Hey Guys! Here's Monday's new chapter! I want you all to know that I take time to read every single comment or review you all give me and I try to play around with what you guys want to see and also what is going to create drama and keep the story moving. Again I am going to say this but once I get to 50 reviews I will post a page from Bee's journal featuring questions sent in by you! So keep reviewing! With all of that aside this is one of my favorite chapters and I think you guys will love it too! Enjoy! :)
I walk up to reception counter, everyone else lingering behind me in the waiting room. The woman working glances up at me, taking note of all the misfits who just walked in.
"Do you need a doctor?" She asks startled. I shake my head quickly.
"No, no. These are my friends. I'm actually here for visiting hours." I state. I'm hoping they are still open because I'm totally just going out on a limb. The receptionist let's out a breath of relief and gives me a warm smile.
"Oh of course. Who are you looking for?"
"Ann Johnson. She could also be under Ann Holmes, it's her maiden name." She types into her computer before giving me a wary look.
"I'm sorry but only immediate family members are allowed to visit and it says here the only one she has is her sister Tess." She tells me.
"I'm her daughter." I interrupt, the words spilling out of my mouth. The receptionist's jaw slides open a little bit as she gives me another suspicious look, shaking her head slightly.
"I'm sorry but Mrs. Johnson's daughter passed away."
"That's Claire. I'm Phoebe." I remark desperately. A flip switches in the woman's brain as she straightens up.
"If you'll excuse me I need to make a phone call. Please make your friends and yourself comfortable in the waiting room and I'll be right back." She shuffles out from behind the counter and pulls out her phone, wandering down the hall to find some privacy. This is my chance.
I hop up onto the desk so that my stomach is on top of the counter and I can read the computer screen. Room 453. I push off the desk and start racing down the hallway. I hear my friends following behind me, Leo's crutches clicking so fast I'm almost afraid he'll fall. I count down the room numbers as I pass.
"456,455,454, 453, 452." I stop dead in my tracks and backtrack slowly. I peek into the room and see my mom sleeping peacefully. My breath catches. I haven't seen her in so long. I place my hand over my mouth and hesitantly walk over to her bed.
She's so pale and weak looking. My mom and I are both pretty fair skinned but now her complexion is almost translucent. I take a seat beside her bed as a small smile begins to form on my face. I've missed her so much.
"Mom," I say gently. I expect her eyes to flutter open like in those movies we used to always watch but they remained closed.
"Mommm," I raise my voice a little bit. "Guess who it is." Nothing. She remains still, her breathing even. My anxieties start to grow but I keep trying.
"It's me, Bee. Don't you want to say hi? Mom quit messing around and wake up. I can't stay long, I uh, kinda snuck in here so we gotta make this quick." That'll get her for sure, the idea of me breaking the rules always makes her freak out. I watch her intently for any reaction, any at all, but there is none.
I feel a lump grow in my throat and I reach over to brush a piece of hair out of her face. Her skin is cool and smooth, just like the boy Charlie's. I can't help but wonder if he had something to do with this. No, that's silly, he couldn't have.
"They're telling me you're in a coma." I state beneath my breath. "I know it's not true. Tell me it's not true mom!" I stare at her, my eyes pleading for her to do something, anything. There's a long moment of silence before the lump forming in my throat grows larger and I choke out a sob. Reality overcomes me like a wave, knocking me down and threatening to keep me underwater drowning.
"No! Mom wake up! Please! This can't be happening right now, wake up mommy please! Please mom you can't do this to me." I pause my emotions overwhelming me. "You're all I have left." I'm hiccuping now struggling to catch my breath, there a small tap on my arm and I see Emma hesitantly trying to get my attention.
"Bee, we have to go." She urges gently.
"I'm not ready yet!" I cry. I can't leave her here, what if she's gone by tomorrow, this could be the last time I ever get to see my mom and it's being cut short after less than 5 minutes
"Bee, we've got to go, like now!" Kara urges leaning out the room glancing down the hallway. Emma grabs my arm and drags me out of the room.
"Don't go anywhere okay mom? Please don't go anywhere! Don't leave me!" I'm about out of the room when I almost forget the most important thing I've been meaning to tell her. "I love you!" I glance down the hallway where Kara was looking to see nurses going around checking rooms. One comes out of 456 and makes direct eye contact with me.
"Guys," I say under my breath. "Run." We all take off in a sprint down the opposite hallway. We make a few sharp turns before we see an elevator up ahead. We race towards it and I click the button repeatedly because we all know that makes the elevator come faster.
Finally there's a little ding and the doors slide open. There's already someone in there. Nurse Jackson.
"Phoebe..." She scorns. When she notices my tear streaked face and bloodshot eyes she gives out an exasperated sigh. "Get in here. All of you. We're going back." We all pile into the elevator not saying a word, our escape attempt failed.
Nurse Jackson is furious when she finds out we snuck out of the hospital to come here, even more so when she hears all six of us squeezed into a five seater car.
"Bee, Jordi, and Dash. You guys are with me. Kara, you drive Leo and Emma. DON'T be stupid." She marches off towards her car with Dash, Jordi, and I in tow. Dash sits up front, Jordi and I in back. I lean my head back against the headrest on chair, focusing my eyes out the window watching as the scenery whips by.
I have so much going on in my head right now I'm overwhelmed. My mom, in a coma? She could never wake up. I could never see her smile again or hear her sweet voice sing along with me in the car. I could never again watch the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed or see the quiet pride she possessed when I achieved something that made her proud to be my mom.
