I grunt and wince softly as I wrap my fingers around the brace and lift my leg up onto the pillow to get some elevation and ease some of the pressure building, “ow. Ow ah!” My eyes weld shut from the discomfort and Macklin perched up
“You’re supposed to let me do that! Wait let me help you” He rushes over instantly gently adjusting the pillow and checking on my knee.
I tore my ACL in Michigan playing volleyball at a college tournament and by some miracle the best surgeon was one at Stanford. Right next to where Macklin was staying with Tyler and Cat Toffoli. So; in their infinite kindness had allowed me to rest and recover with them. Since Cat was home most days there truly wasn’t a better situation since I didn’t want to fly back to Michigan immediately after being operated on and my parents didn’t want to have me recover in a hotel.
“I know.. it just. Ugh” I rub at my forehead in frustration, “I can’t get comfortable. I’m serious Macky everything is so uncomfortable. I can’t even wear pants yet” I pout, furrowing my eyebrows in misery. It’s the middle of winter and I’m stuck in a UMICH hoodie and short shorts.
“I know baby.. ‘m sorry. You want something to drink? Eat? We can watch a movie?” He suggests, easily using an arm to prop me up so he can sit where I was laying the top half of my body. I nod slowly; not entirely sure of what I want. Nothing seems appealing; nothing.
“I dunno mack.. I feel so.” I lean back against him, letting him put an arm around my shoulder, “just done.. I can’t even go to the bathroom without help! I can’t walk. I can’t do anything. I’m gonna morph into Cat and Tyler’s very nice- very comfortable couch”
He laughs a little at that; at the simple absurdity of the statement I’d just made, “you are ridiculous. You know this right?” He peeks over and looks down at me. Kissing my forehead slightly as I lean back into him, “so.. movie?”
“Nothing scary. And nothing that you and Will are supposed to watch because I don’t want him to get mad at me again” I raise my eyebrow as he ponders what to watch, “holy crap did you promise him you’d never watch tv without him!” I gasp as I lean up.
“No.. we can watch Avatar?”
I nod in agreement as I stretch in deeper to Macklin sighing softly into his chest as the movie starts.
By halfway through the movie Tyler and Cat had wandered into the kitchen, “aww they’re so cute” she whispers softly- and though I can’t hear entirely what she’s saying I can understand the gist of it.
“They’re watching avatar without us. I can’t believe it” And I assume Tyler is shaking his head as he looks through the pantry, “do you guys want popcorn?”
Macklin leans up, “yes please, if that’s not a trouble”
“No trouble at all. As long as you let us watch the rest of the movie with you” Cat requests. I try to prop myself up using my elbows but I just end up elbowing Mack in the groin
“Ow ow y/n!” He grunts out and I quickly shift back to laying down, “ok yeah I get why you get so mad at me when I lay on your hair” he whines. Rubbing his lower abdomen softly.
“‘M sorry. Uh yeah you guys can come watch. Macklins about to fall asleep anyways” I laugh a little and Macklin scrunches his nose and rolls his eyes.
Cat climbs onto the other sofa; wrapping a blanket around her and Tyler as they lay against each other. The two of them sharing a bowl and Macklin and I sharing a bowl of popcorn. It’s centered in my lap with Macklin reaching down occasionally.
I close my eyes gently as I place the bowl onto the coffee table, Macklin and I had adjusted our position to where his legs were on either side of me and I was laid between them. His chest pressed against my back and his arms wrapped securely around my torso. His head dropped slightly onto my own.
Both our eyes closed and the movie officially over, Tyler and Cat turning the television off and I can briefly feel her gently throw a blanket atop the two of us. But sleep reels me back into its grip.
I exhale slowly; not even minding the thought of trying to get back into the guest room in the middle of the night, simply content on being able to cuddle with my long distance boyfriend of whom I get to see under possibly the worst circumstances.
But at least I get to fall asleep in his arms for the next couple of weeks
