Chapter Sixteen | Hospital

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Josh's POV
Hospital
*edited*

In story's you often hear about the rivals that the main love interest has to fight off and whatnot, but with callum... he's a different cause. He's dense and he's never truly had a girlfriend he cared about.

After the carnival... or fair or something. Callum kinda went off the radar. He didn't text me much, I didn't see him everyday like before and he kept skipping school.

Obviously I was worried, not only worried, I was heartbroken that he'd read my texts but not answer them. We've always answered, always.

Some rumors went around about Callum got a girl pregnant, but he's not like that. He's a careful guy, not to mention he's still a virgin.

Finally I had sent him a text:

-Josh.
You haven't been texting me back. Everything good?

I waited a few minutes, I was disappointed when he read it. I put my phone back but immediately lifted it up (smacking my face in the process) when it buzzed.

-Callum
I may... or may not be in the hospital 🤷‍♂️

Did you hear that? It was the sound of my jaw dropping. You can't comprehend how fast I typed the next sentence.

-Josh.
Wth. Are you ok?!? What happenrs?

And only a few seconds later.

-Callum.
Nothing big. Just got into a fight with my dad.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that came onto my mouth. Classic Callum, acting so nonchalant about this. This boy I swear.

-Josh.
Which hospital? I'll come see you.

He sent me the name of the hospital and I practically raced over there. And by raced I mean: I drove the speed limit and followed the laws but I did it very anxiously.

When I got there I practically burst through the doors of his room. It was visiting hours (thank god or this would've been a hell of a lot less dramatic) so a few other people were roaming the halls.

"Oh. Hi josh."

I walked over him, kicked off my shoe and smacked him atop his head. "I MaY oR MaY nOt Be IN ThE HoSpITaL." I said in a mocking voice. "What kind of idiot are you?" I asked, raising the shoe again threateningly.

He put his hands over his head defensively. "The kind that's injured, also the kind who you're beating while injured." He stated, matter of fact.

I placed the shoe down. "So? What happened? Are you ok? Is your ego still too big for the room? Is your mind still out of place or was it knocked back straight?"

He cracked a lopsided grin, you know the one. The one that could make everybody's heart practically forget that it's a heart for a second. He gave me two big thumbs up.

"Nothing broken. Just some bruises and a concussion. They've kept me here a few days for child protective services and whatnot. You know the usual stuff." He shrugged.

Oh yeah... the 'usual stuff'. The stuff these people try so hard to keep Callum from but still end up failing anyway. Callum's been in the hospital multiple times, broken elbow, twisted ankle, snapped pinky. But Callum's also an athletic and fit guy, it's so easy to blame that stuff on sports, and that's what they do.

I never understood why Callum never told those people the truth, he hates his parents and he hates being beat. It makes me wonder what Callum is thinking... the worst thoughts that ever mentioned my mind is: is Callum sad? Is he tired of the violence?

Callum flicks me on the arm. "Quit going into your stupid Fantasy dreams, Mate. Do me a favor, because you're my best friend in the entire world." He pauses giving me one of his dumb grins. "Do me a favor and go get me a coffee? The nurses won't get one for me."

I tried to resist. Of course I couldn't. You ever see one beautiful dog and you're like 'aww.' And then he gives you his puppy eyes and you're like 'AAWWWWWW.'? That was Callum.

I slumped my shoulders and trudged off towards the cafeteria. "If you die from this don't blame me." I said at the door. "We are talking about this when I get back, by the way." I said, motioning to the hospital bed.

"How could I die from this?" He asked, twisting and adjusting on the bed, ignoring my last statement

I shrug. "I dunno. You burn your mouth too bad?"

"Nothing can burn me." He flips his hair back, "I'm too hot for it, it anything it'll just disintegrate." He winks.

I spun around, maybe to hide my flustered face, or maybe to hide the fact that I wasn't surprised at all by his answer.

