Finding him

chapter 2

I feel so weak and even though I'm not awake I can hear everything that's going on, I can hear the panic and urgency in my mom's voice as she speaks to the doctor and the gentleness of the nurse who tires to comfort her unsuccessfully. I  slowly open my eyes to find the room spinning but after a moment or two everything goes back to normal. I focus my eyes on mom who is looking out the window, her back, hunched from worry facing me.  She turns around and walks over to the chair beside me before taking hand, her eyes bloodshot and her cheeks stained from shedding so many tears. I hate how worried she is about me, she doesn't deserve this, I just smile at her weakly.

"I'm just going to get the doctor honey and let him know you are awake, I'll be right back. Okay?"
Before I knew it Doctor Forbes was standing at my bedside, clipboard in hand looking far to serious for my liking.

"Mrs Summers, I do not know what exactly caused Maya to black out. Fainting isn't necessarily one of the symptoms of chemotherapy, but that's not to say it doesn't happen. Maya's body is very weak and fragile at the moment, usually we tell our patients with leukemia to stay as active as they can but not to over do it. I believe Mayas body is having a hard time adjusting to the treatment and I would strongly recommend giving her some more time to regain her strength before any big outings. Has she been suffering from nose bleeds or nausea in the last few days?"

"Her appetite is certainly not what it was and she has had one or two nose bleeds, but that's normal right, everything is okay isn't it?" She was beginning to panic now like she always does.

"Yes. Yes, everything seems to be fine but I would like to keep her in overnight to run some tests though"

Mom agreed that I needed to stay even though she knew I hated it. I could never get a good nights sleep here, not that I've been getting one at home lately either. I hate it here, the smell of hospital consumes my senses and I swear I smell like it for days after I leave.

"I'll be back later on to check on you Maya." He says while looking at his pager and then he rushes out like doctors always do.

"Maya I was so worried about you, I shouldn't have left you with Sam I don't know what I was thinking I was  just so happy you were with your friends." "Then your friend rang me and told me he called an ambulance and to meet you at the hospital. He's still waiting outside, I offered to drive him home but he wanted to make sure you were okay."

Friend? What friend?
"Wait, who are you talking about? I left Chris and Sam to go look for you, I was by myself when it happened, well at least I thought I was." This really confuses me, who the hell is this guy?

"I hate to leave you Maya but its getting late and I have to pick up Layla and bring her home.I'll be back first thing tomorrow for your tests okay? I'll send your friend in he's been here for ages now, the poor guy must be exhausted. Maybe I should drop him home on my way, I'll leave you two alone for a minute so you can thank him."

Before I have time to even protest she had left the room. My mind was racing, what am I supposed to say, who is this guy, do I even know him? I haven't a chance to think about all my questions before he enters the room.

He looked nervous, could I blame him though? I'm laying here, I probably look scary, my face is so pale and my eyes look sickly and tired. I just smile and hope that puts him a bit more at ease. He smiles back, as he gets closer he startes to speak.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" he asks, his voice is gentle.

"Much better thanks. I really can't thank you enough for what you did earlier" This is extremely awkward, I never know the right things to say. 

"Don't mention it, you gave me quite a fright back there."

"I'm so sorry, you didn't have to wait so long, you must be exhausted."

"I'm alright don't worry about me, I had to make sure you were okay. I'm Noah by the way, Noah Foster." Then he extends his hand for me to shake it as I introduce myself. It's so cold to touch that I flinch.

"Nice to meet you Noah Foster, I'm Maia Summer's"

" I know. I saw it on your necklace earlier." He shyly replies.

I  blush a little bringing some colour to my pale skin, I mean who wouldn't I hadn't noticed it before but this guy was extremely good looking. He has brown eyes which shone under the bright light, his light brown hair had streaks of blonde from the sunlight and his smile was one of the genuine smiles that you rarely see.

Just looking at his angelic appearance I can't help but think how unsightly I look in comparison and just as I think this I bring my hand to my head. My hat, where on earth is my hat I hadn't even realised that I haven't been wearing it.  He see's my discomfort and looks like he has just realised something. 

"I almost forgot the paramedic in the ambulance removed it and I didn't want it to get lost."

Noah reaches into his pocket and hand me my maroon woollen hat which I immediately place on my head."Thank you", I mutter, embarrassed that he seen me that way.

"I hope you don't mind but after you passed out I didn't know what to do. I called for an ambulance straight away but I knew I needed to contact your parents so I found your moms number in your purse. I didn't mean to be nosy or anything." He seems embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck as he speaks.

"Don't even say that, if it wasn't for you I don't know what would have happened, I really am so grateful." He just smiled. "Anyway, how long have you been waiting here?"

"Em well I rode in the ambulance with you after you passed out, your mom was on her way here and I didn't want you to be left alone so I've been here since."

I was shocked why would he go to all this trouble for me? 

Why did you do all that for me, you don't even know me?"

"There's something about you Maya Summers, I couldn't just leave."