After a night of constantly waking up to check on Alex, I got up at 6 am. I wandered the hallways of the hospital, waiting for the caffeine from the bitter vending machine coffee to work. I received a text when I was about to enter the cafeteria.

From: Matt
“Come over, we should talk”

Quickly, I replied.

To: Matt
“Why?”

His next text came equally quickly.

From: Matt
“I want to be friends with you, I’m sorry for what I did”

I furrowed my eyebrows. I wasn’t quite sure whether or not to trust him but it was a possibility to find out whether he had hurt Alex.

To: Matt
“Okay, I’m coming over.”

I left the hospital after lightly kissing Alex’s bandaged head. I popped into my place and took some pepper spray with me, just to be sure.

The drive was short. I was a little bit scared but also angry. Matt was the main suspect in the attack on Alex and I wanted to investigate.

I rang his doorbell and he opened, cheerily greeting me.

“Hello Jack! Long time, no see!”

“Matt. Hello,” I replied, considerably cooler tone of voice.

“Why don’t you come inside?” he offered. I got out of my shoes and stepped inside. I took off my jacket but before I could turn around he had snaked his arms around my waist.

“Jayjay I missed you…” he whispered.

“Matt? What the fuck, please let go, we are not in a relationship anymore,” I said loudly.

“But Jayjay, I love you…” he purred, turning me around now, his face getting close to mine.
“No Matt! Leave me alone!” I shouted, getting ready to escape his embrace.

His expression changed and got hard. “And if you're not willing, then I'll use force,” he hissed, tightening his grip.

“Will you fucking let go?” I snapped. He didn’t move, still gripping me tightly, so I slowly tried to grab the pepper spray from my back pocket. He almost noticed but I got it and quickly pulled it out, spraying it right in his face. He screeched and let go immediately before sinking down to the ground.

“I only wanted you to love me, I was so angry at Alex” he sobbed. I kneeled down in front of him; pity had started to affect me.

“But Matt, you need to realize it’s over. You can’t just go smashing a bottle on someone’s head just because you’re jealous!” I said before leaving to get a wet cloth to wipe away the pain inducing liquid. I wasn’t worried about him attacking me anymore, he was a mess.

I helped him clean up and proposed something.

“Matt, you know what you did to Alex is wrong. You caused me and him a lot of pain and I will not go to the police if you promise to leave us alone from now on. Me and you can still remain friends but on a very limited basis,” I said calmly but firmly.

Matt thought about this for a while before nodding. “Okay, Jack… I won’t bother you anymore from now on. I’m sorry.”

I got up. “Bye Matt, I hope you will be okay.”

“Bye Jack,” he said, voice rough and sounding like it was about to break. But now was not the time for pity anymore. I quickly go in the car and drove off.

---

Back at the hospital, Alex seemed livelier already. I smiled as I saw him sitting in his bed, talking to a nurse, joking and grinning. I knocked at the door and entered.

“Hey Lex, how are you doing?” I smirked.

“I’m fine! Jacky, they said I can leave today if I rest at home!” he cheered.

“Aw that’s great! I have good news too! I found out it was Matt who hurt you but I made him promise he will leave us alone from now on,” I replied.

“Oh man that’s great!” Alex said, clapping his hands in joy.

This guy was just too cute. I started packing up the very few belongings he had here before leaving to get us a coffee. I winked at him before leaving. Everything was fine.

Notes

I don't even know oh my God.
Title credit: Goethe

-Laura