A/N : The positive reviews I have gotten back have been absolutely amazing! I love reading them and knowing what you guys think! Seriously, to know people enjoy my writing and are enjoying this story, is beyond words of thankfulness! Thank you so much all for your kind words and I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter, it's definitely longer though ! xx
Chapter Twenty - White Walls
The paramedics got to the scene fifteen or so minutes after Shawn and I had pulled Harley from the water. I performed CPR to the best of my ability but it didn't seem to make a difference. After they suctioned some of the water from his lungs, they pulled him onto a stretcher and whisked him away. But not before letting me go with him. I fought every single one of them to do so and eventually, they gave in. Shawn and Sally stayed behind to give their report on what exactly happened and me, well, I stayed in the hospital waiting room for what seemed like days, weeks even. Although it was only a few hours, it sure felt a lot longer than that. I curled up onto an uncomfortable chair and waited impatiently. I just needed to know he was okay. I had dozed off but woke up immediately when the sound of frantic voices echoed throughout the hospital halls. I pushed myself up, cracked my neck and then made my way out of the waiting room.
Standing at the front desk, was Joey and Frankie, accompanied by an older woman, who looked exhausted and wore worn out polka dotted pajamas that appeared to be two sizes too big. Her dyed blonde hair was messy and her dark roots showed tremendously. I assumed it was his mother. My heart broke into a million more pieces. I didn't know it was possible to feel worse than I already did. All three turned in sync and stared at me. The woman's tired eyes flickered to angered ones.
"Is that her? Are you the one that did this to my boy?!" She screamed, rushing towards me. I stayed still and waited for the impact. I deserved whatever she was going to do to me and I wasn't about to fight her. She grabbed me roughly by the arms. "How could you?! How could you?!" She screamed again, her eyes brimming with tears. I never knew it was possible to hear someone's heart wrenching pain through their voice until she began to yell. Frankie and Joey rushed over, being quick to grab her away from me. She swung at me and connected the back of her hand into the side of my face before she was pulled completely out of reach. I winced and held the spot she hit right after, feeling it bruise almost instantly.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I whispered out, the tears from my eyes flowing viciously to join hers.
"He could be dead! Let me go! Let me go..." She cried out.
Frankie held her tightly, wrapping both of his large arms around her in a bear like but comforting hug. "It'll okay, Mrs. Kiener. He'll be okay."
The ruckus had stirred up attention and along with two security guards, a man dressed in blue scrubs came into view. His name tag read Dr. Donald. Thank God.
"Everything okay out here?" One of the guards spoke, mostly directing his attention to me as my hand hadn't left my face. I nodded slowly.
"Mrs. Kiener I'm pressuring?" The doctor spoke. Frankie slowly let her go and she attempted to collect herself, shakily wiping her damp face. She took a deep breath and nodded as well, crossing her arms.
"Yes. Is he okay? Is my boy okay?"
Dr. Donald looked between all of us before turning his attention to the large silver clipboard I was sure he carted everywhere. "Well, I have some good news, and some bad news. What would you like to hear first?"
She hesitated at first. "The bad news. Maybe the good news might help."
After a long pause, he put the papers back in order and gave her a weak smile. "Well, he has a serious concussion and is under sedation in order to properly stitch up and repair the damage he incurred to his head and temporal lobe. He may be in a coma for a few days. He may be in a coma for several weeks. He may not even be in a coma at all. We have no way of telling until the sedation wears off."
"And what's the good news, doc?" Joey squeaked out.
"Harley was badly injured due to the fall and hitting the rocks below, but the damage wasn't serve enough to kill him or leave permanent damage."
"So, he's alive? And he's going to be okay?" She whispered, the fear in her voice very evident.
"Very much so, Mrs. Kiener . You've got a fighter, that's for sure"
"Thank you. Thank you, doctor." She said wiping away another stray tear.
"It's my job," he smiled once more, his kind green eyes glimmering. "My advice is go home, get some rest and come back on the morning. We should have some more concrete answers by then."
She slowly nodded. "Okay. Thank you again."
He nodded back in response, acknowledged the rest of us and then turned around, walking off and out of sight, the security men not far behind. I sniffled back as much emotion as I could and then turned to his mother once more.
