree but Amy's glare seals it shut. You turn and look out of the little window in the room and wish you were out in the warm sunshine. It's a hot spring day and you're stuck inside instead of having a nice picnic with Amy in Hester by your tree.

"She'll understand. I'm not leaving. I know she's okay but it doesn't matter, she needs me. I'm staying." You turn back and Farrah smiles at you. You try your best to reciprocate but her family is having yet another argument over you and you feel bad. You wonder if all this guilt will ever leave.

"No, it's okay, Lauren, she can stay." Farrah walks over to you and strokes your hand. "It might do them both some good." She pats your hand and smiles. Something in you relaxes and softens and you smile up at Amy's mom without realising it.

You really have missed this closeness.

"Thank you," you whisper. Amy slings her arm over your shoulder and you lean your head on her.

"I won't leave you," she says, kissing the slide of your head and pulling you close. Lauren rolls her eyes, yet again and picks up her magazine.

"It's sickening watching you two make eyes at each other." You chuckle and everyone but Lauren smiles. You love the goofy look on Amy's face.

"Lauren, could you bring Amy some clothes or something?"

"I am not driving to Austen and back just for bad shirts and even worse pants."

"Hey—"

"Amy looks good in her clothes." You glance up and catch sight of the blush spreading along Amy's skin. You adore that look, that innocence and shyness that your best friend has always had. Farrah winks at you.

"That's not what I meant. I'll give you my credit card and you can go buy some clothes for Amy. And while you're at it, buy something for yourself, okay?"

"No way. She's not picking out shit for me to wear."

"Language, young lady. You do not talk like that." You laugh and you can imagine the sheepish look Amy has on her face. Farrah looks sternly at you and you look away, trying to avoid laughing again as you imagine Amy dressed in Lauren's style. "If you don't want to wear what Lauren picks out, you're going with her."

"But—"

"Karma will survive without you for an hour. I'll be here with her and I'm letting you stay here on your own for a possibly unknown period of time, you can go shop for yourself with Lauren."

"But—"

"Lauren, you're going." Lauren stands up and screams, stomping her foot and throwing the magazine on her seat.

"Fine. Come on. We're going."

"I'm not ready."

"We're going now."

"Go on, baby. I'll look after Karma Chameleon, don't worry." You untangle yourself from Amy and she looks at you for a minute. She looks like she's going to cry.

"Hey, hey," you say, holding her face in your hands and stroking her cheeks with your thumbs. "Hey, look at me. I'll be fine. I'm not going anywhere and they're right, you do need clothes and I think, if you let Lauren go on her own, you might end up looking like a Barbie doll." You pinch her cheeks and shake her head a little. She smiles. "Go." She nods her head at you and climbs off the bed.

"I'll be back soon," she says, turning back and kissing the side of your face, catching the edge of your lips.

"Hurry up," Lauren shouts and Amy groans.

"I'm coming."

"Move quicker."

"I am." Lauren screams again and you and Farrah smile at each other.

Both you and Farrah are laughing over childhood memories when a nurse walks in, frown in place. Farrah is lying on the bed, arm wrapped around you.

"Excuse me but they're two people outside asking to see you. I told them they weren't allowed in but the girl can be very…persuasive."

"Who is it?"

"Olive and Caitlyn." You bounce a little on your bed and smile.

"Could you send them in, please?" you say, sweetly. The nurse gives you the side eye and walks out of the room, you assume that's a yes and turn to face Farrah. "Oliver goes to Hester."

"Yes, Amy's mentioned him before, I think." You frown and wonder what she's said about him but shake it off.

"Oh, well, he's nice. We hang out a lot when Amy's with Reagan and stuff, y'know?"

"Oh. I'm sure he's a lovely young man." You go to respond when Caitlyn walks in, tackling you into a hug. You grunt at the impact and land on your back with her on top.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Karma."

"Me too, me too." You pat her arm and she clings tighter. Oliver clears his throat and waves, adjusting his glasses.

"Hi, Ol."

"Hey, Karma. I'm, er-I'm glad you're okay, too."

