The Locket.

Chapter 16.

I forced myself to stand, then practically ran out the door towards Gregory's house. He was standing on the front steps watching the paramedics put the gurney into the ambulance. His face was expressionless as he looked ahead. His arms hung motionless by his sides, so I grabbed his hand and rested my head on his shoulders. For a couple of minutes, it felt like he never was mad at me, but the feeling vanished when he let go and moved forward. The first paramedic called out," Who's riding with her?" Gregory nodded and rushed to the ambulance. The second parmedic shut the ambulance doors and hopped in the passenger seat. I watched as the ambulance roared to life. Gregory's pale face stared back at me through the window. His expression was a

mixture of sadness and confusion. I smiled half-heartedly as the ambulance sped off. The siren flooded my ears. A single tear fell from my eye. I wiped it away.

***********************

TreeBrook Hospital was like every other hospital. White walls and floors, the sickening smell of sick people, the noises, and the chill you get whenever you walk in. I experienced all of those things when I walked up to the front desk. " Can I help you?", asked a nurse wearing what looked like a blue lab coat. Her grey hair was up in a messy bun. She smiled.

" Yes, um. Do you happen to have any information on the condition of Melony Adams?", I asked smiling back. She rummaged through some files and a stack of paper. " Are you family?", she asked.

" No, i'm her friend." Did I just say I was her friend?

" Well, we're only allowing family visits right now, dear."

" Can't you make an exception?! I am really worried about her."

She scratched her head and rolled her eyes.

" Um, honey. I do-"

" Please!", I put on a puppy face. She laughed.

" Room three. If the family asks you to leave, then do so.", she warned me. I grinned and walked down the hall to room three. A white door with papers in a little box hanging on the door. Melony's name was on one of the papers. I knocked.

******************

Gregory was laughing hard when he answered the door, but immediately stopped when he saw me standing there. He walked out and shut the door behind him. He stood there in the hallway in front of me.

" You should leave.", he told me.

" No! I practically had to beg the nurse to let me see Melony!", I frowned.

" The nurse is nice. She'll let anybody in."

" Whatever. Gregory, i'm tired of this!"

" Tired of what, exactly?", he asked with an annoyed look. I stepped closer.

" I'm tired of arguing with my best friend!", I said.

" Mhm."

" Gregory...", I trailed off.

" You need to be quiet and stop being selfish!"

" Selfish?!"

" Yes, you are so worried that nobody will forgive you! You need to lay off, Grace!"

" I need to say sorry to Mel!", I shouted.

"NOYOUDON'T!", he shouted. Suddenly, he hugged me. A big one too. He squeezed tight. He began sob quietly. I patted his back as I hugged him. This is another side i've never seen of him. He was so vulnerable and helpless. I pulled back and looked into his eyes.

" What's wrong with Melony?", I calmy asked him. He sniffed.

" She has...." He stopped. I caressed his cheek, letting him know it was okay.

" She has cancer."