Summer Nights

In the beginning

My head pounded. I squinted my eyes and held my head, hoping to relieve the pain. Nope, that didn't work. I groaned and ruled into Bex. Her thin body reminded me I was at Lizbeths. We always had a sleep over the last day of school. Since high school started we'd nurse our after bonfire hangovers here.

I rolled over and pushed my face into the cool pillows hoping that would help. It kinda did. They were soft and dark, and I slipped back into sleep.

When I woke again there was ginger ale, aspirin and toast on the table by the bed. Ah, Lizbeth. The only hangover-less one of us all. She knew how Bex and I preferred to deal with our hangovers and helped. I looked around, I was the only one in the darkened room but I wasn't surprised. Bex always woke up before me and like to watch movies or episodes of a tv show when hungover. I liked to sleep.

I pulled myself out of bed, I was in pajamas. I didn't remember changing into them but oh well. I stumbled out of bed and into Lizbeths video room. There was no doubt in my mind that that was where Bex and Liz would be. I entered and fell down in front of the couch where Lizbeth was sitting. She started running her fingers through my hair, it helped relieve a bit of my headache, but not much.

I closed my eyes, "What are you guys watching?" I whispered.

"American Horror Story," Bex mumbled.

I nodded. Leaning against the couch I drifted back to sleep.

When I woke, I was still sitting in Lizbeth's movie room. Lizbeth was no longer playing with my hair but they were still watching American Horror Story. I shifted. My head felt better, but I felt sick. I bolted up and into the bathroom across the hall and emptied my stomach.

I stumbled back into the movie room and collapsed onto the ground, "oh shit," I groaned. There was a light knock on the door.

Lizbeth's mom poked her head in the door, "Kori, your moms here sweetheart."

"Oh, okay. Thanks mom. I'll be right down," I headed back into Liz's room and gathered my things.

"Bye loves. I'll call you later," I hugged both of them before kissing the air. Time to go home.

__________________________

I was so glad I called off work today and yesterday. I anticipated getting drunk and didn't think the children's ward would appreciate me hungover. I worked at the hospital. In the pediatric center. My mom worked with someone who works there and apparently she's pretty important. For my 16 birthday she got me a job. I loved it. Working with the kids, making them smile, letting them see someone who wasn't a doctor or nurse all day.

When I grow up I want to be a pediatrician who works in the ER. Or even a pediatric surgeon. I don't really like kids, but something about working in pediatrics just felt right. I knew that my current job would help with med school and I loved every second of it. The only time I ever really felt like I wanted to go home was when I was sick. Even on bad days, going to the hospital after and working, really put things into perspective.

Shit. What was I going to do about that? I can't just take the summer off to jet off to Maryland. I was so looking forward to working all day.. but no. Now I was going to Maryland.

Sigh.

I so did not want to go.

I laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. I didn't want to go to Maryland. I don't care what good opportunities lay there. Good opportunities lay here, in Michigan. Did anyone ask my opinion? Of course not. I'm just a little girl whose crazy dad gets to pick and choose when he wants to rip her away from her life. There was a knock on my door.