"Good to know your ego wasn't damaged." I grumbled while walking out of the room. Callum's hearty chuckle was heard as I left.

~~~

When I came back Callum was nodding as a lady was talking.

"And if anything ever happens-"

Followed up by Callum's lost and confused, "Uh-Huh."

"Remember that we have people for that-"

"Right."

"And if you ever need to talk-"

"definitely."

Callum sent a glance over to me, his face changing dramatically to a wide smile.

The lady kept talking, but Callum just kept staring at me. I almost felt like I was a boy yelling at the top of his lungs making his friend laugh while the teacher tried to give instructions. Except I wasn't making any noise and instead was trying my best to get Callum to pay attention to the nurse.

"Callum, are you even listening?" The lady asked crossing her arms.

Callum's head spun back when he heard his name. "I'm sorry, what?" He asked, bringing his nail in between his teeth.

Nail biting? Callum wasn't normally a nail biter.

Maybe you've already noticed, but Callum's got multiple sides to him. You might see him as goofy, or serious, maybe he's being mean one day. But hidden beneath all of that, Callum is almost bursting out his skin.

The lady sighs. "I guess I am intruding in on visiting hours. Please. Don't mind me." Her tone was sassy and angry but Callum just said:

"We won't. But thanks anyway."

When I got back to Callum's bed he took the coffee and quickly downed it.

"How are you?" I asked.

Callum furrowed his eyebrows. "Good? Concussion and-"

I rolled my eyes, "No I mean like... are you okay mentally?"

Callum stared at me for a bit before laughing, "Yeah? It's just my dad. Not like I'm a little kid anymore listening to them scream fight. The fighting is just like a TV being on in the background. Kinda annoying, but you get used to it."

"I don't know if you should get used to that." I sighed, leaning back against the hospital bed.

Callum scooted over to give me some space.

"It's alright, I think it would be weirder without the noise." He pinched my arm, "It would be like if you suddenly became an only child. Weird, right?"

"I guess..."

"Ok so, dude." Callum grabbed my hands, turning towards me. "Before I was sent to the hospital I saw this dog, oh you should've seen him Josh, he was literally so adorable. The only thing is, my parents won't allow me to get a dog. But I want it so bad... soooo... will you keep this dog until I can get enough money to move out and get an apartment?" His voice was hopeful and loud, I could hardly hear it.

My face felt hot and my hands sweaty. He was really holding onto my hands as if they'd slip from his grasps at any second, even his grip was too excited for him.

I glanced at him, I didn't really hear what he said so I just said what I normally say when I don't hear somebody. "Sure."

~~~

"So... uh." I coughed awkwardly, the dog squirming in my arms. "This is Peanut, he's Callum's dog but uh, I'll be taking care of it." The small yap of the dog echoed around the room.

My family was quiet. I don't know what I was expecting.

I was kinda expecting to be smiled at, have the dog leisurely taken away and then have dad say 'not today' in my face as he walked away backwards and through a few walls of the house.

And at the same time I was expecting My mom to practically fall on her knees and thank god for this blessing.

They did neither. They seemed interested in something else. The glances they sent to eachother, the secretive nods, the 'unnoticeable' winks they give to eachother.

"Did something happen?" I asked, confused.

"Son. We want to have a talk with you."

Oh god.

The 'son' card was pulled. It was basically the start of every 'let's talk about something important or suggestive.' If you know what I mean. And coming from my dad... I wanted to vomit.

"Son. Your mom has told me something, and I just wanted to let you know. I love you no matter what."

I was kinda lost. Did I just tell him I was pregnant or something? Did I tell him I had an STD or that I was g-

I let out an embarrassed noise and buried my head in the squirming and scratching dog.

"Guys really? Mom you told him?" I turned to her accusingly.

"No!" She went to defend, "Well... I just asked him to see what his views on gay people were... I didn't want things to go bad if you came out to him. He just kinda picked up on it..."

I groaned, too embarrassed to be angry. "You realize I have a dog in my hands for no reason right?" I said in hopes of changing the subject.

"We noticed son. But we think it's more important you focus on how much we love and support you."

I stood up, my face burning bright. "I'm leaving. Thanks I guess." I hurried my face in the dogs neck.

It really was soft. It was a gorgeous dog.

Callum's dog that I'm looking after? Our dog?

I was ok with that.

~~~

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