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Opposites Attract - chapter 4#
🕑 Added 2022-02-09 05:19:24 +0000 UTCChapter 4
After yesterday's long day of stress I ended up sleeping very late. When I do finally wake up it's to the aggressive vibrating of my phone. The buzzing shakes me awake enough to sit up and answer.
“ hello “ I grumble; my voice thick with sleep. I lay there rubbing my eyes sleepily waiting for an answer. There is small pause before I hear Silvia’s sweet voice.
“ Good morning! I’m sorry did I wake you “ She asks in an apologetic tone. I yawn stretching and rolling my shoulders trying to work the stiffness out of my back “ you did, but it’s ok I needed to get up anyways “
Her soft laugh comes through the phone and I smile to myself. Silvia has one of those laughs that you can’t resist- beautiful and completely contagious.
I sit up pulling my hair back out of my face with one paw.
“ So I have something to tell you, it may make you happy. Mitch was asking about you all morning “
I sit up further, suddenly very awake.
“ What, Are you sure? But I never told him my name “ I slump a little; internally face palming. I can’t believe I didn't even introduce myself. I'd been so nervous and shocked I had practically run from the room. I must have totally weirded him out.
“ I heard it myself. I was doing my morning rounds and checking in on patients and he asked about you. He asked if you were ok, I think he thought he scared you. “
She sighs softly, twirling a curl around a padded finger.
“I was the weirdo passed out on him, how would i be the one who got scared?’’
“ He didn't scare me. I just kind of panicked, I didn't know what I should go ahead and tell him, and what I should just leave to the doctors. How was he feeling this morning? “
“ He was very out of it, not in the best mood considering the bombshell that was dropped on him”
For a moment I imagine him. He must be so confused. I can’t even begin to understand what he might be thinking right now. To go from being out with your friend to waking up in a strange place and finding out your friend didn't make it. It must so be hard.
“ We have seen some pretty hysterical people, but he kept it together pretty well. I really think you should come by, talk to him, actually talk now. Not just your adorable hand
holding and one sided conversation “
My ears flush bright red and I practically squeal.
“ Silvia! Stop, I am so glad he never saw me do that cause god… it's horrible he was unconscious and I’m a complete stranger “
“ What! It was precious “
I hear Silvia’s loud but contagious laugh and I can't help but laugh right along with her.
I shake my head letting my head drop back into my plush pillow.
“ Besides, shouldn’t I give him space to process? “
There is a pause before she finally answers.
“ I think in his case, he wants company. Also for the love of all that is holy can you talk to that man about his scratching. He needs to stop or he wont have any fur left on his paws. He’s driving me and the other nurses nuts. As soon as one of us turns our backs he's right back at it! “
I laugh softly, smiling up at my ceiling.
“ Yeah, that sounds a bit like what I used to do when I was having anxiety in high school. He’s going through a lot, I can't blame him for being anxious. “
“ We tried to offer him anti anxiety medication actually, but he refused. Almost all the medications we offered he refused now that I think about it. “
As I lay there watching the dust dance around in the light above me, what Caiman said the day I first came to the hospital comes back to me.
“ The drunk deserves no less.”
Silvia sighs “ He is a stubborn one- but good. I know Brennon is very fond of him. “
Brennon did seem very fond of him. He never told me who Mitch is to him or how he knows him—— is it really my place to ask?
“ Brennon once mentioned Mitch had fallen in with a bad crowd. From the way Caiman talked it sounded like he was a drinker. Who knows what else he could have dabbled in”
There is a long pause before Silvia says stiffly “ Caiman was horrible to everyone, but most of all Mitch. I think Caiman knew him and decided to take advantage of Mitch’s weakness. As for the alcohol and what not, he definitely had a high level in him when he got to us but from what we could tell nothing else. “
“ I'm glad Caiman is gone. He was disgusting to Mitch, like who picks on a guy in a coma! “ Silvia barks out a sudden harsh laugh “ you have a point! Why the head of medicine didn't fire him sooner is beyond me “
I go to speak when I hear an unfamiliar voice; most likely a nurse. After a long moment Silvia says through a theatrically dramatic sigh “ Sorry Kai Kai one of the other nurses says I have to ‘ do my Job ‘ or whatever “
I smile widely, rolling my eyes “ oh no! What a tragedy “ I say dramatically, throwing the back of my paw over my eyes. Not that she could actually see my fantastic acting.