"Me too. So, guys, this is Farrah, Amy's mom. Farrah, this is Oliver and Cait."

"It's nice to meet you guys and it's nice of you to travel all this way to check up on our Karma," she says, stroking your hair. You could fall asleep. In fact, there's been many times when you were little and scared that Farrah got you to sleep like this.

"Nice to meet you, too. And yeah, well. Amy sent us a text saying what happened and that you were find but we had to make sure, right, Ol?" She looks behind her and nudges Oliver's arm. He steps closer, standing beside her.

"Yeah-yes." He fidgets, rocking his weight from one foot to the other. His shyness is endearing, it makes you smile softly at him and grab his hand, squeezing it before letting go. Caitlyn catches you and frowns a little, you copy and she looks away when she spots you watching her.

You shrug it off and turn to Oliver.

"So how's school?" Caitlyn groans.

"Who cares? It's boring as usual. Now tell me, how're you? What's the damage and how fast can you get out of here. These places give me the creeps." She shudders and you and Farrah laugh, Oliver grins.

"A few broken bones, mild concussion and a few scrapes but otherwise, I'm in tip top condition. The doctor said a few days as long as nothing bad happens."

"And nothing bad will," Amy says, walking in with a shopping bag in each hand. She's changed clothes and you smile, you've always loved it when she wears the tank and shirt combo. The jeans are tight and you almost wish she'd turn around, you almost wish you couldn't see that beautiful face so you can see just how perfectly those jeans fit.

Caitlyn coughs and you turn to face her. She's smirking, leering in your direction and you ignore her.

"That's not too long then…is it?" Oliver says.

"Nope. I'll be out of here in no time."

"The sooner the better," Lauren says, walking in to the room. "Then things can get back to normal and you won't need someone looking after to you." You roll your eyes.

"Let's just focus on getting my little Chameleon home. She'll have Amy to look after her and if she needs anything, she has my number."

"Thanks, Mama F." Farrah squeezes you close before climbing off the bed.

"Well, I think it's time for me and Lauren to head home. Love the new outfits, by the way, girls. Anyways, it was nice meeting you guys. Amy, keep me updated, please and Karma, you just get better, sweetie." She pats your leg and hugs Amy before leaving.

"Bye Mom."

"Bye, Mama F. Love you."

"And I love you, too, my baby girls."

"Bye Lauren," Amy shouts.

"Bye." And with a flick of Lauren's hair, they're gone. Amy climbs into the space Farrah just vacated and puts an arm around your waist, resting her head on your shoulder. Oliver and Caitlyn sit in two plastic and uncomfortable looking chairs.

"How was shopping with Lauren?"

"Awful. She picks the worst places to shop and she is so annoying." Amy sighs.

"But you got through it. I love the shirt."

"Thanks, I thought you'd like it." Caitlyn clears her throat and it gets slightly awkward so you begin sipping the water in a plastic cup Nurse Jackie left for you.

"So, how're you doing, Amy?"

"Good and you guys?"

"Me and Ol are good, aren't we Oliver?"

"Yeah, we're good. Better now that you're okay." He shrugs and fidgets with his hands.

"So?" Amy says.

"So, what are your intentions with Karma?" You spit out the water you just ingested.

"Er, guys? Me and Amy, we're just friends, best friends and that's our intentions." Amy blushes.

"Is that right?" Caitlyn says, tilting her head and facing Amy.

"Yeah, I mean, right now. I mean, I'm with Reagan and…yeah. For now, we're just best friends, just two people who're not gonna be out of each other's sight until Karma is better." She shrugs, you roll your eyes.

"That could take weeks."

"Then you're stuck with me for weeks."

"What about Reagan?"

"What about her?"

"Amy."

"I know. I'll talk to her soon but right now, you're my priority."

"So, I repeat, what are your intentions, Amy?"

"To look after Karma."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Caitlyn, stop it. Amy has no intentions with me."

"Yeah." Caitlyn rolls her eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth, isn't it Amy?"

"Yeah-Well—"

"They're obviously dating, aren't they, Ol?"

