The Switch

Chapter 7 | Zombies

c h a p t e r  7

ZOMBIES

LIV.

The flight was a complete blur. I honestly don't remember most of it. Mrs. Collins was waiting for us at the airport when we got off.

"Hi girls," she greeted us with a tight smile and hugs.

"Take us to the hospital," Piper said immediately. "We need to see Leah."

"That was the plan," her mom sighed. "I don't know what her condition is now, I haven't been updated in a while." We all quickly got in the car and started driving to the Portland Providence hospital.

"What room number is she?" I said, worried. Leah has to be okay. She needs to be okay.

"210," Piper's mom told us. "Be quiet though." 

We nodded as we made our way towards the 200 hall. Room 210-- here it was. I took a breath and walked in to see Leah laying motionless in a hospital bed, her parents sitting next to her anxiously.

"Is she..." my voice squeaked and trailed off.

"I'm still alive, you losers," I heard a weak voice say. "Relax."

Piper and I just stared at the Leah, our mouths hanging open.

"But I thought you were in a coma--" Piper started before the doctor cut her off.

"She just woke up a few hours ago," he explained. "She'll have to stay here for a few more days, though. She suffered some bruising and whiplash. And as you can see, she's a little beat up."

Leah had a black eye, and some scratches on her arms and legs. We ran over to the bed and gave her a hug. Well, tried to, anyways-- it was quite a difficult task when she was lying down.

She laughed, and then grimaced. "It hurts to laugh," she told us with a tight smile.

"We're really glad you're okay," I said to her, a relived expression on my face.

"Me too," she joked.

"Now," Piper said, back in business mode."Tell us this instant how this happened."

"Yeah," I agreed. "Is there some jerk who's a terrible driver that we need to beat up for you?"

She just looked at us with a tired expression. "Some guy T-boned me," she said before adding quickly, "But before you get mad, let me finish. He was really nice about it and is paying for all my hospital bills. Plus he's going to buy me a new car. In exchange for us not suing him."

I laughed. "Well, I won't beat him up too badly."

"Same. We'll just rough him up a little," Piper said angelically.

"You guys are so crazy," Leah replied. "I can't believe you flew all the way back here from London, just to come see me. I'm sorry I ruined your trip."

I looked at her in shock. "Did you seriously just say that? Of course we would fly back here! You could've died!"

"And you did not ruin our trip," Piper added. "We'll just plan another one."

Leah smiled weakly. "If you say so."

"Girls, we appreciate you coming in and seeing Leah, but she needs some rest," her mom told us firmly.

"Of course. We need to get some sleep anyways," I retorted.

Leah giggled. "That's for sure. You two look like zombies back from the dead, you're so tired!"

Piper and I both rolled our eyes amidst laughter. "Like you look any better?"

"Girls," her mother said warningly. We nodded sheepishly and made to move toward the exit.

"Okay, bye Leah, feel better," Piper told her.

"See you later," I said. "We'll come visit you again soon!"

"Wait," she said, her expression mockingly serious. "I just have one question: did you meet One Direction?"

"No, we didn't!" Piper groaned. "See, Liv? Leah understands the importance of meeting them."

"Oh man," I groaned, placing my head in my hands. "Obsessed! Obsessed I say!"

__________

Piper's mom dropped me off at home after that. I was exhausted. It had been a long day.

"Hello? I'm home," I hollered as I stepped inside, dragging my luggage behind me.

"Olivia!" Reagan and Mia shrieked as they came running towards me.

"Hi," I laughed as they gave me hugs.

"Hi honey!" my mom said as she walked in and also gave me a hug.

"Hi Mom," I sighed.

"How's Leah doing?" she asked me, a concerned expression creasing her brow.

"She's doing well! She woke up today and is feeling better." 

"Oh, that's so good to hear," she responded with a deep breath. "I was really worried. Sorry to end your trip early."

"It's okay," I said with a small smile. "Just gives me an excuse to go back."

My mom chuckled. "Why don't you go upstairs and unpack? Then you can come and watch a movie with us. You're probably really tired."

"That sounds good," I told her as I headed towards my room. "And yes, very."

Reagan stepped in front of me and opened her mouth to speak. Before she could say anything, I cut her off. "Reagan, before you ask me, no, I did not meet One Direction, no, we did not get married, and no, I did not get their autograph for you."

She just looked at me in surprise before answering, "Well, that's rather disappointing."

I laughed. "Sorry to break your heart."

Mia walked up to me, a hopeful expression on her face. 

"Sorry Mia, I didn't get a chance to get you something either."

She just frowned. "Then next time, you have to get me something. Promise."

"I promise."

This seemed to satisfy her, and she followed Reagan.

I finally made it up to my room and threw my suitcase onto the floor. Skyler popped her head into my doorway. "Hey, you're back." she said casually. "Is Leah okay?"

"Yeah, she's good."

"Okay. Cool." And she was gone.

I fell on top of my bed and just laid there. I had absolutely no energy left. As tired as I was, I knew I needed to unpack or I would never get it done.

Sighing, I sat on the floor and grabbed my bag from where it had landed. As I unzipped the main zipper and opened my suitcase, I froze.

This was not my suitcase, and these were not my clothes.