Chapter 110
Chapter 110
I sat on the edge of my hospital bed, shoes on, swinging my foot slowly.
“Stop bouncing your leg.” Maya said for the fifth time, arms crossed. “You’re not running a marathon She placed the discharge papers folded neatly in Helen’s purse and dropped it beside me.
“I can’t help it,” I muttered. “I feel so glad to leave here, I hate the antiseptic smell.”
Nora smiled from the entrance. “Shut up Veria.”
“It’s either Aria or Avery. Pick one.” I rolled my eyes.
“I love Veria.” She shrugged.
The nurse entered with a clipboard. “Alright, Miss Aria-”
“Hmm?,” I turned to her.
She paused, “Where is Mrs Morale?”
“With doctor Kline.” I replied
“Ohh okay.” She turned to her clipboard and marked some things. “You’re officially discharged. Your drug description for continuation is being discussed with Mrs Morale.”
“My baby,” Helen beamed, entering my ward with Robert.
Maya snorted. “Baby indeed.”
The nurse shot her a look. “And follow–up appointments are already discussed with you right? Mrs Morale.”
“Are you ready to go home dear?” Robert asked softly.
“Yeah dad,” I said. “I need some fresh breath.
***
The drive was… a little bit slower than supposed and also extremely quiet.
Maya sat beside me, typing furiously. She shoved her phone under her thigh when I looked.
“You’re all acting weird,” I said.
“No we’re not,” she replied immediately.
“We’re completely normal and acting completely normal.” She rolled her eyes.
Robert cleared his throat. “You’ve been very observant lately.”
“I almost died,” I said flatly. “My instincts are sharp.”
“It’s really nothing dear, we are just excited to have you back home.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re hiding something.”
Chapter 110.
“Eat your snacks,” Maya said, shoving a bag into my hands. “Doctor’s orders.
The car pulled into the driveway.
I stepped out slowly, still a little stiff, and stared at the front door.
“Okay,” I said. “I still feel a little bit suspicious though from you guys actions. Firstly, where in Asher?”
They all froze.
“W what?” Maya stuttered with a frown. “Is just busy.”
“I doubt that but okay,” I shrugged.
Helen rushed forward. “Why don’t you just open the door and go in, sweetheart?”
I hesitated, then reached for the handle.
“SURPRISE!”
A shout rang as the door flew open.
Confetti exploded as they blared on loud music.
I froze.
There wer
And
ons with a massive banner that read “WELCOME HOME, ARIA” neatly taped across the living room.
ped.
IVE!” A voice whooped from behind me.
RE ALIVE!” Another person screamed.
aughed, then immediately started crying.
Oh my God,” I whispered.
Helen hugged me from behind. “You deserve this.”
Jamal stepped forward first.
He looked…. different. Thinner and tired,
“Hey,” he said softly.
My breath caught. “Hi Jamal.” I sniffed.
He pulled me into a tight hug. “You scared the hell out of us.”
Chapter 110
“I scared myself too,” I sighed.
“You look better though,” he said. “I’ve missed you.”
“You definitely should.” I giggled, wiping my tears with the back of my palm.
He laughed. “Welcome back.”
Behind him were faces I hadn’t seen since camp. Some I barely knew but they all look relieved and happy..
Nora waved. “Food table’s on the left. Cake is medically approved.”
“I did not approve cake,” Helen protested.
Robert leaned in. “Ignore her.”
Someone shoved a cup into my hand.
“To Aria!” Maya shouted. “For surviving!”
“To Aria!” they echoed.
I smiled through tears. “You’re all ridiculous.”
“That’s why you love us,” Jamal winked.
I sat on the couch, surrounded.
“So,” a girl I don’t remember ever talking to, said, plopping down beside me. “Tell us everything.”
“No,” Maya said sharply. “She’s resting.”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Really.”
Jamal leaned on the armrest. “I wasn’t allowed to visit,” he admitted. “Your mom scared me.”
Maya smiled sweetly. “I would do it in her place if I was there.” The front door swung open again, letting in a burst of cool afternoon air and a commotion of rustling bags and grunts.
“Move your feet, incoming!” Asher’s voice boomed over the music,
He and another guy–a friend from his soccer team, I think–staggered in, their arms laden with what looked hike every g bag and wrapped box from the local department store. They dumped the pile unceremoniously in the space Jamal had jus vacated, a colorful mountain of cellophane and ribbon.
“What is all this?” I asked, my eyes wide.
Asher grinned, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. “What does it look like? It’s the ‘We’re Really Glad You Didn’t Get Smushed by a Tree‘ haul. Courtesy of me, Jamal, and, like, half the neighborhood once Mum put the word out.”
7
Jamal stood up, brushing cookie crumbs from his jeans. He looked oddly bashful. “My mom went a little overboard. And then my aunts got involved. It’s a whole thing.”
Helen appeared, hands on her hips, but she was smiling. “I said a small welcome home. This is a retail avalanche.”
“You said ‘make her smile,” Asher countered. “This,” he gestured to the pile, “is a guaranteed smile. Or at least a look of
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Chapter 110
bewildered gratitude. Now, open. We didn’t carry all this for it to just sit here”
A small crowd gathered around the couch, curious. Maya perched on the armrest, leaning over my shoulder “Start with the big shiny one. Always start with the big shiny one.”
I reached for a large, silver bag, its tissue paper erupting like a metallic flower. I pulled out a soft, grey cashmere blanker, incredibly soft to the touch.
“From my mom,” Jamal said. “She said you need to ‘stay cozy while you convalesce. Her words.”
“It’s perfect.” I murmured, hugging it. It smelled like fabric softener and care.
Next was a heavy, square box from Asher. Inside, nestled in foam, was a high–end set of noise–cancelling headphones For when you need a break from… well, from us,” he said, ruffling my hair gently.
A small, perfectly wrapped cube from Nora contained a beautiful leather–bound journal and a set of artist’s pencils. The card read: For writing the real story, or drawing the fake ones. x
The gifts were thoughtful, personal. A constellation lamp from a girl in my biology class. A ridiculously oversized mug that said ‘OFFICIALLY A SURVIVOR‘ from Maya’s doing, obviously. A stack of new books from Robert, each with a bookmark tucked in the first chapter. A basket of ridiculous, gourmet snacks from Helen’s colleagues.
Each one was a little tug on my heart, a thread connecting me back to this life, this person they all knew.
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
