Crystal's Heart

XXIII. Like a potential boyfriend-girlfriend date

There's a heavy scent of alcohol in the air and everything smells a bit bleachy.

Oh shit, I'm in the hospital.

"Oh my goodness. You're awake." Leslie got up from the chair, "Wait here. Let me get the doctor." She rushes out the room.

Groggily, I sat up and look around the room.

There's a dying old man next to me.

Ew. I'm not in a private room.

Leslie came back to the room with the doctor who hovers around me with the nurse help. He said the weed mixed with my prescribed drugs caused my blood and heart level to dramatically drop which was why I passed out.

I also had a nosebleed.

The doctor told me he can't recommend a change in dosage because he wasn't the one who prescribed the medication.

I should talk to my assigned doctor.

When the doctor left, I sipped on the water and asked: "Does my parents know I'm here?"

She shakes her head, "No. It's late so I haven't had the chance to call Mr.Davenson."

I lowered the cup, "What about my cousin?"

"I called him, but he didnt pick up."

"Did you leave any voicemail or text?"

She shakes her head.

"How about we not tell them?"

Silence.

"What are you talking about?" Leslie asked.

"They don't have to know."

"Crystal! I'm not going to hide this from your parents! You practically almost died."

I scoffed, "You're exaggerating," I said. "I mean-" I shrugged, "I did a little bit of weed."

"With a handful of drugs." She sighed, "They have to know." When Leslie got up, I grabbed her arm.

"Please-" I said, "Please don't tell them." Her face got blurry, "They can't know or else...or else they'll send me back."

"Don't you like going home? I mean-"

"No." I shake my head, "Not back home. They'll send me away again Leslie. I don't want to go back."

Leslie stares at me for an unnerving long time.

I grabbed her hands, "We're friends right?" I asked. "Just this one time, as a friend, please help me."

Leslie takes a few blinks.

"Please?"

She exhales, "Just this one time."

I hugged her, "Thank you!"

"But, no more weed and drugs together."

"Okay!"

Leslie embraces me in return.

"Um- who else knows about this?"

"Samuel. He went home," she said. "And Ricardo. You should see him last night-"

"Wait," I said. "Ricardo knows about this?"

"Yeah. He was the one who came to me last night."

"Where is he?"

"He's outside," I said. "I told him to go take a nap in the break room. Do you want to talk to him? I can go get to him now."

I shake my head, "Let him sleep. I can talk to him later." I'm not ready to talk to him now, that's for sure. "Why don't you go back and get some sleep too? I'll keep you updated."