Hospital Visits

"WHY THE HELL WERE YOU WITH HIM?" My dad yells at my mum for the umpteenth time.

"Who said I was? Why were YOU with your SECRETARY?" My dad's face burns red with angry and he picks up a beer bottle and throws it at her. She saw this coming and ducked at the last moment. It completely missed her, but my dad grinned when it hit a different target, me.

I felt the tears prick at my eyes and the blood gushing down the side of my head. I had promised myself years ago I would never cry in front of them again, they just laughed at me last time. It was only 6 and I had just gotten home from the Clearwaters. Everyday after school they would bring me home and feed me there before apologizing and sending me home. Usually I would go home around 7 or if I was lucky 8 but they said I should at least spend some time with my parents on my birthday. Yeah, this is exactly what I wanted. My 10th birthday was going to be spent with me bleeding out half my weight in blood.

Before I let the tears fall I rushed out the doors, not like they'd care anyways. I knew Sue would help me, I just hoped she would be home. I ran to my neighbors yard not really caring about the plants before I hit the door as hard as I could with my fist. I knew it wasn't loud enough but maybe I'd be lucky for once and someone heard.

My head was getting dark and I knew I was going to pass out soon. Shit. That's never good. Well at least I don't have school tomorrow seeing as it's Friday.

Someone was suddenly at the door opening it cautiously. I looked up into my best friends face. "Sethie, help…" His eyes widened as he looked down at my no doubt mangled head.

"LEAH!" He screamed as loud as possible for his 15 year old sister.

She came charging up to the balcony. "Seth I'm on the phone with Sam. What do yo-" her voice trailed off and I guessed she saw me. "Sam I gotta go." She quickly whispered to her boyfriend Sam Uley. "Get some cloth on her head, keep pressure on it. Make sure she stays awake. We can't drive her to the hospital because there aren't any cars but I'll call 911." Seth must've been staring at me in horror because Leah yelled, "SETH NOW!"

His brain seemed to click into place and he was shaking as he ripped off his shirt, I noticed earlier today it was his all time favorite t-shirt from a trip he'd taken to some other state. It read 'the sky is the limit'. He told me he liked it because it had my name.

"Sky, Sky you have to stay with me can you do that?" He asked me. I tried to nod my head but found I couldn't move it.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "For you."

"Thanks Cheshire." I started to laugh at the nickname I had gotten a couple years ago. I grimaced in pain when I tried laughing. He gave that nickname to me a couple years ago when we had watched Alice in Wonderland and I commented on how much I absolutely adored the cat. "Sorry, sorry. Nothing funny, got it." And he kept rambling on asking me random questions to keep me awake.

As if by magic Leah popped up out of no where and started talking. "Baby Sky, what happened?" Her voice was so concerned I almost cried. She was the sister I had always needed at home.

"fight… bottle… thrown… crash… came… here…" I figured my words didn't make sense but it was the best I could get out.

"They had another fight?" She was practically growling. I told Leah about every fight I've every heard between my parents. "So they through something at YOU?" She was nearly screaming and I flinched away.

Seth growled and held me protectively on his lap. I noticed he was shaking. "Calm…down." Was all I could manage to say.

"Sorry Cheshire." I smiled a large, Cheshire smile, even though it hurt.

"No… problem… Dragon." I said between large breaths. I looked up to see his breathtaking smile. It took him a while to ease up to this nickname that I had given him after seeing a pair of his boxers with dragons all of them.

I looked over in time to see Leah roll her eyes. "Alright, I guess Sky wasn't the only one to hit her head." She teased and I smirked at her. "I called mom, dad, and 911. Mom came rushing home right away, actually she's going to meet us at the hospital. The paramedics are obviously coming as soon as possible, but dad can't get out of the meeting with the elders tonight, he said it's VERY important." I could feel Seth nod his head at the same time I heard the sound of the ambulance.

As soon as they got out the rushed towards the doorway where Seth, Leah, and I were all just sitting. One of the paramedics looked down and she gasped. "What happened?"

Seth and Leah shrugged, and I was in no state to tell her. Another paramedic came over with a stretcher and they loaded me on. Seth walked with me to the ambulance and then the guy said, "Young man stay here."

As Seth let go off my hand I made a death grip around two of his fingers. "No.. don't leave… Seth…" The paramedic tried protesting but quickly gave up. Once Seth was inside along with the paramedics and me, I zoned out and paid no attention to anything but the funny smell coming from the ambulance…

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"Doc, when's she supposed to wake up?" I recognized the voice… a husky, adorable voice.

