Hidden feelings

The short haired 19 year old girl ran through the hospital hallways in search of room B-72. A couple of nurses scolded her for running but she didn’t listen.
Yve felt terrible for Nyco, it was her stupid boyfriend, now ex boyfriend, the one that put him in the hospital after all. If she hadn’t been with that lowlife this wouldn’t have happened.
“The police said he had a nasty cut in his face. Oh Lord, I hope Nyco is ok” Yve thought as she sprinted past other patients tired of seeing her over and over again because she couldn’t find the proper room. “What am I going to do if he doesn’t recover? They said he lost a lot of blood…No no no, don’t think like that, Yve”-. She shook her head in an attempt to keep all the horrible thoughts away.

The worried girl finally found room B-72. She opened the door without knocking and hurried inside.

-NYCO! ARE YOU OKAY?!-, she screamed, gasping from all that running. What she saw in that room took her by surprise. Nyco and Emma were calmly playing card games. There was no sign of danger or concern in that room.

-Hey… Auch!-, greeted Nyco from the hospital bed. Greeting Yve made his mouth and cheek stitches hurt since any little movement stretched the wound. He had his right cheek covered in a bandage and his right foot from the third degree burns were also covered in bandages.

-Yve!-, greeted Emma standing up and hugging her friend. -Be careful how you speak, Nyco. The doctor said not to move your mouth-, she scolded him.

-But I have to move my mouth to speAuch!

-Only use the left side of your mouth. Like this, see?-, demonstrated Emma. -Your right side of the mouth stays shut but you open the left side.

-But I sound weird that way-, he complained even though he did what she said.

-Tough luck!-, Emma concluded. -What did the police say?-, She asked Yve.

-They questioned me about what happened and I told them he just attacked me and stole my things. I explained that Nyco went running after him to get my things back and that's how the fight started. And now they are questioning that idiot as we speak-, she explained. -I’m so sorry Nyco-, Yve apologized. She got closer to him and sat down where Emma was. -What did the doctor’s say about your mouth and foot?

-They said that they cleaned the wound in my mouth and they stitched it up nicely, so there shouldn’t be any problems. And my foot is fine, I just have to rest here for a while until they make sure there isn’t an infection. Honestly, it’s a way to skip school so I’m kind of thrilled-, he joked as Emma rolled her eyes.

-I really am sorry, Nyco. I…

-It's ok, Yve. It’s him that attacked me, not you. I’m just glad I stopped him. I would hate for a punk like him to get away.

-I won’t forget what you did for me, Nyco. Thank you-, she appreciated, giving him a big hug. -Is there anything I can do to help you?-, she asked. Nyco thought of saying that it would be nice if she found a better boyfriend next time, but he changed his mind thinking the joke would be inappropriate.

-Mmmmm. you could bring me some sweets. They say the food here is pretty bland-, he joked to make light of the situation.

-Ha ha, deal-, Yve laughed.

-I’m afraid not. Nothing chewy for you until the wound heals-, Emma stated.

-Damn… Had to try though-, Nyco said, fooling around.

They spent an hour or so just chatting and checking the channels on the room’s little TV. At around 9 pm, Yve said she needed to go back home but promised to come back tomorrow. Emma accompanied her on the way out so they could talk for a while.

-How are you, Yve?-, Emma asked.

-Oh. I’m ok. I’ll probably get a bruise on my chest, but that’s nothing-, the girl with glasses answered caressing her chest.

-That 's good. And emotionally? How are you? I know you only went out with him a couple of times but…

-I’m fine… I was thinking of dumping him anyway. I was just… scared of his reaction. And rightfully so it seems…

-I didn’t know things were like this with him. If you had told me…-, Emma said.

-I just didn’t want to be that girl that always ends up with the scum-, Yve explained looking down.

-I would never say something like that, Yve-, assured Emma caressing her arm.

