“I… I uh, I just woke up, Pazza. I-I’m sorry, I can’t do anything I-“ Before I knew it I was balling my eyes out, a sniffling mess clinging desperately onto a cellphone. “I-I—I… I miss you so so much, Pazza…”
"Hey, hey, it's alright," I soothed immediately, wishing desperately that I could put my arms around him. "Shh, it's okay. It's all going to work out, alright? You'll be out before you know it."
“Can I see you? I… I can’t go home. They’ll rip open my stitches, Pazza. I can’t…” My shaky breathing escalated into hyperventilating, fear at the thought of my parents finding out I had lost.
"The hospital won't let you out until you're well enough," I continued to comfort, though my own heart was lodged in my throat. "Pretend you're worse off than you are to stay longer."
“I don’t— I can’t or they’ll come looking for me. I don’t stand a chance if they catch me all…. all drugged up. Marina I— I don’t wanna die.” I whimpered frantically, wishing she was here to provide comfort.
My throat constricted painfully. "Breathe, love…" I whispered. "It's going to be alright, I promise."
“I’m sorry…” I mumbled it as a mantra and a curse, repeating it several times as I struggled to regulate my breathing. “I want to visit you. As soon as I get out of here.”
“We’ll see each other again,” I promised, blinking away the tears that threatened to rise. “Hang in there.”
I started to calm at Marina’s words and a realization dawned on me. “Romeo knows about us…” I whispered faintly, shooting a slightly panicked look at the door.
“Yeah.” I nodded quickly, scratching at the back of my head. “I talked with him. He’s fine.”
“He didn’t say anything to you, did he? I… I don’t have the best reputation when it comes to relationships. You know I love you, right? I love you.” I mumbled into the phone.
"I love you, too." The words flew from my mouth before I was able to fully register them, and I froze immediately after. Love. It was true, however daunting…
"No, he didn't—he didn't say anything. You–You're in love with me?"
“How could I not be?” I croaked back, feeling myself physically ease at her words.
This was not the time and place to be having this conversation—so I changed the subject. “Are you in any pain?”
“Hurts to move, but otherwise everything just feels numb and… weird.” I mumbled quietly.
I gave a slow nod. “Where’s Romeo?”
“He Uh… he went outside? I don’t know where.” I eyed the door quietly, but there was no signs of Romeo lurking by it.
