Stuck In Time

Chapter 8

We went home that night, confused and happy. Grace was too tired to celebrate, I mean, after all the tests we had done on me, it was about 12:30 at night. She apologized and went up straight to bed. I don’t blame her. Crying takes a lot out of you. 

But since I decided I’m not going to school tomorrow as a present to myself(don’t you love miracles?) I stayed up, ate ice cream, and watched as many comedy movies I could fit till I passed out from laughter and exhaustion. Ah, the life. 

I woke up that morning feeling extra happy. I tested my memory, thinking back to what I did yesterday night. I knew everything. I didn’t dare to look at the clock as I skidded downstairs, ready to make myself an amazing breakfast-cereal with whipped cream. Lots of whipped cream. I got out the ingredients, which weren’t many, and began to make my heaven food. Humming Last Friday Night, I danced around the kitchen, eating my cereal as well. Guess Grace is still sleeping. Again-can’t blame the poor woman. Then I heard a knock. Not just any knock, but a familiar knock. And knock’s aren’t usually familiar. I put down my cereal and skipped to the door, trying to calm my already racing heart. I turned the knob, coming face to face with that smile I adored.

. . . . 

Mack.

“Mack!” I said with joy as he pulled me into a big hug. “Hey babe.” He said with a smile. I smiled back, my cheeks turning pink from the surprise visit. I really liked surprises these days. “And Ally!” someone squealed. popping out from the side of the house. I giggled, hugging my best friend. “What are you guys doing here? Shouldn’t you be in school?” 

“You weren’t in today so we were worried. Plus it’s like 3 o’ clock.”

“Huh?!” I said in surprise. If I slept that long, that meant...

Oh crap my hair! My hands flung to my head.

“Don’t worry your hair looks fine. It’s still pretty straightened.”

Did I say that out loud?

“Yep!” Ally and Mack chorused. 

I narrowed my eyes, gesturing for them to come inside. As I closed the door, I wondered out loud. “Where’s Brian?” Doesn’t he go with Ally everywhere? 

Al's face suddenly was filled with sadness. I immediately regretted my question. “He couldn’t make it. He had to babysit.” 

“Oh” was all I say. Was he really babysitting? Something told me otherwise, making me think maybe Luke was right. I shuddered at the thought. That kid really was creepy. Suddenly Mack spoke up. “You remember Brain?” 

Ally suddenly look confused. “Yeah, I thought you hated the kid. I wouldn’t think you remembered”

“I never said I hated him”

Mack chuckled. “You take his jokes way to seriously and your always grumpy around him”

“No I don’t!”

He smirked “Don’t worry, I think its cute.”

I rolled my eyes, turning my head to cover my red face. 

“Hello!” Al's said, interrupting us. “How do you remember?!”

“Oh!” I said, going to grab the pictures of my brain. “I was going to invite you guys over anyways, because guess what happened to me.” 

I handed each one a photo. 

“I’m cured” I said, cracking a huge grin. Mack looked dumbfounded. Ally thought she knew better. 

“We’ve been through this a million times. You can’t be. The doctor said so. And besides, I didn’t think it was getting any better.”

That made me frown. How could she not notice that? I notice the slightest change in makeup with her! 

“ I dunno, these pictures look pretty convincing.” Mack said, eyeing a certain part of my brain. He squinted, then pulled back. “But your brain is really weird looking, Car.”

I chuckled, flipping the picture right side up. “That's because you don’t know how to hold a piece of paper”. I said matter-of-factly. He gave me a sarcastic look, then looked at it again. “Wow. This is amazing babe.” I blushed again, staring at the sofa I just happened to love at that moment. “I know” I whispered. He put his arm around my waist and gave me a proud smile. I put my head on his shoulder and began to think out loud. 

“This means so much for me. I mean, my whole future is turned around. It’s unbelievable. So unreal”

“This IS unreal.” my best friend said, gazing at the pic. She lifted her photo up. “Literally.”

“Huh?” I said, lifting my head up in surprise and staring at Ally. “Those are real! I got those from the hospital!”

“Well then someone must have switched the photos cause these are fake. It’s humanly impossible for your brain to heal miraculously like that.”

“I know, that’s why it’s a miracle!”

She shook her head sadly. “Look at the bottom.”

I grabbed the paper from her hand and Mack and I stared. She was right. The photo read June 10, 2007. That was two weeks before the accident. 

“Wait” Mack said suddenly. He showed me the other photo, my brain damaged. I squinted my eyebrows, and thought for a moment. “This was right after the accident. Shouldn’t there be a picture of my brain now?” 

“Maybe you left it there?”

Ally stared blankly at Mack. “The doctors don’t let you leave that sort of thing.” She turned to me. “He only gave you two photos, correct?” 

“Um, yea” I responded nervously. Where was she going with this? Photos don’t matter! They’re proof. As long as I have my memory I’m happy.

“And he did take a photo of your brain now.”

“Yeah, so? As long as I have my memory I’m ok! They’re just pictures.”

“Yeah Ally don’t be such a kill-joy. He probably gave those to her to prove his ‘miracle’ point.”

“Mack’s right. Listen Al's-”

“You never had short term memory.”

I stared blankly at her. Of course I did! That’s why I couldn’t remember anything-

I gasped, my body started shaking, my head feeling dizzy. 

Ohmigosh. She was right. 

That check-up, two weeks before, they took pictures for no reason. I was fine. Then how?-

“Carson.” she started, her voice shaking. 

“Yeah?” I squeaked out. Mack held me tighter. I could tell he was shaking as well.

“That first checkup, someone drugged you.”

I couldn’t breathe.

*Dun Dun Dun!!!!!! All I have to say for this chapter is...o.O  XD  I love how I'm the only one that knows what happens next!