"Well, we don't know—"

"No, we aren't."

"Karma, you don't have to lie to us."

"I'm not."

"Guys."

"Why won't you tell us? I'm not gonna tell anyone."

"I can't tell you anything because nothing is happening."

"Guys," Oliver shouts and the room goes quiet. "Caitlyn, they're not dating. Karma and Amy, you should be. Everyone can see it now stop arguing. We're here to see that Karma is okay, and thankfully, you are. We're not here to argue. Right?"

"Right," you sheepishly say. "Sorry."

"Right?"

"Yeah, sorry, guys. You just look so…couply" Amy sits quietly beside you, blushing.

"Thanks for letting us know about Karma, by the way. It was very nice of you, you didn't have to go out of your way to do that."

"No problem, Oliver. You're Karms friends, so…yeah." She shrugs. You rest your head on hers and grab hold of the hand resting on your shoulder.

"Are you sure you two aren't dating?"

"Caitlyn."

"Fine. I'm gonna go get a drink, anyone want anything?"

"Coffee, please."

"Coming right up, shorty."

"Are you sure you should be drinking it, though? Didn't the nurse say not to?"

"One won't hurt, Aims. And you'll be here to make sure I'm okay, right?"

"Okay."

"You want anything Amy? Oliver?"

"Coffee, please," Oliver says.

"Yeah, coffee is good with me."

"Three coffees coming right up. I won't be long." She leaves the room and Oliver sits there, awkwardly looking out of the window.

"Sorry about her. She can be a little pushy sometimes."

"No worries, Ol. It wasn't your fault."

"Yeah, it's okay. We're close, a lot of people think me and Karms are dating but I promise you, as of now, we're not."

"I believe you."

"But you think we should be?"

"Yeah, you and Karma are perfect for each other," he says as though it's the most obvious thing in the world with a shrug.

"Anyways, how was the journey? I bet Caitlyn moaned all the way."

"You know her well. Yeah, it was too hot, too cold, too bumpy." You laugh as you envision their small arguments. You wish they'd hurry up and date. They are perfect for each other.

"It's a horrible journey, though, right?" Amy says and you stroke her hand.

"It's long."

"So true. So how you been, Oliver? It's been a while."

"Yeah, it has. I'm good. Tired and in need of a coffee but good. I think Caitlyn may be a while. She kind of gets lost walking up the street." You laugh.

It takes Caitlyn approximately 20 minutes to waltz back in your room.

"Sorry guys, it's like a maze out there. Or the changing stair thingy from Harry Potter." She places the tray of drinks at the bottom of your bed before handing them out. "So, you guys miss me?" You roll your eyes.

It's night time. Amy is sleeping next to you. She really hasn't let you out of her sight since the moment she walked back into your room this morning. Oliver and Caitlyn left quite a few hours ago. You appreciated their visit, them taking the time to travel all this way but you can't get over your argument with Caitlyn. She knows how badly you wish you were in a relationship with Amy so why would she say that stuff? Why would she think you'd keep it from her? If Amy was yours, you'd scream it from the rooftops.

The moonlight streams into the room and you turn your head to admire the contours of Amy's face as she sleeps. You wish you could join her, you wish you could switch of your brain but the nightmares, the smell of blood, the sound of the crash haunt you tonight. It makes you anxious, makes you feel like your skin is too small to cover your bones.

It's easy to forget, to not think of things when somebody is there to talk to, to distract you but right now, even with Amy beside you, you're alone. You're alone inside your head and you're wandering into all the rooms you wish you could keep locked.

You should be used to living like this, especially these past few weeks but somehow, it still surprises you, still hurts you every time you think of all these things. And now, now you have even more nightmares to face.

You wish it could end, that you could switch your brain off but you can't, you've never been able to.

Sometimes you wonder if you're strong enough, if you can survive these moments.

Sometimes you wonder if being second to everyone in your life is even worth the struggle.

A/N: Sorry this one took so long guys and sorry it's a bit of a filler. The next update will be better :) University got in the way but my second year is over for the summer so I should be able to update more!