Goodbyes Are Always Hard

                                    

                                          
Dedicated to Perfectly_Broken25 for being so sweet and awesome, do check out her story 'Loving The Badboy' it's awesome. 
                          
With my heart heavily pounding against my ribcage, I took gradual steps down the very familiar hospital hallways.
                          
'Just let him be alright, please just let him be alright.' I chanted over and over as a calming mantra in my head as I walked with Damien by my side. 
                          
I took a turn to my right, heading towards the operating theatre, as I got closer I felt myself becoming more and more anxious. 
                          
"Hey, Carly, I'm sure he'll be fine, just relax." Damien said calmly as we walked. 
                          
I didn't respond, I was far too worried to speak; I had to see him so I could feel at ease or I was sure to lose my mind. I didn't know how all of a sudden this happened; he was perfectly fine the last time I saw him at my graduation ceremony, so how could he all of a sudden...
                          
My thoughts were broken when I spotted Julianne outside the theatre. I ran up to her and asked, "Mrs Clarke how is he? How did this happen all of a sudden? What did the doctors say? Is he going to be fine? Where is he now? W-"
                          
"Carly." Julianne cut me off and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Calm down honey, we don't know anything; the doctors are still busy with him, all I can say is we should hope for the best, and pray he'll be alright." 
                          
I took in a calming breath and nodded. "You're right; of course he'll be alright." I attempted smiling so assure myself but something deep inside of me told me otherwise.
                          
"For now I think Mason needs you." 
                          
I swallowed and slowly nodded. Juliann was right; Mason needed everyone at his side at this time. 
                          
"How are you Damien?" I heard Julianne ask Damien as I walked past a distressed and pacing Mr Clarke. His gaze caught mine and I nodded with an apprehensive grin as a greeting, he returned the nod, only he didn't smile, instead he looked at me pitifully. 
                          
I walked over to the waiting lounge and bypassed a few other people, who were also worried about their loved ones that were in hospital too. 
                          
I couldn't help but feel a familiar pang in my chest as I stood in the waiting lounge, I hadn't been to that room since the passing of Gramps, I recalled the anxiety and worry I felt for days as my grandfather lay on the dreaded hospital bed, fighting to live but to only have failed in his battle. That familiar chill in my spine and atmosphere welcomed me like an icy winter gust of wind. 
                          
I brushed away all unwanted memories, I knew this wasn't the time to think of myself and my past woes; I needed to think of others, others who needed consoling more than I did. 
                          
My eyes scanned the room and there in the very far, secluded corner of the large room was the person I was looking for. He was bent over, his elbows on his knees and his face buried in his palms. 
                          
I took in another breath and slowly made my way to him, he needed me as a shoulder to lean on now and even though I knew I wasn't the best at comforting people, I had to try and just be there for him, to tell him that everything would be alright. 
                          
With his position not waned, I rested my hand on his shoulder and as soon as my hand got into contact with his shirt, he looked up at me. "Mason." I softly said.
                          
His expression was blank, he looked normal with no sign of grief or sadness but I knew him well enough to see the tints of worry in his eyes. 
                          
He sat up straight and my hand instinctively moved away. He cleared his throat. "Hi."
                          
I slowly moved over and took a seat next to him. We sat in silence for a while until I looked his way and broke the silence. "How you're doing?"
                          
He didn't answer straight away but took a long few seconds before he spoke. "Weren't you supposed to be in Hawaii?"