‘She’s back agin?’ A silent whisper echoed as I walked towards my allocated room.
My footsteps didn’t make a sound; it was my berthing that gave me away. Faces. New ones and ones that I haven’t seen before, but they all looked, out of interest I guess, to see what everyone else was looking at.
‘This one is much better. Don’t you think?’ Lucy asked me as we walked into my new room. I quickly smiled and nodded. She put my bags down next to the new bed and walked out.
‘The lights go off at 9.’ She smiled with her bright, shiny, white teeth and closed the door behind her. I sighed. It’s only been a month.
This ward was only a little bit different from the other one. White walls, a TV, a high single bed, and a huge window looking out to the park. Not a sight of him. Trees looming as high as my window.
I can’t stand any longer. I slowly walked towards the bed, letting my shaking hand lead me. As I sat down my breath eventually evened. Is this the last one? Please be the last hospital. I don’t think I can take another one. Or another room, as they think changing the room will make me feel like its different and nothing will happen again. Nothing like the last time. But its always the same. I remember. The room five doors down, only a corridor away from this one. I choked as my breath deepened. My chest wouldn’t let get off it. The coughs felt like beatings at my throat. Pain. I held on to the side of the bed as blood dripped down my cheek, mixed with my tears. As it finally stopped, I laid down on my back.
It all happened here. I don’t want to go to another hospital, I want to stay here. I want to die here.
‘It’s rude not to move out the way.’ I leaned on one leg. Flicked my hair back and flicked whoever was talking to me off too. I have to do this. Strong breaths. Keep calm. I walked towards the lady and made myself visible. ‘This needs to change.’ She seemed dazed only a little aware that I was even there, her eyes wondering around the room. ‘What?’ even her voice was slow, like her thoughts seemed to be. ‘The time we have to go to bed. It’s stupid. Only old people go to bed at 8.’ Her eyes were on me now, and so was her grin.
‘ Im sorry. But are you serious?’ I kept a strong non-emotional face. ‘Well child, I understand that you might think its un-fair that you have to go to bed at 8, but it’s there for a reason. You’re not the only one in this hospital; some people really need their sleep.’ Her eyes seemed like they were burning through me.
‘Look lady, I have been to a lot of hospitals, and none of them had the stupid idea, most of them shut their lights at 10 or 9.’ Her large smile made me shiver a little.
‘I don’t appreciate you calling me lady. My name is Lucy and I’m a nurse, so in case you want someone else’s medication in the morning, I suggest you go back to your ward.’ I took a deep breath and just stared at her as she walked away. Her jet black hair tied in a sleek ponytail, just slightly brushing her waist. A deep laugh came from behind me. ‘ She won’t do anything like that, she just doesn't like anyone disturbing her thoughts. She's actually really nice.’ The voice from before. I turned to see a slim, tall, brown haired guy grinning at me. He’s eyes seemed to be a chocolate color, his cheekbones and jaw bones were really pointy, and his hair seemed to swish to one side nicely.
‘I don’t really care. She didn't scare me.’ I crossed my arms and breathed.
‘But your breathing is really deep, you seem pretty scared.’ He gave me a crooked smile.
‘Were in a hospital you idiot, there’s obviously something wrong with me.’ I gave him a blank stare as his face dropped.
‘Oh, Yeah. I’m sorry. I should know, of all people.’ He seemed apologetic enough. ‘I mean that was really un considerate, Its just were standing at the waiting room, and you seem healthy. And I’m sorry.’ His eyes pleaded me.
‘Its fine.’ I have him an awkward smile.
‘So you just came here to talk to Lucy?’ I nodded.
‘You?’
‘NO, Im meant to be meeting my girlfriend soon, haven’t seen her in a while, with all the cancer treatments going on, I haven’t had time.’ I think he was expecting me to feel sorry for him?
‘Oh ok, well I better go and leave you to it then.’ I awkwardly waved my arms as a goodbye.
‘Wait!’ He shouted at me as I walked away from him. But his genuine voice made me turn around. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Sutton.’ I smiled politely.
‘Im Brandon. I’ll see you around?’
‘Yeah.’ Then I quickly scuffled to my room.
Publication Date: 02-17-2013
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