desertion

22

I open my eyes and I'm in a hospital room. I can feel myself starting to choke and that's when I realize there's a tube down my throat. "Lydia!" Maddie says, rushing over to me. She grabs the remote that rests on my bed and hits the call button.

"Hold on, sweetheart. Calm down." Maddie says as she notices my panic. The doctor rushes in and takes the tube out, unstrapping the thing keeping it in. I go into a coughing fit and Maddie rubs my back.

"I'm glad to see your awake, Miss Diaz." The doctor says. "What happened to me?" I ask. "You were hurt during the tsunami. You had a gash on your stomach and you were in organ failure. We had to intubate you due to the physical trauma you went through." The doctor says. "You also have a severe concussion." The doctor adds.

I lean back on the bed with a groan. "Be careful. I'll get you something to eat, anything specific?" The doctor asks. "I don't care." I say. The doctor leaves after that.

"Where's Dad?" I ask, looking over at Maddie. "He went to take a shower at home. He's been by your side this whole time." Maddie says with a small smile. "Is Buck okay?" I ask. "He's fine. And so is Chris. You're the only one with severe injuries." Maddie says. "Where are they?" I ask as my head starts hurting.

"Buck went to go get me some lunch. And him some lunch. He should be back any minute." Maddie says. I close my eyes, my body feeling even weaker than it did before.

"Okay, I got Chinese and-" Buck says as he walks into the room but he stops. "Did she wake up?!" Buck asks. "I'm awake." I say, my eyes still closed. "How long have you been awake?" Buck asks. "Not long." I say, opening my eyes and getting hit with the pain of the lights. "Your Dad should be back soon." Maddie says with a small nod.

As soon as she says that though, Dad walks into the room. "Lydia." Dad says, walking over to the bed. "How are you feeling?" Dad asks. "Fine." I say. "Miles has been calling. He's been worried sick about you." Dad says. I have yet to mention that me and Miles are dating to Dad.

I really just haven't had time, yes I know, weak excuse. Buck doesn't know either, unless Maddie told him. Which I'm positive she didn't, at least I think.

"I'll call him later." I say as the doctor comes back into the room. She has a tray in her hand and she sets on my table before rolling my table to me. "Thank you." I say. "You're welcome. We'll have to do some tests later just to make sure you're doing alright, for now, you need to eat." The doctor says.

"What kind of tests?" Buck asks. "We need to do a CT scan on her, just to check her concussion." The doctor says. "How long is she going to have to stay here?" Dad asks. "Depends on how she does. She seems to be doing fine so I don't think she'll be here longer than a week." The doctor says. "Thank you." Dad says. The doctor smiles before leaving the room.

"Miles is on his way, his little sister is coming too." Buck says. Dahlia. She's the sweetest girl ever and Miles says she loves me. I've only met her once, but she clung to me that whole day, telling me about her stuffed animals and telling me about how good of a brother Miles is. It was adorable.

I nod. "You and Miles are close, huh?" Buck asks, clearly hinting something. "I guess." I say. "Maybe even.. more than friends." Buck says, his eyebrow raised. "Maybe." I say, shrugging my shoulders. "I'm sorry, huh?" Dad says. This is an awkward place to have this conversation.

"We've been dating since the day of.. of uh- Mom's death." I say, looking down. "Why didn't you tell me?" Dad asks. "There's been a lot going on.. never really had time. I've been stressing with school, you've been just angry recently so I don't want to make you even angrier." I say. "I'm not angry about it, Lyds. He's a good guy, he's proved that. I'm just happy you're happy." Dad says.

This did not go the way I thought it would. I look up at him with a small smile. "Thanks Dad.." I say. Before anyone can say anything, the door opens and Miles walks in. Dahlia is in his arms. When she sees me, she hops out of them and rushes over. "Hi pretty girl." I say with a smile.

"Are you okay? You don't look okay." Dahlia asks, tilting her head. "I'm okay. Promise." I say. She hops onto the bed and lays beside me. "Dahlia." Miles says, starting to scold her. "She's fine. She isn't hurting me." I say. Miles gives me a "are you sure?" look and I just nod my head.

"What happened?" Dahlia asks, her eyes bright with concern and curiosity. "I got hurt. But I'll be okay. The doctors fixed me up." I say, ruffling her hair. She laughs, leaning onto my shoulder. I wince slightly but compose myself, trying not to worry anyone. My head is killing me and I'm tired, but she just got here. I'm not kicking her out because I'm tired. That's just plain rude.

"So, when can you leave?" Miles asks. "There's not an exact date, but she said I wouldn't be here longer than a week." I say. "You've already been here for three days.." Miles says. "It's an estimate, loverboy. Don't freak out on me." I say.

Miles just rolls his eyes with a laugh before stoping and looking at Dad. "I know." Dad says. "So do I. I do have some questi-" Buck starts to say. "No you don't, Buckley." I say. Buck looks at me, his eyebrows raised. I laugh slightly.

I hear laughing from down the hall and I know whose laugh that is. It's Chris. And, just like I thought, Chris walks through the door, Carla behind him. "This is a full room.." Carla says. I laugh.

"Glad to see you're awake!" Carla says. I smile at her as Chris walks over to me. He gets on the bed too, laying his head on my shoulder. "I missed you." He says quietly. "I missed you too." I say, placing a kiss on his head. "I do have questions though." Buck says.

"Buckley." I warn with a small laugh. He looks at me before laughing too. "Your laugh sounds different." Chris says, still speaking quietly. "What do you mean?" I ask. "It just sounds sad now.." Chris says. "I just don't feel good, bud. I'll be okay though." I say, a small smile resting on my lips. "Are you sure?" Chris asks. "Positive." I say.

"I was scared I lost you." Dahlia says suddenly. "You can never get rid of me. I'm like glue. You're both stuck with me forever." I say. "I like the sound of that." Chris says, still leaning his head on my shoulder. "Me too." Dahlia says.

I smile at them both before leaning my head back and closing my eyes.