Overcome

Chapter 4- Wednesday Nights

I grabbed my tablet and speaker as soon as I got home and threw them in my red bag. My mom was downstairs cooking food that I wouldn't eat. She knew but somehow in the back of her mind she thought maybe one day I would stay. I wouldn't go and I would just walk downstairs and engulf her in a hug. But what she doesn't know is without this night I would be even more lost than I already am. I have to see Kenzie or I'll break. I can't break. I have to stay strong for my mom and most importantly to prove to myself that I'm strong. This day, that two hours I spend with her means more than anyone will ever know.

Once I arrived in the parking lot I grabbed my bag, got out, and horned my car so it would lock. I walked slowly to the desk and when Cyndy saw me she gave me a small smile and waved me through. Everyone here knows me. I don't talk to them but they know me as Kenzies sister. Her overly hopeful sister.

I walked up the stairs to floor three then took two lefts and a right to get to room 375. When I walked in her room my breath got caught in my throat as I saw all the machines attached to her. The only things that were keeping her alive besides my ever persistent hope. I took slow shaky steps to the chair next to her bed. Right, left, right left. I chanted to myself to force my legs to move. When I reached the chair I breathed in a deep breath and breathed it out slowly.

I grabbed my red bag and pulled put my tablet and speaker. I hooked the speaker to the tablet and turned on Kenzies favorite movie, Finding Nemo. Even if she was sleeping upstairs and she heard anything that sounded remotely like Nemo she would wake up. She's seen the movie so many times she could say almost all the lines along with the characters.

I set my tablet up on the window sill and slowly scooted my chair closer to her bed. I held my hand put prepared to touch hers. I hovered it just centimeters above hers ready to touch her hand, so ready. The machine beeped loudly and I jerked my hand back. I can't touch her. I don't deserve to touch her.

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My alarm clock beeeped over and over at a should be illegal volume causing me to wake up in a panic. I really need a new alarm clock.

I slowly pulled myself out of bed and over to my closet. Today I'm not feeling it. I grabbed my favorite sweatshirt and my grey sweatpants and threw them on. I then put my head in a not so effortless messy bun and once I was satisfied I walked downstairs.

"Wow, did you just roll out of bed and come down or what?" My mom said and tried to stiffle a chuckle.

"No," I said simply.

If I give one word answers most of the time she won't bother me anymore. She tries so hard, I do give her credit but she just can't get through to me. We had a great relationship before Kenzie but once she was born it all went down hill. And once she was in the hospital it didn't get any better.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a box of fruitloops, a bowl, spoon, and milk. After eating my breakfast I grabbed my stuff and walked out. I put the keys in the ignition and turned them to bring the engine to life. It didn't start. I turned them again and it still didn't start. One more try and it still didn't start. I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder and began walking. I have about 20 minutes before school starts and its about 3 miles. My first hour isnt an AP so I should be ok. I'm definitely going to be tardy.

As I walked down the street I could hear a car on the road behind me. Now me being me the first thing I think of is this guy is following me to knock me down, handcuff me, wrap me in a bag ands kidnap me. Now my insane idea isn't actually far from what happens.

"Hey," the person said after the engine stopped and a car door opening was heard.

I turned around so slowly that the mysterious voice probably thought something was wrong with me.