Olive's P.O.V.
I woke up shaking all over. The nurses laid warm blankets over me, even though I was sure that I wasn't cold. I kept swallowing, feeling like I would throw up at any second. The nausea was something I was not expecting. My brain felt foggy, trying to recall where I was and what was happening.
Anesthesia is a strange thing. I feel like I just lost time from my life. I was neither asleep nor awake. It feels like I just have this large gap in time that I can't account for. As if I closed my eyes in the surgery room and then opened them back up to find myself in a different room. It doesn't feel like time passed between closing my eyes and opening them, but I know that it did.
Hailey was at my side, holding my head. She gave me her sweet smile, but I could see the worry behind her eyes. The nurse handed me a throw up bag and monitored me for a little while. Hailey let me know that Leo and Lucas had been waiting with her the whole time. It made me feel better knowing she wasn't waiting out there alone.
"Thank you, Hails."
"For what?" She co.cked her head to the side.
"For being here with me. For always looking out for me. I love you."
"I think the anesthesia still has a hold of you," she laughed.
"I mean it, Hails."
"Alright, alright. I love you too, Livie."
After about another half hour the nurse came, explaining my after care instructions. She then told me I was free to get dressed and leave. I was ready to get out of this scratchy hospital gown. Hailey let me get dressed on my own. I slowly opened the gown up, sliding it off my arms. There was a large white bandage over the side of my breast where the incision had been made. I want to look at it, but knew better than to tear the bandage off right now. That'll be another day or two.
I got dressed, opening the curtain to find Hailey patiently waiting. She smiled at me again as the nurse had me sit in the wheelchair. I felt embarrassed being wheeled out of the hospital. Leo and Lucas had apparently left when Hailey was called to my side. Hailey said they would more than likely be waiting for me at the flat.
She wasn't wrong. I noticed their cars whenever Hailey pulled in. She helped me out of her car, linking our arms and telling me to lean on her if I needed to. Nothing really hurt too bad right now, but my head was spinning from the effects of the anesthesia.
"There's the girl of the hour," Leo said.
He smiled at me as we approached him and Lucas in the hall. They had both been waiting by my door, each with their own bag of goodies. I wasn't sure what was inside, but I was curious to find out.
"How are you feeling?" Lucas asked.
"Dizzy, nauseous, like the whole thing was just a dream," I shrugged.
"Let us in, Liv. I tried to pick your lock, but your door is too good. I couldn't surprise you like I wanted to," Leo pouted.
"You tried to pick my lock?" I laughed, imagining him knelt before my doorknob with his lip ring swinging back and forth as he focused.
"I wanted to get in."
Hailey opened the door with her key. I had made a copy just for her. She's the only one to have a key here besides myself. I haven't told dad about mom's flat or even her life insurance money. He doesn't deserve to know anything about the life she built for herself here. I had been ignoring his calls for the last week.
I've always resented him for what he did, but him being my only parent, I felt I had to respect him. All I feel towards him right now is a deep anger and a brewing hatred. I can't stand him. He says he is sorry, and he has sobered up more since I've left, but there's no taking back what he did.
The moment my front door opened, I was berated with questions raining from 'are you okay', to 'do you need anything'. Hailey had sat me down on the couch and I watched all three of them run around the flat like panicked chickens. They doted on me, refusing to let me get up off the couch for anything.
"Unless you can somehow magically go to the bathroom for me, I'm going to have to get up," I said with a raised brow.
I laughed as Leo let go of my shoulders, making an O face in understanding. I walked past him to the bathroom, seeing Lucas upstairs in my room. I furrowed my brow as I watched him. I couldn't tell what he was doing from this angle. I'll have to go upstairs later and look.
"Are you hungry?" Hailey asked me the moment I stepped out of the bathroom.
"Starved." I nodded.
