Phoebe

When I wake up from my nap, I am sweating and pressing against my ribs. I look over at the TV, and it's off. It takes me a bit, but I manage to lay on my back and pull the covers off my body. My ribs are killing me-

I slowly sit up on the sofa, remembering to breathe through the pain. My ribs are still recovering from what happened to me over a week ago. And soon I will be able to take off this wrist brace for good. But I am starting to get frustrated. This healing process is too slow for me! I grab my glasses off the table, take small sips of the drink of water and decide to get up.

I wince slightly at every step I make to my room. It's annoying. I grab my phone, noticing Noah called me around nine in the morning. It's now noon-

I've known Noah for over two and a half weeks now, and he doesn't take things lightly. He is always serious around me. Like he is walking on eggshells. But then again, every time he is near me, my heart beats out of my chest. I never know what to say or do around him.

I head back into the living room, wincing as I sit back on the sofa. I can't help but yawn as I take a good look around Noah's apartment. I remember the first time I was in here. He was moving in, only had the sofa and coffee table set up in the middle of the studio. Now, everything is in its rightful place.

I grab the blanket, getting semi-comfortable on the sofa, scrolling through the endless notifications on my phone. Emails, Text Messages, Call logs, and Reminders.

At the end of this week, which is in 3 days, my sisters will be in New York- Fuck! It's not like I forgot or anything. I just didn't have the time to remember-

I need to tell Noah when he gets home. I will be renting a hotel. Maybe in Manhattan for the week. Surprise the girls! I can't let them meet Noah... What do I tell them? "Hey, girls! This is Noah. He is the Doctor who found me on my apartment floor fighting for my life."

I shake my head, rubbing my forehead. This is giving me a headache. I decide I need to look at hotels instead of just sitting here. I sit up again, grab my laptop and sit down. I go to the search bar and start looking at hotels. My mind is made up. After 10 minutes, my eyes are killing me, as well as my head. My phone rings, and I see that it is Noah. I hesitate for a few seconds but decide to answer it.

"Hello?" I sound incredibly exhausted as usual.

"Did I wake you?" His deep husky voice sent shivers down my spine.

"I fell asleep on the couch, watching a documentary." I yawn, scrolling through overpriced hotels, "But I'm up now." I try sitting up straight, to relieve some of the pain. But it doesn't work. Just ignore it, Phoebe.

"How are you feeling? Have you taken your medication?" I hear him crunch his food, something with lettuce in it. I know that sound from anywhere.

"I took them around eight in the morning. I should be fine until dinner time." I am adjusting myself on the chair, feeling the pain in my ribs getting worse the longer I sit slouched over like this. I take in a deep breath, trying to satisfy my bones.

"Are you sure? If you need to take them earlier, do it. Don't push yourself."

"I'm fine, Doctor." I can't help but groan in annoyance; I can take care of myself. I wanted to say, but instead, I say, "I just think I slept wrong."

"On your ribs?" He sounds angry, "Phoebe you need to..." he pauses, "I will check them when I get home." This time his voice is softer like he calmed himself down.

"Yes." I shake my head, "But I'm fine, Doctor. I will let you know if anything changes." I chuckle slightly. Why the hell am I giggling?

"You better." He give me a low deep chuckle, "I have to go. Lunch is over. Call me or text me if you need me." I shake my head, pinching my nose. I probably won't need him, but it's sweet.

"See you soon," I say, hanging up the phone, putting it next to my laptop continuing to research hotels. I have at least the rest of the day until tomorrow morning to book a hotel. So why I am anxiously looking at them.

I think it's because I don't want my family, mostly my little sisters getting involved with- Jay. Just saying his name in my head makes me want to hide in the bathroom and cry. My anxiety since the day I woke up in the hospital has been through the roof. I'm so paranoid he will find me.

Staring at the apartment door and seeing it locked doesn't help my paranoid state. I am in a new place, but not a new apartment building. Noah's apartment is right below mine; what if I hear Jay's voice. What if I listen to him breaking my things again, yelling my name.

I feel myself practically jump up out of the chair, making it fall over. I push my phone away from me, almost like that will solve my problems. But deep down I know it won't. I take off my glasses, pinching the bridge of my nose as I feel my heart hammering against my ears. Phoebe, you need to relax.

Rushing to the bathroom, I turn on the shower. I set the water too hot and nearly rip my clothes off my body like they are suffocating me. I step into the shower, feeling myself falling to the ground of the tub, gripping my chest. Quickly I remember the wrist brace on my arm and take it off tossing it onto the floor.

I breathe trying to remember what Noah kept telling me- In through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose, out through the mouth. I tell myself over and over again until the sound of my heart diminishes.

As I pull myself up off the ground, I know for sure I messed up my ribs again. I can barely lift my arm now without hissing, and I can almost hear Noah's voice in disapproval. I wash my body and my hair, enjoying this alone time.

