A/N Please excuse my horrible conventions in this chapter I wrote it at midnight. This chapter I've decided to italicize thoughts. Clare's will be italicized and underlined because I need to show the difference between hers and Simon's. You also may not understand them yet but the next chapters will explain why they feel like they know each other. Clare may seem strange at first but I promise she will get better. She isn't really as bad as she seems. I know the part where they meet is unrealistic but… Okay the truth is I couldn't think of a better way to introduce her. Oh well I hope you enjoy this because the next chapter might take a while because I'm starting the next part of Kidnapped.
Chapter 3:Old and New Friends
The waiting room is noisy but only one sound sticks out in my mind. My little sister's cries. It all seems surreal to me. Yesterday I found out that my sister was addicted to diet pills and she begged me not to tell. Today the pills gave her a heart attack. Why didn't I tell, she told him she was addicted. That should have been enough addictions of any kind are dangerous. I should have insisted she get help. That was the right thing to do and I know it. The look in Lucy's eyes had been so sad so helpless though. Her fate had rested in his hands and he made the wrong descion. I remember all the times she asked me for advice. She's his older sister but she asked him for advice she trusted him.
Simon stood up and started walking away. Matt ran up to him.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some air."
"Fine be back in a couple minutes."
Eric and Annie rushed in and stopped Simon.
"What happened? Is she okay?" Annie asked franticly.
"Mom calm down."
"I am not going to calm down my daughter had a heart attack and I want to know what happened."
"Lucy's been taking diet pills. She overdosed and and..."
Simon started to cry and Annie hugged him.
"Mom I was so scared, I came in her room and she was lying there crying. Then in the ambulance they had to revive her."
"How long have you been waiting?"
"About half an hour."
Ruthie came running up to them. She hugged them both.
"Daddy what's happening to Lucy?"
"I don't know sweetie."
They walk over to where Robbie and Matt are sitting. They sit down and a doctor walks over to them.
"How is she?" Eric asks the doctor.
"She's unconscious and we had to put her on a respirator. Was she taking any medications?"
Simon pulled the bottle out of his pocket.
"She was taking these and she said she overdosed today."
The doctor took the bottle and looked at what was in the pills.
"This contains PPA it's probably what caused the heart attack."
"Can we see her?" Ruthie asked looking up.
"Yes, you can see her."
The doctor led them to Lucy's room and they went inside. When they saw her everyone was silent, the only sound was the beep beep beep of the heart moniter. She looked so peacful that if it hadn't been for those quiet monotone beeps they would have thought she was dead.
"She looks just like sleeping beauty," Ruthie said breaking the silence.
"I know," Simon replied. I remember when Ruthie was younger I used to read her stories. One of her favorites was Sleeping Beauty. Ruthie's right Lucy looks exactally like the picture in the story book.
"We should talk to her, tell her we love her and need her," Annie said trying to sound confident.
"Can I go first?" Simon asked suprising everyone.
Simon looked at each person and they nodded.
He stepped towards his sister as the others sat down. He first took a deep breath then started talking.
"Luce it's me Simon. You know I kind of blame myself for this. If I had just told Mom and Dad when I found out this never would have happened. I didn't think they would hurt you but I was wrong and they did." Simon started to cry.
"I love you Luce and even though I don't show it I need you."
Simon hugged his sister and sat down between Annie and Matt. Annie hugged her son.
"It's not your fault."
"Yes it is Mom I should have told you."
"Simon even if you had that doesn't mean you could have stopped this from happening."
"You don't know that."
"And you don't know otherwise."
Simon didn't protest he just stayed in his mother's embrace. Ruthie got up and walked over to her sister's bedside.
"Lucy it's Ruthie. Do you remember when I used to beg everyone to read me stories? Well my favorite was Sleeping Beauty and you look just like she does in the picture. I may not be a prince or one of your loyal subjects but I'm your little sister and I need you."
Ruthie hugs Lucy and then walks over and sits next to Matt. She starts to cry and he hugs her.
Then Ruthie said the one thing that was on all their minds.
"What if she never wakes up?"
****meanwhile
Lucy woke up and was suprised to find that her chest didn't hurt anymore but she was very tired. She looked around she was in a strange place. Everything was white but there were no walls no nothing just white emptyness.
"Where am I?"
"Nowhere really."
Lucy spun around a girl in a long white dress was standing behind her. She ran up and hugged her.
"Sarah oh my gosh I can't believe it's you. Wait a minute am I dead?"
"No but you will be if you stay here to long."
"What do you mean?"
"Lucy you're unconscious and you're body can't stay that way for too long."
