I Don't Remember

Chapter 2: Unfamiliar

            I woke up to worried, unfamiliar voices buzzing around me, but they seemed far away.  Immediately I noticed my right leg was extremely sore, yet it felt numb.  The voices around me were becoming louder and clearer, and while I couldn’t make out whole sentences, I could hear little phrases.

            “ Leg broken…”

            “Unconscious…”

            “Memory…”

            What’s going on? Where am I? I opened my eyes, only to have a blinding bright light make me squint. 

            “She’s awake!” I heard a woman yell.  I realized I was lying down and tried to sit up, but an unbearable pain soared through every part of my body. 

            “August!  Are you okay?” A girl my age ran over to where I was lying.  I didn’t recognize her, but it appeared that she knew me.  It was clear she had been crying before.

            “A little sore,” I said quietly.  “Do I know you?” I asked, not being able to identify her.  Instead of answering my question she began crying silently.  I watched her walk over to the doorway and begin talking to somebody.  She left the room and a man who seemed to be in his forties walked in with a clipboard.  He was wearing a long white lab coat.  It wasn’t until now I realized where I was: a hospital.  I glanced down at the baggy white gown I was wearing to confirm my worst nightmare.  I needed to get out of here as soon as possible.

            “Hello, August.  I’m Dr. Courington, how are you feeling?” he asked kindly.

            “Um, my leg hurts like hell, and I’m sore all over,” I replied.  He scribbled on his clipboard.

“Do you know why you’re here?” he questioned.  I shook my head.  He scribbled more.  “Do you know who that girl was?” I shook my head once more.  More scribbling.  “August, you were in a car accident,” he says simply.  A car accident?  How?

“Okay,” I replied, not knowing what else to say.  I wanted to know who that girl was.  “Can I talk to that girl that was in here before?” I asked.  He nodded and left the room.  I looked around to find I was completely alone.  I can’t stand hospitals. I heard the door open and looked over to find the girl from before walk in.  She slowly walked over to me and hugged me.  I hugged her back, feeling like it was the right thing to do.  “Can you tell me how I know you?” I asked her after she pulled a seat next to the bed I was lying on.

“I’m your best friend Maddie,” she answered.  Maddie.  That’s a pretty name.  I smiled at Maddie, trying to remember her.

“I like your name, it’s really pretty,” I complimented, not knowing what else to say.  “Do you know what happened?”  She shook her head, unable to answer my question.  “Well can you tell me about our friendship?  Like what we did?” She smiled and began telling me about all the crazy things we did.  I laughed so hard at some of the things we did.  She must’ve been telling me stories for an hour and a half before the doctor came back in. 

“Maddie, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked.  Maddie squeezed my hand reassuringly and left the room with the doctor for a few minutes.  The doctor returned by himself.  “There are a few people outside who have been waiting to see you, would it be alright if they came in?” he asked.  I thought about it for a moment. 

“Yes, as long as Maddie is in here with me the whole time,” I answered.  I felt very comfortable with Maddie.  Although I didn’t remember anything about her, everything she told me I believed.  I really believed she’s my best friend.  The doctor nodded and left the room once more.  A few minutes later, Maddie walked in followed by a very attractive man about our age.  My staring must have been noticeable because when they sat down next to my bed, Maddie pointed out that he was her boyfriend. 

“Hey, August, I’m Harry,” his deep voice bellowed.  I smiled at him, not knowing what to say.  “You’re looking better than I thought you would,” he pointed out.

“Thanks,” I say.  “So tell me about you two.  I wanna know everything!”  I said, suddenly very curious. 

“Well, we’ve been dating for four years now,” Harry began.  Together they told me about how they met, when they started dating, and some of their adventures together.  Once they finished telling me about their love life, Harry pulled Maddie to the side.

“We should probably let him see her now.  He’s been a wreck the whole time.  It’s torture for him,” Harry whispered, but not quiet enough.  Maddie nodded and held his hand as they walked back over to my bed.

“Harry’s gonna go and get somebody else that wants to see you, and I’m going to go get us some food, okay?” Maddie informed me.  I nodded and closed my eyes for a few minutes until they returned.  Who else wanted to see me?  Who cared about me that much?  I wondered while I waited.