Running Bases With You

Chapter 54

{unedited}

*Annabeth's POV*

Five-thirty comes way too early this morning as my alarm starts screaming much too loudly. I reluctantly awake from my comfortable slumber, rubbing my eyes to clear away some of the exhaustion. I slept better than I thought I would to be completely honest, but I did wake up quite a few times.

I stare at the ceiling for quite awhile, my thoughts running wild.

This is it. This is the day. It's finally here..

Before I convince myself to stay in bed and go back to sleep, I grab the outfit I set out the night before off my dresser and force myself into the bathroom to change. I put on sweatpants, my favorite One Direction shirt for luck, and my favorite pair of neon blue and orange mismatched ankle socks. I tie my hair into a high ponytail as the surgeon instructed since they'll be putting my long hair in a head cover.

I put on my Reebok's, lightly lacing the grey strings together. When I finish, I sit completely still, staring at the creme colored carpet below me with my elbows resting on my knees in fear.

I'm not ready for this, I'm not ready at all. I wish Louis was here, God I do. He would know what to do, he would know how to ease my anxiety.

I have to do this, it has to be done. No question about it, Annabeth. No turning back, not now. Not ever.

I let out a sigh full of all nerves as I stand to my feet, hoping it will help at least somewhat.

It doesn't.

I walk out of my room and down the dark corridor to the living room. I avoid the kitchen at all costs, knowing I'll cave and start munching on something due to my already growling stomach.

I can hear Talia in her room getting ready. She never has been a morning person, so I assume she woke up earlier than me.

I am physically and emotionally exhausted. I can feel the fear in me rising higher and higher, resulting in my sweaty hands, fidgeting fingers, my shaking legs and hands, and my already erratic breathing. I've never been good under pressure.

Around ten minutes later, Talia comes walking out of her room dressed in jeans and a plain white t-shirt. She puts on her black and white converse high tops and grabs her keys from the key tray.

"You ready, love?" She asks, a sad frown on her face. Her heart aches for me, and I hate this is making her just as upset. Talia is my absolute best friend in the entire world, and all I want is to make her happy; to make her proud. But unfortunately, I can only do that by going into that operating room with a brave face and rising back to the top.

Or a not so brave face?

You're such a wimp, Annabeth..

Uhg, I know.

"Yeah. As ready as I'll ever be anyway." I can't bring myself to smile, so I bite my lip instead.

Talia nods in understanding. "Fair enough. C'mon, let's get going before you bite all of your nails off."

I snatch my hands away from my face and follow my best friend outside to her car. We get in at the same time and she drives towards the hospital at a slow pace.

"Talia."

"Yeah?"

"You know, to drive, you have to actually put pressure on the gas pedal. You're driving like an old lady." I raise an eyebrow, eyeing her sideways.

She huffs, her cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. "I'm nervous, alright? I'm stalling and you know it!"

"Talia, I don't want this anymore than you do, but it has to be done. Please don't make me late, I'm already scared enough as it is. The last thing I need is for this to be rescheduled." I beg her, my disappointed frown making her pout.