"I don't want to go back yet, I want to stay with you."
"I was sent here to help you back. Lucy you're family's very worried about you especially Simon. He thinks it's his fault."
"But he didn't do anything."
"He thinks he should have told."
"That wouldn't have changed things."
"Tell him not me."
Lucy yawned.
"I'm really tired."
"Yeah being here does that to you."
Lucy lies down on the white floor.
"I think I'll just sleep for awh-" Before she finished her sentence she was already asleep.
******
Ruthie was sleeping on top of Matt and he was leaning on Robbie. Simon, Eric and Annie were the only ones awake.
"Annie you should get some sleep."
"I can't what if she wakes up."
"Then I'll wake you up."
"Ok I guess."
Simon got up.
"Where are you going?"
"To get something to drink," he lied.
"Fine be back soon."
"I will."
Simon walked out the door hoping to be able to forget reality for a while. He had lied to his Dad he wasn't getting a drink, he wasn't even thirsty. He had to get away. Simon started walking down the hall, he wasn't exactally watching where he was going. He bumped into someone.
"Oh I'm sorry," he said.
"It's ok," the girl said.
Simon looked at her she was wearing a tank top and denim shorts. She had long blonde hair and crystal clear blue eyes that showed sadness. I feel weird like I know her but that's impossible. I've never seen her before but it feels like we're connected. Maybe I'm just tired.
I've never felt like this before it's like like I know him. I feel like I could tell him everything and he would understand. Clare get a hold of yourself you don't even know his name.
"I'm Simon,"
"Clare."
"I know I probably shouldn't ask this but why are you here?"
Clare's expression turned into one of emptiness and tears welled up in her eyes.
"My Mom, she has cancer."
"I'm sorry."
He sounds like he really means it.
That explained the sad look in her eyes.
"It's ok I'm used to it, why are you here?"
"My sister she overdosed on diet pills and had a heart attack. She's unconscious."
A tear rolled down his cheek.
Great I'm crying in front of some girl I just met. Yeah she's going to have a great first impression of me.
Oh he's crying how sweet. He must really love his sister.
"You want to go somewhere?"
Why did I just say that. Where am I going to take him it's like eleven-thirty at night.
"I guess."
Right now I'll do anything.
Home I'll take him home.
What am I doing I'm leaving with some girl I just met in a hospital of all places.
"Aren't you cold?"
"Not really these are my old work clothes."
"Where did you work?"
"I'll uh tell you later."
They walked out the door into the parking lot. Clare walked over to a motercycle and tossed a helmet to Simon.
"This is your bike."
"Yep hop on," she said as she buckled her helmet.
I shouldn't be doing this my sister is in the hospital. I'll only be gone for a little while.
Simon got on behind her.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Why am I doing this? Sure he's just going to love where I live.
Oh well I agreed to this and she is hot.
She started it up and they sped away.
******meanwhile
Lucy woke up and stretched but didn't stand up. Sarah was still there with her.
"Luce you need to go back."
"I like it here it's comfortable."
"Your family needs you."
"Not right now."
"Lucy I know you and your family. They need you, remember if you stay for too long you'll die. Luce you can't stay here they all need you and you know it."
"I'm scared to go back. What if I can't stop taking them or Mom and Dad never forgive me. Besides I'm still just so tired."
"Lucy don't go to sleep," Sarah protested but she already was.
****
Clare parked the bike, got off and attached her helmet to it.
They were in a parking lot near storage garages.
"What are we doing here?"
"I want to show you something."
"You know I don't usually do this."
"Do what?"
"Just run off somewhere with some girl I don't even know in the middle of the night."
"Oh I'm just some girl."
"No you're not and that's why I came."
"Oh what kind of girl am I then?"
"A special one."
She smiled and walked over to one of the garages.She unlocked the padlock on the handle.
She has a cute smile.
"I'm going to show you where I live. You look like you would rather see someone else's problems than think about your own."
"You're right, I don't really want to think about my sister. I kind of blame myself for it."
She opens the door and turns on the light. There was a bed on the floor and some boxes with food, magazines and a radio on top. The room had a window on the side with a pipe sticking out of it that connected to a little wood stove. She sat down on the bed and motioned for Simon to sit next to her.
She lives here, I feel sorry for her.
"Why do you blame yourself you didn't tell her she was fat or anything did you?"
"No but I found out she was taking them yesterday. She made me promise not to tell but I should have. If I had this wouldn't have happened."
"Simon I believe that everything happens for a reason and you can't stop it. There was a reason behind this. You couldn't have stopped it because of that reason."
