"I think the nurse is going to yell at me," Hazel commented as she studied the iced coffee that had been placed on her table. Not to mention the doughnut and breakfast sandwich. It felt like she had barely gotten away with all the food from the night before.
Hazel glanced to her right. Nico was in a deep sleep. He had been fretting over her for most of the night until she told him to leave her alone so she could sleep. A smile came to her face as she watched him. She would let him sleep for another few minutes before telling him food was there.
"How is the nurse going to know?" Reyna asked as she sat down another bag of food that Hazel guessed was for Nico.
"Well, she saw the other bags in the trash last night," Hazel began. Reyna smirked as she looked around the room and then focused on Hazel. "She also said she's going to check on me every morning."
"Better hide the evidence then," Reyna commented. Hazel held back a chuckle. "Have you heard anything yet?"
"No," Hazel answered as she followed it with a shake of her head. The night before had been spent doing different tests to determine what was wrong with her knee. "They said I would find out in the morning."
"Are you in pain?" Reyna questioned as she adjusted her hoodie and stuck her hands into her pockets. It looked like she had woken up early.
"My legs don't hurt at the moment, but I am sore," Hazel answered. "It's probably from my fight."
"You did great during your fight," Reyna complimented, smiling at Hazel. "I'm so proud of you."
A blush came to Hazel's face, and she was so happy that she couldn't even speak. Reyna gently squeezed her arm before glancing at her watch, "I should get going to the gym. If you need anything, text me or call me."
"I will," Hazel promised. "Just don't overdo it, okay?"
"I won't," Reyna said as she nodded toward Hazel. She turned towards the door. Hazel watched her and bit her lip.
"Reyna, wait," Hazel called out. Reyna stopped walking and looked back at her. Hazel looked away because she couldn't meet her eyes. "Are you mad at me?"
"Mad?" Reyna repeated as a frown touched her face. "Why would I be mad?"
Hazel tried to form an answer as she studied Reyna. She knew how Reyna acted when she was mad, which was how she acted the night before. Hazel wasn't sure if it was because she asked for Annabeth to go to the hospital with her or because Frank had yelled at her. Or both. Hazel wished it wasn't her fault, but something told her it was.
"About last night," Hazel began. Reyna watched Hazel for a few moments before sighing. She walked towards Hazel's bed and sat in a chair next to it. Reyna interlocked her fingers and looked down at the ground. "It's not that I didn't want you with me because I did. Are you mad at me because I said I wanted you to stay?"
"Hazel, I am not mad at you. I promise that I'm not," Reyna swore. She sighed again as her shoulders drooped. "I was hurt by it. Really hurt. When you were at a low point, you didn't even want me there with you."
"Reyna, it's nothing like that," Hazel promised hastily, reaching out and grabbing Reyna's arm. Her friend slowly looked at her. "I did want you by my side, but I knew that Frank needed you more. You would be able to keep him focused on his fight and keep him from worrying about me too much."
Hazel studied Reyna and tried to read her face. She hadn't been at the gym for an incredibly long amount of time, but everyone there felt like family. Reyna was like an older sister, and they could always depend on her. Especially to help them with their fights. Frank needed someone with a level head to keep him calm.
"I tried to," Reyna muttered as her eyes flickered away from meeting Hazel's gaze. "He didn't exactly appreciate it."
"I'm sorry that he yelled at you," Hazel said. Reyna rubbed her eyes and slowly looked at her.
"It's not your fault," Reyna dismissed with a shrug. "It's whatever."
"Doesn't look like it," Hazel commented. Reyna looked away, and a small chuckle left her. She looked back at Hazel.
"Am I getting that easy to read?" Reyna joked.
"Just a little," Hazel replied with a small laugh. Reyna sighed and leaned back in the chair. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I don't know," Reyna admitted. "I'm not mad at you, though. Or even Frank. Well, okay. I am mad at Frank for yelling at me, but I understand. If it was Nico who was hurt, I would have been pissed if someone hid it from me. Everything has just been a lot lately."
"But, I'm done keeping it all inside until it explodes," Reyna promised. "I'm not going to take my anger out on my friends anymore. As for Frank, we'll talk when he wants to."
"If you ever need anything, just let me know," Hazel offered sincerely. Reyna smiled and slowly stood.
"You're the one who has an injury. You shouldn't be worried about me," Reyna returned as she squeezed Hazel's hand gently.
"I always worry about my friends," Hazel supplied. Reyna suddenly leaned down and pulled Hazel into a gentle hug. Hazel hugged her back.
"Thank you for always being there, Hazel," Reyna whispered. "I don't know how you're always so kind and sweet."
Hazel felt a blush come to her face. Reyna pulled away and placed her hands back into her pocket, "Let me know as soon as you find something out, okay?"
"I will," Hazel promised. "Do you mind stopping by later? If you're not busy."
"I have lunch plans with Hylla, which I guess is really a business meeting. After that, I can stop by again," Reyna answered. Hazel smiled at her. "Hopefully you're out of here soon."
"Hopefully," Hazel agreed. "I'll see you later today."
Reyna nodded and made her way to the door. She came to a stop and said something. Reyna stepped to the side, and Frank walked into the room, with Reyna closing the door behind her. A smile lit up Hazel's face as she looked at her best friend. Frank was bundled up in blue jeans and his jacket.
