Chapter Two: Hospital
The walls were that dull white, like something you would see in an old house, like a REALLY old house. There was a white board with names written all over it and another bed to my right. The window was closed with the curtains drawn back to let the dull light from the cloudy sky in. I lay in a bed as the EMT wheeled the stretcher I was brought on out.
I looked over and noticed Bella lying in the other bed. Edward was there, by her side. He was stroking her hand, looking at her face. It looked like he was talking, but his lips were barely moving. I thought back to the room and me falling. How was he able to put Bella's feet back on the floor, walked the six steps, and catch me before I hit the ground? Who is this Edward?
His head shot up as if he had heard me say his name. That only made me more suspicious. I opened my mouth to say something but then a nurse came in, grabbing my attention. She took my blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, weight, height, and asked me when my last menstrual cycle was. I turned beat red as Edward was still in the room as I mumbled the answer to her. She seemed to understand my discomfort and quickly wrote the information down. She handed me one of those ugly paper gowns and exited the room.
I sighed and swung my legs over the bed. Edward fluidly stood up and walked over to me. He held out his hand and I took it, connecting my eyes with his once more. He smiled that same crooked smile as before and I stopped midway from standing. Those eyes, so mesmerizing.
He turned away from me and I fell back on the bed. He quickly strode back over to Bella and sat back down. I had to work really hard not to hyperventilate. I looked down at the floor and it still felt like my cheeks were burning. More voices were heard in the hallway and I lay back down on my bed. A doctor came in and blinked,
"Are you not going to change?" He asked his voice thick with a British accent. I nodded slowly and he smiled. He stepped back out of the room to give me privacy. I looked at the blue gown and frowned. Swinging my legs back over the bed I slowly stood up. Not thinking about the other people that are with me in the room, I undid the button of my pants.
Someone cleared their throat and I looked up surprised. Edward was looking pointedly at me and I blushed beet red once more. I turned quickly, my hurt knee collapsing on me. I fell sideways and found myself once again bracing for the impact of the floor. As last time, it did not come. I looked up and saw Edward there once more. He had covered more space than before in the short amount of time.
"How did you get here… so quickly?" I managed to breathe out. The smile that was placed upon his perfect face quickly vanished and was replaced by a look of horror which was quickly replaced by confusion.
"What do you mean? I was walking over to help you." He stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I shook my head slowly, bewildered.
"No, you were over there." I pointed to the chair on the other side of Bella's bed to make my point.
"No." He stated firmly, lifting me back up onto my feet.
"Yes." I persisted, my jaw set.
"Amber." His careful face quickly melted as we heard footsteps approaching. He was gone and the curtain was drawn. I bit my lip and quickly changed into my paper gown. By the time I had managed to pull the jeans off of my bloody leg and get the gown on, the doctor was back, pulling the curtain back to let himself in. I sat on the bed and he pulled on some gloves.
"So explain to me what happened." He started the conversation, rummaging through some equipment on the side counter. I never took my eyes off his hands as I retold the story. He would nod and sigh every once in a while as I told the story. When I finished he pulled out a needle.
"Interesting. Well, love, I am going to hook you up to an IV. This will only hurt.." He stopped short as he looked over at me. I had paled considerably and was jumping off of the bed.
"I'm fine doctor." I managed to stutter out of my dry mouth. I felt my leg ready to give out, but I wanted anything but the needle. I felt the clammy sweat forming on my forehead as my heart rate quickened. I turned to make a dart for the door as I saw the doctor press the nurse button, calling for assistance.
"I think I will just go home." I whisper as I try to limp away from him and, more importantly, the needle.
Two stone hard arms wrapped around my waist, holding me still. They didn't even budge as I tried to wriggle free. I looked up and saw Edward staring intently at the doctor; I could see him trying not to laugh. I grew angry and tried to break his iron grasp.
"Lemme go!" I shouted, becoming frantic. Edward easily carried me over to the bed and lay me down. I protested loudly but he just held my arm out for the doctor.
The doctor looked shocked at his strength but called off the assistance. He took the needle and I couldn't help but watch as it drew closer to my skin. I could feel tears running down my face and my breath coming out in gasps. Edward placed his icy hands over my eyes and I could hear him shushing me calmly.
It eased the panic, only by a fraction. I felt the small pinch of the needle breaking the skin and the cool bandage being placed over it. I was biting my lip now, so hard I could taste my blood.
I felt Edward go stiff then slowly let go of me.
"That wasn't too bad?" The doctor asked, smiling over at me when Edward removed his hand.
I just glared at the two men and didn't look down at my newly acquired IV. I angrily wiped the tears away as another nurse walked into the room. She held a fresh batch of equipment.