There's only ever been a few of those moments, I always worked so hard to experience another. The moment when she would give me this smile, and put her arm around me. To anyone else these small actions would just seem like a normal gesture, but I could always tell all of the emotions behind it. It's really hard to think that I could never get a chance to feel that way again.
I'm lost in my own thoughts when I feel fingers wrapped around mine. I know they are Jordi's. I don't glance over towards him, not wanting to make things awkward but instead I exhale slowly, enjoying the sweet gesture quietly
I'm about to surrender back to my bad thoughts when his thumb begins to lightly brush over the back of my hand, tracing small designs. Somehow this sensation keeps me occupied from my thoughts, I close my eyes, focusing on the gentleness of his touch rather than crippling anxieties about my mom. I know that's what he intended to happen all along.
We arrive back at the hospital and without saying a word Jordi releases his hand from mine, leaving me feeling like I'm missing a piece of me. When we are back inside the building Nurse Jackson places her hand on the small of my back before addressing everyone.
"Leo you have PT you're missing and Kara, a stress test. Everyone else back to their rooms." She begins to escort me in the direction of my room. I can't help but take one last glance behind me at Jordi. He still stands in the middle of the lobby, watching me be taken back to my room. We make eye contact for a slight moment before he lowers his eyes and turns to walk the other way.
We finally reach my room. Nurse Jackson leaves me stating that she'll be back in a few minutes to check my vitals. When I turn around to actually face my room I am greeted by a scene totally unsuspected.
Adorning my bed is now a light pink comforter complete with plenty of big, fluffy, ruffled pillows. The wall behind it has an arch of soft, twinkly Christmas lights, a decorative letter B positioned in the middle of it. There are tule sheets draped across my room with a chain pink and white paper lanterns looping the same way.
My eyes drift over to the other side of the room where a figure stands on a small step ladder painting a cherry blossom tree on large piece of paper hanging from the wall.
"Hayden?" I ask shocked.
"Yeah," He answers turning around. When he sees me a big smile spreads across his face. "Oh, hey Bee!" He grins.
"Did you do all of this?" I question, still not believing what I'm seeing.
"Yeah. I just kinda thought that a girl with a such a colorful personality like you needed a room to match." I let out a small laugh.
"Come here you." I smile. He climbs down from the ladder and walks over to me. I wrap my arms around him, giving him a big hug. "You didn't have to do this." I say when I finally pull away.
"I wanted to." He shrugs. I shake my head laughing.
"You're too sweet." Hayden gives me another small smile.
"I'm glad you think of me that way." He says. He bites his lip and glances away for a split second before looking back at me. "Bee, I wanted to ask you something." He begins a little more seriously.
"Sure anything." I state. He runs his hand through his hair once nervously before speaking.
"Would you possibly like to go on a date with me?" He asks. My eyes pop open and my lips form a smile too big for my face.
"Wait, a date. As in, you.. and me… together.. on a date?" I gesture between us excitedly.
"Yes." He laughs. "I do believe that's what a date is."
"I'd love to!" I exclaim before composing myself in that totally tacky, cliche way. "I mean, I'd have to clear it with Nurse Jackson and make sure I don't have any appointments or anything but-"
"Already did." Hayden smiles confidently. "She said that as long as it's low impact and we are back within two hours she'll allow it."
"When are you thinking?" I inquire.
"Tomorrow." He replies point blankly.
"Tomorrow?" I exclaim. He laughs.
"Yes, tomorrow!" He grins.
"What are we going to do?" I continue prying. Hayden holds up a finger.
"Eh-" He interrupts me. "That, my dear Phoebe, is a surprise." He taps my nose with his finger leaving a dot of pink paint there. I can't help but giggle.
"That's not fair." I pout crossing my arms.
"Yes it is." He teases mocking my action. He glances over towards the clock on my wall. "I probably should be going about now." He says. There's not even a hint of sadness in his voice so I know his departure is all just part of his act.
"So you're not going to tell me anything." I scoff.
"Nope." He gives me a cocky grin. "Until then." He says leaning over to peck a kiss on my cheek. He gives me self-assured wink before striding out of the room. I can't help but think back to Jordi in the car earlier, I can still feel the where his thumb grazed the back of my palm. I quickly push the thoughts aside not wanting anything to ruin this moment. I race over to my bed and toss myself upon it. I lay on my back and let out a small sigh. I spend the rest of the day fantasizing about every little detail for tomorrow.
It's funny how love does that to you. Captivates your attention so you can't think of anything else until another thing you love steps forward and takes you away from the one before. It's an endless cycle in my opinion, things constantly switching back and forth, but at the moment, I'm happy. That's all that matters.
I bet I got you all thinking Bee was going back to Jordi didn't I? So yeah, she's in a little bit of mess at the moment but everything will figure tiself out eventually. A couple heartbreaks and few arguments, I guarantee it'll all be good in the long run ;) (no more spoiled Britt!) ANYWAY.. Todays QOTC is: Where should Hayden take Bee on their first date? I would love to hear where you guys are thinking or if anyone wants to share any stories of their favorite date spots and or activities.
As usual shout outs to percyjacksonforevah and xoElle23 you both never cease to make me smile. Again don't forget to spread the word about reviews and review yourself so we can get to 50 and I can post answers to all your questions! If you have any questions don't be afraid to PM me but like I said I do read EVERY SINGLE review! I really appreciate all the love you give me and I want to thank you all for sticking with my story for so long, it means a lot.
Lots of Love - Britt