Best Day of My Life

Chapter 20 - Emily

Where were they? They were supposed to be over here a half hour ago. At first, I thought it was probably because the boys were late, but now I wasn't so sure. I had called Kayla's cell at least five times, but there was no answer. I was beginning to freak out.

I got up off my couch to pace around again, clutching my phone. I tried to calm myself down, telling myself that they were all right and Kayla had just turned off her phone because she wanted to talk to the boys, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

I calmed myself down and took a deep breath. I was freaking out for no reason. Everything was fine. I unlocked my phone and pressed call for the sixth time.

It started ringing. I breathed a sigh.

It went to voicemail.

I had to hold back fearful tears as I breathed out a quick message to her. "Please answer. I'm freaking out a little bit. Kayla, I need you to call me back as soon as you most possibly can. Please."

I realized that I hadn't tried Adrian or James yet. I dialed Adrian.

Voicemail.

I dialed James.

Voicemail.

Tears sprang to my eyes and I had to force them back again. Something was wrong. I knew it.

My phone rang and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hello?" I answered quickly.

"Emily, it's Melissa." I heard tears in her voice.

"Melissa?" Kayla's mom. Dread settled in my stomach. "What's happened?"

A pause. "It's Kayla. And James. And Adrian." I gripped my phone.

"What has happened?" I asked firmly, commanding myself not to burst into tears.

"Oh, Emily. They've been in a car accident."

My phone slipped through my hands and crashed to the floor. Stunned, the world seemed to disappear around me as my legs gave out and I landed on my knees. I closed my eyes. Get ahold of yourself, Emily. I took a deep breath and the world came back into focus.

I picked up my phone. "Hello? Emily? Are you there?"

"Yes, Melissa." I had to take another deep breath. Tears were rolling down my cheeks, though I didn't remember ever starting to cry. "Where? How? Are they all right?"

"On the intersection between 100th and Centralia. They were hit by a drunk driver. I just got the call from the E.R. They didn't tell me much about their condition, but they are all there and alive."

I forced myself to breathe. At least they weren't dead. "Thank you, Melissa."

"You're welcome." Her watery voice echoed through the phone. I hung up. I couldn't talk anymore.

Tears fell down my cheeks and I buried my head in my hands. How could this happen?

I entered the hospital, barely remembering the drive over there, only knowing that I had gotten there somehow. I rushed in and asked for them at the front desk. The receptionist pointed me in the right direction. I tried not to run as I made my over to the E.R.

The receptionist at the next desk told me where each of them were and told me that I wouldn't be able to see them now, as they were still being treated. I told her I would wait all night if I had to.

They were each in separate rooms, tucked into a corner of the E.R. I slowly walked over. Their windows was bare of curtains. I looked in. I felt like fainting at the sight.