"She'll wake up soon Seth, don't worry about it. She just has some cuts on the right side of her face, and a concussion from the force of the blow." A velvet voice spoke. One I didn't recognize at all.

"And what about all the blood loss?" the husky voice asked.

I heard a sigh before the velvet voice spoke. "We gave her transfusions. She's pretty much fine now. We'll just keep her for another night."

That surprised me, how long was I out? "Another?"

"Ah, Miss Chambers you're awake. And yes you've been here since last night, we will probably release you tomorrow." I nodded in understanding. "My name is Doctor Myers if you need anything." I nodded again and he left the room.

Seth came charging over to me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders in a very light version of his usual bear hugs. I frowned. He immediately noticed. "Are you hurt? Oh shoot I shouldn't have hugged you! I'll get the Doctor…" He started heading out the door when I wrapped my small hand around his wrist.

"You are NOT leaving this room until you give me a proper NORMAL Seth hug. Now." He smiled leaning down and hugged me so hard I could barely breathe. "Perfect!" I exclaimed when he let me go.

He laughed his big laugh before his face turned serious. "I don't want to press… no wait. I don't care. Tell me what the hell happened to make you show up at my front door bleeding out of your skull." I gave him a small smile.

"Hey! No swearing mister!" I scolded him.

He frowned. "Sorry mom."

I grinned. "Weeeeeelllllll." I said launching into the story. "After I came home from your house my parents were yelling at each other about how they're cheating on each other then my mom mentioned that secretary and my dad got angry and threw a beer bottle at her but she ducked and I was in the way and it hit me so I ran before I dried in front of them and I ran through your flowers and collapsed at your door and knocked and you came out. And you know more about the rest than I do."

"Woaahh slow down! Breathing is important you know." After he said that I realized that I had said all that in one breath. Taking a deep breath I listened to him. "Your parents are about as thick as you can get." The deep breath was a waste of time because as soon as he said that I laughed for about a minute straight.

It took a while for me to calm down, and it didn't help that Seth was giving me this weird look. Every time I looked that way I would crap up more. Finally I settled down enough to notice that I was shivering. Seth noticed at the same I did and before I could protest he was taking off his favorite hoodie and throwing it to me. I tried to give it back but somehow he managed to get onto the hospital bed and pin me down. "Okay, okay. Seth you win, I'll wear your hoodie, but get off before someone sees you on me!"

"Too late." Leah muttered as she walked in and sat in a chair on the right side of the bed. "Honestly, 5th graders these days." I giggled as Seth climbed off me.

"Lee Lee, it was nothing. Seth just wanted me to wear his hoodie cause I was cold but I said no.." She 'mhm'd' and rolled her eyes.

It was at this point that Mom, as I liked to call Seth's mom, walked in with a slight smile on her face. "Okay sweetie, I have some good and bad news. Which one do you want first?"

"Bad, Bad!" I screeched.

"Alright… both your parents went away and left you home alone I have no clue when either of them will get back." I frowned, I thought I said bad first. I voiced this concern and she laughed. "Oh sweetie, that was the bad news." A grin broke out across my face.

"Can I guess the good news?" She smiled and nodded. "Does it have something to do with you?"

"Yes it does Sky."

My smile grew. "And your house?"

"You're doing great Sky."

"Okay, okay I have my guess!"

Seth gave me a drum roll and Mom said, "What is your guess?"

"I'm going to be staying with you until Mum and Dad get home!"

"Ding Ding Ding! WE HAVE A WINNER!" Leah announced in an announcer's voice. Me and Seth giggled and grinned at each other.

"Now Sky there is one rule, you've gotta be a good girl." Seth said, imitating what his mom was probably about to say. I broke out into laughter again. Everyone rolled their eyes except for Sethie and I.

"Sky you will be sleeping in the guest room okay?" I nodded and yawned. "Oh, it's time for us to leave, get some rest sweetheart." I frowned.

"But I don't wanna be alone!" Seth grinned and I knew exactly what he was thinking. Slumber party at the hospital!

"Mommy can I stay with Sky tonight?" He asked in his innocent voice.

"Actually squirts." Leah called. "I'm staying with Baby Sky tonight." I grinned at Leah then turned to Seth and whispered sorry. He shrugged and turned to leave, before running back and hugging me.

"Goodnight Cheshire."

I grinned. "Goodnight Dragon." We both smiled before we started giggling.

As soon as Seth and Mom were out the door I told Leah all about the fight and what had happened. She was pissed, it looked like she would rip each of their throats out if it were legal.

