Drifting

Chapter 5

(Chris' P.O.V)

After a long car ride in silence, we arrived to the hospital parking garage. I wish I didn't have to be here and think about my little girl being hurt, but unfortunately this was my current reality.

I glanced over at Parker and saw him staring out the window with an empty look in his eyes. I can't imagine how he feels. He and Bailey have always been like each other's best friend and they have an unbreakable bond. I had a flashback to when Bailey graduated high school, Parker was so incredibly happy for her. I remember him at her graduation party making a toast to her. He said, "Bailey, I am so privileged to call myself your little brother. You are so intelligent and you are going to do great things one day. I love you more than anything." I remember seeing tears roll down his face the day she pulled out of the driveway to drive to college. I remember when she came home for winter break her first year of college and she surprised us. She told us she couldn't come but then she walked through the door one morning and Parker fell to the ground, he was so excited to see her.

"Dad, are we going to go in?"

I quickly snapped out of my memories and grabbed my phone and keys.

"Yes, sorry. Let's head up."

We speed-walked to the waiting room when I saw Jess sitting with her face buried into her hands and she was shaking. I knew she was upset but not like this when we left.

"Parker, I need you to be gentle with your mom. You can say hi but after that I want you to go down to the cafeteria and find Jacob."

I slowly paced over the Jess and heard her whispering to herself, "No, no, no please God help her." I waved Parker away, sat next to her, rubbed her back, and started to pray.

(Parker's P.O.V.)

Dad waved me away, so I headed towards where I thought the cafeteria was until I got lost. I saw a receptionist at a help desk and walked over to her.

She picked up the phone and said, "Santa Barbara Hospital, this is Pam. How may I help you?"

I looked at the directory thinking maybe I could find my way there myself until I heard the phone click and she said with a chipper tone in her voice, "Excuse me sir, can I help you find something?"

How can someone be so happy and excited when they work in a place like this? I swiveled around and put on the most realistic smile I could, trying to be polite.

"Hi there. I'm trying to find the cafeteria."

"Of course! You're going to walk straight down this hallway, take your first left, and then keep walking straight. Then you'll find yourself in the cafeteria!"

"Thank you so much!" I replied.

"You're welcome! Have a great day!"

I scowled. How am I supposed to have a great day when my sister's life is in danger? I shook it off, she didn't know what I'm going through so she couldn't say anything applying to my situation. I was just overreacting. I followed her directions until I found the cafeteria and spotted Jacob sitting at a table. I walked over and he saw me and put down his slice of pizza.

"Parker, I'm so happy to see you."

"I'm happy to see you too Jacob. Not happy to see you here but happy to see you again. How's work going?"

"Work is okay. I know how you feel right now, we're all in the same boat. Are you hungry? Why don't you get something to eat?"

Ironically, I felt my stomach rumble and reached into my pocket and grabbed 10 dollars out of my wallet.

"Can you hold my wallet while I go get something to eat?"

I handed him my wallet and walked over to the food. They actually had a lot of choices and everything looked pretty appetizing. I decided on chicken tenders. I also grabbed an apple, some chips and an iced tea. This was probably going to be my dinner after all. I paid for my food and sat across from Jacob. I grabbed a chicken tender and thought of Cassie, she loved anything with chicken in it. I took a bite and reached into my back pocket, thinking I should probably text her and let her know what's going on. I admired Cassie and Bailey's relationship, they're like sisters. They're so sweet to each other and Cassie deserves to know what's going on. I felt around my back pocket until I didn't feel anything. I must've put my phone in my other pocket. I reached in and felt nothing.

I left my phone at home. Cas is going to be worried sick about me. And we're going to the movies tomorrow. When I don't show up, she's going to think I bailed on her. I don't even have her number memorized. Shoot.

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aw Parker is such a good boyfriend and brother. ALSO DID ANYONE GET MY THE OFFICE REFERENCE AYEEEE
I think this is all I'm going to write for today, I'll probably write more tomorrow or Monday.

xoxo, kelsi