The Fault In Our Stars Sequel

Chapter Three

"Dammit Hazel, you could have, you know, given me some type of warning before revealing your inner stomach acids to the outside world, which happened to be on my new shoes." Isaac says to me as he sits in the chair next to my hospital bed, his eyebrows pulling together in slight disgust, although I can tell that he isn't really mad.

"Unfortunately for you, you may have been able to prevent this situation if you were able to see the pre-vomit look on my face that I'm sure I was wearing."

"Well, unfortunately for me," Isaac responds. "I happen to still have my sense of smell, which for the record, sucks way worse than not having eyes. It was not the most pleasant smell I have had the misfortune of enduring."

"Sorry."

"It's alright."

I'm not exactly sure why Isaac is here. I mean, yeah, we've been talking quite frequently lately, but it isn't like we're BFFs, or something. I honestly think he's just lonely, since his best friend has been relieved of the privledge of being a person, so I am his second option. Not ragging on Isaac or anything, it's just the truth as I see it. Maybe he needs new friends--ones that won't puke on his new shoes.

I had been barely concious when the elevator door had opened back at the church, and my mom had to rush me to the hospital to have my lungs unliquidified once more. They had filled up with cancer-water much faster than the norm, so the doctor had drugged me up on philaxifor, and the BiPAP was pumping oxygen into my crap-lungs, making breathing a do-able task. 

"Isaac, your mother is here." Mom's voice snaps me back to reality.

"Later, Hazel." Isaac stands, and his mother enters the room, flashing me a small smile as she helps Isaac out of the room.

"Hi honey, how are you feeling?" Mom asks once the door clicks closed.

"Just peachy." I reply, my strained voice emphasizing my response.

"You'll be alright, it's just like all the other visits." she seems to be trying to convince herself just as much as me.

"Where's dad?"

"He's bringing you some books and things to do," she explains. "Sorry to say that the doctor said that you'll be staying overnight."

I surpress a sigh that threatens to escape my lips. It seems like I would have gotten used to hospitals by now, or at least grown to hate them less, but I haven't. If anything, the intolerance has increased, with the thought of Augustus dying in one.

I wish he was here with me now, although I must look like hell.

"He said you can go home tomorrow." Mom's eyes sparkle with hope, but I can't share her excitement. I hate how she feels the need to stand vigil bedside the entire time I am in the hospital, it makes a guilty feeling knot itself in my stomach. It can't be easy watching your only daughter die.

The doorknob to my room wiggles, and when it opens, my father is revealed on the other side, a couple books stacked in his hands, as if he expects me to read all of them in less than twenty-four hours. I attempt to ignore his red-rimmed, freshly tear-dripped eyes.

"Hey, Hazel." he smiles a toothless smile, and sets the book on the stand next to me. I do my best to return the smile.

"Thanks."

"How are you feeling?" Dad's eyes bore into mine.

"I'm alright."

"Good." my dad nods once, blinking away his tears, preventing them from making a reappearance. My gaze flickers from my mother to my father, and I come to the conclusion that I would much rather be asleep than see these hurt looks on their faces. I have no desire to see the worried faces they've worn around me since AG, like they're afraid that if they look at me wrong, I'll break.

"I appreciate you guys being here, but I need some sleep." I say, my eyes already drooping closed.

"Go ahead and get some rest, dear. You need some rest." Mom's voice is thick as her hand strokes through my hair once, and I am lost to sleep.