I kept looking at her phone as if she were waiting for something. "What is it Lee Lee?"

"Oh nothing really. My cousin Emily is coming to visit us in a week."

I smiled. "What's she like?" I asked grinning from ear to ear. The Clearwaters were like my family so I wanted to get to know EVERY single one of that family.

Leah shrugged. "We aren't really close. She's 17 and I guess we just don't mesh well." She shrugged again.

Her phone started ringing and she smiled. "Who is it? Who is it?"

"It's Sam. You wanna answer it?" I nodded excitedly.

She handed me the phone an I flipped it open and pressed talk. "SAM!"

I heard him laugh before he spoke. "Hey Sky, how are you doing?" I grinned and thought about it.

"I'm alright, definitely been better though… GUESS WHAT?"

Laughing again he answered. "What?"

"IM MOVING IN WITH THE CLEARWATERS UNTIL MY PARENTS COME HOME!"

"WOO HOO! THAT'S FANTASTIC SQUIRT!" he kept going on about me, so I giggled and handed the phone to Leah.

"Sam, I think you can stop yelling now."

I heard him sigh before he said, "I was having a conversation with squirt over there."

Leah scoffed, "If you'd rather talk to her just say it!" I knew Leah was pretending by the smile on her face.

"Awh! Baby I was just kidding! Please don't hang up! I love you!" My mouth opened a little. The only I love you I have ever heard outside of family was Mom Clearwater saying she loved me.

"LEAH HE LOVES YOU STOP MAKING HIM FEEL BAD!" I screeched before she had a chance to stop me.

Leah was blushing like crazy. "I love you too Sam."

I could almost hear the grin in his voice as he spoke. "Do YOU Leah Clearwater want to go on an Anniversary date with me next Saturday so I can express my gratitude for you letting me love you, and loving me back."

"Oh of course I would love to go out on our 2 year anniversary date with YOU Sam Uley Next Saturday." I grinned, they make such a cute couple.

"Sam and Leah sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G, First comes love! Then comes marriage… then comes baby Sam in a BABY CARRIAGE!" I sung along with the song and made Leah blush BRIGHT red. I could see it clearly under her russet skin. I grinned in triumph.

"Well, I should probably let you and squirt go so you guys can gossip up a storm, See you soon Lee Lee. Goodnight, I love you."

"Awwwhhh!"

Leah rolled her eyes at me. "Thanks honey, I love you more. Goodnight, sweet dreams."

"You too." And with that they both hung up.

"You guys are adorable." I thought for a moment. "Does your mom mind?"

She looked confused. "Mind what?"

I rolled my eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "That he's 18 and your only 15?" She shook her head then thought about it.

"She got over it quickly. Besides I'll be 16 in 2 months." She had a beautiful smile on her face.

"Are you and Sam gunna get married and have kids?" I asked her out of pure curiosity.

She thought about it, blushing I might add, then shrugged. "Maybe. We haven't really talked about that." I nodded.

"Leah?"

"Yeah Sky?"

"How are babies born? I know it happens when your and I quote 'careless at the bar' but I don't understand how…"

Her eyes widened. "Ask your m-" She seemed to remember that my mom's a loony and changed direction of her question. "Okay… I'll tell you." Then she went into WAY too much detail about sex and STD's and if you don't want it it's considered rape.

"Please I BEG you Lee Lee! Stop!" She grinned. I swear that's the last time I ask her about that..

I yawned again and Leah noticed, "Oh shoot! You should be in bed!" I sighed in relief, no more talk… I turned and laid my head on my pillow, and fell straight to sleep…

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I don't know what time it was I woke up but when I looked over Leah was still sleeping on a cot one of the nurses must've pulled in, and I could see a smile still covering her face. It was then I noticed I was still wearing Seth's hoodie. I was smiling to myself as a nurse walked in.

"Hello dear, how are you today?" I nodded my hello.

"I'm good thanks. When do I get to go home?" She smiled and told me Mrs. Clearwater was going to pick me up in an hour. The kind nurse lady unplugged me from all the machines I was hooked up to and told me to stay put until the doctor came in to check on me. I nodded and she was off.

I was going to wake up Leah when I heard her phone buzzing from the table. Walking over to the table I saw she was getting a phone call from Sam's mommy. I decided I should probably answer it. "Hello? This is Sky Chambers speaking."

I heard a lot of crying on the other end of the phone. I ran over to Leah and started shaking her awake. "What?" She said kind of sleepily.