"Now Amber, we will ask you to please remain calm. We must stitch up the cut on you leg. I will first explain what will be happening then we will begin." The doctor, named Dr. Radcliffe, told me.
I could only nod, feeling the bile rising in my throat. He told me about how he was going to clean it then inject some substance that I did not hear. My ears began to ring as my eyes grew wide. More needles? I could feel myself begin to hyperventilate again. Then after that they were going to sew it… which required MORE needles! I couldn't breathe anymore and my head began to pound from the lack of oxygen.
I know I have it. Severe needle-phobia. I never knew the exact term and never felt the need to look it up.
"You will be numb of course." The doctor tried to calm me which did no good. That would require another needle.
All of a sudden, Edward's face was in my sight.
"Amber. You will be fine. Bella and I are right here. We will even go get your friend Sandra." He said calmly, staring into my eyes.
I could feel myself breathe once more as I stared into those eyes. Edward nodded his head slightly and I could no longer feel my leg. I didn't care though, I could only stare into those depths of topaz.
So many questions I wanted answered. How could he get to me twice now so quickly? Is he like superman or something? It didn't fit. He was just too quick to be human.
As that thought crossed my mind, his face became rigid and fear passed through his eyes. He quickly returned back to normal, but I had already seen it. I furrowed my brow as I looked at him more closely. Can he hear me? Edward…
He made no movement what so ever, but I couldn't brush it off.
"All done." The doctor claimed happily. "Now, I will ask that you do not bend your knee at all. We have it in a brace and you will need to go around on crutches until it heals completely. This will take at the very most 3 weeks, if you take care of it correctly." He went on explaining different things, but my mind was too preoccupied. I continued to nod, not hearing a word he was saying.
"You may leave." He got up and left without another word. I smiled and swung my legs over the side of the bed, eager to get out of here. Then I remembered Bella.
"Where's Bella?" I asked, looking over at the bed. It was empty and the worst case scenario crossed my mind.
"I'm right here." She said. I looked over and saw here standing next to Edward. His arm was securely around her shoulders as her arms were wrapped around his waist. I smiled.
"Well, thank you two so much. And I am SO sorry about this. Are you alright?" I asked, grabbing the crutches.
"Yes, the blood just got to me. I'm fine." She smiled.
I heaved myself onto my feet places the crutches under my arms.
"Ok. I can do this… How do I do this?" I questioned, blushing slightly. I heard Edward and Bella laughing. "What!? I've never had to use these before!" I tried to redeem myself by stepping forward but just lost my balance. Both Edward and Bella put an arm out to steady me.
"Just put your weight on your crutches and act as if it is your legs." Bella tried to explain. I blinked but tried anyway. I put the crutches in front of me and pushed myself forward.
By the time I got to the end of the hall I was used to them. They were beginning to hurt my arms though and I knew I wasn't going to be able to walk around for extended periods of time. When we got out to the waiting room, there were quite a few people. I saw Sandra and when she finally spotted me she gave me an exasperated look.
"Amber. What are we going to do with you?" She sighed, placing her hands on her hips. I smiled impishly once again and bit my lip.
"Hey Bella! How you doing?" I heard someone say. I turned my head and my eyes grew wide. He was big, muscular wise. Standing beside him was the most beautiful girl I believe I have ever seen. She didn't look AS concerned as the others, but it was visible on her perfect face. It almost hurt to look at her so I turned away.
"I'm fine." Bella stammered, blushing slightly. She seemed to be uncomfortable with all the attention, but she looked like she was trying to hide that. I could see Edward trying not to smile. Bella had a small little crowd and I noticed that they all, except for her, had unnaturally pale skin with caramel-butterscotch colored eyes. They were all amazingly beautiful which made me wonder. How could that possibly be? They all can't be brothers and sisters. Some look like they might be girlfriend and boyfriend.
But how could they look so alike but so different at the same time?
I furrowed my brow and thought about this. I noticed as Edward gave me a quick worried glance.
"I believe Bella is tired and stressed from today's events. We should probably head to the house." He stated, his voice not showing any of the worry that had just passed through his eyes. They all nodded and Bella looked ready to protest but Edward silenced her by placing his pale finger upon her lips. She shivered and seemed to breathe in the scent from his finger. This made me even more curious. Edward glanced up once more at me with worry clearly written in his eyes and started towards the door.
"Bye Bella, Edward. I will see you tomorrow!" I called as they exited the door. Bella waved over at me with a smile and was gone.
Sandra then walked over and sighed.