"Hey," Frank greeted. An awkward smile came to his face as he held up a bag of food. "I brought you breakfast."
"Thank you, Frank. I just wish that you and Reyna weren't trying to get me lectured by the nurse," Hazel half-joked. Frank put the bag down and sat by her. A glance to the side showed that Nico was still asleep in his chair. Hazel hoped he hadn't been so worried that he couldn't sleep.
"I thought you might need some cheering up," Frank said. "Still no news?"
"No," Hazel confirmed. "You will be one of the first people to know, I promise."
"I know," Frank soothed. He smiled, but it didn't completely reach his eyes.
"Are you still mad about last night?" Hazel questioned. Frank sighed and hung his head. Then, he nodded. "Why?"
"I wanted to know that you were hurt as soon as it happened," Frank explained. "I don't care if it distracted me from my fight or caused me to lose."
"Frank, I wasn't dying. Okay? I just hurt my leg. There was no need to yell at Reyna about doing something I wanted her to do. I wanted her to keep you focused on your fight. That's why I wanted her to stay," Hazel explained.
"Hazel, you don't understand," Frank argued as frustration came to his voice and face. "I care about you a lot, Hazel. I am not going to put a stupid fight before you."
"Frank, this isn't just some fight. This is your career. This is what you train for every day," Hazel lectured. "You know that injuries can happen at any moment, especially if you are distracted. I would feel terrible if you learned about my injury, couldn't focus on your fight, and were hurt even worse."
Frank looked away and stared at the wall. Hazel continued, "I also hate that you yelled at Reyna when she was just respecting my wishes."
"I care for you," Frank finally confessed as he took a deep breath and met Hazel's eyes.
"I care for you too," Hazel returned. "You're my best friend."
"I like you, Hazel. More than a teammate and more than a best friend," Frank continued. He swallowed painfully and looked down. Hazel tilted her head in confusion. "I want to be more than your best friend."
"What do you mean?" Hazel questioned.
"I have a crush on you," Frank admitted. Hazel's eyes widened. "I've had these feelings for a while now. I enjoy going to the gym because I like sparring, but it's made even better by spending time with you. My biggest fear is that I'll lose our friendship if we date and things don't work out."
"Frank, you wouldn't lose my friendship," Hazel began.
"People say that all the time, but it still happens," Frank postulated. He took a shaky breath and looked down. "I don't want to lose you, Hazel."
"Frank, you are not going to lose me," Hazel promised as she grabbed Frank's hand. "Because I have a crush on you too. And, I know that no matter what happens, we will remain friends."
Frank studied Hazel for a few moments. Then, he gripped Hazel's hand tightly, "Well, will you go out with me, Hazel? When you're out of the hospital. Not now."
"I would love to go out with you," Hazel answered with butterflies in her stomach as she gently rubbed Frank's hand. "And, would you like to be my boyfriend?"
"Of course," Frank said quickly, a huge grin showing off his teeth. "I'm sorry, Hazel. I was just so scared about what you would say."
"I was too," Hazel admitted. "I'm just glad you took the leap."
"And if you ever hurt her, I'll kill you."
Both Hazel and Frank jumped. They turned to look at Nico, who was just now sitting up to stretch. Hazel smiled sheepishly. Nico just glared at Frank when he yawned, "Got it?"
"I got it," Frank promised.
"Reyna brought you breakfast," Hazel said. Nico's glare immediately dissolved, and a content smile split his face. He grabbed his sandwich and started to eat. Hazel moved her gaze to Frank. "Are you going to the gym today?"
"No," Frank declined. "I was going to stay here for a little bit if that's okay?"
Nico made a disgusted noise. Hazel smiled. Nico looked at them, "I am happy for you, Hazel."
"Thank you," Hazel said warmly. She heard a knock on the door and lifted her head. A doctor walked into the room, and Hazel swallowed painfully.
"Miss Levesque," the doctor announced. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm good," Hazel replied. "Are you going to tell the nurse I'm eating fast food?"
"No," the doctor answered with a slight chuckle. His face quickly grew serious. "I have your test results. You did tear your ACL. We'll have to do surgery to repair it."
Hazel nodded nervously, and despite her promises to remain calm no matter the results, tears stung her eyes. Frank instantly wrapped an arm around her, and Nico grabbed her hand. Hazel tried to speak, but she just looked away. She knew this was going to be the result, but hearing it made it a lot scarier.
"This surgery has a high degree of success," the doctor promised. "You'll be back on your feet before you know it."
"Thank you," Hazel whispered. The doctor turned and walked away. Hazel blinked a few times and tried to keep the tears out of her eyes. Lupa told her she would always have a place at the gym, but Hazel loved to fight. She loved being in that cage, and she didn't want it taken away from her.
"Hazel, you are going to come back better than ever," Nico promised. "We are here for you."
"Thank you," Hazel exhaled as she took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. "Do you mind calling everyone for me and letting them know?"
"I will," Nico promised. Hazel looked at Frank.
"Will you stay here for a few hours?" Hazel requested.
"You already know I will," Frank smiled. He gently grabbed her hand again and kissed it. Frank pulled Hazel into a gentle hug, and she relaxed against him. Her friends were right. Hazel would get better, and her family would be there to support her.