When I get out of the shower, I manage to put a small towel around my wet hair. Then another towel around my body. I look at myself in half fogged mirror and notice that being in the hospital a little over a week; I have gotten a lot slimmer than I like. Hospital food is not your best friend, Phoebe.

I decide against bending down to pick up my clothes, so I kick the messy pile of dirty clothes into my room and use my toes to fling them into the basket. I remember using my toes to pick up things growing up.

Opening my dresser, I choose not to wear a bra since I won't be leaving this apartment until my sister gets into town. So I put on panties and a silk robe. I can't lift my arm without feeling like my ribs are about to puncture my lung, and I can't put on my wrist brace unless I bend down to pick it up. So I said fuck it...

I head into the living room, still avoiding my phone. I sit down in the chair I almost knocked off and continue my hotel hunting. After 10 minutes, I narrowed it down to three. They all are close to my work, which will be helpful. I can slowly start getting back into the groove of things.

I am craving a cigarette- I remember I have a pack in my work bag. But I shake my head, reminding myself that I do not need to smoke or drink. Noah made me quit cold turkey in the hospital, which has made me angrier as the days go by. Noah told the Nurses to watch me closely, even when we went outside for a few minutes. It was pure torture at first, but now it's like an annoying nag in the back of my mind.

Looking down at the computer clock, I notice it's seven a night. I should cook dinner maybe, possibly because I felt horrible last night. I am living in this place, for free, and he hasn't asked me to do anything. I offered him half of the rent or something, but he just keeps refusing me.

While I'm here, I should at least clean up the place a little as well as cook dinner. I head to the refrigerator looking at the half-empty drawers.

I open all of the cabinet's pulling the food down off the shelves. I put away the food I won't be using, writing a note on the fridge to plan a trip to the grocery store. I find the skillet, and I start cooking meatballs, I let the water boil before I pour the noodle's into the pot.

The meatballs finish, and the noodles are drained. I place the noodles into the sauce, and I hear the front door shut, making me jump slightly.

I quickly place the drainer into the sink, turning around to see Noah looking exhausted. When he looks up at me, I watch his face turn from stressed to relaxed. I give him a small smile back, starting to mix the noodles into the sauce. I feel him walk up behind me, towering over me to look at what I cooked for dinner. I can't help but hold my breath when he is near me.

"You cooked dinner?" His deep voice is always sending chills through my body. "Thank you." He sighs, and I turn around to face him.

"I'll set the table." He nods his head, heading into his room to change. I struggle to get the plates, but I grab two of them, putting them on the counter next to the stove. As I am putting Noah's dinner on a plate, he comes out of his room and goes to the sink.

I watch him closely as he washes his hands- I have never seen someone wash their hands like that before. I look away placing Noah's plate on the table. I walk back grabbing mine as well. I feel Noah's significant presence behind me. I try not to groan, but I fail, as I sit down in the chair.

"Are your ribs hurting you?" Noah's voice is filled with worry, "You should take your medication."

"I will take them after dinner." I give him a small smile as I place my plate on the table. I sit down, and he does as well. "Oh, I forgot the drinks." I go to sit up, but he stops me.

"I will get them." Noah heads to the kitchen, grabbing us both glasses of water and sits across from me. "How was your day?" He is starting a conversation, go along with it.

"It was okay. I finally took a shower." I answer, remembering how I am still in a silk robe. I look down, adjusting the cleavage. Jeez, Phoebe. Just flash your breasts, why don't you. "How was yours?"

"I'm glad you got to take a shower, my day was eventful." Noah takes a bite of his Garlic Bread, moaning slightly. "But I don't think your stomach could handle it." Noah then looks at me in the eyes, smiling at me. Suddenly, I feel this heat in between my legs at the thought of his moan... That's a strange new reaction that I have never felt before.

"Is everything okay?" Noah asked I guess he saw my face changing to confusion at my own body."Yeah- I-" Don't tell him that! "I'm good. You can tell me anything. I've seen and heard worse." I answer, not internally lying.

"Well, there was this man who came into the hospital with his arm just hanging there by muscle tissue and skin." Noah doesn't seem surprised by this, "It was a crazy sight for New York. I only have seen that during the war." He takes a large bite of his spaghetti, and so do I.

We sit there, eating dinner as I hear him talk about his day. I can't help but stare at him, his big smile and those big brown eyes of his. He is wearing a loose t-shirt and sweats, but he looks so good. I look at the gold necklace hanging around his neck, and I am suddenly intrigued. I knew he was wearing it, but it's always hidden behind his scrubs. I should ask him about it when I get the chance.

Noah is now silent, our eyes meet, and we stay like that for a few moments. That's when I feel it deep in my broken, fragile heart- this feeling I haven't felt in years.

I like Noah...

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