The Crash

The Hospital

I woke up to a beeping noise beside my ear and an uncomfortable feeling in my hand. My whole body ached, as if I was play-doh being crushed in a child's hand. I was lying on a bed that was lumpy under me and had a thin pillow to support my head. This wasn't my bed, I knew that much, but I didn't know where I was or why the beeping noise wouldn't stop. I couldn't move, my eyes wouldn't open and all I wanted was a cup of coffee to wake me up more. I groaned but it got stuck in my throat. I didn't want to be ill; it was summer and Kayla wanted to do so much before we had to pack up and get to our new home. Last night was a blur, all I could remember was being in the car and laughter as we drove through the sunny country roads. I smiled at the memory but my face felt like it was cracking from the effort.

'Shh, pumpkin. It's okay, the nurse is on her way.' My dad smoothed my hair back, his big warm hands brushing my forehead. I was confused. Did he just say nurse? I couldn't remember the party so maybe I had drank too much. Yet I never drink much, Kayla always stops me if I drink a lot. After my first hangover I told her I never wanted to experience something like that again. It didn't make sense. Why couldn't I remember what happened?

'Hi honey, I'm Terry and I'm here to check to make sure everything's running smoothly on the road to recovery.' Terry was from around here, her northern accent reminded me of town. She sounded very welcoming and her hands were smooth and gentle as she grabbed my arms. 'Now you're gonna have to open your eyes soon, I know it's hard, just try your best sweetheart.' I did as Terry said and tried to open my eyes, I needed to see Kayla she would know what was happening. Why wasn't she by my side? At that thought I opened my eyes as wide as I could. My dad was sitting next to the bed I was in, his eyes were red, he must have been crying just a short while ago. His grey hair was ruffled and uncombed. It was weird seeing him like this, he was normally very tidy and ready for the day. I always despised the fact I didn't get the morning person genes but being a night owl had its perks, like waking up late and having a coffee waiting for me at the table while he sat reading a newspaper. He gave me a tired smile and rubbed my arm. I noticed Terry then, she was a small woman in her early forties or maybe late thirties. Her hair was black with only a few small strands of grey peeking through, her eyes were kind and she had a small warm smile that didn't hide the worry pinching at her forehead.

I turned my head towards my dad and that's when I noticed the cast on my arm, it looked heavy and I could feel a slight itch from under it. What the hell had I done? I was so clumsy. Maybe I had fell at the party when I was drunk, but why wasn't Kayla here. When she broke her wrist when we were nine I didn't leave her side and she promised to never leave mine if something like that happened to me too. While pondering this Terry came back in the room and poured some water into a small plastic cup. As my dad took a sip of the water and smiled gratefully before he spoke, 'What happened, do we have any news?'

My dad look worried and grabbed my free hand soothingly while Terry spoke, 'All I really know is that she was brought in from a country road, a lorry had hit the car and the driver called for an ambulance straight away. Apparently he couldn't see them around the corner and his lorry slid on something. The police are investigating the case right now.' This must have been on our way to the party, that's how I couldn't remember the party; we never made it there. That still didn't answer where Kayla was though.

Terry looked between us and must have guessed what we were thinking as she cleared her throat before delivering the blow that forced my dad to deflate in worry, 'The other young girl... Kayla, was in the car when the lorry hit, she suffered some serious injuries but they won't know how severe these injuries are until she is awake.'

I stared at her confused, 'Awake?' I croaked, 'Why isn't she awake? Where was I if she was in the car?'

Terry hurried on quickly seeing the pain it was causing my dad just to discuss what had just happened. 'When the paramedics got there they found Amelia behind the car half way under it, the front of the car was crumpled and it looked like it had moved on impact, forcing her under it.' She shook her head and sighed, 'I know it will hurt to hear this but Amelia was screaming for Kayla until she lost consciousness.' She turned to me her eyes softening as she moved closer, 'They got you out from under the car but it took so long to get Kayla out of the car.' Terry trailed off but by the end of the story I was already crying, tears trailed down my cheeks as my breathing became uneven and I wept. My dad started to cry too, he loved Kayla as well. What was this doing to her parents? They must be devastated.

I cried for what felt like hours. I cried until I couldn't cry anymore. I cried until there were no more tears. My dad stayed with me and Terry popped in and out until the end of her shift. A doctor came in at some point to tell us about the injuries I had sustained. Something about a broken arm and leg, mostly bruises. I seemed to be very lucky but he spoke of more scans he had to do before he was sure I was in the clear. I knew I was lucky, but right then I wished Kayla was the lucky one, that she was me right now and I was in her position. I didn't want her to be in the state I imagined her to be in. I wanted her to be sitting by my bed telling me cheesy jokes and trying to make me laugh. Right then I didn't feel any pain. I was numb. Maybe that was for the best.