Wasted Time

Chapter 9

JAKE

What the fuck just happened?

I'm driving my car with a transfixed Eliza and an unconscious Paisley in the back. Paisley is lying down on Eliza's lap as I turn the a/c on full blast. I had to drive my car to the hospital, which was only a few minutes away, since the paramedics suggested that I should just drive there because it would be less time consuming. They also told me to stay calm and relaxed which is a little hard to do when there's an unconscious girl in the back seat of my car which could possibly be the result of my own doing.

Is this my fault for being late?

If I wasn't late she wouldn't have had to wait out there in the humid heat, right?

And she wouldn't have passed out.

Guilty thoughts circle around my brain as I try my best to stay calm, for Paisley and Eliza. I focus onto the road and I painfully try to avoid looking at both of them through the mirror.

When we finally make it to the hospital, we were greeted by a loud and panicked female paramedic. To say I was displeased with the situation was highly an understatement.

"Help me put her on the stretcher!" The female paramedic orders to which I obey.

I carry Paisley bridal style and the female paramedic runs towards me, trying to help me carry Paisley. But I swear Paisley weighed like 60 pounds.

"I got her it's fine," I tell her and she nods in approval as she pushes the stretcher towards me.

I lay her carefully onto the stretcher, acting as if she's a China doll that's bound to break.

"I'll bring her to a doctor and figure out what's going on," the paramedic says and walks towards the stretcher. "You're her boyfriend right?"

"Yes he is," Eliza answers from behind me as I grunt and roll my eyes in frustration.

"Act-" I start but only to be interrupted.

"Okay since you're in a relationship with her, you can visit her. Does she have any family that you can inform about her situation?"

I let out a sigh.

You're trying to help Paisley, stop complaining.

"Y-yes, I'll tell them."

"Okay, I'll see you in the waiting room," she says before running towards the door while pushing the stretcher.

I immediately turn around to face Eliza and I pierce my eyes at her furiously.

"Why the hell did you tell her I was Paisley's boyfriend?"

"Because we'd get to visit her. And I really want to know if she's okay," she murmurs and looks down, avoiding eye contact.

I let out a deep breath and a pang of guilty feelings hit my chest. "Okay I'm sorry, I'm glad you did that I'm just really stressed out."

"It's okay, as much as you'd hate to admit it, I know you actually do care for her so I also did that for you," she explains.

I roll my eyes and walk to my car, not even trying to defend myself because deep down I, myself know that it's the absolute truth. Even though I've only met her yesterday, I feel like I have this connection with her and I just can't pinpoint what it is.

God dammit Jake, you sound like a girl.

I knock on the wooden door and wait for a response.