Bex

Chapter 34:

  "What are you doing here?"

  Ben gave me a teasing smile. "Did you really think I wasn't going to be here for you today? I thought you knew me better than that, Woods."

  I ran up to him and crushed my body against his into a hug. He chuckled, returning the embrace. I pulled back; I was almost on the verge of tears, but I blinked them back.

  "Thanks, Benny." I whispered.

  I turned around to meet Dr. Jackson's bright green eyes. I gave a small nod to signal that I was ready. The walk to my hospital bed felt like it took hours- in reality it was only seconds- my legs felt as heavy as lead. I was actually slightly relieved when I crawled into the bed and put my leaden legs under the covers.

I pulled off my hoodie, so the nurse could have better access to my arm to put in my drip. Axel took it from my grasp and placed a soft kiss to my temple. I gave him a small smile; I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes again. I blinked them back again and clenched my jaw.

You can do this. You're Bex Woods.

  I took a deep breath and stuck out my right arm to the smiling nurse. I stared up at the IV stand; a plastic bag full of an amber liquid was hanging from it. Attached to the bag was a tube that was attached to the needle meant for my arm.

  "You'll feel a slight pinch." The nurse's soft voice warned.

  I could only nod, staring at the needle. Everything was back in slow motion. Right when she was about to stick me, I panicked.

"Wait!" I pulled my arm back, cradling it against my chest. I felt the full weight of reality come crashing down on my chest. I couldn't breathe. I yanked the blanket off of me and swung my legs out of the bed. "I can't do this!" I gasped.

I tried to run to the door, but I crashed into Axel's chest. He caught me by the arms with a firm grip. I tried to scramble out of his hold. But no matter how hard I squirmed, he wasn't letting go.

"I have to get out of here! I can't do this!" I screamed with tears blurring my vision.

  "Hey- hey, look at me." Axel cupped my face with both hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I'm right here; I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you if I can help it."

  "Promise?" I asked, lip quivering.

  "I promise." He whispered, leaning his forehead against mine. "You're Bex Woods; you can do this."

  And just like that, the unbearable weight on my chest lifted. I took in a much needed deep breath. I grabbed Axel's wrist to keep him from pulling away. He was my rock, keeping me from floating away from existence.

After what felt like eons, I let him go and got back in bed. Dr. Jackson looked concerned- so did everyone else.

"I'm sorry." I apologized for my outburst. "I think I'm ready now."

"Are you sure?" Dr. Jackson asked.

I looked to Axel, who gave me a small smile, and I took another deep breath.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

  I watched as the nurse attempted to put my drip in. As soon as she pressed the tip of the needle to the crook of my arm, I whipped my head away. Tyler gave my hand a reassuring squeeze when I winced at the IV breaking through my skin. The nurse stuck a tiny piece of white tape over the insertion point.

  "We will start out two doses a week. So you'll have your next dose in a couple of days." Dr. Jackson looked up from his clipboard. "But enough about that, how are you feeling?"