AN: Again, sorry that I didn't get a chance to post this earlier. I injured my wrist playing tennis, and it's still pretty sore. But I can't go 1 week without posting something up, so here you go! Thanks to all my readers (whether you review or not)! Just knowing you came across my chapter means so much to me! You guys are the best!
Special AN: Tommy4eva, I'm soooo, soooo sorry for not noticing earlier. But I just checked out your personal profile, and wanted to wish you a happy belated birthday. OK, a really belated birthday, but at least I remembered, right? I hope you keep reading, since you're one of my most faithful reviewers.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. But I wish I did. CTV and Epitome Pictures do (lucky them). But you knew that already.
Chapter 15 – Things Aren't Always What They Appear To Be
We got to the hospital as fast as we could go, and jumped out of the cars as soon as they were put in park. We raced to the stairs, and ran towards the floor Kwest was on. We ran over to the reception desk, and blurted out that we were there for Kwest, and the receptionist began handing over the sign-in sheet. As we stared at the clipboard, looking at it like it was some gross looking insect, the doctor in charge of Kwest's care came out of one of the doors leading to the recovery room.
"Hi Sadie, Tommy, Jude, guys," he looked at each one of us. "You can go see Kwest right now, but he's still under my immediate supervision. And you can go in 1 or 2 at a time."
I grabbed Tommy's hand and squeezed it lightly. I knew how much Kwest meant to Tommy, because Kwest meant the same to me too. He always helped me and Tommy, especially when we couldn't stand being around one another, and he was the one who always managed to help us make up. And now that he was in fair condition, we needed to be strong for him, since he was always there for us, and now we needed to be there for him.
Kyle noticed my and Tommy's support of one another, and he did the same to Sadie. Sadie looked at him quizzically, before letting her guard down. She wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. He put his arms around her, and knew this was the time to be there for her when she needed it most.
Speed and Wally were looking pretty grim, at least for them, since they were so used to goofing off all the time. They looked as if a nurse would come bursting out of Kwest's room and shriek, "Code Blue!" meaning that Kwest was slipping away.
"Sadie, why don't you go first? I'm sure you want to know how Kwest is," the doctor gently urged.
"Thank you, doctor," Sadie said. Kyle stepped back, knowing she would want some alone time with her husband.
Sadie went in, and the rest of them waited a long time. About an hour later, she came back out, looking relieved.
"How is he?" I asked, knowing Tommy was dying to know as well.
"Kwest said he feels OK, but he also said that it's gonna be a long time before he can get to work," Sadie managed a small smile, as Tommy groaned in frustration.
"Oh, no," I realized a split second later. That meant Tommy wouldn't be able to come home until late, since he would have to take on all of Kwest's work. This also meant that we would hardly have any time together, so if I wanted to see Tommy, I'd have to step in and help as much as possible if I wanted to see my boyfriend at all during the day.
"Hey, is there anything we can do to help?" Speed asked, noticing the shock in my expression.
"Yeah, we can stay out of their way," Kyle suggested. motioning to Tommy, me, and Sadie.
"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of being our errand boys. That is, when you're not recording." Sadie said, already thinking of ways to make their lives miserable.
"No way, Sades," Kyle said, shaking his head, although he knew he'd be pulled into it one way or another.
"Think again, boys. I've got a whole list of things you can do. Why don't we start now?" Sadie said happily, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
SME groaned, as they knew Sadie could be an evil taskmistress.
"Does this mean we have to do your laundry?" Wally asked.
"No, but now that you mention it…" Sadie smiled as Speed elbowed him in the ribs hard and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Dude, shut it. Don't give her any more ideas. I don't want to be blamed if Kyle's clothes come out pink."
Tommy burst out laughing as he pictured the scenario, and Kyle glared at him angrily before he finally settled into a deep scowl.
"Tommy, want to go next?" I offered, knowing he'd want to know how Kwest was really feeling.
"Not if you're not coming with me," Tommy said, taking my hand and pulling me with him.
I glanced back at Sadie, who gave her a look that screamed, "No, don't leave me here with these immature teenage children!" In response, I shrugged my shoulders as if to say,
"Sorry, sis, I can't stay and keep you company. Tommy wants me to come with him."
Sadie glared back, meaning "Fine, be that way, but you're so gonna pay." She ignored my apologetic look and looked the other way, folding her arms in annoyance.
Tommy and I walked down the hallway, and into the room the doctor showed us. I gasped as I saw Kwest lying there, helpless. He was hooked up to several tubes, running all over in every direction. I didn't bother looking down where he had an IV going into his arm. I turned my head before I let the full effect of seeing Kwest hooked up to several tubes make me nauseous.
"Hey man, how are you feeling?" Tommy asked, trying to cover up my lack of courage in looking at him.
"I'm good, man. You?" Kwest sounded a little weak, but I knew he would be after what he went through.
"Never better," Tommy said, looking at me. He pulled me closer to him, and I let his closeness take over. I always felt safe whenever Tommy was close by, and we couldn't be any closer unless we…well, you know. But that's way off topic.
"So, when do the doctors say you can come back?" Tommy wondered.
"If I'm OK, I should be outta here within a week or two. I hate hospitals," Kwest enunciated the last part loudly, hoping to make me feel better."
"Me too," I said automatically, then sighed in relief as Kwest laughed.
"Doesn't that hurt?" I asked curiously, thinking that Kwest laughing with all those tubes in him would cause even more pain.
"Not anymore, not with my best friend around," Kwest said, grinning to show us that he was really OK.
"Aww, thanks Kwest. I'm touched," Tommy said.
