“I’m fine, really,” I say looking at my parents who sit on the other side of the hospital room. “It’s just a small cut-“
“You will definitely need stitches.” The doctor on call says walking into the room and slides the curtain divider shut behind him.
I groan and look down at the side of my arm that I guess I hit off the side of the table in the hallway. I don’t remember what happened before my seizure, and after. I just woke up on the floor and my dad told Claire not to move me. “This isn’t your first seizure I see.”
“Nope,” I say with a sigh. I look down at my phone and see 4 texts from Rocky, but I never had the chance to text him back.
“After looking at your charts I’m going to send you to a neurologist in the area.” The doctor says causing me to furrow my eyebrows.
“Why? They’re just a few seizures.”
“Because this isn’t just seizures from the TBI, it is posttraumatic epilepsy.”
Tears slowly started to fill my eyes and ended up like puddles on my lap. He writes down some names in the area and says he will send a referral to the best one in town.
I look down at the nurse stitching up the side of my arm, “Take it easy these next couple of days.” I nod my head wiping the tears away and let out a shaky sigh.
“They said with some tests and medicine changes you’ll be back to yourself in no time,” Dad says squeezing my knee. The nurse wraps my arm and says to come back in ten days to get the stiches out.
“I just want to be normal again,” I say grabbing my purse and walk out of the small room and into the busy ER. I walk into the waiting room and see a familiar face in one of the chairs. Rocky looks up and relief spread across his face.
“Are you okay?” Rocky asks standing up and instantly pulling me in close. I shake my head no letting the tears flow free now. His arms tighten around me and he presses a kiss against my head. I tighten my arms around him as I hear my mom say I should get to bed it’s late. I shake my head no and sob into Rocky’s chest.
“I’ll drive her home.” Rocky says brushing his fingers through my messy hair, “I’ll bring her right home. I’ll take care of her.”
“Okay, the door will be unlocked.” My dad says behind me.
Rocky’s P.O.V:
I take the long way to El’s house and look over at her as I stop at a red-light. She was sound asleep leaning against the door, her head resting against the window. I look at the clock as it reads 3:00 AM as I pull into her driveway. Her dad walks out of the front door, Flynn following him anxiously. I turn off my lights and car before getting out.
I make my way to the passenger side. I slowly open the door making sure she doesn’t fall out and lean over and unbuckle her. “Rocky.” She whispers as I put my arm around her legs, and one around her waist.
“Yeah, El,” I ask as I walk towards the open door and down the hall towards her bedroom.
“Will you stay for a bit?” She mumbles against my chest.
“Of course,” I say as I nudge her bedroom door open and hear Flynn’s paws against the wood floors of the hallway. I set El gently down on her bed and slide off her Birkenstocks and pull the covers over her.
I slip my sneakers and socks off before crawling onto her queen size bed. Her bed had too many pillows and many blankets. I was surprised she was cold here since she grew up in Maine, but I remember her telling me she was always cold. I chuckle at how cute that was as I pull the cover’s over myself.
Eleanor instantly curls into my side and rests her head on my chest. Flynn jumps onto the bed and curls up on the other side of her, resting his head on her hip.
“She’s okay Flynn.” I say rubbing his head, “She’s okay.”
Hey guys! Sorry, it’s been so long, had to help with the funeral that was last weekend so I off social media for a bit and not really writing. I am back and the semester is over. Next week I have knee surgery but have been falling back in love with Eleanor and Rocky. x
Hi guys I know it’s been awhile, but here is a new chapter. This past week has been really rough with my grandmother passing from cancer, it was a long time coming but it doesn’t make it any better. I have 3 more weeks of this semester, and then I’ll be working and writing more! Thanks for being so patient with me! xoxo
Rocky’s P.O.V:
We sit in the backyard the crickets filling the silence between us. “Your family is great.”
I turn my head and look at her watching the sunset over the fence. “I wish I had siblings.”
“I can share mine,” I say with a chuckle taking a sip of my beer. “They have been wanting to meet you for a while now.”
“You should’ve brought me around sooner than.” She says with a smirk taking a sip of her water. She brushes her free hand through Flynn’s hair.
Flynn hasn’t left her side all day. Flynn got along fine with the other dogs but still was ‘on guard’ with Eleanor.
“I didn’t want them to overwhelm you.”
“You don’t need to protect me, Rocky.” She says, “My brain injury does enough of that. I want you to be you.”
“Yeah?” I ask looking over at her. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a knot on top of her head, and she was cozied up in one of my over-sized sweatshirt and her shorts.
“I’m tired of walking on egg-shells.” She explains, “I like laughing, and family get-togethers. And the dogs, are so fucking cute.”
“They are pretty cute,” I say agreeing with her. “Can I be honest with you?”
