Exotic

XIII

Kath

Sydney's Mom and younger siblings, Dewey, my parents, Eli and I were waiting in the waiting room for Sydney to come out of surgery. The girls really fucked up her leg and she was hurt pretty badly in other places. I was nervous. I felt guilty. I got coach to give her a chance, I did this. This is my fault. I told her that she'd get on the team.

Coach was with the police. Giving them the names of the girls who'd hurt Sydney and also giving her statement. Eli and I had already given ours. So now we were just waiting for Sydney to be okay. Her mother was heartbroken. Why wouldn't she be? Her daughter was hurt by the people who were supposed to be welcoming and nice to her. She was hurt by the sport she loved. And it's all my fault.

I rest my head on Eli's shoulder and cry. My sister turned to me and held me while I sobbed. She squeezed me tight and kissed my head and tried to assure me. But how can she comfort me when this is my fault? I set her up in that rink. I took her there. If I hadn't meddled, she wouldn't be here. She wouldn't be in surgery having procedures being done all over her body. She would have lost any blood. She would've been fine.

"It's all my fault." I cried.

"No, Kath. It's not."

"Yes, it is."

"Did you tell those girls to beat her up and hurt her?" Eli pulled away and held my face in her hands, "Did you?"

"No." I sniffed as more tears slipped out.

"Were you one of the girls who beat her up?"

"No." I repeat.

"Then you did not cause this. This wasn't you. You didn't have any hand in it. And I doubt you would've tried to warn her about that first girl if you were a part of this." Eli stated.

"So it wasn't my fault?"

"No! Of course not! You were being a good friend by speaking to coach about it. And she was a really good player. You saw how good she was. Those girls are pathetic little bitches. They were so insecure that they felt the need to physically harm her so she couldn't be better than them. Even though she was. Those girls have a serious problem and they need to sort it out. Not you. This wasn't your fault, okay?"

"Okay."

"Now, stop your crying. She's going to be fine." Eli stated while sitting back in her chair.

"How do you know?" I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

"I just know. Besides, what I say goes." she shrugs. There was a slight chuckle from the adults, and I noticed that Sydney's Mom was crying silently too, leaning into Dewey as she did so.

"I'm sorry, Miss Kelly." I told her.

"She'll be fine." she replied.

God, I hope so.

-------

A few hours later, when my parents and Eli took Ollie and Abigail out for food and to get them home for a shower and sleep, the doctor comes out and the three of us that were left spring up to meet her.

"Sydney pulled though and she's in recovery. We'll update you on all of her injures and the extent of them, but she's waking up rather quickly so I suggest you head up to see her. She digested the anaesthetic quite quickly and gave a scare."

I almost collapsed in relief. To hear that she's okay and alive is music to my ears and I can't wait to see her. We followed the doctor upstairs to the ICU, where we were met with an alert Sydney. She didn't seem to know where she was but she sort relaxed when she saw us.

"Sydney, I'm so glad you're okay." Miss Kelly said as she rushed to her side and held her hand. Dewey and I just stood in the corner of the room, giving them some space. But I do notice that Sydney was staring at me quite intensely.

Miss Kelly soon left with a doctor to learn about her injuries and I took this opportunity to take my place at her side. I'd noticed that she hasn't spoken yet. Her eyes were filled with so much pain and it hurt me too. I know I can't do anything about it, so that doesn't help.

"Your Mom is gonna press charges against those girls." I tell her. She smiled a little bit, and I could see that her jaw was wired shut. Upon seeing that, a tear fell down my cheek, to which she lifted a bruised finger to wipe away. I took her hand and held it against my face. Enjoying her touch. She seemed a little relieved at this action too. Dewey walked to the other side of Sydney and sat down next to her.

"I understand that you're going through a tough time. It'll be hard on you physically and mentally and I really want to help, so I've had an idea. I'll talk to your Mom as well but I wanna run it past you first. How would you like for me to get you an emotional support animal?"

Sydney took Dewey's hand and squeezed it, "Is that a yes?" I ask her with a slight smile. Her face lit up when Dewey asked and it was very cute. She then squeezed my hand to confirm and I chuckle a little,"I think that's a yes, Dewey."

"I'll go talk your Mom. Hang tight." she gently grazed her fingers along Sydney's cheek before leaving the room. Now it's just us and Sydney looks at me like I'm the most perfect thing in the world. Which I'm not.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

She motioned for something to write with, so I hand her my phone with the notes app open. She typed with one hand, as the one that I was holding was in a cast.

You saved me. It read.

"Well, I wasn't going to let you lie there in pain, was I?" I chuckle a little. She types again and I wait patiently.

You comforted me in the trauma room. And you waited here. You waited for me. It makes me feel so loved and comforted. Thank you, Kath.

"You need to stop thanking me so much and just accept the fact that I'm here for you."

Still. You've only known me for a few days. You didn't have to do that.

"Sydney. I think you'll find that you've grown on me quite a bit. It doesn't feel like a few days."

I know. Although, I wish that I had know you longer. You're such a great girl.

"Thanks." I smile at her. She brings my hand towards her chest and hugs it like a teddy bear. Maybe I'll be her emotional support animal.