"What makes you so sure that I was referring to you?" Kwest joked, smiling.
"Ouch, man. That hurts. To think I spent over 5 years being friends with the same guy, only to be told that I've been replaced by my girl here? That does it, you two must be having an affair," Tommy joked back, grinning.
"Oh yeah, man, all these tubes, I've definitely had Jude come here after hours and spend the night. See right here? And here?" Kwest pointed at imaginary spots in his bed. "Man, we really got it on, didn't we Jude?"
Kwest started laughing, and Tommy joined in.
"Kwest, stop laughing before you hurt yourself," I said, knowing exactly how having needles in you must hurt like hell. And by the way he was laughing, I'm sure he was causing some massive bleeding that could be stopped, but he'd have to stop laughing, otherwise he'd probably end up passing out.
They stopped for a second, mulling over what I just said, then cracked up even harder.
"Man, you've got a great one," Kwest said, clutching his sides.
"No way, man, I've got the best," Tommy said, then quickly added, as Kwest glared at him for thinking I was better than Sadie. "Then again, so do you."
"Tommy, do you think we should let Kwest rest?" I said, not wanting to stress Kwest out further.
"Kwest man? We can leave if you want," Tommy said, not wanting to go.
"Yeah, I probably should. Before those boys come bursting in here and start wreaking havoc on me. Knowing them, I'd probably say they've messed up everything out there. Look both ways before you step out there, OK? They'll probably try and jump you guys."
I shot a look back at Kwest, who was trying not to laugh any harder. Tommy was smiling, and I knew that at any second, he'd start laughing too.
"Come on Tommy Q, time for us to go home," I pulled Tommy behind me, as Kwest laughed harder.
"Night, guys," Kwest said. "Tommy, can you turn out the lights for me?"
"You got it, man," Tommy said, switching the lights to the off position.
As we stepped outside, we heard the intercom go off.
Visiting hours are over in 10 minutes. All visitors should leave via the elevator, which will take them down to the parking level. The parking garage will close in 10 minutes, after which the gates will be put up, and everything locked up. Have a good night!
"All right, guys, time to go home," I said, not minding the verbal onslaught I knew I'd get.
"But we didn't even get a chance to see him," Speed said. He and Kwest had gotten to know one another when SME switched over to Kwest after one of my many arguments with Tommy.
"Don't worry, you'll see him sooner than you think," Tommy promised. "Come on, let's go home. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day for us."
"OK, dude," Wally said. SME trailed behind Tommy and me, with Sadie leading the way.
"Jude, why don't you ride with Sadie, and I'll take the guys," Tommy said. He can be so thoughtful sometimes.
"Are you sure? You're OK with them?" I wondered.
"Yeah, I'm good. See you back at the house," Tommy said, bending down and kissing me deeply.
He broke off the kiss way too soon, then trudged toward his H3.
I motioned for Sadie to get in the Viper, and she arched her eyebrows in surprise.
"Is Tommy taking SME with him?" Sadie said, a little breathlessly.
"Yeah, I guess tonight's your lucky night," I replied, smiling.
"Good. Jude, don't tell the guys this, but I'm sick of them already." Sadie said, clearly annoyed.
"Come on, Sades, where are they going to stay? Their parents kicked them out, they have no money…" Sadie interrupted, probably with a laugh which was covered by a cough, "…just a few more nights, until they can get back on their own?"
"OK, since I don't have any choice, and because they're your backup band, they can stay," Sadie conceded.
"Thank you!" I squealed, knowing it'd eventually make her snap.
"Jude, watch the road!" Sadie yelled, even though there were no cars out at this time of night.
"Sades, calm down," I commanded. "Do you think I'd be so careless? Besides, Tommy said I'd have to pay if I so much as scratched any part of his Viper. You know how much a dent in a car door costs?" I really had no idea, but I'm sure it'd be at least 3 times as much as any major dent in an average-priced car.
"I'm surprised Tommy even let you drive his Viper. Especially since you're not as good a driver as I am," Sadie boasted.
"Yeah, I'm sure he let you drive his Viper when you guys were dating years ago," I rolled my eyes as Sadie fell silent. I looked over at her, and saw that she looked sad.
"Hey, are you OK?" I wanted to know.
"I'm fine," Sadie snapped. Then her expression changed. "I'm just worried about Kwest, that's all."
"Sadie, you heard it from Kwest. He's fine, and he'll be out in a week or so," I repeated what Kwest had said earlier.
"Yeah, but I don't know if I can stand it anymore," Sadie said. "Jude, how would you feel if something happened to Tommy, and he was in the hospital for a week or more?"
I braked hard as I pulled off the road. "Jude!" Sadie shrieked, more out of surprise than of fear.
"I think I'd be feeling what you're feeling," I admitted. I hated the thought of Tommy being hurt, or even worse, and I didn't want to think about it anymore, so I pushed it out of my mind. "Sadie don't worry, OK? I'm here for you, so whatever it is, I'll be there with you every step of the way, OK?
"Welcome to my world," Sadie muttered under her breath, while I was telling her not to worry. Then her eyes widened as I hugged her. "Thanks, Jude, you always know how to make me feel better."
"Anytime, but this stays between us," I prompted. I didn't want Tommy or the guys to know about my sister and I bonding. Then I'd never hear the end of it.
"Let's go home," I said, and Sadie nodded before she laid her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes.
I pulled back onto the road, and minutes later, we arrived back at the house.
AN:So what do you think?I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions. I don't want to write something that isn't worth reading, so let me know what I can do to make this story better. And the only way I can do that is if you tell me what you want to have happen. So, please review, and I'll make the next chapter even better, I promise.