Family

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Holly's POV:

The next couple of weeks was extremely hard, I basically had to re-teach myself to walk. My legs and stomach were in excruciating pain which only got worse when I moved. But I was determined. Determined to not let my dad win. Determined to get out of the hospital.

The day finally came and that day was today. I couldn't wait to go home and actually eat a proper, good meal. Not just a crappy hospital one.

I got up out of my bed collecting all of the get well soon cards, but pulling aside Tom and Haz' card as well as the cards from their family. Those ones meant the most to me. I carefully tucked them into the pouch of the suitcase of all of my things, chucking the rest of them on top.
"Woahh.. I'll get that" Tom said taking my suit case away from me.
"I'm going home today, I can do things for myself" I said sternly attempting to get the suitcase but hurting myself in the process.
"I know you are, but I don't want you to hurt yourself and then not be able to go home" he said laughing.

He had a point.
I pushed the suitcase further towards him as I asked him to put the rest of my things in it, which just consisted of some clothes and my secret stash of sweets that Haz had dropped in because he knew how bad the hospital food was.

Eventually we, or should I say Tom had everything packed and we headed to the front desk so I could check myself out. I gripped onto Tom's arm as we walked, terrified of falling. I was still in a lot of pain despite the fact that it had been 2 months since that day. "Okay, you guys are all set to go" the nurse said making me smile. I couldn't wait to get home. Just actually relax for a while. "Just take it easy" she added as we walked away.

As we walked I saw all of the nurses and doctors that had helped me get to the stage I am now; the ones that helped keep me alive. "Can I go over there" I asked Tom pointing my head in the direction.
"Of course, let's go" he said which made me happy.

We walked over there carefully. All of the doctors smiled seeing my on my feet for the first time in a while. "I'm checking out" I said happily which made the doctors smile. They seemed relieved.
"I just wanted to say thank you for everything you guys did for me while I've been here. You guys were amazing. I wouldn't be standing here today without yous. Also. Thank you for taking care of Tom and Haz while I was in my coma" I said resulting in all of them smiling. Positivity beamed off of me. I felt happy for the first time in a while. The last two months have made me realize what it really is to have family. Although they have been packed with pain they've also brought me happiness.

"Okayyy" Tom said opening the car door for me. "I can get that myself you know. I haven't lost the use of my arms" I laughed.
"I know. Just being a gentleman" he said smiling.
"You are so cute" I said pouting. He blushed immediately which I noticed but didn't say anything about. The car ride there was great. It felt amazing to get some air. To feel the speed of the car as we drove past everything appearing and then suddenly disappearing. During the journey we listened to the radio and sang our favorite songs. Until we pulled up into our street.

I opened my car door not even thinking about where I was. I stepped out looking at the house. Tom helped me as I unlocked the door, stepping inside for the first time in 2 months. Suddenly everything came back to me. The chronic pain I would be in every time I stepped foot in this house. I remembered the screams that filled the four walls of the house as my dad beat me. I remember the heart-wrenching cries that could be heard from my room upstairs.

I completely broke down. I hated myself for doing this but I couldn't hold it in. And before I knew it I was on the floor on my knees sobbing.  Tom immediately took me into his arms as I buried my head in his chest. His shirt becoming damp in seconds from my tears. "Hey, it's okay. Don't worry. He's not here any more, he can't hurt you again" he said stoking my hair.

I sat there for a solid 20 minutes just crying. I felt like going back into that house brought back every memory ever spent in it. I don't think I had any happy memories in that house. The houses across the street and down the block were the houses all my happy memories were.

I looked blankly at the house, I hated this house. "Do you wanna go to my house" Tom asked which made me relieved. I couldn't look at that house for another second. "Be warned though. Everyone's exited to see you so just tell them if the hugs hurt or if your overwhelmed or..."

I cut Tom off "it's fine. I'm okay I will" I said wrapping my arms around him as he did the same to me. I felt so safe in those arms. I felt like nothing would ever happen to me in those arms. Those were the arms I wanted to have around me for the rest of my life.

The realization hit me. Surely I didn't like my best friend did i? I couldn't.  I loved Tom with all of my heart but I wasn't IN love with him was I?

I was torn away from my thoughts by the sound of Tom opening his door. The keys rattled against the handle as he turned them. "Are you sure this is okay" i asked anxiously. 
"Of course it is Holls" he said referring to me as my nickname. I loved that nickname.
I took a deep breath as we stepped inside. "they might be a little full on since they've not seen you in a bit. If it gets to much, or you start feeling sick or..." Tom said trying to look out for me. 
"i'll be okay.. don't worry" i said again calming both of us down before we walked inside. 

I walked through the door of the living room gripping onto tom as support. I hated that i couldn't walk on my own but as much as i hated it; i have to admit. I loved Tom's arms around me. I loved how he supported me. 

Then it hit me, the last time i was in the house was the night before everything happened. The night child-line were called. If they hadn't called child-line i wouldn't be where i am right now. 

I don't mean it in the way where i wouldn't have been beaten senseless because that would have happened anyways. I mean i wouldn't be free of my dad. I smiled, happiness filling me up as i walked in to see, what i used to refer to as my second family; but now they're just my family.