She looked at the tears and sadness in Simon's eyes.
He looks so sad, I wish I could make him happy.
"I know but..."
"How about this, I'll tell you about all the things wrong with me and you'll forget all about it."
"Sounds ok to me."
I need to get Lucy off my mind because every time I think about her I want to cry. I wonder what's so bad in her life?
"Well let's see about five months ago my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. They told us that she had six months to live. She had to stay in the hospital so I sold the house and everything in it and moved here. It might not look very nice but it's comfortable and cheap. Anyway my Mom's treatments cost a lot of money that we didn't have so I had to get a job. It paid good but I'll never get used to the shame."
I shouldn't tell him.
"What did you do for your job?"
She started to cry and he hugged her.
"I shouldn't tell you."
"Why not?"
"You'll hate me like I hate myself."
"It doesn't matter what you did I won't hate you."
"I sold my body," she said quietly.
There I told him and now he'll run away because he's a nice guy with a good reputation who deserves better.
"How do you mean?"
"Guys paid me for sex. I still can't believe I did it. It's the worst thing I ever did and I hate myself for it."
She started to cry even worse. Simon just held her.
He's a stranger but I feel closer to him then anyone I've ever met. Why didn't he run away when I told him.
"Clare don't hate yourself."
"Simon how can I not god how can you not hate me?"
Clare grabbed a razor that was sitting on a box and started to cut her arm. Simon grabbed it from her hand and threw it.
"What are you doing?"
"Punishing myself."
"You don't need to punish yourself. Clare how can you even think about doing this."
"I don't know I just..."
She started to sob. Blood stained their clothes but they didn't care. Simon held Clare while she cried.
*******
Simon and Clare walked into the hospital.
"Is your arm okay?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry I kind of went nuts. It's just I hate the things I did and I get so mad at myself for doing them."
"It's ok I understand."
I felt like that when I saw Luce.
"I'll give you a ride to school later if you want."
"Ok I'll meet you in the parking lot in about an hour and a half. Does that sound okay?"
"Sure."
I can't wait.
She kissed him and walked away. Simon saw Robbie coming towards him.
I'm going to be in trouble but it was worth it.
"Where were you you're parents are really worried."
"I went for a walk."
"Oh, you have lipstick right above your lip anyway what's on your shirt?"
Simon wiped his lip.
"It's a long story but I'll tell you if you drive me to the house. Borrow Matt's car I don't think he'll mind."
"Fine just a second I'll go check."
Robbie went over to Matt and came back with his keys.
"Let's go."
*****
Chapter 3:Old and New Friends
The waiting room is noisy but only one sound sticks out in my mind. My little sister's cries. It all seems surreal to me. Yesterday I found out that my sister was addicted to diet pills and she begged me not to tell. Today the pills gave her a heart attack. Why didn't I tell, she told him she was addicted. That should have been enough addictions of any kind are dangerous. I should have insisted she get help. That was the right thing to do and I know it. The look in Lucy's eyes had been so sad so helpless though. Her fate had rested in his hands and he made the wrong descion. I remember all the times she asked me for advice. She's his older sister but she asked him for advice she trusted him.
Simon stood up and started walking away. Matt ran up to him.
"Where are you going?"
"To get some air."
"Fine be back in a couple minutes."
Eric and Annie rushed in and stopped Simon.
"What happened? Is she okay?" Annie asked franticly.
"Mom calm down."
"I am not going to calm down my daughter had a heart attack and I want to know what happened."
"Lucy's been taking diet pills. She overdosed and and..."
Simon started to cry and Annie hugged him.
"Mom I was so scared, I came in her room and she was lying there crying. Then in the ambulance they had to revive her."
"How long have you been waiting?"
"About half an hour."
Ruthie came running up to them. She hugged them both.
"Daddy what's happening to Lucy?"
"I don't know sweetie."
They walk over to where Robbie and Matt are sitting. They sit down and a doctor walks over to them.
"How is she?" Eric asks the doctor.
"She's unconscious and we had to put her on a respirator. Was she taking any medications?"
Simon pulled the bottle out of his pocket.
"She was taking these and she said she overdosed today."
The doctor took the bottle and looked at what was in the pills.
"This contains PPA it's probably what caused the heart attack."
"Can we see her?" Ruthie asked looking up.
"Yes, you can see her."
The doctor led them to Lucy's room and they went inside. When they saw her everyone was silent, the only sound was the beep beep beep of the heart moniter. She looked so peacful that if it hadn't been for those quiet monotone beeps they would have thought she was dead.
