Ch. 14

When I wake up in the morning, the room is empty, so I decide to take a look around. I move over to my right, where a counter with cabinets is located. I suspect that I will find nothing of interest in the cabinets, just medical tools and gloves, but I'm bored and there's nothing else to do.

There are two cabinets above the counter. One is empty except for some scraps of paper the size of my palm. I pull them out, and their edges look as if they were torn from some larger paper. There is nothing printed on the faded material, so I have no idea why they would bother quick-growing a tree to produce this, especially when a Tab doesn't fade and tear like paper.

For some reason, I feel like I should keep the papers, so I set them under a cloth on the counter. Paper is rare, so they would probably take it if they knew that I had it.

I close that cabinet door and move to the next one. It slides to the right with a slight whish sound when I press the open button. As I suspected, this cabinet has only gloves and sanitizing cloths.

Nothing to see here.

I hit the close button, a small red one just below the green open button of the same size on the edge of the white cabinet.

Beneath the counter are three more similar cabinets. I continue my search the same way as I had before, finding the first two cabinets to be void of anything interesting or useful. I move on to the third and final cabinet.

As I open the door, my Tab is revealed. I have never been so happy to see my Tab.

I quickly snatch it up and sit back down on the bed. I type up a couple quick messages to my teachers saying that I will get the assignments from friends and that I should be back soon.

Next, I message my mom to ask how shopping went. It should be her shift at work, but when it isn't busy at the mall, she can use her Tab. And maybe they'll let her anyways since I'm in the hospital.

A reply seconds later tells me that business is slow today, as it usually is after Sunday, when most people shop. Although the stores all do alterations and similar services throughout the week along with normal sales, it is uncommon to be very busy this soon in the week.

Ashley. She probably wants to hear from me. Her parents don't let her do much after school or on the weekends other than party, so I'm not surprised she hasn't been here. I send her a quick note: "Hey Ash! Just letting you know I'm alright. See you soon!"

I am about to write my next message when my Tab alerts me about an incoming message. Two messages now. Maybe Ashley. She often replies in two parts. I open the notification. One message is from Ash, but the other is from an unknown Tab. That's weird. How did they get my Tab Code?

I open Ashley's note first, still cautious of the other one, "Hi Brin! So glad to hear you're okay. Kaden told me when you woke up, but nice to hear from you. I'm going to a party in a tonight if you guys want to come! Actually, you guys have to come! I've found a guy to go with and I'm super nervous about being without you so you have to be there. Pick you up in two hours. Oh, and semi-formal."

"Sounds fun! I'll tell Kay!" I reply, although I feel like there's some reason I can't go.

Probably just tired from the head injury. Besides, parents love it when their kids party. Dad will love it!

I am hesitant to, but I open the unknown message, "Brinley, it's Ryder. I just wanted to apologize because I know what I did was really stupid. Please don't ignore me forever. I was just jealous of Kaden but I realize that we can't be together now, but I don't want to completely lose you from my life. Feel better soon. I'm so sorry."

I don't reply. I can't. What do I say to that? 'Oh yeah, I totally get it. Just a misunderstanding' or 'No, it's totally fine, let's make up'? As these thoughts run through my head, I feel tears start to fall and my vision to get blurry.

After a minute or so, I wipe my eyes and pick my Tab back up to tell Kaden about the party. I send him a summary of what Ash sent me, and he sends me back, "B? I thought we had a date tonight."

Shoot.

"I forgot, I'm sorry. With everything going on, it's too much to remember it all, and I told her we would be there. I'm so sorry, Kaden. But I think Ashley really needs us, and we haven't spent much time with her lately. Can we have our date another time. This could be a date. It'll still be fun," I send back.

How could I forget my date with Kaden?

"It's alright, B. We'll go. See you in a few? The doctors told your parents that you could leave this morning. Your parents asked if I would pick you up, so I'll be there soon," he replies.

"Ok. Thanks. I mean sorry," I send him.

Alright, now I have to make myself look decent. In the bathroom, I find that my parents must have left me some clothes and shoes, but I can only find mascara and black eyeliner lying around the bathroom. They must keep this here for people who didn't bring any.

I brush my hair out with a brush that was on the counter and put on the clothes. They are tight ripped jean shorts and a white over-the-shoulder top. I pair it with a blue and turquoise necklace and blue heels with a strap and bow around my ankle. I do the best that I can with a cat-eye look when I feel another headache coming on.

It feels like yesterday's did, but today I don't feel any urge to throw up, which is better. But I start sweating a lot on my forehead.

I walk out of the bathroom and get the cloth that was on the counter. When I pick it up, I shove the paper scraps in my pocket and walk back to the sink. I dampen the cloth with cool water and lay back on the bed. My medicine supply is not connected anymore, so there is no relief in that.

After what feels like hours of agony, but is probably minutes, I hear a knock. I must mumble a 'come in' or something, because Kaden steps in the door, smiling when he sees me, before his eyes turn to panic at my obvious pain.

He rushes over and places a soft hand on my cheek.

At his touch, all pain fades, and my eyes close in relief. But what is now before me is not relieving, or comforting. I see a little girl. She has beautiful golden hair and sea-blue sparkling, lively eyes. Her face is dotted with freckles. I look down to find her in a gorgeous sun-kissed-orange dress that flows to her knees, and her feet show simple brown sandals that are so beautiful. I instantly look at her wrist. She must be worth so much already, but her wrist has no number. I look back up to her face, confused, but she is crying, it seems. Her tears fall slowly, and as they do, she disappears. With one final tear, all that remains of her is a memory.

I open my eyes. Kaden stares deeply into them before running his thumb over my temple.

"You okay?" he prompts.

"Yeah, I think so," I reply, despite the vision I just had.

My head feels better, but what is this connection between Kaden and my headaches? This just keeps getting weirder.

"Alright, then let's get you out of here. You need to get ready for that party," he suggests.

We fill out a couple of forms, although my parents have done most of it, and I am free to go. We leave the hospital hand-in-hand and walk home. It is only a short ways, about the distance from the hovershuttle stop.

When we arrive at our homes, Kaden gives me a quick goodbye kiss. I try to keep him longer, but he insists that we have to get ready. I know he's right, we only have an hour to get ready, but I love spending time with him.

I can't wait for the party!