I'm going to see Dad. I have to get away from all of this. I started thinking. I walked to the exit of the library and started calling Maggie again.
She didn't pick up.
I heard the sound of running feet behind me. Josh grabbed me by the shoulder and I halted. I refused to turn around and see his stupid, careless face.
He stepped in front of me, "Mika-" I snapped my head towards him and bored my eyes into him, "Don't call me that." he looked hurt in a way, but he deserved it. "Mikaela, I'm sorry."
I ignored him and tried calling Jason instead this time. I turned my head away from Josh.
"Please. Look at me. I'm really sorry I stole your first kiss." Josh pleaded for me to face him again.
He didn't pick up.
Mom was the only other option, but the whole point of going to see Dad was to avoid drama rather than create it.
I still didn't look at him but I spoke as if I was, "I need you to take me somewhere." There was no sincerity in my voice.
He looked as if I just slapped him in the face, "Um, sure. Where?" I was facing him now, "Drive me to the hospital."
***
God, why did I do this? I should've never talked to him in the first place and I could've chosen some other day to go see Dad. I started thinking as we drove to the hospital. Josh attempted to talk to me but I gave basic answers, such as, "yeah" or "uh-huh".
Sure I felt bad, but I wasn't gonna show it.
Josh parked the car and I got out. "Thanks for the ride, you can go home, or wherever, now." He got out now, too. "No way, I'm coming too." "This is none of your business." I tell him as I proceed to walk away from him.
He locked the car and followed me, "I'll just tag along with you, then."
I sideways looked at him, "Ugh, whatever." I mumbled. We walked into the hospital entrance on the second floor, there was the last we had to check in with.
"How may I help you?" She said bluntly. "I'm here to see Michael Thomas." I explained to the lady. "Okay, one moment. Please, have a seat." I nodded and smiled as Josh and I went to sit on the yellow soft seats.
"So, who'd you come to visit?" Josh asked, trying to break the ice. "My Dad." I replied plainly. "Oh...er what happened?" He asked, "I mean, if you don't mind me asking." He added quickly.
I sighed, but decided to tell him that Dad had gotten in a pretty big car accident and that's why he's in the hospital. I didn't tell him anything else.
"You can go see him now, he's in room 281." She said as she gave me and Josh a hospital pass. "Thank you." I said quietly.
As we walked through the hospital to find the room I saw a self-playing piano with a sign in the front that read "PLEASE DON'T TOUCH THE PIANO", as it played beautifully. There were also pretty paintings of sea animals and pictures of the hospitals best doctors.
Finally, we'd gotten to Dad's room, I knocked on the door, then went in.
"Hey, Dad, how're you feeling." I said all perky as if there could be nothing bad in the world. "I'm feeling pretty good. Who's your friend over there?" Dad responded.
Josh had taken a seat already and was reading a magazine, but speedily got up when Dad turned his attention to him. "Hi - um hello sir. My name's Josh"
I found a stern look on Dad's face, maybe bringing just a teenage guy with me to see my Dad in the hospital wasn't such a good idea. Then, suddenly, a grin appeared on Dad's face as he held out his hand and Josh shook it, looking relieved as well. "Nice to met ya, Josh."
Josh smiled, "Nice to meet you, too."
Dad looked at me, as if he just realized something, "Mika, where's your mother and Sam?" I was pretty sure some appearance of horror flashed across my face.
"Well, um, I kinda just came with Josh." I put my hand behind my head and tried to smile as big as I could. "Does Mom know you're here?" Dad asked, ignoring my efforts to prevent this subject from coming up.
I shook my head.
"Mikaela!" He yelled at me, "How could you just come with some boy I've never met to the hospital and not even tell your mother?" He demanded.
I blurted out the truth. "It's not like she cares!"
"Excuse me, Mikaela? Your mother loves you very much, and your sister.
"No, Dad, she really doesn't. She doesn't care about me, you, or Sam! She'd be all smiles if we all just died suddenly!" I was on the verge of tears right there.
"That's not true." He murmured.
"It is! And you know that just as well as I do!" I started crying and I knew if I'd said anything else my voice would crack and I'd look like a fool. I stormed out and Josh followed, he was silent behind me the whole fight, not daring to say a word.
When we got back into the parking lot I stopped, standing near Josh's car. I banged the door as hard as I could at least twice and then Josh broke me off,
"Don't go beating up my poor car now." He gave me a sad smile.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, "I'm sorry I talked to you about that stupid kiss, I'm sorry I made myself look like an idiot I front of you, I'm sorry I started taking out my anger on your car, I'm sorry for everything." I was holding back my sobs as I faced the car.
Josh turned me around and pulled me into a big embrace, I lay my head on his chest and started crying out loud all over again, "I'm sorry."
Josh lifted his hand and picked my head up. My eyes looking into his, filled with sympathy and care as he told me softly, "Don't be."
He pressed his lips against mine and it felt so relaxing and peaceful. As if I had not a worry in the world.
Then, I heard a gasp and saw the flash of a camera go off.
-----------------------------------------
What have I done, is Gaby going to find out? Is Josh in love with Mika? Only I have these answers and I'm making myself feel suspended.
~ Gracee
