Believe: A Skins Novel by Garrett Leigh

Author:Garrett Leigh [Leigh, Garrett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fox Love Press
Published: 2018-06-25T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Birmingham Children’s Hospital was as familiar to Jevon as it was brand new. The interior had changed beyond recognition, but it smelled exactly the same.

He took the lift to the oncology department and cycled down the corridor to the nurse’s station. Wide eyes followed him. He smiled and waved, the exaggerated movements so natural it was a wonder he didn’t do it to everyone he met. Wan-faced children waved back. Some even smiled, and Jevon’s world narrowed to just them as he entertained them with a quiet magic show.

An hour later, he made his escape and ventured into the fracture clinic. Despite the plaster parade, the children in there were more mobile. For hours, Jevon played games and painted pictures. Laughed, sang, and danced. He knew “Fee-fi-fo-fum” in six languages. Today he used four.

“Can you come again tomorrow?”

Jevon glanced down at the small boy tugging on his sleeve. “I don’t think so, kiddo, but you don’t really need me to. You know all the tricks better than I do.” He pulled a pound coin from behind the boy’s ear. “Look at that. Who put that there, eh?”

The boy took his prize and wheeled his chair back to his bed, a look of wonder on his face that got Jevon out of bed in the morning. I fucking hate hospitals.

A smiling young nurse brought him a cup of the worst tea in the world. “He’s not the only one who’d like to see you every day. You’ve cheered me right up too.”

Jevon ducked his head under the pretence of packing up his plastic pizza kit. The woman had been following him around all afternoon, testing the waters with gentle flirtation. Awkward.

“Listen,” she said. “I’m finishing at five, and a bunch of us are going for a drink. Do you want to join us?”

“Thanks, but I’ve got plans.”

“With your, uh, girlfriend?”

“Nah. I’m gay.”

The nurse seemed as surprised as Jevon by the admission he’d never voiced to a stranger outside of a gay bar. It had slipped off his tongue like honey, and damn if it didn’t feel good. He’d already smiled so much that day his face hurt, but he left the ward with a spring in his step, his unicycle under his arm, and his phone in his hand.

J: Guess what?

R: What?

J: I just told a complete stranger I’m gay

R: That’s fucking awesome. Who was it? Some rando in the street?

J: A nurse. She was chatting me up

R: A nurse where?

J: Kids hosp in Birmingham

R: BCH?

J: That’s the one

R: Ure taking the piss, right?

J: Um, no?

R: Where are you?

J: Told you. BCH

R: No. Literally. Where are u?

J: Gift shop by Xray

R: Stay there

Nonplussed, Jevon put his bags down, and leaned the unicycle against the wall. He spun around, searching for any clue as to why Rhys wanted him to linger in the hospital and . . .

Found himself face to face with the man of his dreams. “Jesus!”

“Not quite,” Rhys said with a grin. “But I’m hoping that means you’re pleased

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.