"She looks just like sleeping beauty," Ruthie said breaking the silence.
"I know," Simon replied. I remember when Ruthie was younger I used to read her stories. One of her favorites was Sleeping Beauty. Ruthie's right Lucy looks exactally like the picture in the story book.
"We should talk to her, tell her we love her and need her," Annie said trying to sound confident.
"Can I go first?" Simon asked suprising everyone.
Simon looked at each person and they nodded.
He stepped towards his sister as the others sat down. He first took a deep breath then started talking.
"Luce it's me Simon. You know I kind of blame myself for this. If I had just told Mom and Dad when I found out this never would have happened. I didn't think they would hurt you but I was wrong and they did." Simon started to cry.
"I love you Luce and even though I don't show it I need you."
Simon hugged his sister and sat down between Annie and Matt. Annie hugged her son.
"It's not your fault."
"Yes it is Mom I should have told you."
"Simon even if you had that doesn't mean you could have stopped this from happening."
"You don't know that."
"And you don't know otherwise."
Simon didn't protest he just stayed in his mother's embrace. Ruthie got up and walked over to her sister's bedside.
"Lucy it's Ruthie. Do you remember when I used to beg everyone to read me stories? Well my favorite was Sleeping Beauty and you look just like she does in the picture. I may not be a prince or one of your loyal subjects but I'm your little sister and I need you."
Ruthie hugs Lucy and then walks over and sits next to Matt. She starts to cry and he hugs her.
Then Ruthie said the one thing that was on all their minds.
"What if she never wakes up?"
****meanwhile
Lucy woke up and was suprised to find that her chest didn't hurt anymore but she was very tired. She looked around she was in a strange place. Everything was white but there were no walls no nothing just white emptyness.
"Where am I?"
"Nowhere really."
Lucy spun around a girl in a long white dress was standing behind her. She ran up and hugged her.
"Sarah oh my gosh I can't believe it's you. Wait a minute am I dead?"
"No but you will be if you stay here to long."
"What do you mean?"
"Lucy you're unconscious and you're body can't stay that way for too long."
"I don't want to go back yet, I want to stay with you."
"I was sent here to help you back. Lucy you're family's very worried about you especially Simon. He thinks it's his fault."
"But he didn't do anything."
"He thinks he should have told."
"That wouldn't have changed things."
"Tell him not me."
Lucy yawned.
"I'm really tired."
"Yeah being here does that to you."
Lucy lies down on the white floor.
"I think I'll just sleep for awh-" Before she finished her sentence she was already asleep.
******
Ruthie was sleeping on top of Matt and he was leaning on Robbie. Simon, Eric and Annie were the only ones awake.
"Annie you should get some sleep."
"I can't what if she wakes up."
"Then I'll wake you up."
"Ok I guess."
Simon got up.
"Where are you going?"
"To get something to drink," he lied.
"Fine be back soon."
"I will."
Simon walked out the door hoping to be able to forget reality for a while. He had lied to his Dad he wasn't getting a drink, he wasn't even thirsty. He had to get away. Simon started walking down the hall, he wasn't exactally watching where he was going. He bumped into someone.
"Oh I'm sorry," he said.
"It's ok," the girl said.
Simon looked at her she was wearing a tank top and denim shorts. She had long blonde hair and crystal clear blue eyes that showed sadness. I feel weird like I know her but that's impossible. I've never seen her before but it feels like we're connected. Maybe I'm just tired.
I've never felt like this before it's like like I know him. I feel like I could tell him everything and he would understand. Clare get a hold of yourself you don't even know his name.
"I'm Simon,"
"Clare."
"I know I probably shouldn't ask this but why are you here?"
Clare's expression turned into one of emptiness and tears welled up in her eyes.
"My Mom, she has cancer."
"I'm sorry."
He sounds like he really means it.
That explained the sad look in her eyes.
"It's ok I'm used to it, why are you here?"
"My sister she overdosed on diet pills and had a heart attack. She's unconscious."
A tear rolled down his cheek.
Great I'm crying in front of some girl I just met. Yeah she's going to have a great first impression of me.
Oh he's crying how sweet. He must really love his sister.
"You want to go somewhere?"
Why did I just say that. Where am I going to take him it's like eleven-thirty at night.
"I guess."
Right now I'll do anything.
Home I'll take him home.
What am I doing I'm leaving with some girl I just met in a hospital of all places.
"Aren't you cold?"
"Not really these are my old work clothes."
"Where did you work?"
"I'll uh tell you later."
They walked out the door into the parking lot. Clare walked over to a motercycle and tossed a helmet to Simon.
