Thanks for all the positive feedback! This story has been so much fun to write. This chapter is just about Ryan and Mike chilling out.
"This tastes so good," Mike says.
"I'm glad you like it," I reply.
"I didn't get much to eat since I was in and out of sleep for the past few days."
"You were definitely in and out of sleep."
"Can I ask you something?" he asks.
"Sure."
"Were you there the night I was first admitted?"
"Yes," I tell him.
"I don't remember much from that night, but I knew someone was with me."
"I'm glad you don't remember much about it," I tell him.
I look down at my plate. I don't want Mike to see me vulnerable like that again. I'm the one who's supposed to hold everything together.
"Are you ok?" he asks.
"I'm fine," I quickly reply, picking my head back up.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened that night? I have all these gaps in my memory, and I want to know what happened."
"Well, what do you remember?" I ask him.
"I remember feeling a rough hand touching mine," he says. "I also remember running my hand along something soft. I spent hours trying to remember the rest, but nothing came to me."
"I held your hand the night you were admitted," I tell him.
He gives me a half smile.
"I broke down that night. You ran your hand through my hair in an effort to comfort me."
Mike's eyes widen. Tears even form in his eyes.
"I don't remember you crying," he says.
"I felt so guilty about everything that's happened to you. I just lost all control and broke down crying."
"It's not your fault, Ryan," he says.
I have a quick flashback to that night at the hospital. I remember Mike saying, "It's not your fault, Ryan." He could barely speak that night. Now his voice sounds a lot better. He sounds like himself again.
"You said those exact words to me your first night at the hospital."
"I mean those words," he says, looking me in the eyes. "You don't have to feel guilty."
"It's just that everyone close to me gets hurt or killed," I explain. "I can't help but feel responsible."
"You consider me to be close to you?" he asks.
"Yes," I say.
I feel tears forming in my eyes. I take a deep breath.
"You're my best friend," I tell him. "I don't ever want to lose you."
Here I go again. I break down. I can't seem to keep it together. I feel Mike wrap his arms around me. I lean my head against his chest.
"You won't lose me, Ryan," he says. "I'll be more careful next time."
"I won't let you out of my sight next time." I tell him.
After I get myself calmed down, I let go of Mike.
"Thanks, Mike," I tell him. "You never fail to make me feel better."
"I appreciate that compliment," he replies. "Are you finished with your plate?"
"Yes."
Mike takes my plate and puts it into the sink.
"You make me feel better, too, Ryan," he says. "I know I can always count on you."
"I'm glad you feel that way. Most people give up on me."
"It's their loss," he tells me as he begins doing the dishes.
"I can do the dishes if you want me to," I tell him.
"I've got it. It's not a strenuous activity," he says, smiling at me.
"Since you have it under control, do you mind if I take a shower?" I ask him.
"Go right ahead."
"Just yell if you need me."
I go inside Mike's bathroom. It feels nice to take a shower. I don't stay in there too long because I don't want Mike to be left alone. After I am finish cleaning up, I walk out of the bathroom. Mike is sitting on his couch watching television. I sit down next to him.
"I did a lot of thinking when you were in the shower," he says.
"About what?" I ask.
"How you stayed with me until I woke up the night I was admitted to the hospital. How you held my hand. That means a lot to me that you would do that."
"I figured it was the least I could do. I know that hospitals are no fun, especially when you're alone."
"Did you have anyone with you when you had to stay in the hospital?" he asks me.
He pauses before he speaks again.
"I shouldn't have asked that. I'm sorry."
"No, no. That's ok," I tell him. "I was alone when I had to stay in the hospital."
"I'm sorry to hear that," he says.
"It was miserable recovering on my own. That's why I am here for you every step of the way."
"Thank you," he says. "I'm glad you chose to come to stay with me."
Mike gives me that half smile again. There's something about that smile that makes my heart beat fast. Whenever he is happy, I'm happy. I swear on my life that I will protect Mike from all harm. Come to think of it, he is more than my best friend. He is like a son to me. I will do everything in my power to make sure that he doesn't go deep underground again.
As always, I'm sad to end a story. :( I will write again soon!
~WeatherWriter (followingfangirl22 on Tumblr)