CRAIG
One minute we’re talking, the next Laura looks like she’s ready to pass out. I put out my cigarette on the floor before leaning forward on my knees and grabbing her shoulders before she hits the ground. She’s still conscious but barely. I take her face in my hands and shake her slightly.
“Laura, look at me.” Her eyes flicker open and she does, but her focus isn’t fully back. “Have you wondered why I want to spend time with you?” I ask not allowing myself to think about what I am saying, but Laura is nodding and she is becoming more aware. I don’t let her face go as I continue to talk.
“You remind me of someone. Someone who saw good in me and gave me a chance. Her name is Grace and she was my best friend.” It’s weird to say something like that out loud and I release Laura, my hands leaving her cheeks and resting on her tense shoulders.
I think she’s holding her breath. “Breathe Laura.” I tell her, and she takes in a deep gulp of air. “We need to get you to the nurse.” I tell her. Passing out randomly isn’t normal, but she’s shaking her head.
“No. I’m fine. It’s a panic attack and you stopped it.” The gratitude in her voice has me letting go and I sit back, creating some distance between us. We both sit and say nothing. The silence isn’t bothering me, there’s something comfortable about it.
“Did you see which way Tai went?” She chews on her full bottom lip, her brown eyes wide now with worry and I supress a smile.
“He went that way.” I point in the direction that the cat went and Laura is up, the red sweater has risen, showing off her flat stomach, she tugs it down.
“I’m going to take a look.” I nod and light up a cigarette as I listen to Laura call the cat. “Here pussy, pussy, pussy.”
I can’t stop the smile that splits my face or the laugh that leaves my mouth. “Can you stop saying pussy.” I tell the ceiling.
“Who are you talking to?” The sharp voice shatters my smile.
Why had I not heard her enter? I stand up hating that Ava is here. This place I had never shared with anyone. I’ve been coming here from the start and no one has ever found me wither. Ava looks behind me and I step in front of her. “What the hell are you doing here?” Her voice is still sharp as her eyes shoot around the room.
She places a hand on her hip and narrows her eyes. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes scan the area in disgust as her lips pull down almost into a frown. “The dirt of this place.”
God I want her out of here.
“Then leave.” I tell her before taking a pull of my cigarette. A part of me hopes that Laura doesn’t appear, that she’s smart enough to stay hidden behind some shelving. If not Ava will make her pay for being here with me, and the thought of that has me clenching my fists.
“Trying to get rid of me?” Her question is said with a smile.
“Why are you following me?” I respond.
“Oh get over yourself, Craig. I didn’t follow you.” I put the cigarette out on the ground with my boot; Ava follows my movement, shaking her head. There was only one other person she had followed here.
“I found him.” I can hear the smile in Laura’s voice but that smile leaves her face as she appears, holding Tai.
“I’m here for Laura.” Ava tilts her head and smiles; it’s the smile that wants to tear heads from shoulders. I moved closer to Laura without really thinking about it.
“What? Why?” Laura stutters and I want to hide her behind me as Ava’s eyes light up.
“I know you’re new here, Laura, but the number one rule is: when you room with someone, you take care of them, and right now, Michelle is upset.” When was Michelle not upset? And Ava was so full of crap.
“I didn’t know she was upset.” Laura says. I glance at Laura, she’s clutching Tai too tightly and I don’t want him to jump from her arms again. I take the few steps that divide us and stroke Tai.
“You want me to take him?” I ask. Laura looks at me and I can feel her hold on Tai relax.
“I’m not going.” She whispers. She thinks I’m taking the cat to let her go.
“I know that. It’s just you tightened your hold on him and I don’t want him running away again.” Laura gives me a small smile. “It’s okay. I’ll be careful.” I smile back at her, but it leaves my face as Ava speaks.
“Playing happy families?”
“Is that all you wanted?” I’m not sure how to handle this, she could report us for being here, and it would be my word against hers. I think this time I would lose.
Ava is liked.
But Laura is new and innocent, maybe both our words against Ava’s would stand.
Ava narrows her eyes at me, before looking at Laura. “You know this part of the hospital is off limits.
Before Laura can answer, I take a step towards Ava. “Yeah, I think I should report you for being here.” Her mouth falls open and her cheeks tinge red.
“Craig, I followed her here.”
“I’m the only one here.” I tell her and she points at Laura. When I don’t say anything else she nods with a bitter smile on her face
“I see. So you would deny she was here. My word against yours. What, are you seeing each other?” Her nose flares as her words come out between clenched teeth.
I glance at Laura whose face has turned a dark shade of red. “That would be against the rules, Ava, now, wouldn’t it?”
She snorts. “Bend them as you see fit.”
I shrug. “Rules are meant to be bent.”
Ava rolls her eyes. “Fine, whatever, you two stay here.”
I wait until she’s out the door before I follow her. She hasn’t gotten far. “Ava, I know you’re pissed.”
She swirls around; all the anger she contained in front of Laura is no longer hidden. “You tag me along for weeks and the moment she shows up, I’m pushed to the side.” She raises her hands. “If she was pretty, I’d get it, but she’s ugly.”
We both know she’s not and that’s what’s killing her.
“She’s done nothing wrong, and nothing is going on between me and Laura.” It was true; we hadn’t done anything but talk. My mind was a minefield of bad thoughts when it came to Laura, but she didn’t have to know that.
Ava points a nail to my chest. Take your skanky finger off me. “Promise.” She puckers her lips and I want to step away, but I let a lazy grin grow on my face. Fuck you.
“Promise.”
She pretends to think about my words. “I’m prettier, right?” Attention seeker.
“You’re stunning, Ava.” She was, she had movie star good looks and then it was a drop off a cliff after that.
“Okay then, I forgive you.” I hadn’t apologized you fucking airhead.
“Thanks, Ava. You’re the best.” She points at her cheek for me to kiss. My stomach roils. But I manage to do it quickly just as she turns her head and our lips touch. When I pull back, she smiles. “Oops.” She says before sauntering away. I stand like a total dick praying that she falls over something or the walls cave in on top of her. Unfortunately, she makes it safely out of the hall.