Silvia giggles softly “ Anyways, please do come by. You and mitch can chat and maybe have a little hand hol- “
I cut her off squealing into the phone in embarrassment. She really just wont let that go.
“ ok, ok! No hand holding—— even though it’s adorable “
“ I'll come by ok. Just stop teasing me! “
Sitting back up I sigh softly through my nose.
“ ok fine! I bought muffins by the way so be sure to grab one on your way through. They are so good “
“ Will do, I have to go. I need both paws to wrangle my hair into a tie “
“ ok girl see you soon! Bye bye “
Before I can respond she hangs up. She is a bit of a spaz, maybe it’s a fox thing.
After getting up and fighting my hair into submission I rummaged through my closet trying to find something nice to wear.
“ now that he can actually see you maybe it's time to try to look less like you just rolled out of bed“
I decide on a pastel blue, long sleeve sweater and my cozy jeans. As for shoes I pick a warm pair of boots. I sigh as I look in the mirror; turning in place wiggling my curled tail at myself.
“ girl, your version of trying sucks.”
Rolling my eyes at my internal voice I pull my bag over my shoulder and head out the door.
The drive to the hospital is rainy and the sky is black with clouds. As I make my way the rain beats down on the windows sending rivers streaming down the glass.
I pull into the parking lot; water splashing up from puddles that have begun to gather in the old cracked pavement. The wheels slush through the grey dirty water before coming to a stop
It’s a dreary day, no one can deny that but I’ve always loved the rain. After turning the car off I get out. I hesitate for take a moment to enjoy the feeling of the rain on my face before quickly darting across the lot to the entrance. Before I even reach the door it opens. Brennon is standing there smiling; his white peppered fur blowing in a small gust of wind blowing into the walkway.
“ Come on hurry, you're getting wet “
He holds it open wider, stepping to the side letting me slip past. The hospital office is empty and peacefully silent for once. The only sound is the hum of the lights and the soft thuds from people on the floors above us.
“ wow, it’s so quiet for once. I wish it was always like this “
Brennon opens his mouth to comment but before he can Silvia’s clear sweet voice cuts him off.
“ I second that. If it was always like this I’d be far less tired and poor Brennon would be a bit less white in the muzzle “
Brennons crosses his arms leaning on the front desk shaking his head. Silvia leans over the edge pinching his cheek softly.
“ Now now grumpy fang, I’m only kidding me “
I watch as Brennon try’s, and fails to hold back a smile. He can’t stop the large lupine grin that grows on his face.
“ you two are cute “
I say raising a brow at Silvia. She yanks her paw away her normally pale ears flushing pink. I look to Brennon and notice his ears are a little pink too. I smirk, pushing off the desk and come around to the hall leading to Mitch’s room. I hesitate in the hall softly biting the inside of my lip feeling a strange anxiety pass over me. I feel a soft paw on my shoulder; it steadies me. I look back to see Silvia smile down at me.
“ Don't be nervous “ she says, nudging me forward. I stop in front of the door and I’m about to turn the knob when I hear Silvia whisper.
“ maybe actually introduce yourself this time “
I look back at her with the flattest expression I can muster.
“ You're the worst “ I say, shaking my head as I turn back to the door. I take a deep breath before opening the door and slipping in.
