It Begins In A Hospital

Chapter 2

 

My eyes pop open and I quickly turn around to look at her. She stirs slightly, and I yawn. Just a dream, I think as i close my eyes again. within seconds of closing my eyes, I’m opening them up again to a bright room and a blaring alarm clock.

 

“Crap, it’s Wednesday,” I say as I roll over and hit the alarm clock.

 

“What does that mean?” Avery asks, sitting up slightly.

 

“Don’t talk!” I half shout.

 

“My throat feels fine now. I feel a lot better, but thanks for the concern,” She smiles.

 

“Oh, okay. Well, Tuesdays are off days. Today is an on day, and that means I just have tutoring” I say, trying to explain.

 

“Oh,” Avery says.

 

“The nurse will explain it to you,” I say, and I slide out of bed.

 

She nods as I turn and look down at my faded t shirt and plaid pajama pants and realize I was in them all day yesterday. I turn to my suitcase and pull out jeans and a clean shirt, and I walk down the hall to the bathroom. I get changed quickly and walk back into the room. Avery is sitting on her bed, pulling back her hair into a ponytail.

 

"A nurse came in and told me my mom was going to be here soon to take me home and get clothes, at least for the night. I have some psychiatric tests to go through today to decide if I'm going to be admitted for a longer period of time,” She sighed.

 

“Oh,” I say quietly.

 

She nods and looks away, turning to face the window. I grab a hoodie from the foot of my bed and slid it on my arms. Sam walks in, smiling, carrying a small tray with a few pills in a plastic cup on them, water balancing in the middle.

 

“Hey Ethan, here you go,” She says, setting the tray on the table.

 

Avery watches me as I take the pills and swallow them. She cringes as I gulp the water down.

“Thanks, little man,” She says and takes the tray and cups.

“Just because you’re my older cousin doesn’t mean you can call me little,” I say, sticking my tongue out at her. She messes up my hair and I flip it back into place.

“She’s your cousin?” Avery asks as she leaves.

I nod. I look up at the clock, 8:00 on the dot.

“Well, I have a counseling session now, are you okay to stay here? I don’t know when your mom is coming to get you, and I don’t want you to be stuck here by yourself with nothing to do,” I say.

“My mom said she’ll be here around nine thirty, so I’ll just stay here,” She says, looking at her feet.

“No, come with me. My session is only half an hour, and then I’ll show you around a little?” I ask.

“Sure, if I’m not intruding,” She smile slightly.

“Well, I know sitting in a room while some random dude you just met talks about his feelings and crap sounds like so much fun you might just have a heart attack, but come along. Its all stuff you’ll hear in group eventually, so might as well hear it now,” I joke.

“Alright,” She nods, pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She leans forward and slides her feet off the bed. She quickly laces up her worn out Converse and stands up. She pulls her dirty tee-shirt down slightly, and she tugs at the tops of her messy jeans. She looks down at herself again, and then back at me. Her messy auburn ponytail rested on her shoulder, slight waves forming on her chest. I stare at her, amazed, that this beautiful girl tried ending her life.

 

“What are you looking at?” She asks.

 

“Nothing, why?” I ask, quickly flipping my hair out of my eyes and glancing at the clock.

We walk out of the room, and she follows one step behind me. We walk down the long, bright hallway, and I knock and then open a heavy wood door at the very end.

“Hello Ethan,” Dr. Rinaldi says sweetly, smiling wide.

“Morning Dr. Rinaldi, sorry I’m a little late. This is my new roommate, Avery, and I was just showing her around a little, and explaining what kind of goes on around here,” I say, and nod towards Avery.

“Oh, thats quite alright. Will she be sitting in for this session?” She asks.

I nod, before remembering what this session is supposed to be about.

Why I was admitted.

Shit.