yellow - grayson dolan | © 2018

Eleven

Grayson and I went to Jess's annual Halloween party and we were the only ones there who didn't drink. By eleven pm, everyone was already drunk and dancing  on each other. We then decided to go watch a horror movie that came out in the theaters.

***

Today was going to be a boring day because I was going to be alone at the apartment and Emily was going to work. I began my long day with getting up and walking into the kitchen. Emily was sitting at the bar and was eating some cereal and toast.

I opened a cupboard and took out a plate. I then got into the pantry and got the english muffins out.

I sliced one english muffin in half, then plugged in my toaster. I dropped the two, half muffins in the slots and waited for them to toast. I grabbed out a butter knife and some spreadable butter and set them on a napkin.

When the muffins were done toasting, I set them each on the plate and spread some butter on them.

"I'm leaving." Emily said after grabbing her things.

"Okay, see you later." I responded.

"Love you." She replied.

"Love you too, Em."

I then made some lemon water and sat down at the bar. I quietly ate my breakfast while checking my phone.

Grayson: Good morning!

Me: Good morning, Gray. What're you doing up so early?

Grayson: Ethan and I are going out of town to get some stuff he wants for his room. You?

Me: I'm eating breakfast and I'm probably going to get some writing done.

Grayson: Okay, talk to you later baby. ❤️

Me: You too. <3

I turned my phone off and set my plate in the sink. I walked back into my room and decided to stay in my leggings and black t-shirt. I then began writing on my laptop.

***

I looked at the clock and it was three pm already. I worked the day away. I've been writing non-stop for hours. I decided to go make myself a snack and watch Netflix.

I went to the kitchen and cut myself some apple slices and put some peanut butter in a bowl to dip the slices into. I sat on the sofa and turned on The Office.

I had watched about 4 episodes, when I got a call from a random number.

"Hello?" I spoke.

"Hi, is this Lauren Johnson?" The voice asked.

"Yes, who's this?"

"This is the hospital. We have you as an emergency contact for Emily Johnson, is that correct?" My heart immediately started pounding. Why was Emily in the hospital?

"Uh, yes, what's going on?" My voice was getting extremely shaky.

"Well there has been a ton of traffic today and unfortunately, Emily was driving through that traffic and was slammed into by an 18-wheeler." She started. "We don't know officially what's wrong yet, but she's in surgery right now and we're doing everything we can."

My heart was cracking, my chest was pounding and I could hardly breathe. I ended the call and ran out of the apartment as fast as possible. I drove swiftly to the hospital and ran to the ER unit.

"I'm here for Emily Johnson." I demanded, out of breath to the receptionist.

"She's still in surgery right now, all you can do for now is sit and wait." I nodded my head. I was freaking out, I couldn't just sit down. I paced around the waiting room gnawing on my nails.

***

It was about half an hour before someone finally walked into the room.

"Miss Johnson?" A nurse came out of the doors into the hallway.

"Yes, right here!" I yelled and walked up to her.

"Emily's finally out of surgery and in a room.  We can send you back."

"Can you take me?"

"Of course." She started speaking and we began walking, "The surgery didn't give us anything exact about her condition but she's had severe internal bleeding and she's in a coma."

I felt my heart stop at the word 'coma'. The thoughts of my parents dying in a hospital just a little over a year ago came to my mind.

"We do know that Emily's organs are slowly failing but we don't know what the risk of her flatlining will be." She then opened the door and I saw her.

Her body was so lifeless. She was so pale, you could almost see through her. Her veins were bright blue and she had wires coming from everywhere off her body.

"She's on life support right now. We don't know if she will be able to fight this." The nurse sighed. "Do you want to be alone Miss Johnson." I slowly nodded my head, feeling tears roll down my cheeks.

"Emily, I know you. You can fight this. You can do it. Just, please don't leave me." I began to sob. "You have been my mother this past year. You helped me through so much. I can't lose you Emily, please." I grabbed her hand and rubbed her knuckles.

"I love you so much Emily, but I understand that it's being selfish if I'm asking you to stay, if you can't handle it, I understand." I couldn't stop the tears now. I was breathing heavily. That was all you could hear, along with Emily's deteriorating heart rate. "I love you Emily. I understand if you can't keep fighting. But just know, Mom and Dad would be proud of you with how you took care of me."

***

I ended up calling Grayson and Jess. Jess arrived shortly but Grayson was going to be here as quickly as possible. I let Jess have some time with her, because I know they were close as well. I sat myself on the bench next to the door in the hallway and anxiously picked at my cuticles.