The Kids In Gold

Clear The Air

There's nurses crowding her, making sure she doesn't stop breathing again. IV tubes sticking from her arm and even one in her nose. I haven't stopped shaking since getting her in here. They're making me wait outside as they tend to her as tears stream from my eyes.

My hearing is in and out as noises come from each direction. A nurse yells something and waves a doctor over. His shoes squeak against the sparkly clean floor and his reflection of his glasses seem to light up the room as he enters. Every nurse clears the room except for one and it's just her and the doctor along with Zamani's motionless body.

I decide to not sit and watch as I can't do anything so I walk back to the car and actually park it instead of leaving it in the entrance. I place my head into my hands and let out a loud scream, crying my eyes out.

Zamani's phone starts to ring and it's an unsaved number so I turned the volume off and let it finish. I wipe my eyes and open her phone, fortunately she doesn't have any kind of lock on it. I open up her messages and only two numbers were saved, some guy named Cuda with the flexing arm emoji and Kay with the bloody needle and 100 symbol. I assumed she would have deleted mine but it looks like she rarely saves them anyways. I send a message to Cuda :

*Zamani is in Northside Hospital room 407. She's been in an accident*

I copy and paste that message to the most recent texts conversations just in case anyone wonders where she is. After I've sent them all, I put her phone in my pocket and get out of the car, walking back into the hospital.

As I reach the room, I'm met by a nurse. Her name is Alison at least that's what it says on her name tag. She has a relieved look on her face.

"She's struggling, but she's making it. Your friend is going to make it and be okay, but she's going to be out for awhile. We have her on some pretty strong stuff so just be patient." She places her hand on my shoulder. "Doctor Adams would've told you but he had to run. Just keep an eye on her and make sure she knows you're there" she pats my shoulder and walks off behind the counter.

I walk into the room and grab a chair sitting directly beside her. Her eyes are shut and she has bruises across her face. My eyes start to water again as I take hold her hand. She twitches a little then goes back to being still.

————————

About an hour goes by and there's a knock on the open door. I look up and see the boy from the mall standing at the door. He's wearing a Champion brand shirt and khaki joggers.

"How is she?" He asks in a deepish voice. I stand up and look at him and he gives me an awkward look.

"Uh, I mean she's.. she's alive" I reply back shakily. "I'm Baby" I add, extending my hand.

"I know who you are" he says ignoring my hand and walking over to her side. "I'm Cuda" he looks her up and down. "What happened to her?"

"Uh" I begin to speak before he cuts me off.

"I know you said an accident. What kind?" He turns and looks at me.

Before I can answer another person enters the room. She instantly rushes right to the bed, ignoring me and Cuda. Her short blonde hair shining in the light above the bed. She places her purse on the stand and starts to shed a few tears. She quickly turns and her face grows red. "Who are y'all?"

"I'm Cuda" he says reaching his hand out and I roll my eyes. She shakes his hand and wipes her tears.

"Janae" the girl says turning her attention to me.

"I'm Baby"

Janae scoffs and rolls her eyes. "How do you know her?" she asks Cuda.

"Met at the mall. She's my friend" he says to her. She nods her head.