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Affliction

Chapter 11

Stan

"Now I'm going to count to three then I will pull the tube out," Dr. Joehnk instruct kindly.

All I can do is nod. It's only been 24 hours since I've woken up. Dr. Joehnk said that I recovered so fast that I'm now able to breathe on my own. I can't wait to be able to talk again. I'm sick of using the whiteboard.

"We're right here, buddy," Kenny says in reassurance, Butters by his side. I wish Kyle was here, but from what I've seen and what my friends have told me, he needs to get this rest. I understand. His well being is more important than mine.

"1…2…3."

I gag and wretch as the tube comes out of my throat. Once it's completely out of my throat I suck in a huge breath on my own. It feels so good to breathe properly again. "Great job, Stan," Butters says in encouragement.

I grin at my friends. "Thanks," I whisper hoarsely.

Olivia sticks her head in the door. "Stan, your parents are here to see you."

My eyes light up. The past couple of hours, I've been doing a lot of thinking. Even though my parents never believed me, I still love them dearly. I figure all of Shelley's bullshit lies got through their gullible minds. It's going to take a while before they earn my trust, but now that Shelley is put away, I feel like I can give them the chance. "Go ahead and let them in."

"We'll be right outside if you need us," Kenny says, squeezing my shoulder. Then he takes Butters' hand and leaves just as my parents enter my room. Both of them look like they haven't slept in weeks. They're eyes are red and have bags under them.

"Hi son," my father says carefully. "You're looking much better."

Even though I'm still in a lot of pain, I pull myself into a sitting position. "Thanks. I feel much better."

My mother hesitates before she speaks. "Stanley, you have every right to be angry with us. We should've listened to you from the beginning. We're so very sorry. It's up to you if you want to forgive us or not, but never forget that we'll always love you, no matter what."

I look at my parents steadily. "You guys may have broken my trust, but I still love you, Mom and Dad. I'm willing to let you earn it again." I say quietly.

Happiness and relief washes over their faces. My parents walk over and throw their arms around me. I relax in their embrace, feeling confident. Things just might go back to normal. The only thing that would make my life perfect is if Kyle loved me.

Kyle

I leave the hospital elevator a huge smile on my face. I feel better than I have in a long time. After sleeping almost 12 hours straight, a nice hot shower, and a decent meal I'm all refreshed and ready to see Stan again. Just being apart from him for 12 hours has made me desperate to see him.

I knock on his door. "Come in."

I enter the room, my heart rising in my throat. Stan is sitting up reading a comic. He looks so much better than the last time I saw him. The tubes are out of his throat, meaning he's able to breathe on his own. Almost all the bruises on his face are gone, and the scars from Shelley's whip have slightly faded also. "Hey, dude. How are you feeling?"

He closes his comic and grins at me. "Much better now that you're here. You're much better company than those nerdos," he says jerking his head at a sleeping Kenny and Butters.

I roll my eyes. Some bodyguards those two turned out to be. Stan scoots over and pats the spot next to him. I walk over and sit next to him on the bed. We hug for a very long time. My heart thuds in my chest having him so close to me. I long to tell him that I love him with all my heart, but I'm still afraid. We pull apart and look away.

"So when did they take the tubes out?" I ask.

"This morning."

"Oh."

An uncomfortable silence falls between us. I can't hold back my feelings any longer. I have to tell him that I love him. I jut have to figure out how.

Stan

The silence between my best friend and I is almost too much for me to bear. I have to tell him the truth about everything: why Shelley started hurting me in the first place, my sexual orientation, and my deep feelings for him. I take a deep breath, but refuse to look at him.

"Kyle, I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was going on. I know that my silence has been hurting you a lot."

"It's not your fault. I ignored the situated so long, I understand why you didn't trust me."

I meet his gaze. "It's not that I didn't trust you, I was trying to protect you."

Surprise flashes in his green eyes. "Protect me? From what?"

I swallow the lump on my throat and take a swig from the water bottle by my bedside. My throat still hurts from the tube, but I don't care. I have to get this all out. "From Shelley. She threatened that if I ever told anyone about the abuse she'd kill you. That's why I tried so hard to push you away."

"Why me?"

Sighing deeply and running a hand through my dark hair nervously, I continue. "Because she knows you are the most important person to me. She found out that…I'm in love with you."

I cringe and close my eyes. I don't want to see his reaction. Any minute now he's going to hit me, tell me he never wants to speak to me again. My chest tightens in pain. Suddenly I feel warm lips on my own in a deep kiss, arms wrapping around my neck.

I kiss Kyle back hungrily, wrapping my arms around his waist. This kiss is better than the one we shared in the closet, because we're both participating. He tastes so good, so sweet. I can't get enough of him. I open my mouth and deepen the kiss. I give him all the love I have. My heart pounds hard against my chest in happiness. I've been waiting for this moment for so long. And now it's finally happened.

We only break away when we need oxygen. "I love you too, Stan. I've been waiting all month to tell you how I feel," Kyle whispers, caressing my cheek lightly. Shivers run up and down my spine.

"I can't tell you how long I've waited to hear you say you feel the same," I whisper back, kissing him tenderly. I push off his green hat and run my hand through his red curls. I feel so good on the inside.

"FINALLY!"

Kyle and I pull away, redness on our cheeks. I can't keep the grin off my face, and neither can Kyle. Kenny and Butters are grinning at us madly. "About time you two hooked up!" Kenny says cheerfully, giving us a thumbs up. Butters has tears of happiness in his eyes, hugging Kenny tightly. I wonder if they were really asleep or just pretending to hear what we'd talk about. It doesn't matter. I have Kyle and that's all I care about.

"We'll give you two lovebirds some time alone," Kenny says. "Come on, Butter-ball." Kenny and Butters leave the room.

Kyle and I glance at each other and then shrug. I lie back on the bed and wrap my arms around my new boyfriend. He leans back and snuggles into me. I kiss his head. "I love you," I whisper.

"I love you too, Stan."

Then unable to keep my eyes open any longer, I fall into a peaceful sleep, holding Kyle tightly in my arms. My life is finally perfect.

Last chapter is coming up next :)

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