Continuum

V.

When I finally rise from the depths of nothingness, I have no recollection of any kind of dream. Even if I did have one, it'd be pointless to remember it when I can't even make out the face of the star when I'm awake. I open my eyes, and with blurry vision make out a white hospital room, my bed concealed by the dotted curtain that hangs around it. I attempt to tilt my head and succeed, getting a view of the intravenous lines attached to my left hand and up my arm, as well as a device on my index finger. A loose wristband hangs loosely on my wrist, small black printed letters reading "Kagan, Sabina" and my birthday, December 4th, 1997 above a barcode.

Great, I'm without a doubt in the hospital. I wonder how long I've been out.

"This wouldn't have happened if we had just taken her to the hospital last night, Nolan," I hear Aspen whisper through her sobs on the other side of the curtain around my bed. She's probably been bawling her eyes out since she laid eyes on me in my miserable state.

Nolan responds to her in a hushed tone. "You're right. I won't argue with you on that. But we can't dwell on the past. We didn't bring her but she's here now. So, stop with the tears, Aspen. The world doesn't need another ocean." I have a vague, distant feeling as if I heard that phrase before, but I dismiss it to continue listening.

Aspen's soft whimpers don't falter despite Grim's attempt to calm her. "I can't help it. I feel like this is our fault. It is our fault. We shouldn't have dragged her out so late with us when she was clearly exhausted." Nolan doesn't respond. I'm sure he's realized by now he can't ease her guilt; all he can do is comfort her.

I would play dead for a little while longer, but I'm dying of thirst, and that pain is starting to reemerge in the form of an ache. I want to stop it before it even truly begins. Instead of trying to speak I heave an audible sigh, knowing that's sure to earn a peek at least. Earn a peek it did, since the curtains draw back slightly, and Nolan appears in my line of view. He turns his head back at Aspen.

"Go get her mom." She nods and rises from her seat to do as he said, leaving him and I alone in the room. He has a look of worry etched across his forehead, and he looks like he came straight here from gym class and didn't have an opportunity to change. He has on sweatpants and a plain grey tee with wet spots on the chest probably caused by Aspen's insistent crying. Nolan honestly looks good even in simple things like that. My cheeks burn once I catch my wandering thoughts. I shouldn't think of him in that manner.

"How do you feel, Sabina?" I feel great having heard my full name emerge from his mouth for once, but I'm almost afraid to say that. I'm afraid to do anything that will agitate my physical state, so I stay still and quiet. I avoid making eye contact with any part of his body.

He doesn't get the chance to probe me further as Aspen returns to the room with my mother, a doctor and a nurse in tow. My mother looks extremely flustered in her business attire, her bun that's usually painfully neat falling apart, and her face flushed two shades paler than normal. She lays her wide brown eyes on me and presses her lips tightly together.

The nurse asks my friends to step out, and Aspen casts me a teary eyed gaze before following Nolan out of the room. My doctor introduces himself as Dr. Patel and reassures me that he'll be taking care of me. I find comfort in his voice and his confidence. I can barely see his gentle smile through the forest-thick mustache above his lip, but it makes me feel at ease.

Dr. Patel explains to me that after rigorous testing, they confirmed that I have a concussion. He wants me to remain overnight for a couple of days so that they can observe me and ensure my condition doesn't worsen. Should everything check out after that, I am to spend at least ten to twelve days at home. I'm also going to have to cut back on bright lights and screen time among several other things while recovering. The moment the doctor leaves the room, my mother tries to interrogate me about where I was last night for this to have happened, but I feign drowsiness from the medication and ask her to let me get some sleep. She leaves my room without a fight, but not without mentioning that we will be discussing this later.