Hours passed feeling like days. Endless beeps from hospital machines. Mom and dad took Sophia home, I stayed with Steph. Her parents are asleep next to her bed. The nurses brought everyone a cot to sleep on. Each time I close my eyes all I see is Tony. Which means I'm just curled up in the widow watching the world beyond the glass. Steph had a great view of the city from her room. The sunrise is magical, if I believed in magic I'd be asking for a do over of yesterday, life for Stephanie and Tony or even just a hour of rest. My face is raw from all the crying and my butt is starting to feel numb. A Walk, some fresh air and maybe a cup of coffee would do some good.
I got up went to Steph and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back, don't get into trouble while I'm gone."
Down the hallway I could smell it, coffee. Suddenly, I needed it. I turned the corner to find the nurses station and a coffee machine. I started to pour myself a cup when a voice spoke behind me.
"Car!" The voice yelled. The coffee fell from my hands and spilled all over my shoes and the floor. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Carmen! I didn't mean to." Riley grabbed napkins and tried to clean the mess up.
I leaned down and pulled her to her feet and hugged her tight. "Don't worry Riley, I'm so happy you are here." I whispered.
"I had to be here, I, I couldn't go to school. I, I" Riley shuddered as she fought the tears that built up in her eyes. "How is she? The nurses wouldn't tell me anything since I'm not family."
"She's okay for now, they've placed her into a coma so she can heal."
"And Tony?"
My heart dropped "what?" Tears burned my eyes. "What did you hear?"
"I saw on the news that there was an accident, I saw Steph's car. And her and Tony ditched us last night to go see you."
I swallowed hard "he's gone Riley." I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Riley pulled me into her and held me as I cried. She whispered into my ear trying to comfort me. Riley and I had never been too close. She had only moved here last year and we only became friends recently because of Steph but I know she would want all of us here for each other.
Riley and I made a cup of coffee and sat in the waiting room together. We shared stories about Steph and I told her about Tony and I. She cried as I talked about our magical last moments together and afterwards I cried some more. I couldn't believe how much Riley and I got along, it made all of this so much harder. I could see how much she cared for Stephanie I knew they were in love. Even if they never had the chance to say it, I could see the fear in Riley's eyes. If she lost Steph she might fall apart like me.
Sometime during our talks I must have fallen asleep. This time I welcomed the dreams. Now like memories and dreams of my now impossible future. Pictures of Tony and I growing old together played in my head. College, dream jobs, the perfect wedding, our first house, kids, birthdays, and holidays of the life I always dreamed I would have.
The dream began to float away and I hear chaos all around me. The commotion in the hospital became apparent. "How did I sleep through this?" I sat up realizing Riley was gone. I looked around and panicked when I saw no familiar faces.
I got up and ran towards Steph's room. In the hallway I saw Riley staring into her room. She was pale and looked as if she had seen a ghost. Seconds later a group of nurses rushed past her into the room. Steph's parents were escorted out by another nurse. I ran to them and looked into room. The split second before the door was closed I saw something I won't ever forget. It will haunt me for the rest of my life. Doctors and nurses standing around Steph as machines beeped signaling the flat line of my best friend. Her hospital gown pulled away from her shoulder and ribs; showing bruises and cuts I didn't know about. A man yelled clear and her body jolted right before the door shut.