"I know this changes nothing but for what it's worth, I'm sorry Mrs. Kiener. None of this was ever supposed to happen. It went so much further than it should have and I take full responsibility." I told her weakly, from the bottom of my heart.
She wiped another stray tear away but with a bit of frustration. "You're damn right it doesn't change a thing. You're lucky my boy isn't dead cos I would have personally put you six feet under to join him."
I let out a short breath at her comment. But she was right. And I honesty probably wouldn't have stopped her from doing that either. I wiped my eyes and looked at Joey who was nervously playing with his pockets as he looked around and then to Frankie who just stared at me, a hundred emotions dancing across his face.
"I'm.. I'm sorry."
"Just stay away from him. Or I swear to you, you'll be sorry the name Kiener ever spilled from your pathetic little lips." The once worried mother she portrayed quickly changed into an over protective mama bear one.
And at that, she turned on her heel and quickly disappeared out of the automatic doors that acted as the front door entrance, Frankie not far behind. Joey hesitated for a moment, looking back and forth between them and myself. He nervously pulled at his lips and then crossed his arms.
"I gotsta know, Sarah. Did ya really mean to hurt him?"
My chest felt so heavy and the rest of my body felt numb. My head was foggy and my eyelids felt like two stones had been tied to them. I shook my head slowly, one of many tears falling from my eye. "If I could take it all back, if I could trade him places, I would in a second.. I don't expect you to believe me. I don't expect anyone too. The only person I care about right now is Harley.." I said quietly.
Joey listened and then nodded. "I believe ya, Sarah. And ya know what? I thinks Harley is gonna be just fine."
I brushed back some stray hair and breathed deeply. "I really hope so, Joey. I really, really do."
"Joey, let's go!" Frankie's voice echoed down the hall.
Joey jumped and then gave me a shrug and pointed back towards where his best pal was waiting impatiently. "I best be going before I wind up in here myself, see ya around."
And at that, he was gone as well. It was ironic that change in people when someone they care about is hurt. Normally, Joey was an annoying little leech that constantly made me want to be violent, but right then, he was actually kind of sweet.
I let out a sigh and then made my way back to the chair I had once been curled up in. But not before asking the lady at the front desk to make sure I was let aware of when Harley was able to have visitors. I didn't care anymore, about anything really. I didn't care if all of it made me lose my friendship with everyone, if I ended up with a criminal record due to him being hurt, and I didn't care if I was shipped back to Pittsburgh. I really didn't. No matter what, I was going to stay there until he woke up. I was going to stay until he knew how sorry I really was.
A few hours passed and there was still no sign of any change. It had to be at least one or two in the morning, and I was sure my aunt knew by then I was gone, but I still didn't care. I got out of the chair once again and made my way to the front desk. A tiny Asian woman in a green nurses uniform sat and typed quickly on a large computer that sat in front of her. It was probably twice her size. Her name tag read Annabelle.
"Um, excuse me miss? Can I see Harley Kiener yet?"
She quickly looked up, gave me a kind smile and then turned her attention back to the computer. "One second hon, let me check."
I twiddled my thumbs and looked around, biting the side of my cheek. If there was one thing I hated the most, it was waiting.
"It looks like he was taken to a recovery room a little over half hour ago. You could go see him now if you like." Her accent was strong but her English was amazing.
My heart jumped. "Thank you so much. What room is he in?"
"Room 363."
That's all I needed. I took off down the hall as fast as I could, trying very hard not to run and cause a commotion. I passed many rooms, some of which old people who couldn't even sit up on their own resided, some of which kids around my age with broken noses resided and some of which little babies with horrible coughs resided. Hospitals were always so cold and unwelcoming but I'm sure that's how they meant for it to be. Finally though, I reached my destination and found him.
Harley was asleep, with a large gauze bandaid wrapped around his head, hiding pretty much all of his dark hair and he was tucked comfortably under a pile of blankets. Wires of many colors and sizes however spilled from them and connected into multiple machines that never seemed to stop beeping. I took a deep, shaky breath and hesitated for a moment. I wasn't sure if I could do it. I had been waiting hours just to do so, but I wasn't sure if I could. Whether it was pure guilt or just hating the fact that he looked the way he did because of me; no matter who he was, I just couldn't bring myself to take another step.