-I know… But it’s the truth. I seem to have a magnet or something. Next time I find someone I’ll make you and Gyanna meet him so you can give me the thumbs up or not-, she joked.

-Ha ha, of course.

-No, but honestly. I have to reevaluate my tastes. I have to find someone like Nyco. He didn’t even hesitate to put himself in danger to help me. And we’ve barely ever spoken before. The idiot I was with only wanted to be with me because he knew I had money. But Nyco… I feel so bad, Emma. I thought he was different, he didn’t even judge me or anything even though he is in the hospital because of me. I had another impression of him and… I was wrong. I’m sorry-, Yve apologized looking at her friend in the eyes.

-You don’t need to apologize-, Emma assured her.

-No but I do. I just thought he was a troublemaker. I knew he was nice and all because he was your friend. But I just didn’t expect…

-Well, he is a troublemaker. It’s just that he gets into trouble because he doesn’t think about the consequences. He is a real pain sometimes but you can always count on him.

-Yes… I see that now. Anyway… See you tomorrow. I’ll probably come by to see how he is doing. Will you be here?

-Of course. Someone has to make sure he stands still. If it were up to him, he would probably go out to help a hurt bird or something. If I don't stay by his side, he will never recover.

-Hahahaha, you two are so cute-, Yve laughed.

-What?-, Emma asked startled. -Where did that come from?

-Hahahahaha nothing nothing. Just know that I’m so happy for you. See you tomorrow-. Yve ran away without letting her friend respond.

Back in the room. Nyco finally had some time for himself. He was able to put a straight face because Emma was there, but he was deeply concerned. He couldn’t explain why, but he had enjoyed fighting that guy. He had never fought anyone in a life or death situation before but he enjoyed it. He shouldn’t enjoy putting himself in danger. “Why didn’t I run away and grab the bag from the floor when I stopped him. He wanted to leave but I didn’t let him. The fact that he stabbed me made it more thrilling… What is wrong with me? ” thought Nyco in anguish. “I just wish I could talk to you, Julie. I… really need you"-, he thought as he looked out the window and into the stars.

When Emma walked in, Nyco went back to his cheerful side in order to not worry her.

-So, what do you think? Will she be ok?-, Nyco asked.

-Yes, I think so. Yve said she will come here tomorrow too. So we'll see how she is holding up-, Emma informed.

-You have a good friend, Emma. Tell her she doesn’t need to come. I’m doing fine.

-Are you? I think there’s something on your mind you are not telling me-, Emma guessed. Nyco hated how good she could read him.

-It 's just… With everything that happened… We also visited your mom today and… I miss her-, Nyco confessed. He couldn’t tell Emma how he enjoyed that fight, she would only worry or think he was a freak. He really needed Juliet to talk things through.

-I know… I miss her too-, she said as she sat down next to him. -What do you feel right now, Nyco? What do you need?

-... I don’t understand the question.

-Just answer it. You just went through an awful experience. You could have… been really hurt. I know that must have really impacted you. What could really make you feel better now?

-I… guess I just need time to process everything-, he answered.

Emma knew the answer and why he didn’t want to say it out loud. It hurt her that she couldn’t be the person he opened his heart to, just like her mother was before. He never talked about his worries to her and made her wonder if this was somehow her fault. The poor 19 year old didn't know that the reason he wouldn't tell her his worries was because he was scared of creeping her out. What he felt that day was like nothing he had felt before, he could never confess to the girl he secretly loved how he enjoyed the fight that put him in the hospital. Emma was reluctant to say what she ended up saying, but she was out of options. This was the only thing she could think of that could help him.

-I know there’s something you are not telling me, Nyco. There’s something I haven’t…

-Em… Sorry. It’s not that I don’t want to…

-Don’t… don’t interrupt me. It's ok. I’m not mad. Let me finish. There’s something that I’ve been keeping from you because I don’t know if it will hurt you more or help you. But seeing what happened today I think you need to talk about it… What if I told you that… You could speak with… Juliet again?

-.... What?...