"One day you are going to kill yourself… I swear." She said with a small smile upon her lips. I smiled wearily back, I was really tired and just wanted to sleep.
We walked, well I crutched, to the doors and was about to walk out when someone else walked up, almost running. We stopped and moved aside, giving the person room, but when the doors opened and she stormed through, she was familiar. Her bleach-blonde hair was in disarray, her ice-blue eyes bulging out of her pale face. She was seething, looking angrier than I have ever seen her.
"Amanda…" I whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder. She glared over at me, her eyes like slits. Her jaw was clenched and her hands balled up into fists. She emanated rage as she stepped closer, pointing an accusing finger at me.
"What did you do?" She asked in a low, controlled voice, looking ready to kill. The thought of the quote 'if looks could kill' crossed my mind.
"Nothing." I replied feebly, racking my mind for something I might have done to upset her.
"Because of your idiotic self, our house is burnt down." She explained in a rushed whisper, continuing to glare at me.
Sandra and I stared at her in shock, trying to unravel the meaning behind her words.
"What?" Sandra was the first to break the tense silence that seemed to drag.
"It was burnt down when I pulled up." She continued still glaring at me.
I put my arms up in defense, dropping my crutches, trying to keep my balance on one foot. Sandra held my shoulder for support.
"It wasn't me." I said defensively. "I didn't have time to straighten my hair and I had a banana for breakfast."
She seemed to be contemplating something then something dawned on her. She looked even more angrier than she was earlier. I could picture steam coming out of her ears and pursed my lips to not laugh.
"Marcus…." She whispered menacingly, looking out the door maybe searching for him. She made a move towards the door but I grabbed her arm.
"Amanda, how could you think it was Marc?" I asked, trying to divert her attention, looking over at Sandra for help.
"He fucking stole the spare key!" She all but yelled. I cringed at her ear shattering voice as some people looked over at the sudden yell.
"Well… don't worry about it! We can just find somewhere else to live. Insurance is there for a reason!" I sputtered, reaching down for the crutches.
"Yah, and Marc is probably half way to Africa by now." Sandra added, picking the crutches up for me.
"You're probably right." Amanda sighed, but didn't loose the edge about her.
The three of us went outside and stopped. Where are we going to go?
"Ummmm…. Well, my mom and dad are in Florida and my sister is in Hawaii. What about you?" I looked over at Sandra with pleading eyes.
"My parents moved back to Mexico and my sisters are at the house and I am NOT going over there! They wouldn't let me in and you know this!" She shrieked. Both our shoulders dropped and looked over at Amanda hoping.
"France." She stated simply. We all sighed in defeat.
"Where on Earth can we go?" Sandra cried exasperated.
"Hotel." Amanda threw out but crinkled her nose in disgust. The thought of other people on the bed didn't bother her, it was what they DID in it that bothered her.
"My car? May be crammed, but…." I let the sentence fall, knowing it was a lost cause.
"You could stay with us!" A fourth voice piped in. The three of us spun and looked at the incomer. It was Bella and she looked at the three of us with pitying eyes. Upon further investigation I noticed that Edward, who was standing beside her, did not look thrilled.
"It's the least I can do. You helped out so much." She stated, looking down.
"No! I should be thanking you! And I should be the one owing you cause we wouldn't be here in the first place if I would have watched what I was doing." I stammered, bewildered.
"But we do need somewhere to stay." Amanda pointed out, looking Edward up and down. I knew that look.
"Fine." I crossed my arms over my chest and once again dropped my crutches. Edward caught then before they hit the ground and I scrutinized him for a moment.
"Shall we?" He smiled up at us, me in particular, like he knew what I was thinking.
I froze as I looked into those deep caramel eyes once again. My mouth hung open stupidly as my whole body went rigid. What are you?
He quickly gave the crutches back and turned, bringing Bella with him. "Follow my car!" He called over his shoulder. We all nodded, though he couldn't see us and walked over to my little car. I pulled out the keys and was about to unlock the driver's door when Sandra put a hand over mine.
"I'll drive." She didn't say it like a question, more like a command. I pouted and went to the back seat. Amanda got in with a smirk on her face and shut the door.
"What's his car look like anyways?" Amanda asked, searching the parking lot for a moving car.
"I guess we didn't think of that." Sandra turned the car on and looked up. There was a car in front of us now. I gaped at it.
I don't know my cars, but this was a damn nice one. It was slick and silver. It looked like it was very fast and I had to bite my lip from smiling. I would have to ask for a ride one day. I sat there thinking of ways to hurt my car to where we would have to borrow his and before I knew it we were parked in a driveway. Leaning forward, I got a look at the house in front of us and once again I gawked.