I shut the door quietly and go to turn when I hear Mitch’s gravelly voice. I jump slightly at it. It’s not like I didn't k or he was awake. “ KAIA! Girl, you are going to weird him out “
“ I’m awake you don’t have to tiptoe “
I turn tucking my paws behind my back. Hoping he can’t see the embarrassment on my face. I clear my throat shyly tucking a few strands of hair back.
“ I’m sorry it’s just a force of habit “
As my eyes meet his I notice he’s sitting up propped against a small mountain of pillows. It feels almost strange seeing him awake, out of “ sleeping beauty state”.
He smiles and says in a hushed voice.
“ It’s hard to wake someone in a coma “
I swear at this rate I might catch on fire, my ears flush so red.
He winks at me before turning his gaze to the window where the rain beats down brutally on the glass. There is a small pause before he sighs softly looking back to me; those honey golden eyes meet mine. He manages a little smile gesturing to the chair next to him.
“ You don’t have to stand, you can sit down. If you want to of course “
I pull my paws from behind me and walk over pulling the chair back and sitting down. It is familiar. The worn fabric, the old wood armrests, I had sat here for many days and become accustomed to it.
He shifts his body so he's turned towards me and props his head on a fist.
“ So the nurses tell me you have been here a lot. But I don’t think we have ever met“
I put my paws on my crossed knees. Those nurses need to butt out! All they do is gossip
“ I’ve come in a couple of times “ I say, picking at an invisible speck on my jeans trying to look casual.
I hear him exhale a little laugh shaking his head
“ as in everyday? “
I look up from my paws and find him watching me intently. I smile shyly leaning back in the chair sighing softly.
“ maybe “
He leans forward a bit and says in a tone that send little chills down my back.
“ May I ask, do you have a name or do I have to guess? “
I scoot forward in my seat leaning in “ it’s a secret “
I say softly, holding a padded finger up to my lips.
He grins showing his large sharp toothed smile. He leans in a bit closer.
“ I’m good at keeping secrets “
He looks at me expectantly, a small smile lingering on his scarred up face.
“My name is Kaia, Kaia Cortez “
He extends a large paw. I look at it for a moment before putting my small paw in his. He shakes it ever so gently before releasing his grip.
“ It's nice to meet you Kaia. I imagine you know my name huh “
I smile as I nod “ Brennon told me. He seems like he knows you. Do you guys know each other from somewhere? “
He absentmindedly scratches at the top of his paw. I look to his face and find he looks a bit sad.
“Shoot… did I say something wrong” I think to myself. There is a pause and I begin to think he won’t answer when he just sighs and say a bit weakly “ He was a friend of my dad “
I feel my heart sink “ was “ not is. I scoot closer in my chair.
“ Oh… what happened “
He begins to scratch a bit harder and I realizes it’s because of me. I put a paw in his and he stops pulling one hand away.
“ I’m sorry it’s none of my business. I didn’t mean to pry I’m just nosy sometimes “
He smiles and pats my paw with his free one. “ its alright. I understand. Also sorry about the scratching. Does it bother you? “
I move my paw shaking my head “ no no It just looks painful “
To my surprise I notice pink come to his ears and he glacés away tucking them into the blanket.
So he’s a little shy? Not what I expected. It’s strange how much I assumed about him though we had never spoken.
“ I have always had a bad habit of doing it when I… “
He hesitates looking up to me.
“ I don’t want to say anxious cause then another nurse will come in here offering me something I don’t want “
“ it’s ok to be anxious, It happens “
He leans back wincing a bit his paw going to his ribs.
“ What hurts? “ I say putting a paw on his side, a concerned look on my face.
He tenses at my sudden touch and when I realize what I’ve done I sit back hard in my chair.
“ I am so sorry. I really should have asked, I’m sure your sick of random people picking at you huh “
He smiles a crooked side smile shaking his head.
“ I don’t mind you. I can’t quite place it but I feel like I know you somehow. Your voice maybe, I’m not sure “
As if all the air had been sucked from my lungs I find myself unable to speak. After all those days of just talking and babbling on about nothing, he remembers.
