(Un)Fortunate

Chapter 4

The same process over again. I open my eyes into the blinding white light. I close them and slowly open them again and again until I can see around me. The room is the same, but smells worse. The smell of disinfectant is stronger and it fills my airways with a bitter smell.

I sit up a little bit and a nurse knocks on my door. She is younger with pretty eyes and the golden blonde hair I have always wanted.

"Hello sweetheart, my name is Casey. You're mom just left a minute ago to go get something to eat, she told me if you wake up to tell her she would be right back," She smiles, and for some reason, I smile back.

"Um, excuse me Casey, but is there any chance I can get some water or something my throat is killing me," My voice is even grainier than before. I turn to face the wall, a little embarrassed by my silly question.

"Sorry sweetheart, no liquids or food before surgery," She smiles again.

I haven't had surgery yet? I thought when they put me out they did the surgery and it was done with and I would not have to get the yucky gas stuff or get an I.V. because I hate needles. The only reason I did not freak out when the nurse came at me with that needle before was because of the adrenaline. I felt so angry, and I just let it out.

"Wait, I haven't gotten the surgery yet?'

"No, they decided to wait a bit until you were calm and stable again," Casey opens a mirror above the sink and takes out a pair of scissors. She comes over to me and sets the scissors down on the little rolling tray next to me.

Once the mirror fully closes I can see myself sitting in the hospital bed. My hair is matted and on my forehead, there is a bandage covering a small area.

"What happened here?" I say, pointing toward it.

"You cut your head, its only a small cut, we just glued it so it would heal faster," She says shrugging her shoulders.

"You glued it? Like with paper glue?" I say, and as soon as I say it, I sound stupid.

"No, silly, with surgical glue," Casey says, giggling a bit.

I look back at myself. My broken wrist is propped up on a pillow covered with gauze. Funny, I never even felt it.

"Why don't I feel the pain in my arm?"

"We gave you painkillers through an I.V., see. We have been giving you fluids all night to keep you hydrated," She says pointing to a baggie leading into my good arm. I nod and go back to the mirror again.

I smile at myself and somehow, I don't even see a bit of me. Who am I? Who is this girl sitting here with her fractured wrist and her cut up face? Whoever she is I don't know her.

My mom walks in with a tray of food and nods at the nurse with a slight smile. Once she sees I'm awake, she quickly sets the food down and gives me a hug. I hug her back, careful not to tangle my I.V. in her hair or use my bad arm. Its harder than you think. I let out a small giggle at my efforts and she pulls away, smoothing my hair.

"Arielle, would you like a drink of water now?" the nurse asks me. I nod furiously. My mom tells me its the only thing I can have before my surgery. I glance down at my stomach, which has just made a loud grumbling noise. I never realized how hungry I was.

"Arielle, I'm Dr. Nexis. I will be performing your surgery later today." A tall woman with brown hair says. She comes up to my bed and motions towards my arm.

"Where is the other doctor, the one from last night?"

"Its a new shift. We change every so often, I just happen to be the lucky one doing your surgery now."

"How are you feeling? Does it hurt really bad?" She asks, her lips pursing into a straight line.

"No, although I just woke up so I don't really know yet," I chuckle, looking at my bandaged up arm.

"That's good, I hope it stays like that," The Dr. says smiling. She is not as nice as Casey, but she is pretty nice.

Finally Casey comes over with my water. I gulp it down in one swift drink and set the cup down. Everyone lets out a slight laugh and my mom moves to get me another glass. When she returns with another full cup, I gulp that one down too. Three cups later, I am finally satisfied.

As I gulped down all of my water, the Dr. went over the procedure and what I can and can't do. I nod every time she says something and once the nurse and Casey leave, I sigh.

"You never told me where Caleb is."

"Oh, sorry sweetie, it slipped my mind. Before I tell you the bad news, Brandon is in town, he just got in last night as soon as he heard the news," She says smiling.

Brandon is my older brother. He is 22 and is currently in school in Missouri. He is attending police academy there. We are all super proud of him.

"That's good, now what's the bad?"

"Well, Ellie. Caleb, he is . Well. In a coma," she stutters.