Waiting for You

Chapter 10: In the Hospital

Josie's P.O.V:

I don't know exactly what happened. I just know that one minute I was in my living room and the next, I was in a hospital bed. I haven't seen Monsé in a while; the doctor said that she's the one that brought me here. I haven't had any visitors except my dad, but he left for Washington a few days ago. And with my mom in New York, I haven't been accompanied in a while. And it sucks, you know? I have this amazing girlfriend, yet she doesn't come to see me. She doesn't call me or text. It's like she's totally MIA. What's the deal?

My doctor, Dr. Alan, told my parents something in private a few days before they ditched, yet no one has told me anything. When Alan came in to check up on me I asked him why I was here in the hospital.

"Erm, it's complicated, Josalyn, " He explains. "I mean, I-I'm sorry...Josie. It's been a long day. My bad," He shakes his head, closing his eyes as he pinches the fair, white skin on the bridge of his nose.

"Your parents and girlfriend know about your condition, but I've been asked not to say anything to you until you're mom or dad come back." He tells me softly. I could tell he felt bad about not being able to tell me with the way he averted his eyes, so I just left it at that.

"So how long until I can go home?" I asked instead of pressing him on my previous question.

"Just a little bit longer," He replied with no hesitation. I knew it was an automatic response that he said when everyone knew the patient wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

"Greeaat," I exaggerated, rolling my eyes as I huffed impatiently.

"Look on the bright side of this, Josie," He smiles, removing his large, wide-framed glasses from his face. "Now we get to spend more time together."

He might've been joking, but that was looking on the bright side. He was fine as fuck. He had baby blue eyes with blonde hair that he styled so perfectly every day, he looked about 6'4, and he...

I mentally slapped myself across the face. What the hell are you thinking, Josie? You're with Monsé!

I stopped myself at least twenty different times from thinking about my doctor in any sexual, tentative, loving, or romantic way in a ten-minute time frame. When he came to check up on me right before his shift ended, I tried to be as professional as I could. It wasn't hard seeing as how he looked distressed as soon as he walked through the door. He had freaked out when I had a really bad stomach ache earlier in the day, so I was a little nervous for the update.

"Josie, your parents have given me permission to tell you what is wrong and why you are here," He says in a low voice, not even bothering to make eye contact. The tone of his voice alone was enough to make me cry. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Usually, I would calm the patient and slowly tell them what was wrong, but I have grown to like you, so I'm just going to rip it right off."

I get a swarm of butterflies along with a wave of nausea. "And yet, you're slowly telling me," I counter already on the verge of tears.

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry." He whispers. "Anyway, Josie..." He stares at his clipboard, clearing his throat. "you have a tumour in your stomach. Now, you're parents say it's up to you to start treatment."

My body gets hot and cold all over and I feel suddenly dizzy. No... Please, God no...

"I'm not going to lie and say it'll be painless," He adds. "It will be at some points throughout the treatment, although not so much at other times." He looked at me as a single, devastating tear fell from my eye.

"What's the treatment? You've told me what the treatment would be like, but you haven't told me the actual treatment," I rasp as I sniffed. 

"Right. Well, you've heard of chemotherapy, right?"

"Yeah," I replied, though hesitant.

"That would be the treatment. Now, I understand-"

"Would I lose all my hair?" I blurted, knowing it was a stupid question. I was being blinded by fear and pain.

"I-I don't know, Josie." He said, equally as hesitant. I lost it. I mean, what am I supposed to do? I was just told that I had a tumour, and I have to act calm?

"What do you mean, 'I don't know'? You're the fucking doctor! You're supposed toknow!", I screamed, electric tears piercing my akin like the blade of a knife and snot running down my face. His emotion melted from his face as he reached forward. "Now, Josi-"

"No!" I cry, slamming my fists into the rails of my bed. "I was utterly fine not even two days ago! What the hell? I was fine!" I sob. I bring my knees to my chin, tucking my face away behind the sleeve of my jacket. I sighed and sobbed for so long, my head throbbed. And Alan just sat there, I could feel his eyes piercing me as they reached my face. It wasn't until I had stopped being hysterical that I realized Dr. Alan was whispering in my ear, his arms around my shoulders.

"Shhh, Josie," He cooed, his minty fresh breath fanning against my cheekbone. "Everything will be fine. You're going to be fine," He reassured. He stood up straight, pulling my blankets to my chest. "Lay down. Do you want me to stay here until you fall asleep?" He asked. I nodded weakly. He went outside to make a phone call as I settled back into my hospital bed. When he came back in, he sat in the chair that was right next to my bed. I fell asleep twenty minutes later, his hand stroking my head as he soothed me.

*                 *                       *

The next day, I had a visitor. To my surprise, it was a little lovely.

"Monsé, hey," I greet her, trying so sound as eager as possible though knowing I was sick and she was just now trying to talk. "Where have you been?"

"Oh, uh, just out and about. Ya know," She said, her small eyes darting from poster to poster plastered around the room.

"I haven't heard from you in a while. I've missed you." I replied, searching her eyes, trying to get her to look at me.

"Yeah, I've missed you too. We have to talk later, though. It's important". She looked as though she were hiding something behind those beautiful green eyes.

"Why not talk now?"

"I don't think you want to hear it right now. You're gonna get angry, and you could mess up your health."

"Just tell me. I will always be by your side. No matter what. You know I love you," I said, slightly nervous. 

She looked at me as though she pitied me. I was scared, terrified even. Was she breaking up with me? Did she meet someone new? Did she not love me anymore? What was I supposed to do?

A/N

I am so sorry that it's taken me this long to update a new chapter. I wasn't satisfied with my writing and I'm still not, but I hope you like it! 

Also, what do you think Josie's going to do?