La Douleur Exquise (French)

literally 'the exquisite pain' – the particular agony of wanting someone who doesn't want you.

AT THE HOSPITAL

"Fine, if that's how he wants it to be." I mumbled as I pulled myself harshly from the nurses' grip. I stormed into the waiting room, finding the chair in the furthest corner and slammed into it.

"Miss, Mr Horan has requested that you don't visit him any more during his stay here at St Peter's hospital." A chipper nurse, I recognised her to be the one that had fluffed up Niall's pillow, stood politely in front of me.

Annoyed at her chirpiness and condescending tone, I raised an eyebrow at her challengingly.

A taller woman appeared beside her.

"And if you try to see him, we'll gladly drag you out of this hospital kicking and screaming." She flashed me a sarcastic grin, rolled her eyes and sauntered off. The smaller nurse nodded slightly before following shortly after her, attempting to mock her co-worker's confident swagger.

Okay, if he doesn't want to talk then I'll just wait here until he can go.

I leant back in my chair, preparing myself for a long stay in this somewhat comfortable plastic chair. People-watching was how I planned to spend my time waiting for my damsel in distress. Manny reluctantly left me there, after promising to bring me food for lunch if i was still here. 

Time passed and the only exciting thing that had happened so far was watching a child be sent home from the hospital after being diagnosed as cancer free. And while that was exceptionally heart-warming, it did little to calm my infuriated mind.

I watched an especially brooding couple waltz through the door. With their matching leather jackets and black skinny jeans, they looked as if they'd jumped straight out of a cliché spy movie.

My interest in them spiked when I heard them mention the name Horan to the lady at the front counter. I sprung up at the sound, rushing over not only glad to have something to do, but excited that I may have a way to talk to Niall.

I reached out, nervously, and tapped the tall female on the shoulder.

The two spun around. The woman, tall and dark with a long braided pony tail, stared down at me over the top of her aviator sunglasses. The man, slightly shorter than his companion with much kinder features, gazed at me suspiciously.

"Hi, sorry to interrupt but I overheard your conversation. Did you say you were looking for Greg Horan?" I emphasised Niall's fake name, hoping they would realise not to call him Niall.

"Depends, who's asking?" She spoke with an accent, it was slight but noticeable and it only added to her strikingly intense look. We manoeuvred ourselves away from the desk.

"I'm his roommate, I brought him in." I was hesitant to tell them my name, they were strangers after all, "are you family?"

"Yes. Cousins, actually." The man spoke up, finally, and I was surprised to find his voice matched his features. Despite his attire, his personality seemed to contrast quite starkly with his... sister. His voice held what I'd learnt to be a British accent and it bewildered me how two siblings could have such different ways of speaking. But who was I to question them.

"Ah, lovely. His brother must have told you he was here right?" They both nodded.

"I know where he is, would you like me to take you to his room? I'm sure the nurses won't mind." I tried to express myself with confidence, so that the two wouldn't doubt me. I'd been told that as long as I did it with confidence, I could get away with anything.

"That would be very helpful." The male smiled at me. I was thankful for his kindness as his sister's intense watchfulness was making me anxious. I cheerfully guided them down the hallway, being sure to keep my head high and face certain.

I avoided eye contact with any passing nurses, in case they recognised me and escorted me 'out of the hospital kicking and screaming'. I shuddered at the embarrassment that would follow such a scene.

After a brisk walk, we had reached the door that enclosed the blonde haired devil. Breathing deep, I pushed against the door. My hands shook, mostly with anger as I remembered the situation that occurred here not long ago.

Once my entire self was inside the room, Niall shifted his eyes form the TV on the wall to me. I saw him open his mouth, clearly to scold me again, but it clamped shut once his cousins entered the room behind me.

His face hardened even further. However, I could tell this time the anger was directed less at me.

"Your cousins are here." I weakly gestured my hand towards the smirking couple beside me. He didn't look happy to see them, but that could just be because of my presence.

"Leave."

At first, there was silence. Nobody moved or spoke.

I braved a glance at the boy in the bed and regretted it instantly. His eyes burnt an inferno into my soul.

"Oh, me?" I wished for my voice to hide my hurt. But my face betrayed me when he nodded and I frowned.

"Go." He snapped again and I jumped. He flicked his head to the door through which I had just walked. The anger that I had managed to subdue bubbled inside me again.

Huffing, I turned to the pair next to me.

"It was nice meeting you." I attempted to speak politely and prayed they understood my frustration wasn't directed towards them.

"And pleasure meeting you, Lillian." He spoke with kindness and the girl sent a small smile my way. I was content with their reply and stormed out of the room.

I had been too overcome with emotion to question how he knew my name.

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Sorry it wasn't very long guys! I hope you enjoy it anyway :)

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