Fatal Flaws

It's been over a week since Thanksgiving. I must have gotten my point across to my mom. She hasn't called me once. It's been peaceful, besides April, sending me pictures of random bridesmaid dresses. She seems excited. I don't know if it's for my mom, or because it gives her a reason to dress up. Hayden's also been low-key not talking much. The only thing we discussed was his Christmas present. Somehow convincing his parents to get him a private apartment on campus as an early gift. He's been a little preoccupied since keeping his grades up is one of their conditions. Both times I saw him, he only spoke briefly, not going into much detail.

I've been keeping busy, doing schoolwork, and visiting the hospital. She looks better each day. I can't wait for her to get released. We have so much to catch up on. Since visiting my moms, I've been so confused. It was wonderful having Hayden there. I would have never survived that dinner without him. If only he could be as good of a boyfriend as he pretends to be. The entire ride home, we talked about how similar our families are, and treat us. His older brother and Sky are the favorites, leaving him as the black sheep in the family, much like me. He helped me feel better about my decisions in life, and about living for me, not everyone else.

"Hey beautiful, how are you feeling today?" I smile, walking into her room, holding two coffees and a bag of fresh cronuts. She perks up, eagerly reaching out for the food. "Has the doctor said when you get to leave this hellhole?" I jokingly ask, taking the seat beside the bed.

She looks so much better. The bruises on her face are hardly visible, and they removed her chin stitches. The wound healed nicely, leaving behind a tiny scar. She still has to wear her arm in the sling. But she's mobile now using a wheelchair to get around, despite her leg still being in a cast. They've also been working with her to stand, taking small steps using crutches for support.

"About that," she mumbles with a mouthful of dough. Those two brief words make me nervous. "Well, I have good news and bad. Which do you want to hear first?" she asks, swallowing the mouthful of food before chugging the lukewarm coffee. I don't respond. Instead, eyeing her, waiting for her to continue. "The doctor said I can leave next week, as long as I continue my therapy. So I'll be free from these confinements, that's the good news," she laughs, attempting to ease the blow of her bad news.

"And the bad" I ask, anxiously waiting for her to get on with it. I don't know how much bad news I can handle right now. Everything is finally coming together.

"My mom wants me to come home and recuperate. She said with all my appointments and therapy, it will be easier if I'm with them. Plus, she already talked to the Dean, and he agreed. I'll be able to finish this semester online. This way I won't fall too far behind. Besides, you and Hope can come and see me whenever you want. We can have sleepovers and talk on the phone every day. It will be like I'm still here," she smiles, trying to make the situation better than it is.

I'm losing my best friend all over again. "Hey, text me in a little. I forgot I have an assignment due by midnight. I have to finish it. And yeah, it's a plan. I love you," I hug her quickly, before rushing out the door.

I face plant into my pillow the moment I walk in the door. Looking around, it seems so empty, so lonely. It will be so weird with all her stuff gone. It finally felt like home, and now everything was going to change. What if I don't get along with my new roommate? Or what if they don't like me? Maybe I can go home for the rest of the semester and do my work online. Start back fresh after the New Year. There are only a few weeks of classes left anyway until break. Should I call my mom? I think to myself, picking the phone up. A knock at the door interrupts me, dialing her number.

"Come in" I holler, lying the phone back on the bed. Looking up, I'm surprised to see Hayden.

He's standing in the doorway in an all-black sweatsuit. The combat boots he wore the first time I met him are on his feet. "So my sister called me. She asked if I'd check on you. I guess you left in a hurry after she told you my mom's making her come home," he mumbles, coming to sit beside me on the bed.