Mandolin Rain

Harry's POV

I wake up to the sounds of beeping. My eyes are heavy. I try to stretch but my arm is restrained as pain shoots up my shoulder. Then I remember.

The accident. My bike. Ambulance ride. Elliot. Natalie. Elliot. Did she leave?

I fully open my eyes and rub them with my non restrained arm. I notice my other arm is in a sling. No cast so that is good, looking further down I notice my right leg is in a cast. I take a deep breath and wiggle my toes that are peeking through. At least I can move them. Just a broken leg. Thank God.

My eyes continue to more around the room and stop at a figure in front of the window looking out. I groan and she sharply turns. It's Elliot. I instantly recognize her.

“Elliot?” My dry voice cracks as she walks towards me.

“Hi. Your awake.” She smiles at me.

“Where am I?” I ask. I remember going to the hospital but I blacked out after.

“You're at a hospital in LA, Cedar-Siani Medical Center to be exact, you passed out when we got here, they had to do emergency surgery to set your leg and clean it. You got some pretty nasty scrapes from being dragged under the bike. And you dislocated your right shoulder.” I stare at her trying to take it all in as I push my hair back.

“Does anyone know?” I ask her, I could have sworn that I asked her to call my mum but I can't remember clearly.

“Yes, your mom is on her way, but she still has about seven hours of her flight left. And she called your sister and dad. She had me call your band mates and Simon. I've been updating everyone on your condition as they asked. I hope that's okay.” She seems nervous now that she's admitted all that.

“Oh yes, it's fine, thank you. Thank you for staying with me. And keeping me calm.” I smile at her.

“Do you want some water?” She asks.

“Can I have some?” I ask, confused because I don't know if I can after surgery or if I'm on any sudden food restrictions.

“I'll call the nurse, they'll want to know your awake anyway.” She reaches across me and pushes the button attached to my bed. I can smell her, a faint smell of ocean and sunshine, if that makes sense.

“Yes?” A voice from my bed booms out.

“Um, Harry is awake.” Elliot speaks.

“We'll be right down.” The nurse informs us as Elliot walks back towards the window.

“Elliot?” I call out for her.

“Yes Harry?” She turns and looks at me.

“Can you sit by me? I know this is weird because I just met you but I just need someone here.” She smiles and pulls the chair close to the bed as the doctor and a team of nurses follow him.

I can eat. I'm just recovering from surgery. I have to stay a few nights so they can watch my blood pressure and make sure my wound is clean, it has to be cleaned again tomorrow. And they want to make sure that I can manage my pain. Right now the pain medicine drip is my best friend. Well that and Elliot. Sure I have plenty of friends in LA that I could call to come keep me company but something about Elliot is very comforting.

“So your food should be here soon.” She tells me. “I wish we could open these windows. This air is so stale.” She sounds bummed.

“I know, hospital air stinks.” I laugh and push my hair back that keeps falling.

“You should pull your hair back, I see it keeps bothering you.”

“I would if I could. But this bum arm and the fact that I have no hair tie doesn't help.” I lay my head back on the bed.

“I have one. I always carry an extra one on my wrist even if my hair is pinned back.” She pulls a black one off her wrist and hands it to me. I take it and try to mess with my hair as Elliot starts laughing. Apparently my struggle is amusing.

“So seeing me struggle is funny, huh?” I scold her.

“I'm sorry. Do you want help?” She asks as she walks closer to me.

“Please.” I hold the hair tie up in the air as I feel her fingers rake through my hair. I close my eyes and take a sharp intake of breath, it feels nice, its relaxing.

“Have to get all the tangles out first.” She talks in a low voice. She's very gentle with my hair as I feel her pull it back at the top of my head and secure it with the tie. “There.” She tells me. “All finished. Now it won't bother your pretty little face.” She laughs.

A knock on the door followed by the door slightly opening, “Kitchen. Can we come in?”

“Yes please.” Finally food. I don't even care if it's cafeteria food, I'm starving. A short, older woman comes in and places food on my tray. I thank her and she quietly walks back out.

Chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, fruit, and water. Exciting.

The green beans are rubbery as I assumed but I eat them anyway. Eating with my left hand isn't
hard, but when I go to eat the chicken I can't. It's a little too dry to cut with just a fork.

“Elliot!” I whine. “I can't cut my food. Can you help me please?” She rolls her eyes but stands up and grabs the knife on the tray anyway.

“I can you big baby.”

“I'm injured. I need help.” I'm still whining.

“I get it Harry. You're co-dependent and your going to play it up as much as possible.” She lets out a chuckle and finishes cutting my chicken into small bites.

“Thanks mom.” I tease her.

“You're welcome, but you have to finish all your food before you get desert young man.” Apparently two can play at this game and I laugh but quickly pout when she takes my brownie away.

“Meanie.”

She sticks her tongue out at me in response.

The food isn't near as bad as I thought. I'll actually eat it, well I did. Ate it all. I can tell Elliot is hungry but she doesn't say anything, doesn't leave me. I'll be thankful for her forever.

“When is my mum coming?” I ask as I finish my brownie, she finally gave it back to me.

“Um.” She looks at her phone. “I'm tracking her plane, should be landing in about five hours and then it should only take her an hour to get her bags and get here. I text her to let her know where the hospital is and where your room is.”

“Thank you. You want to watch a movie or see what's on tv?' I ask, trying to get her to stay.

“Sure.” She smiles and sits down on the recliner she pulled towards my bed earlier.

Notes

Another chill chapter but they gotta get to know each other! Hopefully I can keep updating two chapters a day, I've written most of the story but I like to go back and edit and change things.

Let me know what you think!