Addiction

25

Professor Hunter let go of my hand and stood up. "Does anyone want some coffee or something to eat?"

No one said anything.

"I'll be right back." He ran his hand through his hair and walked toward the door without looking back at me. My dad quickly got up and followed him out of the room. Not good.

"Penny?"

I looked back up at Tyler.

He gently took my hand between both of his. "It's hard for me to see you like this."

"I'm not in pain. I'm fine, really. And this time I mean it."

He crouched down by my bed. "Look, I know what I said the other day," he whispered. "But I need you to listen to me now. I don't care that you were with Professor Hunter. I forgive you for hurting me. I forgive you for everything. Please stop making the wrong choice. I need you to choose me. I need you to know the truth..."

"Tyler, stop."

"I was wrong before. I can take care of you. I want to take care of you. I want to be with you. Please stop doing this to me."

"I love him. I love him, Tyler. I don't know what else I can say."

"Okay." He let go of my hand. "Right." He stood back up. He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. "I'll see you in class then." He gave me a forced smile.

"Wednesday probably."

"Okay." He walked away from my bed. "I'm going to get going guys. Are you staying?"

"Just a minute," Melissa said. Melissa came back over to my bed.

"I'll be waiting outside." Tyler walked out of the room. It was so hard to see him upset. And it was even worse knowing it was my fault.

"What did Tyler say to you?" she whispered.

"That he wants to be with me."

"And?"

"And nothing. I'm in love with James."

"We have a lot to talk about."

I wasn't sure what she meant by that. I sighed. "I know."

"When will you be back?"

"Tuesday."

"Okay." She squeezed my arm again. "Text me." She gave my mom a hug goodbye.

"Feel better, Penny," Josh said. The three of them left.

Sunday

"James is very handsome." My mom sat down on the edge of my bed.

I smiled. "He is."

"And he seems very smitten with you."

I laughed. "I'm smitten with him too."

My mom smiled at me. "I couldn't help but notice that Tyler and Brendan seem to like you too."

I bit my lip. "I know."

"So that must have been a hard choice to make."

I shook my head. "I love him."

"Oh, sweetheart." She patted my foot. "Maybe one day."

"What?"

"Love is more than physical attraction."

"Mom." Oh my God. "I know that." I looked down at the sheets and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Relationships are hard work. You're so young. You're supposed to be enjoying yourself."

"I am. He makes me so happy."

"Then why didn't you tell us about him?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "We were a little on again off again at first."

"Is that why James and Tyler both have black eyes?"

I pulled my knees into my chest and wrapped my arms around them. "They got in a fight."

"Over you?"

"I've made some mistakes. I was confused about what I wanted."

"Penny. Try not to take everything so seriously. Is it love? Maybe someday. Don't try to grow up so fast. There's no rush."

I smiled at her. "I know." Professor Hunter was older than me. It was hard not to take things seriously with him. He had asked me to move in with him a few weeks ago. He had just told me he loved me.

My dad and Professor Hunter walked back into the room with the doctor. They were both talking to her, and they both looked more relaxed than they had earlier.

"Okay, Penny," the doctor said and walked over to me. She clicked a few buttons on the monitor and read the report. "Everything looks normal now. You all set to get out of here?"

"Absolutely."

I gritted my teeth as she pulled the IV out of my hand. She placed a bandage over the small hole.

"Take it easy, okay." She handed me some forms to fill out. "Release forms."

I quickly signed my name and handed the clipboard back to her.

"Nice meeting all of you." She smiled at James.

Back off.

She walked out of the room. My mom and dad were discussing something. James walked up to me and handed me my clothes. I slid off the bed, making sure to hold the back of my gown shut.

"I want to come back with you," I whispered.

"I'll see what I can do." He winked at me.

I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom. I glanced in the mirror as I untied the hospital gown. My hair was a disaster and my face was greasy. I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail and splashed water on my face.

When I finished getting dressed, I walked out of the bathroom. I grabbed my envelope and cell phone off the nightstand and shoved them into my jacket pocket.

Professor Hunter walked over to me. "If you want to come back with me, you can." He put his hand on my cheek. "Whatever you want to do."

I nodded and went over to my parents. "Is it okay if I go back with him, Dad?"

"As long as you promise to take it easy, Pen." My dad leaned down and hugged me. "Don't worry us like that again."

"I'm sorry, Dad."

"Call us once in awhile, okay?"

I laughed. "I will. I love you."

"I love you too."

When he let go, it was my mom's turn to hug me.

"Don't forget what I told you, Penny," my mom said. "And when big things happen, call us. No more surprise boyfriends." She laughed. "I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too, Mom." It had been so nice to see them.

"Maybe we can come down sometime again soon and take you two out to dinner. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Sounds wonderful," James said. "It was really nice meeting you, Mrs. Taylor." He put his hand out.

"Don't be ridiculous." My mom hugged him. James patted her back a little awkwardly.

"And Mr. Taylor." He put his hand out to my dad and my dad shook it without hesitation this time.

"Just because the Eagles season didn't start out well doesn't mean they won't beat the Giants," my dad said.

James laughed. "We'll see."

My parents waved to me and walked out of the room.