“Yeah, of course,” I say turning my head and realize we were sitting close together. Nearly shoulder to shoulder, and she looked like she was going to puke.
“I mean you don’t have to if it’s going to make you puke,” I say with a chuckle.
“You give me butterflies, and I don’t remember ever feeling this way before.” She chokes out before taking a long sip of water.
“I like you a lot, El.” I say with a smile, “I just don’t want to rush into something if you’re not ready. I want you to be sure-“
“I’m sure.” She says with this sparkle in her eye. “I like you too.”
“Can I do something I’ve been wanting to do for weeks now?”
“Yeah.”
And that’s when I leaned in and kissed her. Her lips were soft against mine and had a hint of mango flavor to them. She instantly kissed me back, resting her hand on my side as she pulled herself closer to me –if that was even possible.
I pull away after a few moments and look at her. She had this grin on her face, but her eyes were still closed. Her arms were still around my torso not letting me go.
“I don’t remember my first kiss… but I bet it was nothing like that.” She says opening her eyes and looking at me. “I hope you like mango. It’s the only chapstick I buy.”
“I don’t mind it.” I say with a chuckle, “You’re somethin’ rare you know, that right?”
She rolls her eyes, “Not to be a party pooper but I have to get home. I take my medication at this time.”
“Let’s get you home,” I say leaning over and pressing my lips against her cheek. I grab her glass and mine and head towards the door. Eleanor follows me into the kitchen and walks over to my parents.
“Going home sweet girl?” My mom asks embracing her in a tight hug. “It was nice to finally meet you, and Flynn. Come by anytime!”
“Thanks, Stormie.” She says before hugging my dad goodbye and grabbing Flynn’s red leash. We walk out of the house and to my car, the last car parked in the once filled driveway.
The drive home was quiet but nice. Her hand in mine as she looked out the window at the lights and stars. I pull into her driveway and put the car in park. She turns her head and looks at me with a small smile.
“Thanks for letting me meet your family. I feel a little less lonely now in California.”
“We’re always here,” I say leaning over the arm console and press my lips against hers. She kisses me back as quickly as my lips touched hers. I pull away and look at her with a smile, “I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks now.”
“You should’ve just done it.” She says opening the car and looking over her shoulder, “Cause I wanted to kiss you for a while too.” She climbs out of the car and opens the back door for Flynn.
“I’ll text you.” She says with a smile before closing both doors and walks to the front door of her house. She looks back over her shoulder and sees me making sure she gets in safely but closing the door behind her.
Eleanor’s P.O.V:
I sit against my headboard with Claire as I tell her everything from today. The audition, to the dinner at Rocky’s parents to our kiss.
The kiss was just out of the movie. The sun setting and crickets talking in the background. California sure wasn’t home sweet home, but it had this gorgeous guy who didn’t run away when I told him I have a TBI. He didn’t run when he found out I have baggage. He stayed, and it’s a new beginning I need.
“Thank god he finally kissed you.” Claire says with a giggle, “I was impatiently waiting.”
“We all were,” I say looking at Flynn asleep on the end of my bed.
“Well I’m gonna leave, but I’ll see you tomorrow morning?” Claire says grabbing her purse and coat.
“Yeah,” I say following her down the hallway. “Do you smell that burning smell?”
“No? Your parents are watching the news- “
The tingling started to move up my legs, and my vision was starting to get doubled. I could hear Claire keep repeating my name, but it was from a far distance.
“She’s having a seizure.” Was the last thing I heard before it went black.
So, some know of this (like person friends who read my work) know that my Mimi has been sick with stage 4 colon cancer for over a year now, but some of you don’t. Last Saturday we found out she has 2 weeks but no one really knows. I’ve been seeing her everyday, and helping her with pain and getting her comfortable. She’s talking and laughing, and her faith makes my soul calm. It’s just a matter of time, and I’m terrified. So that’s why I haven’t been posting a lot. I’ve been spending time with her 💖 please pray for my family, she has good spirits and knows it’s her time, and I’m taking it really hard.
Love to you all,
Cal
My Boppa combs her hair everyday and makes sure she looks good 💖💖💖
Hello, my loves! I know I didn’t post last Monday, and it’s almost Monday again. Writer’s block is real, and I have a bunch of family non-sense and non-planned emergencies happening. I hope you like this chapter... let me know what you think x
Eleanor’s P.O.V:
“Because of your…accident, what did you do?” Rocky asks sitting next to me on my bedroom carpet. We had a bowl of popcorn between us, and a plate with just cookie crumbs left.
“I told you, I was a sophomore in college,” I say looking at my pink painted nails.
“I mean,” Rocky says rolling his eyes, “What did you do? Like I have the band…did you have something you loved?”
“I used to act, and do musicals.” I say barely above a whisper, “I can’t do it until my memory gets better.”
