I'm Dying To Live (Rewriting)

Chapter 4

Jack's POV

I knocked on the door before stepping back, draping my arm around Alex's shoulders to comfort him. He'd calmed down somewhat since the bathroom incident, but since he was already on edge it wasn't hard for him to slip back into a panic again. He had been crying on the way there, obviously worried, and the tear tracks were still clear on his face. I pulled up my sleeve and wiped his cheeks gently before Tay's mom greeted us at the door.

"Hi Ms Jardine," I said quietly, holding out my hand to shake with hers.

She frowned. "Who are you?"

"We came to see Tay, we were wondering if she's okay," I replied calmly, my hand still out waiting for her to take it.

Her face softened and she smiled kindly at us both, grasping my hand in a quick, brisk handshake, her other hand resting on my shoulder. "Oh I am sorry, hello. Come in, what are your names?"

She stepped aside and I ushered Alex in before stepping in myself. The hallway was cluttered with coats and shoes and the carpet was thick and soft. "Please do take your shoes off, the carpets new," she muttered, glancing at our feet warily. "But anyway please, introduce yourselves."

I kicked off my shoes, placing them neatly beside the pile of mess behind the door and gave her a lopsided grin. "I'm Jack."

"Alex," came Alex's small voice in front of me. "It's nice to meet you Miss."

She smiled at us both and nodded, leading us further into the apartment and standing at the foot of the stairs. "Tay! Tay, some of your friends are here," she called up, before turning to us. "She's been quite sick, why she wasn't at school today. We aren't quite sure what's wrong, but she'll be paying the hospital a visit tomorrow to take some tests and it'll all become clear soon enough."

I nodded, glancing up the stairs. "Can we go see her?"

Taylor's mom nodded and smiled. "Course, her rooms the first door you come to."

I smiled back politely. "Thanks Mrs."She shook her head.

"Thank you. Tay's been miserable as you can imagine, because she's so ill. I expect she'll be glad to have company. Watch out though, I don't want you two catching anything off her."

"Like cooties," I shot cheekily and her mom rolled her eyes and laughed softly.

"I guess so," she muttered, a small smile gracing her lips. "Now go on."

I turned to run up the stairs, glancing behind me to see Alex jogging up after me. He still bored an anxious expression and I wiped my face blank before pausing at the top of the stairs to look at the closed door in front of me. I glanced back again. Alex was looking at me questioningly. "Is this the right door?" he asked quietly.

I nodded. "Think so," I whispered back, before pushing it open.

The first thing I noticed about the room was how neat it was. I stepped inside, taking in the pale grey walls, the blue curtains and grey fluffy rug beside the bed which was currently occupied with a sleepy looking Tay who's eyes slowly opened at the sound of the door.

"Mom?" she called tiredly.

"Room service," I said, holding out my arms.

Tay's eyes shot open and a wide smile crossed her features. "Jack. Alex. Oh my god hello."

"Hey Tay," Alex said sheepishly behind me.

"Took us yars to remember where you live," I moaned dramatically, throwing my hands up into the air.

I sauntered towards her and enveloped her in a bear hug, rocking her awkwardly as she grasped onto me, breathing deeply into my hair. "This is what I needed," she breathed.