At this time, India’s eyes were barely open as they had been for a week or so, it as actually surprising how fast the exhaustion of life really hit her. Although she was scolded for going out to the party, everyone knew exactly what was coming, they just didn’t want to accept it faster than they were forced to. She understood that is was difficult for everyone else but it was difficult for her in ways no-one else could fathom and that Indi couldn’t articulate no matter how many times she tried.
Unless you were in the same position, she knew, there was no way you could imagine how inevitable inevitability truly is. It was a bizarre feeling knowing that whatever choice you made was impossibly ineffective; the end was still nigh and unchanging as it always was but for India it was much closer. The people who say life and choices are temporary clearly do not understand that some people’s temporary is very different from others. In fact, anyone who managed to die healthy purely because of old-age lived an incredibly permanent life, their choices mattered for much longer than it felt hers ever would and reflecting upon it, India couldn’t help but wonder if that meant their choices meant more than hers perhaps ever would.
Since her eyes could barely open, the girl couldn’t be sure of what was going on around her but the hushed whispers of questions to her were enough to hazard a guess. They were clinging on to whatever last moments they had left with a vice-tight grip, forcing her to answer and stick around for just a little bit longer. But, the distance between when the responses left her lips and the questions they asked began to grow longer and longer and India refused to fight it, no matter what whimpers and sobs she could hear.
With her hand still wrapped tightly in Nicky’s, where it had been for hours now, Indi realised that succumbing to numbness was alleviating her pain somewhat and although she could feel a tear rolling down her cheek -out of fear or relief, she wasn’t sure- it wasn’t long before that faded away too and her breathing slowed to a peaceful pause, no. Stop.
The sound of the flatline beeping resonated through the small hospital room and it was just about the only thing you could hear. Outside, of course, things carried on moving the way they were, a slow murmur and buzz in the back of someone’s ear. But in this room, in this one room it was deafening silence as in that one moment, everyone’s heart stopped for a beat in a unified desperation and mourning for the loss of their beloved baby girl, India.
[Smiles sadly and nods] He got my vote honey, don’t worry. I’ll come see you before I go there in my dress and we can take photos, okay? There is no way in hell i’m not having a Homecoming photo shoot with my main girl.
[Her face changes when Indi guesses straight off who it is.] How did you…? No but Ind he’s not, he’s really not, he’s just misunderstood. No one at school gives him a chance. He stares at people because he doesn’t know how to interact with them, not because he’s creepy. He protects me babe, and he makes me feel safe. I get he’s had some anger problems and stuff but who out of us doesn’t have baggage?
You're gonna' look beautiful, I just know it. [Indi smiles] I'm gonna' look terrible, no, I do look terrible. You do not want me in your cute photos.
Because I know you, Auds. Don't think I didn't see you sneaking off with him when I was in school last year. I...[she has a small coughing fit] Sorry, sorry. Just..I want you to be happy and if that's where youre happy then go for it. But I swear to god, if he ever hurts you I will come back from the dead to kick his ass.
[Nods] Facts. If no one else will be laughing at it I will be enjoying it in the yearbook. [Shrugs] I don’t really care Ind, you’re my homecoming date anyway. [Squeezes the girls hand gently] and don’t say no, because that was a really romantic ask from me. [Swallows and sits back slightly] My real life soap opera? Sure, why not, I can tell you more. So there is this guy, and I kinda have feelings for him. Well not kinda, I do. He’s my protector and he’s always there for me no matter what. We went to this party and I got into some trouble and he just…he was right there looking after me the whole night…and I just…I don’t know. I felt like everything changed. But he’s not exactly…well he’s not someone i’m ‘supposed’ to like. If you get me?
I wish I could really come with you, Auds. I'd love to be there. At least make sure Mack wins king, right? [Indi laughs weakly] Wait, you're not talking about Micah, right? I've heard he's bad news, babe. Plus isn't he kinda creepy? He just stares at people a lot. He literally got kicked off of all the sports teams because he was too violent, I should know, it caused a mess in the jocks.
Oh but what if it’s the wrong dress and the wrong shoes and it doesn’t show of their hideously average hair do and figure properly? Damn Indi, not everyone can put on a trash bag and look flawless like us. [She gave her a smile] Yeah well, when no one actually likes you it’s hard to get a date. Especially when the one person you want to ask you is both confused about what you want from him, and somewhat scared of relationships at the same time. [She sighs and runs her hand through her hair, half smiling.] Yeah babe, it’s fucked up.
Psh, people are so uptight. It'll make for [she coughs] a cute and funny picture when they're old, right? [Indi frowns] People like you, babe. Don't be si-silly. But now you have me interested in this real-life soap opera of yours. Tell me more.
[Audrey let out a strangled laugh and sniffed.] I’m sure it will be fun, I know everyone is in a whirlwind getting final touches for outfits and things. [She rubbed the back of her best friends hand gently with her thumb and shook her head with a smile] No, no I don’t have a date. And I won’t win the title. I don’t really care though, it’s not really the most important thing anyway. I’m sure I’ll find someone to make out with if I look had enough. There is a contender or two. [She tried to keep the conversation light and normal, leaning over and pulling her friends cover up slightly with her free hand so she didn’t get cold] You need another blanket Ind?
I don't think I'v ever gotten how people are so worried about outfits for dances, I just pick a dress and some shoes but app-apparently it's much more complicated. [Indi nods against her pillow and shuts her eyes again] You could easily win the title, I did think you'd have a...a date though. But alone is just as fun. A contender, huh? [Indi grins] Another blanket? I'm so hot right now, that's weird, right?
[Audrey watched her as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips together, trying to swallow the tears rising in her throat. Coughing gently, she helped Indi out by taking her hand gently so the girl didn’t have to try and do it herself] I know baby. I know you are…[She whispered, the tears almost catching up with her] Spirit week, exactly. Homecoming is this weekend, so I hope you have a homecoming queen speech all ready to go…[it was her lame attempt at keeping things light but as soon as she said it she realized that it might be possible the girl wasn’t even still with them by the end of the week. Her chest felt like it had been hit by a tone of bricks, her eyes welled up and the smile she’d been trying so hard to keep on her face slipped away.]
[Smiling softly although her eyes were closed, Indi squeezed Audrey's han feebly. It was nice to have someone there even if she wasn't the most exciting thing. Her laugh came out as a mix between that and a cough at the queen comment] I wouldn't dream of stealing your rightful title, Auds. I bet it'll be nice though. Everyone dressed up and having fun. It'll be awesome. [Indi snuggled down into her bed a little more but peeped one eye open] Do you have a date?
[Audrey swallowed hard and put a smile on her face when she saw her friends eyes flutter open slowly. She reached out and put her hand on Indi’s, not taking it, scared she was going to break her, but instead just resting it on hers. Audrey wanted to run away and scream, or cry, or something. But she didn’t] Hi baby girl. [She said quietly, trying to be normal, but seeing the girl brought home just how little time she had left] how are you doing today?
[It was hard for Indi to focus on anything much, so instead she closed her eyes and laid there. She attempted to fumble for Audrey's hand to hold but it wasn't much use] Tired, you know? Always tired. How are thing at...at school? Spirit week, right?
[Stirring from her deep sleep, Indi open her eyes a little to see Audrey sat near her and smiled as best she could. Her voice was weak when she was began to talk and it was awful how quickly her health was declining] H-Hi...babe.
dededos
turnnoffyourmind
stormborns
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