Heart Key (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 37: One More Day

Song: One More Day

By: Diamond Rio

My heart pounds in my chest as my palms pour with sweat and I tap my foot impatiently on the floor of Chloe's truck. I sit in the passenger seat after ten minutes of waiting for her to turn around and come straight back to my house after I had called her in a panic, barely able to talk when I was trying to explain the situation. 

I had attempted to calm down before getting in the truck but as soon as I saw Chloe's concerned face, I broke down and started crying once again, not able to tell her what was happening until a few minutes later through short, gasping breaths. 

Chloe didn't say anything when she'd finally understood what was happening. She knows I don't need the comforting words like, everything will be okay. I've heard them all before and I've had my fair share of grief already. Everyone who knows me knows that I don't want their promises that they have no way of being able to keep. 

 I watch the trees pass bye outside as we steadily get closer to the hospital. Each second seems like an eternity and I feel myself growing more and more impatient as the fear builds in my chest, making it hard to breath as the hospital comes in view. 

The panic is intense as my knees start to shake and the fear increases twice as much as before. I look from my hands to Chloe and back again, feeling the panic start to take over as the fear of losing another loved one begins to cripple me where I sit.

Chloe parks her truck, turning it off as I move my shaking hands towards the seat belt. I suck in deep breaths as I struggle with the latch only to be stopped soon after as Chloe's hand is placed over mine. My head whips up and I feel the barriers I had started to put up crumble as the tears pour down once more. 

"W-What if-" She cuts me off, shaking her head as she takes both of my trembling hands in hers. "Don't think like that. Be positive as long as humanly possible and just know that Chris and I will always be here for you no matter what happens. 

I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding before giving her a weak smile. She unlatches my seat belt for me before reaching over to pull me in a tight hug. "You've always been like a sister to me, and that will never change. You go in there and you be there for Blake, when you come out, no matter what the outcome is I'll be right here waiting." She tells me softly and I nod as I let out a pained sob.

"Thank you." I choke out as we pull back to look at one another before I turn to hop out of the truck. I shut the door gently behind me before walking towards the large, mechanical doors. I walk in and sanitize my hands before going up to the receptionist desk shakily.

"H-Hi, I'm l-looking for a b-boy who crashed his motorcycle." I stutter as I wring my hands nervously. The lady behind the desk looks up at me in clear annoyance as she types something on her computer. She winces slightly when she pulls up the report before looking up at me with fake sympathy. 

"I'm afraid he's in critical condition, only family are allowed to be with him right now." She explains, popping her gum in my face. I feel my heart sink until a kind voice speaks from behind me. "She's the only one he wants to see right now. She can take my place as grandma if that will satisfy you. Now let her in." I look over to see Grandma Cream standing there with an irritated and sad look on her face as she looks at the receptionist. 

The lady raises her eyebrows before glancing back at me and motioning me on. I let out a breath of relief before rushing to follow Grandma Cream down the hall and up two flights of stairs before we come to a stop outside one of the rooms.