GROWING PAINS

ONE

FLASHBACK

Pacing. Thinking. Breathing. Still breathing.

I gentle hand touches my shoulder, I flinch as I turn around.

A fake look of hope is displayed on the Doctor Dan's face.

I sigh, "Please, just do what you can." He glances up at me, "Savannah, you need to listen to me. This is going to be extremely costly. I'm not certain that the medical aid can cover all the co-"

I cut him off, "Then I'll use the will! Just please stop wasting time here and go and save them!"

He nods.

-Hours Later-

He walks out of their hospital room and shakes his head. "I'm sorry."

My trembling hands cover my mouth. "No." I whisper. He leans in to hug me. I flinch.

I allow the tears to tremble down my face. I start crying hysterically. "No! Please! Don't touch me!"

I'm shaking, I'm on the floor I'm-

-Current Day-

The alarm is screaming into my ear. I gasp, I'm drenched in a pool of sweat.

I smack my alarm and glance at the time. I immediately jump out of bed.

08:30

I'm late.

Hastily I shower and throw on my attire. I whistle for a cab.

New York is always busy. It's the city that never sleeps.

Once I'm in a cab I make my way to Mark's Cafè. I work there. Mark, is my terrible boss with a cold heart and a crappy attitude.

I hop out the cab and dash inside. Avoiding the stares from the customers I make my way to the back.

Mark is glaring at me, "Miss Brian, where have you been?" I say slowly, "I-I-" He cut me off, "I don't wanna hear it. Today you work overtime."

I stare at him, "Yes sir." He sighs and shakes his head before disappearing into his office.

I bust tables, serve customers and clean floors.

-Later-

It's 7pm. I just arrived at home. I open the fridge, which contains nothing but a carton of milk and a block of cheese.

I groan, "Well done Savannah. Gosh, why am I so hopeless."

I freshen up before settling on a cheese sandwich with some tea. I listen to my voice mails.

Most of them are reminders to pay my rent. I sigh and make a mental note to do that tomorrow.

My feet are killing me and my back is screaming from the ache that is making its rounds on my back.

I am currently highlighting all the new job offers in the paper. My eyes soon become heavy as I go to war with my fatigue and my priorities.

My eyes seal shut as I fall into a deep sleep.

"Savannah." I turn around, "What?" The shy girl says slowly, "You're blocking my locker." I roll my eyes at her, "Sarah. Can you not see that I am busy at the moment?"

She nods, "Yes but-" I raise my hand to cut her off. "Whatever." She nods quickly as I back away from her locker.

Gwen laughs, "She's such a weirdo. Apparently last week she got all embarrassed when Justin asked her for her homework answers."

I laugh, "Wow. Gwen, where is Justin today?" She shrugs, "Probably trying to get with some girl." I roll my eyes.

She smirks, "What's going on with you and Thomas?" I chuckle, "Well last night we became official." Gwen laughed, "No way! Isn't Jayde like his ex or something?" I nod. "I honestly don't even care, all that matters is that his mine now."

She smirks, "Speak of the devil." I turn around and see Thomas making his way over to me.

He winks, "Hey gorgeous." I smirk, "We still good for our date tonight?" He shakes his head, "Yeah, about that. I've got to attend some football practice with the guys. But tomorrow night it's a date."

I nod, "Alright then." He kisses me before disappearing into the crowd.

I catch Brandon staring at me, "What? It's not like any girl has or ever will fall for you."

He shakes his head and pushes up his glasses, "Uhm well, you don't know that."

I walk towards him, "I'm sorry, what did you say?" He meets my eyes before backing away.

"Yeah, walk away. You really think any girl will fall for braces, allergies, and a nerd like you?"

He shakes his head and runs away. I roll my eyes, flip my hair and walk away.

I wake up.

I fold myself into a ball. Clutching on to my body as I cringe at the thought of that day.

I cannot help but wonder what happened to Brandon Campbell. Or to Thomas Bronx, Sarah Hill or to my ex bestfriend, Gwen Hatfield.

Suppose they didn't expect to see where I'm at in life.

Gosh, to see how I have  failed miserably.