A/N: Hey guys. I know, I've been gone for a long time. But this has been a very trying semester. A lot has happened, personally and academically. Some of it good, most of it bad. I've just been trying to survive, so I do apologize for not being able to write.
This chapter sort of captures a part of what happened to me since I last updated. Now, the specifics aren't my personal story, but the overall picture that I attempted to create is genuine.
I wrote pretty quickly and didn't really edit, so I apologize for errors. Also, I haven't written a story in a while, so I apologize if it's lacking.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 2: Fairy Tale
I suppose everyone experiences that one moment in life where they learn that life is not fair. For some, it comes when they find out that Santa doesn't exist. For others, the betrayal of a loved one is the poison of their once whimsical life outlook.
As the car came to a screeching halt, I knew I had found my reality check. Before the car even completely stopped, I swung the door open and bolted to the doors. With a distinct swoosh the automatic doors parted, allowing the chilly autumn wind to usher me into the incredibly white and sterile lobby of St. Gabriel's Hospital.
I was new to the hospital, but I immediately located the receptionist's desk. Nearly running, I approached her desk and waited impatiently as she got off the phone. After an unbearable five minutes, the woman got off the phone, and faced me, her sea green eyes pleasant.
"Can I help you?" she asked, pushing a strand of her strawberry blonde hair out of her pale smiling face.
I paused, trying to gain control the swell of emotions that battled within me. Once I gained some composure, I explained my situation to her.
"My mom, Joanna Mitchell, was brought here today. T-they wouldn't say on the phone what happened, but I really need to find her…" I felt my throat grow tighter with each word I said until I could barely squeak out the last words to the woman in front of me.
Her smile faltered slightly as her eyebrows knitted together in sympathetic concern. "Of course honey, I'll find her. You said her name's Joanna? Just give me a moment." She turned away from me as she began to type furiously on her computer. After scrolling through a page that had popped up on her screen, she reached for the phone next to her and made a call. Once her hushed conversation ended, she hung up the phone and faced me, her smile this time more forced.
"Ok sweetie, if you take those elevators down the hall," she stated gesturing to her left, "and go up to the fifth floor, someone will be there to take you to your mom."
I nodded quickly before darting off toward the elevators. Once I reached the elevators, I pushed the button furiously. Rationally, I knew it wouldn't make the elevator come faster, but something about the repeated action helped calm me a little. Finally, the metal doors opened and I rushed in. The doors were about to close when I saw a couple of figures approaching hurriedly. Even though I didn't want to, I held the door open as a family of four made their way inside. I knew my mom would've chastised me had I done differently, regardless of the situation. The father thanked me quietly as he punched the sixth floor. Once the elevator began its ascent, I felt the trepidation replace my impatience.
Before I could really even process it, the elevator doors opened once again, and I found myself on the fifth floor. Cautiously, I stepped out. I didn't have much time to look around, for a tall, lanky middle-aged man was soon at my side.
"Are you here for Joanna Mitchell?" the balding man asked, his eyes looking down at me concernedly.
"That's my mom, yes" I responded, "What happened? Is she okay? Can I go see her? I—" I didn't get to finish my sentence, for he cut me off. It wasn't impolite, but more of an air of urgency than rudeness.
"Your mom is resting," he said carefully, almost calculatingly. I knew there was more to what he was saying.
"Can I see her, then?" I repeated, not understanding the doctor's vagueness.
"You can, but first we need to find your father."
A whole new array of emotions burst within me at the thought of my father. Fear, anger, disappointment, hatred…and even love swirled within my being, forming this huge knot in my stomach as I answered, "Things are kind of complicated with my father right now."
The doctor seemed surprised by my reply, but nevertheless pressed on. "He must have some number we can reached him by? I'm afraid I can't release this information to a teenager. I need an adult to talk to."
Though his words were harsh, I knew there was no malice behind them. It was simply fact.
Before I could divulge any more information, I heard my name being called. Turning, I saw Kendall, James, and Carlos running toward me. Mrs. Knight wasn't far behind them. As the four of them made it to us, Mrs. Knight turned to the doctor.
"Why is this young man standing here," she chastised loudly, "He should be with his mother right now."
"And you are?" the doctor asked, somewhat intimidated by the tiny red-head.
"Jennifer Knight. We're friends of the Logan family. Are you Joanna's doctor?"
The doctor held out his hand toward Mrs. Knight, who took gave it a firm pump as the doctor answered, "Yes, I'm Dr. Strauss. Joanna's doctor. But I'm afraid that's all the information I can give without this young man's father present."
Mrs. Knight glanced at me sadly, knowing exactly how difficult this would be. "Dr. Strauss," she began, "please tell Logan where he can find his mother and I will tell you why exactly you cannot get a hold of Joanna's husband." Dr. Strauss winced at Mrs. Knight's authoritative tone.
"Room 203" he finally relented, pointing to my right. Racing down in that direction, my mind began to race as to what I might find. So consumed was I in my thoughts, that I barely heard my three friends attempt to follow me, before being called back by Mrs. Knight.
My sneakers squeaked against the tiled floor as I searched for the desired room number. As fate would have it, it was at the very end of the hallway. I stopped in front of the door, afraid of what I might discover on the other side of the door. I inhaled deeply, forcing my shaky hand to turn the doorknob. The door opened immediately, and I crept in silently.
The room was nice for a hospital room. It had a nice TV, a nice counter, and even a window with a beautiful view of downtown. It wouldn't be until future visits that I would notice these things. For in that moment, all I saw was my mom lying on the bed, unconscious. Thousands of wires seemed to be attached to her, all connected to machines that gave off different measurements of my mother's condition. I wanted to be a doctor, and as a result I already could recognize some of them. There was the heart monitor, that one was obvious. There was one that I knew I had seen before, but I just couldn't quite remember what it did. But the others were unlike anything I had seen before. And it scared me to see so many foreign machines.
A chair appeared out of the corner of my eye. I went over and grabbed the chair, dragging it behind me as I made my way to my mom's beside. Wary of the wires, I managed to place the chair close to my mom and I sat down. I softly grabbed her hand and expected her.
She was peaceful. The rays of the sun managed to seep through the window blinds, causing my mother's normally chestnut colored hair to become ignited with colors of vibrant red. If I ignored the beeping sounds of the machines, it was almost like I was watching her sleep back at home. But I wasn't.
"Mom?" I whispered, hoping I could somehow magically wake her up. She didn't stir. I knew she wouldn't, the medicine she was given was surely going to knock her out for sometime. Even though I knew this, he couldn't help but feel frightened. I wanted desperately for her to open her eyes, for her to be okay, and for us to be able to go home and pretend like this never happened.
Choking back a sob, I gripped my mother's hand firmly. I wanted this to be a dream, some horrible nightmare that I would soon wake up from. But I knew I wouldn't. This was my reality now.
The fairytale was no more.
A/N: Thank you all for being so patient. I've been lurking somewhat on fanfiction this semester and I saw that one of my stories was nominated and won an award. I'm truly grateful to all of you voted for "Broken." It really came at a time where I needed some good news, so thank you for the blessing.
Please leave one-shot ideas for me, if you have any you'd like to see me right. I would really really appreciate it. Thank you guys for being so amazing! I'm going to try to update more often. Love to all.