"The brain is a soft, spongy mass of tissue that directs us to choose what to do like talking and walking, and the things that our body does without thinking like breathing. It is also in charge of our senses as well as our memory, emotions, and personality."
Rachel was sitting with her fathers intently listening to what the doctor is discussing. When her dads found her curled up on her bedroom floor, they hurriedly brought her to the hospital. It has been weeks that they've noticed that something might be wrong with Rachel. Rachel's always the cheery one in front of the dining table but lately, she looked like she's carrying something heavy inside. There was a time when Leroy got out of his room in the middle to night and found Rachel sitting on the couch trying to massage her forehead.
"Are you alright there, baby girl? What are you doing outside at this hour?" Leroy casually asked Rachel not scaring the girl.
"I just drank water daddy. I don't feel like going back to my room yet. Everything is fine." Rachel faked her smile to cover up the pain that she was feeling.
Leroy who was not fully convinced by Rachel's reasoning when he left his daughter and went back to his room. Leroy talked to Hiram about him hearing Rachel cry at night and he'd always get the same reply, "Lee, your daughter is a teenager. It's normal for them to cry. Don't tell me you haven't cried in your teenage days?" Then he'd drop the topic.
Now, that they are aware that something might be wrong with their daughter, they try to blame themselves for being too busy and more focused with work.
"We can run a couple of tests to know more about the condition of Rachel." Dr. Daniels, a surgeon specialized in Neurology said. "I'll make an appointment for her to undergo MRI which would show us detailed images of areas inside her head."
"How about school? I still have a lot of things to do. The Glee club, they are expecting me to be more active now that Nationals is nearing. I couldn't miss school." Rachel was devastated of what she was currently hearing.
"Sweetie, it will just for a few days. After these tests, everything will be all right and you can go back to school. We are not happy that you will be absent for a few days but this is more important." Hiram said.
"But dad…"
"No buts, sweetie. Please let us help you."
Feeling defeated, Rachel slumped her back on the chair. "Let's get on with this then."
It has been 3 days since Rachel was admitted in the hospital. The doctor told her that she is not allowed to make strenuous activities that include singing and dancing for the moment. She missed being at school though. Rachel didn't inform anyone what was happening to her though she received messages from Kurt and Finn asking her if she is alright. She told them that she is fine and that there's just something she and her dads need to figure out at the moment. Rachel finished reading the book Catcher in the Rye on her second day in the hospital. She loved the story even if she read the book for the nth time. Rachel tried to keep herself occupied by listening to instrumental music. It somehow helped her sooth her mind. Still, the headache doesn't go away. It keeps on coming back usually in the morning.
Rachel felt really bored lying on the hospital bed. She thought about what Quinn said to her in the note. She picked her phone and scrolled her contacts. She hesitated at first but when she found "Miracle", she hit the send message button instead of call.
Hi Quinn! This is Rachel. I'm sorry for interrupting you for whatever you are doing. It's Friday night after all. I saw the note. Sorry it took me a long time to have the guts to message you. Also, I'm sorry that I keep on saying sorry.
Rachel closed her eyes and hit send button. She still guarded herself and didn't get her hopes up. It's Quinn who she's messaging in the first place. It made her sleepy waiting for Quinn to reply so she laid her phone on the cardiac table. Rachel's about to doze off then her phone lit up.
Hello Rachel! Are you still up? – Q
As soon as Rachel read the message, she couldn't help but smile. Before she could reply, she received another message from Quinn.
I was out for dinner with Santana and Brittany and I didn't pay attention to my phone. How are you? I haven't seen you at school for a week. I went to your house but it seems like no one is there. Is everything okay? – Q
Rachel admired the way Quinn texts.
Hi again Yes, I am still up. How did your dinner go? My dads and I are just handling something. It's nothing serious though. I am fine, thank you for asking.
The dinner went well. It was a bit loud since there's Santana's presence but other than that, I enjoyed the rest of the night. How's the headache going?
I can imagine you three feeling ecstatic. As for the headache, it comes and goes but I can manage it.
As much as Rachel enjoys texting Quinn, she wanted to cut their conversation short because she's feeling tired. Her body clock also changed lately. Rachel also needs to rest to prepare herself for the test results of the procedures that she had undergone.
I don't really want to do this but I'll head up to bed first. I had a long day and it drained my energy. Thank you for the time. Goodnight Quinn.
Go to rest, Rachel. I hope there will be no headaches tonight. Sleep well gold star. Thank you for completing my day.
Rachel smiled at the nickname that Quinn gave her. The change in Quinn's approach towards her still confused Rachel but at this moment, she tried to not question what the other girl was showing her. Rachel was happy that within her sixteen years of existence, someone showed concern for her aside from her fathers. Rachel found a friend in Quinn.
Rachel was screaming when the nurses went to her room. She was curled up in bed and profusely sweating despite the air condition. When the nurses are approaching her, she had seizures. The nurses placed her on flat position and turned her head onto the side. They stayed with Rachel until the seizure stopped.
"It's so painful and I am so tired." Rachel said while looking at the bright light in the ceiling.