• SALVA ME • •NATIESE• VERSÃO INGLÊS

• Chapter: EIGHT •

The drive from Lauren's house to the hospital was almost always fifteen or twenty minutes away, but Priscilla beat the record and made it in ten minutes.

Priscilla knew that worry about Natalie was unnatural for her. Yes, she cared a lot about her patients, but not the way she was caring right now, about that patient. But in
the doctor's mind, that was just because Natalie was Camila's friend. Nothing else.

She entered the hospital and quickly went to the brunette's room, where Cecilia had just left.

- Dr. Pugliese, sorry to call you, but I saw you and your goddaughter in this room and I didn't know who else to call. – The nurse was trying to apologize.

- All right, Cecilia. – The brunette offered a weak smile to the other woman. - How is she?

- More calm. She hasn't totally stopped crying, but it's much better than when I walked in here this morning.

- And... Did she say what happened?

- I didn't understand almost anything she was talking about because of her sobs, but she said something about someone who called her from France... - Cecilia replied, confused.

Priscilla nodded.

- I'll see how she is. – She said already opening the door.

Cecilia nodded and continued down the hallway.

The brunette walked in slowly and the way Natalie was on the bed made her feel a pain in her chest.

The brunette had tears in her eyes, her fingers were touching the bandage on her leg and her gaze... It was a blank look.

- Natalie? – Priscilla called her softly.

The woman on the bed looked up and the brunette gave her a weak smile. Priscilla sat in the armchair, and rested her hands on the bed where Natalie lay.

Silence filled the room for several long minutes, until Natalie began to speak.

- Chris is a friend of mine from France and he owns the studio with me... He called me today... - Natalie didn't even try to fight the tears that came out of her eyes. – He doesn't know what happened, I didn't want to worry anyone… He was talking about the studio… He said the students are missing me, they said Chris is good, but I'm the best dancer...- She was crying.

Priscilla in an unconscious act, took Natalie's hand and the blonde did not hesitate to hold the brunette's hand.

- I won't be able to dance anymore, I won't be able to teach them anymore... Dancing and having my own studio has always been my biggest dream. And now I can't do
what I love the most.

Priscilla didn't know what to say to the brunette, she couldn't tell Natalie would go back to dancing the way she had danced before. The brunette could go back to dancing, of course, just not in the same way. It wasn't impossible, but the chance was slim.

- I know I would die if I hadn't amputated my leg, but I have no idea what I'm going to do after Mila's wedding... How am I going to go back to my job as a dance teacher without half of my leg? And I imagine my students... I train small children even dancers who do plays. Like they said... Chris is good, but he can't train theater dancers... – The brunette had stopped crying, but her look was sad.

- Natalie I… I don't know what to say… -  Priscilla confessed.

- You don't need to say anything just... Would it be too much if I asked you to stay here with me? – The brunette asked.

Priscilla smiled weakly.

- No. I'll stay here. It's not too much to ask.

- Thanks. - Natalie spoke with a weak smile on her lips.

The brunette nodded, returning the smile.

- Priscilla... - The brunette called after a few minutes of silence.

- Yes?

- When will I be discharged?

- Just a few more days, Natalie. – Priscilla replied smiling.

The brunette opened her mouth to ask for something, but gave up.

- He speaks. - Priscilla said.

- I was thinking... Could it be... Would it be possible for you to take me for a walk around the hospital? I really can't stand lying down anymore...

- Hmm. I don't think taking you out of this room a little bit won't do any harm. Yes I can, just hope I'll get a wheelchair ok? – The brunette smiled and got up from her
chair towards the door.

Within minutes Priscilla was back, wheeling in her wheelchair and Cecilia by her side.

The nurse helped the brunette to put Natalie in the chair and left the two again alone.

- Where do you want to go? – Priscilla asked pushing the brunette out of the room.

- You said last night that you were going to see the children... I want to go see them. – Natalie replied turning her head towards the brunette.

- Okay, but let me warn you. It's kind of painful.

- Fine.

They made their way to the children's ward in silence.

The brunette opened the door and Natalie saw a bunch of children sitting on chairs or beds with appliances attached to their arms, and others at tables scattered around the room. The Latina's heart sank to see that even like that, all those little creatures smiled when they saw the two women come through the door.

- Aunt Pri! – One of the girls who was sitting at the table came towards the women.

Priscilla got out from behind the wheelchair and opened her arms to the girl.

Lily!

- Who is this Pri? – The little one asked shyly.

- This one is Natalie, she's a friend of mine. – Priscilla explained.

The girl turned her attention to Natalie.

- You came to play with us like Pri does?

The brunette was unanswered for a moment, but then nodded.

Priscilla pushed Natalie's chair to the center of the room and introduced the brunette to the children.

They spent some time playing with the children. Natalie smiled at Priscilla's interaction with the little ones.

After a while Priscilla decided it would be better to take Natalie back to her room, the brunette was already feeling tired.

Arriving in the bedroom, the brunette helped Natalie back onto the bed and sat down again in the armchair beside her.

- Do you go there a lot? See the kids? Because they seem so familiar with you. - Natalie asked.

I will... When I'm angry, or upset about something. Going there helps me. – The brunette replied.

- Because? – The brunette asked curiously.

- Ah, going there reminds me that there are people with much bigger problems than mine. Going there and seeing that even in that situation they can smile makes me think that... Sometimes I'm so selfish, you know? Getting mad at the world just because my job is too stressful or because my life isn't how I'd like it… - Priscilla
explained.

Natalie nodded and looked thoughtful. What Priscilla had said made her think about her situation.

Being without a leg was not easy. But she was going to survive. And some of those kids had diseases that couldn't be cured and yet they were smiling. There was no reason for her to be mean to the world and cry all the time.

Natalie didn't notice when she fell asleep, but she was sure Priscilla's hands were stroking her hair when she did.