Ice Water.

Chapter 6.

A security guard escorted me out, making sure I made it to my car safely. There had been incidents of people running from the hospital, or even into the road so they wouldn't have to deal with the program anymore. Sadly, these weren't options. The sun wouldn't come out that day as per usual in Washington. I unlocked my car and slid into the driver's seat, sighing as rain drops tapped on my windshield. It was barely a drizzle yet. I day dreamed of sunny California. Laying on the beach in warm sand, letting the cold ocean slip over me like a sheet of ice. It would be paradise for the moment. My best friend Valentine would be there, talking about how she was in love with The Neighborhood's new album, or how the boy at the cafe stared at us. At this moment, I missed her random babbles. I missed the auburn hair that splayed across my chest whenever she layed her head on my shoulder to cry or just because she needed someone. I missed the way she would laugh in a million ways to make me laugh. I missed the ice blue eyes that always told me I would be okay, no matter where I was.
I drove quietly, wiping away the few stray tears that came with the daydreams. I knew I wouldn't be gone forever, but I wouldn't be the same when I came back. By the time I was almost to the hospital, it had started pouring. I had talked the doctor into letting me drive without an escort, so I pulled into an empty parking lot. I still had time to wait, so I did. I spent the time crying or just sitting in silence. Conveniently, there was a payphone under the awning of the old building. I pulled up as much as I could to stay out of the rain, and got out. Walking to the phone, I slipped a paper out of my pocket. Phone numbers were written across the page. The first number was Valentine's. I dialed quickly after putting in a few quarters, waiting for her to answer. Like always, she answered with a fake voice.
"Um, hello?'' She asked.
"Val, its me. I'm on my way to the hospital right now. I miss you already." My voice was weak and shaky, so she immediately knew I had cried.
"Sweetheart, it'll be okay. I promise. Just a few weeks." Valentine had just woken up, but her voice was still sympathetic.
"I know...I'm just scared." I replied.
We talked for a few more minutes before I called my mom and dad, leaving a voicemail. Afterwards I got back in my car and finished the drive. I pulled into the parking lot, wiping away the last evidence that I had cried. I wouldn't dare cry here.