The distinct beeping of a ECG machine and smell of too much sanitizer filled the air of room 237 in the post-critical care ward of the Arcadia Bay Medical Center. It was just past noon although the nurses hadn't opened the curtains. There was a golden hue from the sun shining softly through them.

In a bubble around the bed the air was different, filled with the smell of lavender shampoo and chamomile tea. On the folding hospital table was a plastic tea pot, water jug, and two cups. One half full of the amber tea and the other still in it's sanitary wrapping.

Asleep was a blue haired girl in the hospital bed. Wires came out from under her gown and plugged into the machines around her. An IV was installed into her non tattooed arm. It was attached to fluid bags and a machine of it's own. There was another girl asleep in the room. She was slumped over in an uncomfortable chair. Head resting on the bed, next to the other girl's hip. Her hair was draped down her back, falling onto the bed. A blanket was around her but had fallen to around her waist. One of her hands was in her lap, resting on an open bible. The other hand was laid on the bed in front of her closed eyes. It was less than two inches from the other girl's hand. Both crying out in silent desperation to hold one another.

The room had been silent all morning. Aside from when Kate had arrived and spent an hour quietly reading verses to Chloe. Eventually she finished with a prayer for Chloe and went to reading to herself. It wasn't soon before she felt her spine aching and rested her head on the edge of the bed. She looked up at Chloe, giving a silent prayer for her to wake up. The doctors and nurses told them Chloe should be waking up anytime soon. There was nothing medically from keeping her from waking up. She let out a long sigh. Thinking of how little sleep she had gotten when she finally went back to her dorm. She would have slept in the waiting room if not for Alice needing her. In truth she welcomed any excuse to be away from Blackwell as much as possible, even now more than as of recent.

She reached up and placed her hand just out of reach of Chloe's. Her mind drifted off to the shared memories she had with Chloe.

When they first met. Nearly 5 months ago. Kate was calmly taping up one of her Abstinence Club fliers at the town's library notice board. Arriving with a thud Chloe dropped a cardboard box on the ground, inside a stapler gun rattled. Chloe wore a sad glare and ignored the shy girl next to her. She pulled out two of Rachel's missing posters and went to stapling one to the notice board. Kate tried to politely remind her that using staples wasn't allowed and offered her tape. Chloe had laughed then made a joke about Rachel preferring that the staples were destroying the notice board. Kate prepared for the older cool girl to make fun of her and her flier as Chloe eyed it. Chloe didn't a make a joke about it, but one about herself. Asking if a dry spell counted as being abstinent. Kate timidly informed her that it did indeed count. It had made Chloe laugh then happily ask to trade fliers. The interaction ended with Chloe walking away while looking over Kate's flier. Chloe yelled maybe she would show up at one of Their meetings. Chloe's genuine tone gave Kate a smile.

Then and now as she remembered it. She hated seeing Chloe unconscious hooked up to all these machines. It made her look helpless, that was something Kate knew she was not.

After Kate's last abstinence meeting before school started up, Kate was just beginning to put things away. She was stacking chairs and happily humming a violin tune. She never noticed the tall blue haired girl swaggering into the public use area of the library. Chloe even reached Kate's side and bumped their hips together. After recovering from the startle she smelled the alcohol and weed wafting off Chloe. It made her worry how she had made it there. Chloe purred out a hello but Kate gave her usual polite and kind greeting. It didn't take long until Chloe spied the snacks Kate had brought and walked over to the table. Remarking Kate should advertise the "munchies" and she would have came a lot sooner. Kate wanted to say something but was stopped by Chloe muttering a perverted pun that she desperately tired to ignore, or picture. To Kate's continued dismay Chloe used the book she had brought with her from another hall of the building. Used it as a tray to pile a few of Kate's cookies on top of, it obscured the title and cover from Kate's curious, yet slightly furious, eyes.

Again Kate was surprised at how the events played out. After a quick introduction where Chloe was flashy and charming. They shared a nice bit of small talk that turned into a small conversation. Chloe stuffed her face with cookies and tea that Kate was happy to share. Chloe even said she was sad when Kate told her it was the last time she would be holding a meeting at the Library. Kate did mention she would be moving them to the school and anyone was welcome. Quickly she was informed Chloe hated going to 'that building' and would be staying away as much as possible. It disheartened Kate but was that was washed away when Chloe handed her the book she had brought with her. It's title was Deliver Us from Evie written by M.E. Kerr. On the cover was a tough looking woman wearing a leather jacket and standing next to a high way. Apparently it was Chloe's favorite book and had gotten her through some tough times. Kate was honored to receive a book recommendation from an older girl she saw as so strong and cool. Soon after that Chloe told her she was leaving to get her 'buzz' back on. There was quick goodbyes and Kate smiled as she watched Chloe walk out.

After a moment Kate looked at the book and grabbed a seat for a quick peek. It was a used copy, she wondered if it was Chloe's own copy. The back jacket was just reviews for her last book so Kate was quick to crack it open. Written on the title page was a note from Chloe.

'Hope this book helps you as much as it did me. Oh and you might want to hide it from your from your parents, Haha! And if it doesn't help then you can just contact me. Chloe Price xoxo' Under the note was Chloe's email address and phone number. It made Kate a blush the hardest she ever had in her life. The coolest girl she had ever met just gave her her phone number. She broke out into a grin and instantly dove into the book. Deciding she could finish cleaning later.

Kate couldn't hold her eyes open any longer and let them close. Sleep quickly took her mind over.

Chloe's eyes peeled open slowly. She blinked a few times as the sunlight blinded her. She was groggy and it was hard to move her body. Her eyes wondered around the room then landed on Kate Marsh asleep at her side. She was confused but happy to see her. It was only a week ago they had seen each other last week but was months before that. Sure she had got Kate a few xanax off Frank and they had talked in her truck, but showing up at the hospital for her?

It took a lot of effort but she reached forward to take hold of Kate's hand. She gave it a squeeze. Kate's weary eyes shot open and she stared up at Chloe in disbelief.

"Katydid?"