Zailey (Sequel) ✔️

Part Eight

The sound of my phone vibrating dragged me out of my sleep.
I cracked my eyes open, then frowned in confusion when I realised it wasn't my alarm going off, because the alarm makes a loud, unbearable noise that drags me out of my sleep.
I propped myself up onto my elbow and fumbled to get my phone off the bedside table.
Some strange number was displayed across the top of the screen.
I slid the answer bar across and placed the phone to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey Beautiful."
Zander's voice greeted my ear.
I couldn't help my smile.
"Hey Babe."
I replied and flopped onto my back on my mattress.
"Did I wake you?"
Zander asked.
"Yeah."
I admitted.
"But it's okay coz I have to be up soon anyway."
"Sorry. I thought you'd be up already."
He apologised.
"Got study first thing, so I gave myself a bit of a sleep in."
I explained, throwing a hand over my mouth to attempt to stifle my yawn.
"Ahkay fair enough."
"Why are you up so early?"
"Nurse came to wake me up, coz I'll be having a visit from a Doctor soon."
"Oh. Well fingers crossed they've got some good news for you then!"
"Would be nice."
He agreed.
"Well... if you call me in recess or lunch time you can let me know how it goes."
He made a sound of frustration.
"I just wish they'd give me back my god damn phone!"
I bit my tongue to try and refrain from informing him that technically his Mum has his phone.
He might bribe her to give it to him and just make sure he hides it from his Doctors.
I'd certainly like it if he had his phone.
We could call and text.
But it was up to his Psychologist when he'd be given back those things.
"I'm sure that will happen soon."
Zander released a heavy breath.
"I guess I'd better let you go and get ready."
He stated.
But his tone was off.
"Are you worried about your visit from the Doctor?"
I asked, pushing myself into a sitting position.
"One see's me every day."
He said almost bitterly.
Oh.
"Then what are you worried about?"
I didn't want him to hang up the phone while he was stressing.
Silence.
Man Zander don't back away from me now.
"The Psychologist is coming in again."
"I thought you were okay with seeing him?"
Silence again.
"Zander?"
I prodded.
Time was ticking.
I didn't have long left before I'd have to hang up and high tail it to school.
But in my heart, Zander will always come first.
"I don't enjoy being thought of as a mental case Bails."
He finally, quietly, admitted.
My heart clenched.
How am I supposed to talk him out of this?
He's been doing so well since Saturday.
Yeah but look how he was coping before then.
I sucked in a deep breath.
How can I make him feel better about this?
"Zander?"
I asked, trying to ensure I had his attention.
"Yes?"
He finally asked.
"You're not mental."
I told him in a firm voice, swinging my legs out of bed and standing.
"The hospital terrified me when they moved you to that Ward last week."
I confessed.
"Terrified you? Why?"
"Because they were asking us who we are and then people including me were blacklisted from seeing you."
"If this is supposed to be making me feel better, it's not."
He remarked.
I growled in frustration and ran a hand into my hair.
Tread carefully Bailey.
My subconscious warned.
"Zander?"
I questioned.
"Yeah?"
He asked in a quiet voice.
"Shut up and listen to me for a minute."
I requested.
Silence.
"You're not a mental case. You've been through a lot, yes."
I agreed.
"The Psychologist is only there to help you because they're trained in dealing with trauma. You're doing so amazing so just keep your chin up. Every single person in that Ward gets the same treatment so don't take it like you're the only one they're poking and prodding at."
Zander sighed audibly.
I waited.
A few slow seconds ticked by.
"I just needa suck it up don't I."
Zander finally voiced.
"Please."
I agreed with a nod, even though he couldn't see me.
"I knew there was a reason why I love ya."
Awe...
Hang on-
"Hey!"
I exclaimed, feeling my eyes widen.
He laughed!
"I do love you Babe."
He said, laughter lacing his voice.
"And you need to go to school."
I pulled the phone from my ear to check the time.
8:54AM.
Uh oh...
I need to be at school before 9:30.
Shit!
I quickly placed the phone back to my ear.
"Bails?"
"Sorry."
I apologised.
"I checked the time. And you're right, I really have to go. Looks like I'm not eating breakfast today."
"You'd bloody better eat breakfast!"
Zander exclaimed.
"Sure."
I agreed.
Better not stress him out any more...
"Bailey."
He warned.
"Alright!"
I relented.
"I'll find something! But you're gonna have to let me go!"
"So go."
My heart sank like a stone in a river.
"No Zander I didn't mean-"
"Am I seeing you this afternoon, yes or no?"
"If you want me there then of course."
"Okay. I'll see ya this arvo then."
"This arvo."
I agreed.
"Bye."
He told me.
"I love you."
I told him.
"I love you too."
The smile was audible in his voice.
"Bye."
I bade.
"Bye bye."
He replied.
I pulled my phone from my ear and ended the call.