"You're Sarah I'm assuming?" A voice came, breaking into my thoughts. I turned around quickly and met eyes with the same doctor who told his mother the news. I nodded quickly, not daring to ask how he knew my name.
"You can go in. He's alright." Dr. Donald slipped past me and made his way in, checking over Harley and the machines to make sure everything was tip top and in order.
"I'm not sure I can." I whispered.
Dr. Donald looked over and gave me a kind, genuine smile. "You know, sometimes Sarah, things like this happen to teach people a sort of lesson, if you will. It's now only up to you though whether you want this to teach you something or not."
He was completely right. In situations like that, you do learn something. You learn to value your life and the life of others around you; to not let such minor things like embarrassment take such an unbelievable grip on you. The anger and all the hurt emotions are not worth holding on to because in the end, things such as Harley's accidents happen. Hate, angry, hurt; they all control you and the consequences that follow, are NOT worth it. Not for a second.
I hesitantly took a step forward, holding my breath. After the first one, it got easier and soon enough, I was beside Harley. His eyes darted back and fourth underneath his eyelids and I knew he was dreaming. Which at least meant, for that moment, he was at peace. My eyes swelled again. It was a very tiring thing; crying non stop. It made me feel weak, and helpless as well. But not as much as it did Harley I was sure.
"Dr. Donald.." I said quietly, my hand shaking as it reached to touch Harley's. I hesitated again for a second but then did so, resting mine on his gently.
He was going over a few of his notes but looked up at me as soon as I spoke. "Yes?"
"He IS going to be okay, right?"
Dr. Donald smiled and then set his clipboard down on a nearby table. "He's not going to die, if that's what you mean. The road to recovery is going to be a long one though, Sarah. Harley is very lucky to be alive. You and your friend got him out just in time."
I turned when I felt the presence of someone watching me and nearly had a heart attack when it finally clicked in that it was Shawn. I rushed over to him and wrapped my arms tightly around him and began to sob. To know that someone was in a hospital bed, clinging to the life they fought so bravely to keep, because of me was too much to handle. Thank god for a familiar face. Shawn hugged me back even tighter and after a few minutes, I stopped sobbing and we finally pulled apart. I wiped my puffy eyes and looked back at the doctor who just smiled warmly at me.
"And you must be Shawn," he said. Shawn glanced at me and then nodded, stepping forward and shaking the doctors hand.
"Yes, I am. How is he?"
"Better." He smiled again. "But like I said to your girlfriend here,"
I cleared my throat. "Friend. We're just friends." I croaked out.
"Sorry," he grinned. "Like I was explaining to Sarah here, it's going to be a long road to get him back to how he used to be, but I expect a full recovery. Just breathe guys. Accidents happens. And the fact that you both are here, proves just how much of an accident it was."
"Dr. Donald, room 477, please. Dr. Donald, room 477." An almost robotic voice on the over head system spoke.
"Well, that's my cue, guys. Try to remember what I said, okay?" He gave us a smile, gave Shawn a pat on the shoulder and then disappeared down the hallway, quickly changing his papers on his shiny clipboard.
Shawn slowly walked over to Harley and stared down at him. "What was I thinking, Sarah?"
I frowned and joined him, watching as Harley's eyes continued to flicker back and fourth as they had moments before. "This isn't just your fault. We're both to blame." I quietly said. His dark hair was a mess and his eyes were full of fear and exhaustion. "You saved his life, you know."
Shawn's eyes didn't leave Harley. "You helped."
I hugged Shawn around the waist and squeezed him as hard as I could. We stood like that for a few moments. I turned around with a small gasp when I felt the angry presence of someone else. It was my aunt. The look on her face was enough to burn a thousand holes into me. I bit my lip nervously.
"You have NO idea what you have done, Sarah. No idea whatsoever." She spoke dangerously quiet. I looked at Shawn and then down at my feet.