"This is your bike."
"Yep hop on," she said as she buckled her helmet.
I shouldn't be doing this my sister is in the hospital. I'll only be gone for a little while.
Simon got on behind her.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Why am I doing this? Sure he's just going to love where I live.
Oh well I agreed to this and she is hot.
She started it up and they sped away.
******meanwhile
Lucy woke up and stretched but didn't stand up. Sarah was still there with her.
"Luce you need to go back."
"I like it here it's comfortable."
"Your family needs you."
"Not right now."
"Lucy I know you and your family. They need you, remember if you stay for too long you'll die. Luce you can't stay here they all need you and you know it."
"I'm scared to go back. What if I can't stop taking them or Mom and Dad never forgive me. Besides I'm still just so tired."
"Lucy don't go to sleep," Sarah protested but she already was.
****
Clare parked the bike, got off and attached her helmet to it.
They were in a parking lot near storage garages.
"What are we doing here?"
"I want to show you something."
"You know I don't usually do this."
"Do what?"
"Just run off somewhere with some girl I don't even know in the middle of the night."
"Oh I'm just some girl."
"No you're not and that's why I came."
"Oh what kind of girl am I then?"
"A special one."
She smiled and walked over to one of the garages.She unlocked the padlock on the handle.
She has a cute smile.
"I'm going to show you where I live. You look like you would rather see someone else's problems than think about your own."
"You're right, I don't really want to think about my sister. I kind of blame myself for it."
She opens the door and turns on the light. There was a bed on the floor and some boxes with food, magazines and a radio on top. The room had a window on the side with a pipe sticking out of it that connected to a little wood stove. She sat down on the bed and motioned for Simon to sit next to her.
She lives here, I feel sorry for her.
"Why do you blame yourself you didn't tell her she was fat or anything did you?"
"No but I found out she was taking them yesterday. She made me promise not to tell but I should have. If I had this wouldn't have happened."
"Simon I believe that everything happens for a reason and you can't stop it. There was a reason behind this. You couldn't have stopped it because of that reason."
She looked at the tears and sadness in Simon's eyes.
He looks so sad, I wish I could make him happy.
"I know but..."
"How about this, I'll tell you about all the things wrong with me and you'll forget all about it."
"Sounds ok to me."
I need to get Lucy off my mind because every time I think about her I want to cry. I wonder what's so bad in her life?
"Well let's see about five months ago my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. They told us that she had six months to live. She had to stay in the hospital so I sold the house and everything in it and moved here. It might not look very nice but it's comfortable and cheap. Anyway my Mom's treatments cost a lot of money that we didn't have so I had to get a job. It paid good but I'll never get used to the shame."
I shouldn't tell him.
"What did you do for your job?"
She started to cry and he hugged her.
"I shouldn't tell you."
"Why not?"
"You'll hate me like I hate myself."
"It doesn't matter what you did I won't hate you."
"I sold my body," she said quietly.
There I told him and now he'll run away because he's a nice guy with a good reputation who deserves better.
"How do you mean?"
"Guys paid me for sex. I still can't believe I did it. It's the worst thing I ever did and I hate myself for it."
She started to cry even worse. Simon just held her.
He's a stranger but I feel closer to him then anyone I've ever met. Why didn't he run away when I told him.
"Clare don't hate yourself."
"Simon how can I not god how can you not hate me?"
Clare grabbed a razor that was sitting on a box and started to cut her arm. Simon grabbed it from her hand and threw it.
"What are you doing?"
"Punishing myself."
"You don't need to punish yourself. Clare how can you even think about doing this."
"I don't know I just..."
She started to sob. Blood stained their clothes but they didn't care. Simon held Clare while she cried.
*******
Simon and Clare walked into the hospital.
"Is your arm okay?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry I kind of went nuts. It's just I hate the things I did and I get so mad at myself for doing them."
"It's ok I understand."
I felt like that when I saw Luce.
"I'll give you a ride to school later if you want."
"Ok I'll meet you in the parking lot in about an hour and a half. Does that sound okay?"
"Sure."
I can't wait.
She kissed him and walked away. Simon saw Robbie coming towards him.
I'm going to be in trouble but it was worth it.
"Where were you you're parents are really worried."
"I went for a walk."
"Oh, you have lipstick right above your lip anyway what's on your shirt?"
Simon wiped his lip.
"It's a long story but I'll tell you if you drive me to the house. Borrow Matt's car I don't think he'll mind."
"Fine just a second I'll go check."
Robbie went over to Matt and came back with his keys.
"Let's go."
*****
