Danger Love Ahead

Chapter Twenty: Confused

(Am's version)

" AMNESIA!!?" I couldn't believe it. Brandon's silent nod and brooding demeanor was confirmation enough. I held the bouquet limply and cast an unsure gaze towards April's room. "Am I allowed in?" He nodded again, obviously not in the mood of talking. 

"I don't think I should I go in," Annie muttered from beside me. I agreed with her. April was going through enough having to be reintroduced to her family and friends...new introductions could wait.

"Is her mom still in there?" I asked. Brandon cleared his throat but it still sounded hoarse when he spoke.

"She's gone out to check on Kenny."

"Kill Dave for me when he arrives," I told him lastly before I strode into April's room. The whiteness of the room was a little blurring and the beeping sound from April's heart monitor was unsettling. I always disliked hospitals. I didn't look at April yet but quietly placed her flowers in the vase. Taking my time, I looked around the room, allowing April to give me the inspection eye for a while before I glanced at her. Her pillow was propped up against the wall so she could sit up comfortably. She was wearing a hospital gown, her hand connected to the IV tube and the tube that ran across her nose. I didn't know lots about any of that but I guess her injuries were serious. 

Her face was pale and not open as April's usually was. She looked drawn and suspicious. There were dark bags under her eyes and her beautiful hair looked like it lost some of it's lustre. I was too upset to speak to her. My heart ached for her.

"I have met Brandon, the boyfriend and I've met the mom," she told me quietly. "Who are you? The best friend?" My stomach dropped at the way she had addressed us. Not "my" but "the".

"I'm sorry, April," I winced at my shaking voice. Clearing my throat, I continued, "I can't even imagine how hard this is for you. I'm Amanda...you can call me Am."

"Am," April tested the name probably trying to get out a memory but after a while she shrugged at me. "That's a nice name. Are you..Chinese?"

"Part Korean," I corrected.

"We've been friends for years?"

"Months," I corrected again. April looked confused. "You just moved here," I went on quickly. She smiled then, the real April shining through.

"And the other boy.." she spoke hesitantly. "Brandon..."

"His outside," I told her. "I don't think his left since you've been admitted. I met his cousin..Michelle. She says the family has been trying to get him to come home but he wouldn't." April blushed, her eyes drifting to the wall as if she could see Brandon through it.

"He hasn't been to see me since I woke up. I didn't know he was out there all along."

"Brandon's always been mule headed," I told her. "So...I guess this means you haven't met Mariah."

"Mariah?" April asked.

"Your other best friend," I explained. April shook her head. "Your brother?" I asked. April's face lit up.

"Kenny? Yes! I met him yesterday." I grinned at her enthusiasm and went to sit by her, sure she was comfortable with me.

"I'm really sorry, April," I muttered. She shook her head, her eyes suddenly ablaze with emotion.

"It's not your fault. Not unless you did this to me."

Brandon's version 

"Dude, we have school tomorrow...." Dave was saying, eying me cautiously. "She's got her mom there...and her brother.."

"All of a sudden you're worried about school?" I interrupted annoyed. We were in the waiting room area. I was still reluctant to leave and the doctors still hadn't complained or shoo-ed me off. Graham was a small area, so most of the official hospital policies weren't as strict as those in the large cities. By this time, most of the doctors had learned of April's amnesia case and of my identity. I'd bear all their sympathetic looks but Dave was wise enough to know I wouldn't take it from him.

"I'm not worried about school," Dave explained slowly. "It's you I worry about. She's going to be fine..come on dude! You heard the doctors."

"She's got AMNESIAAA," I stressed the word to him. "How is that ok!? I just got her, Dave! Then she's wrenched away from me..." My mind returned to when I had found her, bloodied and bruised which set my temper over the edge. The sheriff had said that the investigation was still on going. The only thing people had witnessed were students from Graham High loitering around the latrine area. There were no suspects yet. No names. Nothing.

"Go and see her," Dave suggested. "Am mentioned you were sitting out here...been sitting here since April was admitted. She might get weirded out. Her last visitor left..some blonde chick. I think you can go in." I nodded and clapped his back in thanks.

"I didn't bring my car," I told him.

"Yea, no worries. I brought mine. I can wait," he sat down on the bench and grinned. I sauntered casually into April's room but kept a distance between us when I entered. She watched me cautiously, a raging look in her eyes. I froze at her expression. Something was wrong. Then beneath the hospital blanket, she brought out a pink book, her hands shaking unstably while she scanned over the page briefly.

"April..."

"Don't!" she hissed. I stepped back at the menace. What was wrong? "GET OUT!" She ordered. "GET OUT! I HATE YOU!!"

"Woah there now hold on..." I tried, grimacing at the increase of the beeps from the heart machine. 

"I HATE YOU!" She ground the words out slowly...my heart breaking at its impact.

"You dont mean that," I whispered, ignoring the nurse who had come to check the commotion.

"I dont want you in my LIFE EVER! I NEVER WANTED YOU!" she was shaking all over and I had to keep back from going to her.

"Doctor!!" the Nurse hurried out calling urgently. She looked at me sorrowfully as the doctors rushed in to stabilize April who was still yelling. 

"Son," one of the doctors spoke to me gently. 

"I know..Ill go," I told him hoarsely. Her words circled my head as I walked out. I was tempted to leave. Instead, I leaned against the wall in the waiting room and let out a loud wail of frustration. I hated that she yelled those words. They broke me!! They SHATTERED all my hopes of her love. But I couldn't leave. I sunk to the floor and shut my eyes, waiting for the doctor. I needed to know she was alright before I walked out to grieve. I could make out Dave's voice in the distance, talking to Mrs Summers. Probably on the phone. April. That was all in my head. I HATE YOU I groaned in despair. But I still love you..