Chapter 8: Chapter 8

"Austin? Wh-what are you doing here? How did you get in here?" he is the last person I want to see right now especially with me in this condition. Sitting up I watch him get closer to the bed.

What is he doing here? In my room? A tiny part of me hopes he came to visit me, longs to think that those flowers are actually meant for me. Finding an empty spot he sat beside me on the bed.

"My nana is in room 235 below. When I came to check on her at the reception desk to drop her favorite flowers, I saw your name on a nurse notepad checked in. Caring me just had to come see if it's true or not and I guess it's true." His head motions at me on the bed with no reaction on his face. Just blank reflecting mine.

Why did I just think the Austin came to see me in a hospital? Of course not. I'm not among his rich snobby elite crew that wear short skirt and dance on the field during his playoffs. I fooled myself thinking Mr. popular will grace me with his presence.

"Well you can go now." I say with sass trying to hide my anger but still failing at it sounding irritated. "You've seen me, now you can go see dear old nana." I said insouciant lacing my words praying for him to leave so I can wallow in self-pity and bask in my loneliness.

He stare at me unwavering and I tried not to squirm under his gaze until he chuckled softly.

"You really need to work on your visitor's manners Snoopy." He smirked which I frown. What's going on here because I feel lost? I thought pissed.

"I don't have time for your games Austin. Please leave me be." That slowly made him stop but you could still see the smirk he didn't lose.

"Ok I'm sorry. That was a bad joke, I didn't mean to upset you. I came to see you so quit the bitchy attitude." He says bored not looking sorry at all which I picked offense.

Me bitchy. Not in the mood to tell him off as my heart want. "If you came to insult me please leave." Why is he so rude? If I knew about this side of him trust me, I wouldn't have risked volunteering to be his tutor.

I wrap my arms across my chest raising a brow at him. He held his hands in surrender. "I swear. I really did come to see you believe me."

Slowly he let down his hand but I didn't let my guard down for a second still glaring at him. If he want to be rude he can bounce out of the door and I'll gladly be okay with it.

"I went to your house after practice to ask when we will start and I accept your deal. After knocking for a while, I called Bailey who told me about the incident that happened but left the hospital to meet her parent. I went home to change and came here, while driving I saw these pretty flowers that reminds me of your smile and I stop to get them hoping you'll love it."

To say I'm astonished is literally just an understatement. Did the quarterback just get me flowers and complimented my smile. I'm sure my jaw is touching the ground right now. Austin just rendered me speechless and for my sake I hope I'm not blushing like a deranged maniac.

"Oh. Uhm. Uhh. Okay. Thanks I think." I blink snapping out of the mini shock. That's not a mini shock, it's a truck load of shock but he doesn't need to know that and feed his already inflated ego. He smirked knowingly tilting his head to the side watching me.

"Stop looking at me like that." I say feeling anything but fine.

"Why? Do I scare you?" I shake my head.

"Intimidate you?" biting my lower lip harder than expected needing air at this point. His smouldering gaze did nothing but intimidate me.

"Excite you?" he grin smugly. Our eyes meet and I swear, his seem darker than mine. My tongue dart out wetting my lips averting his hypnotizing gaze.

"Will you tell me what's wrong with you?" It came out softly and carefully, more like a command than a request and I felt oblige to tell him about it.

"I have a tumor, it's my brain." It became silent, gravely silent and uncomfortable for me.

"How long?" He breaks it, I couldn't be more thankful at that moment.

"Since we became seniors. It started as migraines and mini dizzy spells when I was little, as the year progress it became severe and I had to do a scan recently which the result came out positive I have a brain tumor." I wait for the pity remark or disappointment instead he nods.

"Do you want to operate?"

I look him in the eye for a second before shamefully looking at my hand as I lay back down feeling mentally and physically exhausted. He doesn't say anything else. Just watching me. Soon I felt his hand on mine, I gasp looking at him and then our joined hands. I close my eyes holding the waterworks, a smile crept on my face and I hold his back direly needing that comfort. This time the silence wasn't uncomfortable as the last, it is comforting. The smile still on my face and I didn't care if he finds it creepy or crazy.

His hand feel rough yet smooth, not as rough as I expected it to be. My thumb rub across his hand, I feel his return the feeling. It makes me smile. I'm sure you want to ask why two

teenagers are rubbing their thumbs over each other hands and one's eyes are closed smiling like a weirdo. The thing is I don't know, yes I said it; I, Mary-Vienne Whyte don't know the answer to that. But one thing I know for sure is that it is surprisingly calming, comforting to say the least and it makes me feel at ease. I giggle.

"What's funny Snoopy?" His voice sound amuse.

"That is not my name. Stop calling me that." I frown looking at him. His amused lips grows into a smile.

"Answer my question Snoopy." huffing I reply his royal cockiness.

"Nothing. It's just a stupid thought." I smile looking into the hazel green boy I always wanted but could never have.

"Since you are in the mood of smiling, here are your flowers I got for you. I hope you like them." He hands them to me which I took sniffing at it and loving its scent.

"I love it. Thanks Austin."

"Here let me help you keep it." He took it back snatching a vase for the table, went into the restroom he comes out with a water full vase carefully placing the flowers inside sitting it back on the table. I smile at his kindness. Who knew behind the cocky, arrogant Mr. popular there's a hidden sweetness waiting to come out?

"I like this side of you." I smile at him standing beside the bed with his hands in his both pockets.

"what side?" he ask in a funny face.

I laugh amused replying. "The side you hide from everyone, you know the sweet side of Austin."

"Well enjoy it because it will soon be off." He grin arrogantly.

"Sadly." I responded my smile disappearing already getting the annoying Austin back. And here I am thinking I got through one of his thick high walls. Sucking my teeth I look away from his satisfied smirk.