The nausea had finally disappeared, giving way to a gnawing hunger. I couldn't eat before surgery so my stomach had nothing in it but acid. Hailey brought me some Spanish rice she made with shredded chicken. She said it's called arroz con pollo, which just translates to rice with chicken. I love when she makes this for me. It's so comforting and very delicious.
"Thank you, Hailey!" I smiled widely at her.
"Anytime, Liv."
We ate and watched daytime tv together while Lucas and Leo kept running around the flat. I had no idea what they were up to, but I didn't figure it was anything bad. I let them be, they had nervous energy they needed to work through. I was still grateful for Lucas this morning. He had helped ease my nerves a little before surgery. I smiled, picturing him shaking his body like an idiot for my benefit.
"Hello?" I hear Lucas from behind me on the couch.
I slid my head over the edge, looking back at an upside down Lucas. He was on the phone, making me curious as to who had called him.
"Yeah, I know that, you don't have to tell me. No, he can go fu.ck himself," Lucas said, sounding furious.
"I told him I was done being his puppet. No, you shouldn't go either. Let him figure this out on his own." Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose, like he was getting a headache from the conversation alone. "I am serious, Lisa, do not go help him. I won't be there."
So it was his sister who had called. I was curious what it was they were talking about. Who does Lucas not want to help? Why doesn't he?
"Yeah, love you too."
He hung up, meeting my gaze with a raised brow.
"Were you eavesdropping, Rose?" He smirked.
"Sure was."
I gave him a cheeky smile, making him let out a laugh. He looked up for a moment with a smirk before meeting my eyes again.
"I might have to go soon. I don't think Lisa is going to listen to me. I'll have to go to dinner at my dad's again."
"Okay, I understand, no worries. It's not like I was expecting you to stay all day,' I assured him.
"I was."
We held each other's gaze for a moment in silence. I couldn't seem to look away from those brown eyes. He didn't want to either. It wasn't until Leo cleared his throat that we broke eye contact. I lifted my head from the back of the couch to find him standing before me with a drink.
"Thank you." I smiled up at him.
He sat beside me on the couch, close enough that his shoulder was touching my own. I didn't miss that he spread his legs apart so that his thigh was touching me as well.
"Don't worry, Lucas, I'll be here to make sure she's okay."
I was surprised by Leo's comment. It was almost like he was teasing Lucas of the fact he would have to leave while Leo stayed. I saw Lucas from the corner of my eye, looking ticked. I don't think he liked the idea of leaving me with Leo.
"I am sure you will."
Lucas' voice sounded strained as he responded to Leo.
"Rose, text me if you need me and I'll rush out."
"Okay." I nodded, not sure what else to say to that.
I got off the couch feeling the need to at least walk Lucas to my front door and give him a proper goodbye. The moment I was within reach, Lucas wrapped his arms around me. He was careful not to squeeze. I guess he was worried about hurting me. He lifted my chin up to look at him. Those intense brown eyes stared admiringly at me for a moment before his lips met mine. His kiss melted me into his arms further. It filled me with a warmth I didn't realize I was missing.
"I'll see you later, Rose." He whispered to me, kissing my forehead before he let me go.
I watched him leave down the hall, before closing the door. My cheeks were still heated from my blush. I put the back of my fingers on them, trying to cool them off with my freezing appendages. I turned to find Leo watching me, only making me blush more.
I made my way back to the couch, only to be grabbed by the wrist and pulled down onto Leo's lap. He wrapped his arms around my waist, keeping me there.
"My turn to have you all to myself." He whispered into my ear before kissing my temple.
Hailey had just finished cleaning up in the kitchen. Arroz con pollo seems to be the only thing she can cook without burning, but she still manages to make the biggest mess. She turned to see me on Leo's lap. She gave me a mischievous smile, letting me know she planned on leaving now too.
"I'm going to go, Liv. I have a lot of errands to run, and it seems like Leo has got it from here." She called out, grabbing her keys and making her escape before I could say anything. "Love you, call if you need me," she quickly blurted from the door before closing it behind her.