The Color Yellow

Her Friend Ethan

"So do you want to come over after school and we can get ready for the party?" Beck asked after we had finished our quiz.

"Yeah, that will be fun!" I responded, grabbing my phone, "Let me just let my mom know."

"Okay," She smiled, "Do you just want to spend the night?" 

"Yeah, sure," I responded, smiling. Eventually the class ended and I drove home to grab a cute outfit to change into later. I drove over to Beck's and we hung out for a bit before changing and getting ready for the party. I changed into the outfit and then put on some light makeup. Beck and I walked downstairs and we chilled out in the kitchen for a bit. The doorbell rang and Beck let someone in. A short ginger haired girl came in with some alcoholic beverages. 

"Um, Beck-" I started.

"It's okay, it's a party! Let loose!" Beck said.

"Okay," I agreed.

"Want something to drink?" asked the short girl.

"No thanks," I responded. People started filling the house and the social anxiety started to kick in. I just tried to stay calm and relax. I started feeling lightheaded so I made my way through the crowd to the stairs. I walked up the stairs and then entered Beck's room. Thankfully, no one was in there and I could just calm down. I pulled out my phone. Only nine thirty. Ugh, I wish I hadn't agreed to this party. I put on my own music and tried to drown out the outside noise. Someone knocked on the door and so I walked over to the door and a broad shouldered tall football player stood in the doorway, a solo cup in his hand. He let out and smirk and I started to shut the door but he pushed his way into the room. He grabbed my wrist and started pulling  me down the hall that led to another room. I tried to fight against him but I wasn't strong enough to get out of his grip. I heard footsteps come quickly up the stairs as we passed the stair case.

"Caleb, let her go," said a low voice, making the football player turn around and shove me behind him. 

"No," Caleb answered to the familiar brunette, "She wants to do this."

"It doesn't look like it. Now get your drunk ass downstairs away from her," the brunette said sternly, pointing to the steps. 

"Whatever," Caleb said. He walked down the steps and I just stood there shaking. 

"Are you okay?" asked the brunette, "He didn't hurt you did he?"

"Yeah, i'm okay. No, he didn't hurt me. I'm just shaken up," I responded, giving a small smile. 

"You seem familiar... are you in pre-calc first block on odd days?"

"Yeah, I am," I responded.

"I'm Ethan, by the way," he smiled.

"I'm Ivy," I smiled back.

"Nice to meet you," he said, someone called his name, "Well see ya around, Ivy."

"See ya," I responded as he went downstairs. I let out a breath and then walked into Beck's room, shutting the door and locking it. I had no clue where Beck was. I'm sure she was downstairs absolutely wasted. If only Elsie was here. My phone started ringing, I was getting a call from my mom.

"Hey, Mom," I said, "What's up?"

"I need you to get to the hospital now," she ordered.

"Okay, but why?" I asked as I grabbed my book bag.

"Your father collapsed today, they are running some blood tests. Hurry, please."

"Okay, on my way."

I shoved my way to the front door and walked swiftly through the cold air to get to my car. I climbed into the car and threw my back pack into the passenger seat. I pulled out of Beck's driveway and practically sped to the hospital. I was terrified, if dad collapsed he must be really sick. I pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and practically sprinted inside. I told the lady at the front desk why I was here and she showed me to where my dad was. I walked into the room and mom was talking to the doctor and dad was asleep, an oxygen mask over his face. The doctor left the room and mom gave me a hug.

"When do they get the test results back?" I asked.

"They will give us the results tomorrow," she explained as we sat down in two separate chairs. 

"Okay," I answered, "Do they have any supicions?"

"Yes, but nothing to worry about," Mom smiled.

I nodded my head and just stared at dad. I didn't know if he was going to be okay or not. I curled myself into a ball on the chair and rested my head on my knees. I fell asleep staring at dad. There was a knock on the door and I stirred awake, sun was shining through the hospital room. I ran my fingers through my hair as the doctor entered the room. He whispered some stuff to my mom. Dad was awake so he asked him some questions and wrote the answers down and filled out a paper. I pulled out my phone and I had received a text from Beck.

"Where did you go? Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine, family emergency. sorry I had to leave early :(" I responded.  

"That's fine, hope everything is okay!" 

I left it at that and then tried to listen in on my mom and the doctor's conversation. I heard the word 'cancer' and my heart sank. The doctor left the room and I looked at my mom, she looked like she was about to start crying. 

"Sweetie, I think you should go home. Get some rest," my mom said, her voice cracking.

"I want to stay," I responded.

"Ivy."

"Okay."

I gave her a hug and then left the room, walking out to my car. I climbed in and then rested my head on the steering wheel. This couldn't be happening. Why is it that every single good thing in my life has to leave. Elsie died, and now my dad could have cancer? I played some music and drove home, I didn't want to think about anything anymore. I needed something to distract me for a bit. I texted Beck when I got home and asked her to come over. She said she would and then when she arrived I explained everything.

"I'm so sorry, Ivy," she said as we sipped our coffee.

"Yeah," I responded, "How was the party,  by the way?"

"I don't remember anything really, just bits of it. I woke up on the floor of my living room with an aching headache so I assumed I drank a lot." She explained.

"Yeah, people got pretty crazy," I responded.

"I agree, I didn't see you much last night at the party."

"Yeah... I was in your room trying to calm down and then my mom called me."

"Oh," she said, "can I call my friend to come over?"

"Yeah, sure. Who?" I asked.

"My friend Ethan."