Starting Over

Surprise!

I heard the faint beeping of the heart monitor and figured I was in a hospital before I even opened my eyes. I hate hospitals so much, but at least the pain is gone.

I opened my eyes to see my mom on one side of the bed, and Darrien on the other.

"Hey, baby," my mom cooed. "Are you feeling better?"

When I opened my mouth to answer all that came out was a scratchy sound. Darrien stopped texting something on his phone to hand me the water that was beside him.

I gulped down the whole cup, then answered. "Yeah. Where's dad?"

"He was in a meeting when I called him. He was going to leave, but I told him it was okay for him to stay and that you were going to be alright." I nodded in response.

Just then the nurse came in. The name on her bagde said Sheryl. "Oh hey pumpkin, you're awake. Can I get you some food?"

"Yes please." I answered.

"Okay, well then I'll be right back. I'm so glad you're awake, sweetums. I wanted to tell everyone the test results at the same time."

"Her father will be here soon." said my mom.

"Should we wait for him too then?"

"No," I said quickly. "The sooner I get out of the hospital, the better."

"I'm sorry sweetie, but you're going to have to stay at least until tomorrow."

"What?" I yelled.

"I'll be right back with your food." Nurse Sheryl smiled, completely ignoring me, and left the room.

Darrien ran a pale hand through his medium length black hair. His green eyes looked sadly into mine. "Cassidy, I was so scared." he told me. "Kristen was here earlier, but she had to leave so she could take her brother to soccer practice."

I just nodded, then thought about my own sibling. "Where's Delany?"

"She's at home," my mother told me. "Either your dad or I will check on her after we know you're okay."

Just then, my dad walked in, along with Nurse Sheryl behind him with the food.

"Hey, sweetheart. I see you're awake. Are you feeling better?" Even though I'm hooked up to multiple machines, he still placed his large dark brown hand on my caramel forehead.

I smiled at him. "Yes, Dad. I'm feeling better."

"Hello, Mr. Brown." Darrien spoke.

"Hello, Darrien." There was always tension in the room when my dad was around Darrien. I know it is only because he was so protective of me. He always met the boys I went out with even if they were only friends. He met Kristen's boyfriend too. He is so embarrassing, but I love him.

I picked through my bland hospital food, wondering when Nurse Sheryl would come back and give us the test results.

Channel flipping passed the time until Nurse Sheryl came back with a doctor. "Hi, I'm Doctor MacKeby." He was tall. At least 6'4", and wore wire, Harry Potter glasses. Actually, he looked like an older, taller version of Harry Potter. For some reason, it made me giggle.

Darrien gave me a strange look, but then smiled once he saw what I was giggling at.

"Hello, Miss Cassidy Brown."

I'm usually not a shy person, but he was kind of intimidating - even if I was just laughing at him. "Uh... hi."

"So, it's always good news and bad news right?" he started. We all just stared at him, daring for someone to answer.