Not So Secret

(42) Pain

Cover by @bandbab-e
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Have you ever felt as though life is a rug and it's just been jerked out from underneath your feet so fast you face plant against the hardwood floor? That is exactly how I felt when I woke up from my nap with Ethan. A sharp pain fills my lower abdomen and I'm bent over in bed gasping for air. I hadn't realized I was screaming until Ethan started speaking to me.

"Chloe! What's wrong!? What's happening?" He places his hand on my back, obviously worried about me. I gasp quickly and clench my stomach.

"Veronica! Evi!" Ethan runs out of the room and tears start rolling down my cheeks. I've never been in this much pain before. At first I thought I was about to start my period and I was just having cramps but this is way worse than that. I feel like someone stabbed me with a twelve inch knife and twisted it several times before ripping it out and stabbing me again and again.

Despite Ethan only calling for Veronica and Evi, the whole group rushes into our room. I writhe in pain on the bed. I feel like I'm dying.

"Chloe, what's wrong? Can you speak?" Evi pets my back and I hiccup on my tears and shake my head no. She pulls my hair back and ties it in a ponytail.

"You need to get her to the hospital, Ethan." Evi is trying to keep her cool for Ethan's sake but I can tell by the look on her face she's very worried about me.

"What do I do? It's snowing and she's in so much pain and I don't know why? What's happening!?" Ethan shouts, making my head pound. My eyes feel heavy and I struggle to continue blinking.

"We need to get her to the hospital." Evi repeats herself. She reaches her hand out to me and I take it, trying to get out of bed. As soon as I stand, my knees wobble and I hit the floor in tears.

"Did you hit her?" I hear Colton ask Ethan.

"Fuck no I didn't hit her you motherfucking bitch! Why would you even ask me that?! I ought to punch you for even considering-"

"Ethan stop it! Look!" Evi pulls up the hem of my shirt and I blink down through my tears and notice a large bruise on my stomach. I don't remember that being there when I went to sleep.

"I'm going to go start the car, someone carry her!" Ethan grabs his keys and runs out of the room. Kyle approaches me and lifts me off of the ground. I groan in agony and he apologizes as we make our way to Ethan's truck.

"We'll follow you to the hospital. Here is a blanket for her." Veronica hands Ethan a blanket as Kyle buckles me into the middle seat so I can beside Ethan. I haven't stopped crying since I woke up and in my mind I feel embarrassed for having everyone see me cry and act like a child but the pain is so strong I don't know how else to act.

Ethan speeds out of the driveway and I lay my head on his shoulder, engulfing myself in the blanket and shivering while clenching my stomach. My eyes get heavy and Ethan's shoulder jerks, waking me up.

"Stay awake, Chloe. Okay? I'm scared. I don't know what's happening. Please don't leave me," tears fall from Ethan's eyes and he wipes them furiously with the back of his hand as he drives. I can't say anything but I put my hand on his knee and rub my thumb slowly back and forth so he understands that I'll stay awake for him.

After what feels like a forever drive, we finally reach the hospital and as Ethan is unbuckling my seatbelt, the gang arrives behind us. Ethan makes sure to wrap the blanket around me and rushes me inside. The group waits as Ethan approaches the counter in the lobby.

"I don't know what's happening. She's having extreme pain in her stomach. We need help. Please help." Ethan's voice is coming out in a pleading manner and I feel like he is shouting but I only hear a whisper. I tighten my grip around his neck, trying not to fall out of his arms even though I know he wouldn't let that happen. I am so disoriented I don't even know which way is up and which way is down.