Best Friend.

Nora went back into the room. The previous discussion didn't have any effect on her. Michael was not getting rid of her again. She was not a kid anymore.

After a few steps, her eyes wandered towards him.

An audible gasp. His eyes were open, and he was staring straight into her eyes.

She pressed the button beside his bed. It was meant to send a signal to the nurse.

She got on her knees on the left side of his bed, and grabbed his hand.

"It's going to be fine."

Michael's heart rate was normal. He was as calm as he could be.

She was expecting some sort of resistance out of him, especially after their previous conversation.

"The nurse will be here any moment now. She-"

The doors to the room opened, and the nurse walked in. Nora left his hand and stood up.

"Is there a problem?"

The nurse looked towards the patient.

"He has regained consciousness."

Nora answered while wiping the tears on her face.

The nurse took out her handbook and started to note down his readings. She grabbed his hand to check on his pulse, and took a temperature reading shortly after that.

"His condition is stable now."

She closed her handbook and said.

The nurse approached him and took off his respirator.

"How does it feel? Are you having any problems?"

"No."

He whispered.

"The doctor will be here by tomorrow, and he will most probably clear him to leave after two days in observation. His injury isn't too serious, but he still needs to take one tablet of Losartan every day for his blood pressure. Is he on any other medications?"

Nora looked back towards him. She didn't know.

"Celexa."

He answered.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Antidepressants? Are you on prescription?"

He nodded.

She looked back at Nora.

"It would be better if you consult his therapist and take their opinion in that case. Is there anything that you want to ask me?"

"Thank you."

Nora said with sincerity.

"You're welcome. As I told you before, if you need anything, press the buzzer."

She left the two of them alone.

"Nora."

Michael whispered.

"Y-yes?"

"Ask Cory to come inside, and leave us alone for a few minutes."

Still dazed by the sound of his voice, she struggled to respond.

"A-Are you going to leave me alone again?"

The facade of being a strong person vanished. She completely blamed herself for her brother's current state.

Sensing the fear in her voice, he forced a smile.

"This is not your fault."

She closed her eyes. If this moment went on for another second, she would have a proper mental breakdown.

"I-I'll send him in."

She left the room in a hurry. A few moments later, Cory arrived, with a look of exhaustion on his face.

"Why do you do this to yourself?"

Michael ignored that question and said,

"Sit."

His tone was assertive. Cory complied.

Staring straight into his eyes, Michael was as serious as he could get.

"Did you tell her anything?"

Cory was his best friend. He had his utmost confidence in him. But this was the one that he had to ask.

"I didn't."

A secret is a secret. He had given his word.

Michael expressed his relief through a long sigh.

"But you are going to tell her, right?"

The longer his friend hid that secret, the more problems it could create in the future.

"I am not going to tell it to her now."

It was his burden to carry. Even if she stumbles upon it by accident, she was not allowed to be involved in that mess.

"Do as you wish. But for the love of god, don't end up in the hospital so often."

Michael closed his eyes and smiled.

"What was the bouquet for?"

"I thought that you had finally passed over. This plane of existence is too brutal for your survival, Mr. 'I am always suffering.'"

A nickname. At first, it was offensive. Now, it is an inside joke.

"Yeah, right. Says the guy who cries about his ex almost every other day."

Cory's expression took a turn.

"For your kind information, I am over her."

A smirk, followed by another curt reply.

"Really? Then, as proof, show me the wallpaper on your phone. I'll bet you a hundred dollars that it has been left unchanged."

Cory wanted to punch his best friend in the face.

"Fine. You win."

He raised both of his hands in the air, declaring defeat.

"My hundred dollars?"

"Don't push it."

Cory took out a Ben Franklin and placed it in his hand.

"Happy?"

Michael closed his hand and said,

"Your kindness is appreciated."

-------------------------------------------

"He has asked for you."

As he walked out of the room, Cory looked at Nora and said.

"Don't flood him with questions. If you really want answers, patience is the only way."

After giving her a piece of advice, he walked towards the elevator to leave.

Nora closed her eyes.

'Now or never.'

She stepped into the room once again.

"Nora."

He was composed.

"Brother..."

She approached him and took a seat beside his bed.

"What do you want to do now?"

Suppressing the emotional weight of the situation, Michael asked her the first question on his mind.

"I plan to stay with you and look for jobs in the area. I have some savings from my previous job, and hopefully I can find another one before it runs out."

"Right. Are you sure about this?"

She didn't quite understand.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want you here. I would prefer to keep you as far away from this place as possible. But I know that you don't want that. Still, I am giving you a chance. Go back to Grandma. She will take care of you. You will be safe there."

"I don't care. I am sure about this."

She didn't hesitate. She wasn't here only for him. There were some other reasons as well.

"Alright then. When is your stuff coming in?"

"In three days."

He looked at the time.

"Go and get some sleep."

She nodded and sat back on the chair.

"Not there-"

She closed her eyes, and pretended not to hear him.

"As stubborn as ever."

---------------------------------------------