"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Jackson" Neal said awkwardly as he stood in front of Laura's room. The door was shut so they would not disturb her while they talked. Peter had gone in to talk to the parents and announce that Neal was here.
"Neal, sweetheart" Maggie cried before flinging herself around the boy. "I don't know how to thank you for saving our daughter's life" she finished as she pulled away from the embrace.
"I didn't really save her though, did I?" Neal whispered while looking at his feet. "I was the one who convinced her to drink in the first place." He said with a fleeting glance at Laura's parents.
The teenager continued to look at the ground until he felt a gentle squeeze from a large hand on his shoulder.
"Listen Neal, you made some bad choices last night. But so did Laura." Mr. Jackson stated. "She knew what she was doing was dangerous, but those were her decisions to make." He went on. "We aren't exactly happy with either of you guys right now, but you did the right thing by getting her help. For that we can't thank you enough."
Neal nodded in agreement, but was still not entirely convinced that anyone should be proud of him. All three adults noticed, but opted to ignore it. Neal would accept the truth in his own time.
"Why don't you go see if she is awake yet, sweetheart? If she isn't, you can sit with her if you want. We'll be right out here" Mrs. Jackson suggested.
"Alright" Neal said and quietly entered Laura's room.
Neal was not prepared for what he saw. Laura's normally rosy cheeks were pale, and there was a sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her normally perfect hair was tangled and flat. While she was still sleeping, she was beginning to rustle, and Neal thought it wouldn't be long until she woke up.
He was right, and after waiting patiently for 15 minutes, Laura woke up. A few minutes before though, Peter had popped his head in to say they would be in the café getting some coffee.
When Laura blinked her eyes open warily, she was confused at where she was. Even more confusing for her was that Neal was there, even though she had woken up for a couple of minutes an hour before and her parents had explained where she was. Neal quickly re-explained everything.
"Do you remember anything about last night?" Neal asked nervously, keeping his voice quiet.
"Not really" Laura said, scrunching her forehead as if that would help her remember. "I remember walking to Adams, and you arguing with Nick about going….and then we were dancing…but after that I don't remember." She finished visibly upset. "I don't like that I can't remember!" She declared. "What else happened?" She asked.
"I…I asked you to drink…" Neal said hesitantly. "Actually, I pressured you. I know you didn't want to… you kept saying it would interfere with your meds, but I kept bugging you to anyways" Neal confessed.
"Neal, baby, it's okay." Laura stated, seeing clearly how upset Neal was with himself. "I'm not stupid you know, I wouldn't have drank anything if I really didn't want it."
"You're my girlfriend though!" He said loudly and shot up from the uncomfortable hospital chair. "I should have been looking out for you. I should have prevented you from drinking, not telling you to do it!"
"Neal, please!" She implored. "Sit down" She begged him, patting her bed, asking him to sit. It took a minute for Neal to calm down and sit by her. She waited until he was sitting comfortably to begin.
"Neal, this wasn't my first time drinking while on my meds." She started.
"Probably shouldn't let the 'rents hear that" Neal said with an impish grin.
Laura laughed, glad to see her Neal returned.
"Probably not….but my point is, was that this situation sucked, but it is not your fault. I drank more than I should have, but I can guarantee it won't happen again."
"Probably because you won't be seeing the light of day for a long time." Mr. Adams said.
Both Neal and Laura started, not hearing the parents come in. Laura blushed, hoping her dad hadn't heard what she said about drinking, but with the glare she was receiving, it wasn't looking good.
Ignoring her daughter's earlier comment, he explained the interruption.
"The doctor came in and wants to talk to us. He said once he checks you out, you will be free to go home."
Laura grinned. She was still feeling unwell, but was looking forward to sleeping in her own bed. The grin quickly left when her mom spoke.
"You should tell Neal goodbye, as you won't be seeing him outside of school for quite some time."
"Yes mom." Laura replied contritely. "Can we have a minute alone?" She asked.
All three adults looked at her as if she were crazy.
"It was worth a shot" She laughed to Neal. "Neal, please don't blame yourself, okay? No one else does. Plus, I am just fine!"
"Okay" He said, looking at the bed.
Knowing he still had lingering feelings of guilt and that there was nothing she could say to change his mind, she used a more physical approach. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"I haven't brushed my teeth this morning, so that's all you're going to get." She whispered in his ear as she hugged him.
"I don't care" Was Neal's reply and leaned in for a kiss on the lips. He quickly pulled away when he heard Peter clearing his throat loudly.
"Alright Neal, let's go" Peter said after a minute. He then turned to the Adams and said his goodbyes.
"Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Adams" Neal said as he walked towards the door. "Thanks for not hating me." He whispered, and then quickly left the room.