"It was an accident." Shawn said defensively. "We didn't mean-"
"Don't." She harshly said. "The last thing I want to hear right now, is the white trash version spew from the mouth of the reason why my niece is here. And in a situation yet again that could have been totally avoided. I don't even have to ask if this was your idea."
"Aunt Julie!" I gasped out. "How dare you!"
Shawn remained standing there, his face cold of emotion. He had heard the same speech a hundred times I was sure, hence the lack of emotion. I didn't care how many times it spilled from someone's filthy mouth though, it wasn't true and I wasn't about to let someone say so in front of me, regardless of her being family.
"No. How dare you! Because of your stupidity, a boy almost lost his life tonight!" Her voice had raised considerably. "Let's go. Now. Your mother is back at the house and is currently packing your things. This was the last straw, Sarah."
My heart felt like it had shattered into a billion pieces. No. NO. She couldn't have. I didn't even know how she knew what had happened or where I was. I couldn't let her be another person that destroyed my life. This was my home. These were my friends. THEY were my family. Tears stung at my eyes but I refused to let them fall. "I am not going anywhere." I said gritting my teeth. I took a step backwards, shaking my head. "You can't make me. I don't care what you say anymore. This place is my home. I won't let you take it away from me. I won't let you take Shawn away from me again."
My aunts fist clenched. "Fine. You don't want to do this the easy way, that's your choice." She then came forward and grabbed me by the root of my hair. I let out a scream and grabbed her by the wrist, desperate for her grip to loosen. "I tried so hard to help you. No more. Move it!"
She lurched me forward but was quickly stopped by Shawn. He stood in her way, like a solider ready for battle. In the entire 16 years I had been alive, I had never seen my aunt be so violent and so cruel. The previous incident, she had slapped me in the head but that was more because she was angry that I could have screwed up my life. Maybe that's what this was as well. Maybe not though. Her kind eyes were no longer kind and the force she was using was brutal. I didn't understand it. Harley was fine. I was fine. Why was she doing this? I let out a whimper as her grip tightened even more. "Get out of my way, Shawn. This girl is going back where she belongs."
"She belongs here. And if you don't see that, then maybe it's you who doesn't belong. Just let her go."
She laughed. "What do you know about anyone belonging anywhere? Isn't your father a drunk and your mother a flake? They don't want you. And neither does my niece. So just back off."
That's when I smelled it. The alcohol was seething from her breath. Worry, fear, stress and whatever else along with alcohol mixed together was definitely not a good combo for her. Shawn stayed as still as a statue. Not phased by one hurtful word. "I'm not going anywhere. And neither is she."
My aunt gave him a look and then released my hair very briefly, giving my hands enough time to massage the sore spot. "What are you going to do? Body block every door here? Good luck."
"He doesn't need luck."
And at that, I took off running; Shawn allowing me just enough room to squeeze by. I couldn't go to Topanga's, Jason's or Shawn's. Those were the three places that would were the obvious ones. There was no way I was going back to my aunt's. Especially not with her acting the way she was. It seemed like that was all I did. Run away from whatever problem decided to rocket itself at my face. I was good at it though. And I wasn't going to allow her to attempt to take away and destroy everything I had so proudly built up in the 6 months that I had been there. It was my life, my choices, my mistakes. Who was she to control any of them?
I ran until I nearly collapsed and then stopped, huffing and puffing like I was having a heart attack. I stared up at the window. He owed me nothing. But I was praying to the Gods that he would help me anyways. I ascended the treehouse carefully and clung with a bit of fear to a thick branch when I reached the window. I knocked on it quietly, the tears forming once again, hoping he would hear it and no one else. My heart picked up it's pace when he moved around in his bed, groggily sat up and squinted towards me. The curtains hid most of his surroundings but were open enough just to allow me to see him. He was wearing baggy sweat pants and a nicely fitted muscle shirt. With a bit of confusion, he pulled the curtains apart all the way and then opened the window completely.
"Sarah? What are you doing here? Are you okay?"
Everything that I had held back so proudly rapidly came rushing out like a river that had so desperately fought for it's own freedom. I wasn't sure I could have stopped crying even if my life depended on it.
"I'm so stupid. I don't deserve anything. I don't deserve to be here... But please don't let her take me away from you guys, Eric. Please."