DISCLAIMER: I do not own the 'California Dreams,' despite asking Santa for them. :-) I own this storyline and the character of Kelsey.

Chapter 2

THE HOSPITAL

Jake was standing in the corner, talking on his cell. Mark continued his frantic pacing back and forth in the waiting area. He held Kelsey's sweater to his nose and Jake was certain he was crying. Jake turned his attention back to his phone call.

"Mom, it's ok. Kelsey's at the hospital and she's fine. The doctors think it's just exhaustion and she'll be able to go home. They want to do some bloodwork and everything. You think you can get down here and sign the paperwork, since she's a minor? Thanks, mom. Love you, too. Bye," Jake said ending his phone call. He walked back to Mark who turned to face him.

"Is she coming," Mark asked. Jake nodded his head.

"I wish they would tell us something. I'm worried sick about her. God, if I lose her...," he choked on the words.

"Winkle, we're not going to lose her. You really care about her, don't you," Jake asked Mark.

"Yeah. I'd do anything for her," Mark said.

Jake sat down on the cheesy, plastic seats in the waiting area. "Did you get in touch with everyone," Jake asked.

Mark nodded. "Sly's on his way and Lorena's mom said she'd tell Lorena, Sam and Tony when they returned from the mall. Oh, you should call Tiff. I didn't have her new number in my phone and I can't find Kelsey's," Mark said.

"Yeah, I'll do that," Jake said, walking back to the corner to call Tiffani.

Mark continued his aimless pacing when Sly came through the doors. He was quickly followed by the rest of the gang. Sly grabbed Mark and pulled him into a hug.

"Hey, cuz. What's up? Is she OK," Sly asked Mark.

"They won't tell me anything. They're not telling Jake much either. Jake's mom is on her way to talk to the doctor. Jake's talking to Tiffani right now, so the only thing we can do...is sit and wait," he said, sitting down in the chair and putting his face in his hands.

Lorena, who'd be standing with the rest of the group, sat next to Mark and pulled him into a hug. Sly sits on the other side of Mark and places a comforting arm around him.

"I'm going to check on Jake," Sam said and, with Tony following behind.

Jake had just ended his phone call when Sam approached him. She wrapped Jake in a hug, that he gladly accepted.
"Is Tiff coming," she asked as they walked back to the rest of the gang.

"Yeah. I don't get this. Kelsey is the strong one in the family. She was so strong when her parents died and then having her life uprooted. She never complained. She's become my best friend without me even realizing it. I don't know what I'm going to do. This waiting is driving me crazy. I can only imagine how this is affecting Mark," Jake said.

He heads back the gang and places a hand on Mark's shoulder.

"How are you holding up, man," he asked.

"As well as I can," he said, fighting to control his emotions. He gets up from the chairs. "I'm going to get a soda. Anyone want anything," he asked. No one answered, so he heads toward the vending machines on the opposite side of the waiting room. Sly follows his cousin.

Tiffani comes in the waiting area and rushes to Jake. He embraces her and they sit back down on the chairs. Tiffani and Jake are talking in hushed tones, when Tony notices Jake's parents coming into the waiting room.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sommers," Tony said.

Jake stands up when he hears his parent's name. Jake walks to his mom, who's been crying, and gives her a hug. Jake's dad pats him on his back. Tiffani gives Jake's dad a hug. Jake lets go of his mom and wipes his face.

"The nurse at the counter said to see her when you got here. And I'm coming with you," Jake said.

Mrs. Sommers turns to her son to protest, but, seeing the conern on his face, she nods her head.

"We'll wait here for you. Let us know what's going on and what we can do," Tiffani said. Jake nodded his head. He gave Tiffani a quick peck on the cheek and grabs his mom's hand. They follow the nurse to Kelsey's room.

Sly and Mark round the corner and see Jake and his parents walking back with the nurse.

Sly pats him on the shoulder. "You can go with them, cuz," he said.

"No, I'll let them have their family time right now. Kelsey and I will do stuff together when she comes home," Mark said. He looks at Lorena and Sly. "This is all just a precaution. She's going to be fine."

Everyone gives Mark a nod of their heads. Mark knows they don't really know if all this is a precaution, but his friends have made him feel better.

"I just wish there was something we could do for you," Lorena said.

"Yeah, we've been through a lot together. I just feel like we should be doing something," Sam said.

Tony walked over to Mark and asked, "Is there anything we can do for you or Jake?"

Mark faced Tony and walked to Kelsey's backpack. "Actually, can you get Kelsey's car? Jake was going to drive it home when Kelsey and I went back to work on our paper, but..."

Tony takes the keys from Mark. "Sure. Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of. You guys should head home. Jake or I will call you with any updates," Mark said.
Sly stands next to Mark. "You going to head home soon," he asked. Mark shakes his head. "No. I'm going to stay right here. Even if I can't see her, I want Kelsey to know that I'm waiting out here for her if she needs me. I called my parents and they said they'd come by this evening. They want to talk to Jake's parents and see if there is anything they can do," Mark said.

"Sorry man, we're not leaving. Tony and I will head to the loft to get Kelsey's car and then we're coming right back here. We'll bring you back something from Sharkey's," Sam said.

Sly nodded his head at the plan. "That sounds good. Lorena, would you wait here with Tiffani and I'll stick with Mark. Hopefully, we'll know when we can take Kelsey home by the time Sam and Tony get back."

Sam and Tony walk out of the waiting area, leaving four of their friends in the waiting room together.

Tiffani walks over to Mark and sits next to him. She places her hand on his shoulder.

"I've never seen Jake like this before. I'm really worried," she said.

Mark hugs Tiffani. "I'm worried, too." They both fold their hands together and pray. Sly and Lorena are also holding each other and praying for Kelsey's recovery.

***What's gonna happen. Thanks for reading. New chapter(s) to come soon. -mereditholiver***