Learning To Be Free [Chapter 12]

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“You’re a lucky guy, Joshua Farro”, doctor Jones said smiling. “Your spine was so badly damaged that no one would’ve believed that even hard training would help.”

I looked at Josh and shook his hand with a happy smile on my lips.

He smiled back to me and then turned to look at the doctor. “So I have bigger chances to walk now?”

“Yes, of course, though we can’t promise anything”, the doctor explained. “Just continue training and maybe it’ll get even better.”

Josh nodded. “I will. Thank you.”

“No problem”, the doctor said smiling.

We left the room and after the door had shut closed, I threw my arms around Josh and hugged him tightly. “I’m so proud of you.”

I felt him smiling against my shoulder. “I can’t believe this.”

I let go of him, then looking at his brown eyes. “You better.”

He grinned. “What would I do without you?”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t train for you. You did it yourself.”

He smiled and shook his head.

“I honestly am proud of you. You didn’t give up, though I wouldn’t have been surprised if you would’ve done so.”

“Thanks, Hayley”, he said while our gazes locked.

“For what?”

“For just being here”, he said half aloud and gulped. “Maybe you don’t believe me, but you mean the world to me.”

My mouth dropped open as I just stared at him, not believing my ears.

He chuckled. “That’s what I kinda expected.”

“No, no! I just… We’ve been kinda stuck together for half an year, I know, but this was just…” I had no words. “I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t confess that I love you or anything”, he chuckled. “You just mean a lot to me. I wouldn’t be here without you, you know.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

***

“Don’t give up!” Jacob yelled as Josh tried to keep himself on the surface only using his left arm. “Change the arm.”

Josh did what Jacob commanded and I saw from his face that he had to use his every muscle to keep himself on the surface.

“Now, slowly stop moving your arms and focus all your strength to the lowest muscles in your body. Try to push all the strength to your legs and hips”, Jacob instructed squatting on the edge of the pool and watching Josh closely.

I kept my eyes on Josh and bit my lip when I saw his frustration when he couldn’t keep himself on the surface.

“It’s okay!” Jacob said when Josh came back on the surface using his arms. “Try again.”

“I can’t!” Josh spat clearly angry to himself.

“Yes, you can. Just try again”, Jacob repeated. “Raise your hands toward the ceiling.”

Josh’s face turned red when he tried his best to stop himself from sinking.

“Josh, you can do it”, I said as happily as I could. Inside I felt bad for just watching his battle against the water.

He sunk again, quickly coming on the surface helping with his arms again. He came to the edge of the pool and rested against it, closing his eyes and shaking a bit.

“I think we’re done for today”, Jacob said and patted Josh’s shoulder. “Good work. See you tomorrow.”

Josh nodded, still keeping his eyes closed and gasping for air.

“Are you okay?” I asked and sat down on in front of him after Jacob left.

“What do you think?” he chuckled and slowly opened his eyes.

I just frowned and grabbed his hand, intertwining our fingers. I shook his hand gently and bit my lip.

“I’m tired as fuck”, he mumbled and looked at our hands, then glancing at me.

I smiled. “I believe that. Let me help you in your chair.”

“No, wait a second”, he sighed and shook my hand back. “Let’s stay like this for a while.”

I looked at him wonderingly, but didn’t ask why. “Okay.”

He smiled a bit and suddenly pulled my hand, making me to lean closer. My eyes opened wide as he pushed himself closer with his arms and the next thing I knew was his wet lips on mine.

I gasped against his lips and before I had the chance to do anything, he pulled away.

We just stared at each other for a while, which felt like forever. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, waiting what would happen next.

“Sorry”, he mumbled and pushed himself out of the pool.

I was speechless. Once again.

“Can you help me?” Josh asked nodding toward his chair.

“Yeah”, I breathed out and without saying a word helped him in his chair.

***

I pressed my phone on my ear and bit my lip holding my breath at the same time. I needed to talk to him. I was going insane.

“Hi”, his soft voice answered.

“Hi, it’s Hayley here”, I said and started to play with my hair.

“Yeah, I know”, he mumbled sarcastically.

“I don’t wanna fight anymore”, I sighed. “You should be the one calling though.”

“Me?” Taylor asked and chuckled.

“Yes, you were childish”, I said feeling the angry building up inside me.

“So is your boss”, Taylor said.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about”, I said through clenched teeth. “You know, whatever. I just wanted to hang out with you tonight but you clearly won’t stop being so stubborn.”

I heard him sighing in the other end of the line. “I’m sorry. Let’s hang out tonight.”

“I don’t know if I want to anymore”, I mumbled. I seriously wasn’t up to sitting in a café in an awkward silence.

“Yes you do. I’ll pick you up at six”, he told me.

“Taylor, wait.”

“What?”

“He kissed me.”

He hung up.

Great. What the fuck was wrong with him?

I sighed and shook my head, then slumping on the couch.

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