“I bet you could do a show! We have a great local theatre here!” Rocky says sitting up fast as if I was his next little project. “They’re doing Hairspray! You’d be great!”
“Rocky- I can’t,” I say with a sigh.
“Sure, you can.” He says with a smile, “I’ll help you.”
“I don’t like failing.”
“I won’t let you.”
I sit in a long hallway surrounded by men and women, children and older people. I sit on the ground in a pair of black leggings, a white tee and a pair of Nikes. I lean forward and stretch. Rocky was patiently sitting next to me, and Flynn resting his head on Rocky’s black converse.
It’s been two weeks since Rocky and I were sitting on my bedroom floor debating about this audition, and well he won. He said if I just auditioned he would buy me an In N Out burger, fries and a shake aka what we end up eating once a week.
“Group 4.” The stage manager says stepping into the crowded hallway. I let out a breath of air I didn’t realize I was holding in. Rocky rubs my back and gives my hand a squeeze before I follow a group of people into the house of the theatre.
My singing portion went okay for not singing for a couple of months. For the past two weeks, I’ve been rehearsing with my Mimi at her house, and she is honestly one of my hardest critics. She went to school for teaching but did theatre and dance throughout her college years. She was the one who picked me up and took me to ballet, jazz and tap until I was fifteen years and decided to focus more on acting.
I told Rocky that I wouldn’t need Flynn in the room with me. I honestly didn’t want the drawn attention. I wanted to be taken seriously, and not questioned about my capabilities. We learn two combos which made my head hurt, but I was determined to show what I got. They gave us time to run it amongst ourselves, but they were still watching us. I mark my steps and hand movements as other people were talking and enjoying themselves. I’ve learned from this TBI I had to work harder than others. Muscle memory was going to be my savior. Years of dance and drilling technique into my brain in class and out.
“Thank you!” The director said after we finished the combos for what felt like the 100th time. I let out a sigh knowing I did as good as I could do. I forgot some parts but quickly recovered.
“Eleanor!” I hear someone say causing me to stop walking across the stage. “You have great technique.”
“Thank you.” I smile at the director, “The choreography is great!”
“Keep an eye out for callbacks!” She says with a smile. “We would love to have you.”
“Thank you,” I said before walking down the stairs and up the house aisle and out the door. Rocky sat there by himself, and Flynn panting wanting fresh air and water.
Rocky stands up holding his arms out for a hug. I smile and walk into his arms, wrapping mine around his torso, and his around my shoulders. “How’d it go?”
“Really good,” I say a smile forming on my face. “Now let’s go eat!”
He chuckles and unwraps his arms around me, and grabs Flynn’s leash.
There were feelings and butterflies forming in me that I didn’t even know how to react to or do anything about. All we’ve done is hug… we haven’t even held hands yet. We Face Timed every night before bed when we could, and he always asked how my speech appointments went.
Something that was weird is that I haven’t met any of his family yet. I mean he’s only met my parents because of us going out to coffee…but I know nothing about his family. All I know is that he’s in a band with his siblings and friend and that’s it.
Rocky and I reach his car right as his phone goes off. He looks down at his phone screen and over to me, “Want to go to a Barbeque instead?”
Rocky P.O.V:
I was nervous because I didn’t want my family to be too overwhelming for her. She had this outgoing side to her but also got overwhelmed with big crowds and just people in general. Yet, she seemed excited to meet my friends and family.
I look away from Ellington as he goes on about this concert him and Rydel went to last night. I see my mom, Rydel, and Eleanor filling their plates with food and sit at the table by the pool. Eleanor hasn’t dropped her smile all afternoon…her face must be exhausted.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to the boys before walking over and checking in on Eleanor.
“Oh, I was just about to go get a glass of water.” She says surprised to see me sneak up by her side.
“I’ll join you,” I say smiling at my sister and mom and walk into the quiet and empty house.
“How are you doing?” I ask as she walks over to the fridge and opens it to grab the cool water picture.
“I’m doing okay.” She says not sure why I’m checking in on her. “Really, I am.”
“Okay because I know my family is overwhelming and-“She cuts me off by pressing her lips against my cheek.
“I’m doing okay, really.” She says with a smile before walking through the sliding glass door and joins my family outside.
Hello, my loves! It has been a stressful, and emotional week but I am here. My Mimi’s cancer is going downhill fast, but also want to post some writing for you guys. Though we did find out what was causing my migraine, my birth control how silly. I’m cleaning and doing some chores before my boy comes to spend Easter with my family but I will post something this afternoon.
Hope you guys have a good Easter, whether you believe in it or not. Eat some chocolate and spend time with family!
areudirty
origamiaround
yousharknotpass
dailybridgerton
discoholicmusic
turnnoffyourmind