I held her phone to her, "Sam's mommy is crying…"

Her eyes widened in fear as she grabbed the phone quickly. "What happened to Sam? What's wrong?" Her widened eyes soon filled with tears. "No.. that can't be.. You have to have it wrong! He can't be g-gone… I talked to him last night and he was happy!" Sam is gone? What?

"Leah what's happening?" I ask her panicked.

Leah is till crying and I'm getting really scared. "Thank you for telling me… yeah you too. Bye." After she hung up she picked me up into her lap and told me what happened.

"Why'd Sam run away?" I asked.

She shrugged, still crying. "I don't know… maybe he's hurt." She quickly got up putting me back on the bed. "I'm sorry I'm going to run and check the woods a bit… he might be out there! I'm sorry I'm leaving you alone Baby Sky. I just… I need to…" I nodded in understanding and she rushed out of the room.

I was sitting on the bed crying when the doctor showed up.

"What's wrong?" He asked bewildered.

"My friend is missing." I say crying.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks and I shake my head.

"I want mommy Clearwater."

He sighs and says, "Well, you're ready to go home… so once she gets here all she has to do is sign the forms." I nod and he sits down with me.

I looks like he's about to talk when Mom walks in. She looked around the room panicked. "Where's Leah?" It sounds like she was crying to.

Seth pokes his head in and when he sees me crying he rushes over to me and he just hugs me. He knows exactly what to do to make me feel better. "She said she was gunna check the forest for him. She thinks he might be hurt.." I stopped at that because the look on mom's face was killing me. I buried my face in Seth's shoulder. "Where did Sam go?" It was rally muffled because of my shirt but I knew they understood what I had meant.

Mom's frown increased. "He ran away."

"But WHY he was happy last night! HAPPY!" Somehow I knew I wasn't going to get an answer to that question.

Mom looked at the doctor. "Doctor Myers? May I have the forms now?" He nodded and handed them to her. She signed them and grabbed Seth's hand along with mine.

Once we were strapped in the car and on the way home I thought of something, though it had nothing to do with Same it was important. "Umm.. Mom?" She looked in the rearview mirror at me. "How am I going to get clothes and my backpack and stuff?"

She gave me a small smile. "Already taken care of sweetie." I smiled back at her.

When we walked in through the front door I saw blood stains all over her carpet. "Oh no! I ruined your rug mum!" I screamed and started to cry.

Seth just grabbed my hand and started pulling me up the stairs. "It's fine, mommy just hasn't had a chance to clean it yet…" he whispered to me as he pulled me into the bedroom 1st on the left. Right across from my was Seth's room, right next to it was Leah's room. I'd slept over many times in the guest room. It's more my room than my own room is. I got to pick the color of the walls, along with the comforter. I picked bright green walls with a purple comforter that looked good with it. I don't think many people would like it but they encouraged me to pick what I wanted most, and I did just that.

We walked into the room and plopped down onto the bed. Seth just sat there next to me not saying a thing because he knew I didn't want to talk. After a while we both just laid down next to each other staring at the ceiling stars, which glowed in the dark. They weren't glowing now but it didn't stop us from keeping up the staring contest.

What seemed like hours later, and it probably was, I heard Seth's tummy growl. I grabbed his hand and we made our way downstairs for some lunch. Mom must've read our minds from upstairs because she was just dishing out 3 bowls of Mac N' Cheese which was odd because she didn't like that stuff. Seth and I grabbed our bowls and said thanks.

After we finished eating Seth brought me into the living room. He put it on channel 25 and I saw Avatar the Last Air Bender dancing across the screen. I was to worried to pay attention to my favorite show. I kept glancing out the window near the TV somehow expecting Leah and Sam to just walk out of the woods hand in hand. The Show changed every half an hour but I didn't notice what it was changing to. It was 7:15 when I finally saw Leah walking out of the woods. I nudged Seth but it seemed he had already seem because he was booking it for the door, me following close behind. When we got to Leah we tackled her to the ground.

IT took us a while to realize she was crying but once we did we sat upright. It clicked in my mind. "You couldn't find him…" She shook her head.

"I looked everywhere… he's just… gone." Seth pulled her into a BIG hug and I just sat there and watched. Why'd this happened to Sam? Where is that stupid boy?

"Don't worry, he'll come back.." I whispered.

She nodded and we all walked inside to eat a very quiet dinner. I think we were eating lasagna but I wasn't sure because Leah my big sister had all my attention. When she excused herself, so did Seth and I. We went upstairs and brushed our teeth then hugged each other goodnight.

I tried my hardest to fall asleep, but I just couldn't… not with the sound of Leah's sobs from the room next door.