Surfer Girl // A.I (completed)

fourty-two

{ Tatum }

I got a ride to the house, dropped my stuff off, and hopped in the truck, and drove to the hospital.

I walked in the main doors and up to the desk. I was already hating the smell of the place. I was dreading this. I know this next month was going to be painful- and I was by myself doing it all.

"Hi, can I help you?" The lady at the desk quietly asked,

"I'm here for my grandpa, Rich Kohole" I spoke,

"Tatum Kohole?" She questioned and I nodded, "Amazing. He's on the third floor in room 324. A nurse will probably come talk to you shortly. They've been waiting for you"

I wandered down the corridor and found the elevator, going up to the third floor. When the doors opened and I stepped out, my heart started to race. I was dreading seeing my grandpa so sick.

Room 324 came into my view and I paused before walking in. I took a few breaths and pushed the door open. When the door closed, my grandpa's head turned to me and I saw a smile stretch,

"Oh, Tatum" he reached his hand out. I took it and sat on the edge of the bed.

He looked bad. He was so skinny and pale. He was shaking as well. He was cold to the touch whereas he's usually warm. And he was hooked to so many machines,

"Listen to me" he demanded, "Do not let Malia get anything. Don't give her anything. It's yours"

I nodded as I tried to keep the tears in my eyes,

"Do you know what you wanna do with the house yet?" He asked. This made me laugh a little. He's on his death bed and just wants to know what I'm doing. Luckily I had thought about what I was going to do,

"I'm going to update it some and rent it out for vacations," I told him,

"Smart move" he squeezed my hand.

A nurse came in so I moved to the side. She was trying to just check everything but my grandpa was putting up a fight. I could tell the nurse was frustrated but she handled it well.

When she successfully checked everything, she pulled me into the hallway with her,

"He got significantly worse overnight. He's coughing up a lot of blood now too. He's not going to make it past tomorrow night. Honestly, he probably should've died last night, but I think he was waiting for you" she told me as I finally allowed my tears to fall,

"I'd call your family and let them know. He told me he wants to see them all before he passes, but he wants you, only you, in the room when he does pass"

I couldn't speak so I just nodded. Once she walked away, I sunk to the floor, letting my tears fall.

I couldn't tell you how long I sat on the cold white tiled floor. It was long enough that my butt was numb.

I gently pulled my phone out and called the first person I saw, holding it to my ear waiting for an answer,

"Hello?"

"Ash" I barely got out then started crying again.

{ Ashton }

My leg bounced as I sat in an interview. I was worrying. Tatum was supposed to text when she landed but she didn't and it's been a day already. I know she's stressed.

I had my phone sitting on the table so I could see if she texted or called. I'm thankful I did because halfway into the interview, my phone buzzed and Tatum's contact popped up,

"I'm sorry but I really have to take this" I excused myself, slipping out of the studio.

As soon as the door closed behind me, I slid my finger across the screen,

"Hello"

"Ash" her voice broke and I could hear her crying,

"Baby, what's going on?" I asked as calmly as I could,

"He won't make it past tomorrow night"

My heart broke for her. I know how close they are. He got her out of the most dangerous situation of her life. He got her back to being a person after years of abuse,

"I'll be on the next plane. Hang tight for me" I promised.

****

I didn't bother telling the others I was leaving.

I got home, packed a bag, and booked a flight. Unfortunately, I won't be landing in Hawaii until 1:00 tomorrow.

My friends showed up, walking through my front door, and loudly entering the living room,

"Why'd ya leave?" Calum popped the question right away,

"I had to book a flight. Tatum called. Her grandpa won't make it past tomorrow" I sighed. Sierra and Crystal's faces fell,

"How long are you gonna be down there?" Luke asked,

"I don't know" I shrugged. I know why they're asking. We have interviews and we're supposed to be going to Bali,

"I'm not going to Bali if that's what you're wanting to know," I told them,

"And that's perfectly fine. We didn't expect you too" Crystal nodded.

< next day >

I landed in Hawaii and got a Uber directly to the hospital. Thankfully I only had a backpack and a small duffel bag so I wasn't really dragging luggage with me.

I walked up to the third floor and down the corridor. As I approached the room, I saw quite a few people standing outside. But off the side was Tatum.

Her blonde hair was a mess and she had bags under her eyes. She looked like she'd been crying. My hoodie covered her body, her shorts barely visible underneath.

Tatum's head finally turned and she saw me. At that moment, I've never seen her run so fast.

Her arms went around my waist and her face buried in my chest. I dropped my bags and let my arms wrap around her. She smelled like the hospital, but with a mix of her coconut body wash.

I kissed her head and held her a little tighter. We hadn't said a word yet, but we didn't have too,

"I love you" I whispered,

"Love you" was the small response.

The door to her grandpa's room opened and a couple of people walked out,

"Do you wanna go in with me?" Tatum looked up. I nodded and pecked her lips, letting her take my hand as we walked in together.

It was quiet, the only noise was the beeping of machines. Her grandpa, Rich, was laying down. He looked horrible,

"TT?" He spoke hoarsely, "Ashton? That you boy?"

"Hi, Mr. Kohole" I smiled, still holding Tatum's hand,

"Boy" he spoke but started coughing. Tatum's hand ripped from mine and nurses ran in,

"Sir, we need you to leave," the nurse told me. I nodded but Rich grabbed my arm,

"Take care of Tatum for me"

"I promise. I will make sure she's okay and taken care of" I nodded then was taken out of the room.

All eyes were on me from the family. I moved to the side. It was a waiting game now.