The Girl In The Suit

Gemma

I feel on top of the world. I'm with my friends and we're doing a dance to Bohemian Rhapsody. Anne is singing and hitting all the right notes. Gabrielle and Tasha are dramatically acting it out. Gabrielle even gets on her knees for the, "Mamaaaaa, ooooo". Nothing can possibly go wrong.

Until, when we're all jumping up and down at the rock section, we see Alison come in with a tearstained face. Anne looks at me.

"Girls, we have to go, see you sometime during the week."

"OK, bye!"

We walk over to Alison, and we can both tell somethings wrong.

"Ali, what's wrong?", Anne asks.

She sighs and starts to cry a bit.

"Alison?", I say.

"Girls, s-somethings happened. We must get back to the hospital right now."

"Hospital? Alison, what's up?", Anne asks. Her tone of voice has changed. 

Alison looks at me directly. I feel something in my stomach.

"Is it Freddie?" I gasp. "What's happened to my brother, Alison?"

"Overdose. Suicide attempt, as far as I can tell. I don't know much else but we must get down there right now."

I feel like screaming. I rush out of the building with the sisters following after me. I sit into the backseat of the car as soon as Alison opens it. Anne quickly slides in beside me, and Alison starts the car quickly.

"Fucking drive!", I say, letting tears flow from my eyes.

Anne wraps her arms around me and holds me tight. It provides a small bit of comfort, but all I can think about is the fact that my best friend might die.

When we get to the hospital 20 minutes later, I push open the car door and I run to the A&E doors. The girls have caught up with me and we go inside.

"Where's Freddie Welch? I'm the one who called.", Alison says.

"He's just arrived. He's gone in those double doors."

"How's he doing?"

"I don't know. The nurses will tell you. Names?"

"Alison O Brien."

"Anne O Brien."

"Gemma Welch."

"OK. One visitor at a time. You can stay in the waiting area though."

"OK. Thanks so much."

We all look at each other.

"I'll go in first.", I say. "He's my brother."

"OK. Good luck, Gem.", Anne says. She hugs me.

"Thanks.", I whisper. Then, we separate.

A doctor comes along with the key and lets me in. There's not that many people in here, and I see that familiar moppy head of hair lying on a pillow on the bed with a nurse beside it.

"Ma'am, you can't be here.", he says.

"I'm his sister. I have every right to be here. Is he OK?", I say frantically.

The nurse sighs. "He'll be OK. He just needs to get the drugs out of his system. It'll take 24 hours. After that, he'll have to take it easy for a while. He could possibly have to go to rehab."

"Rehab?" I stare at him. "He's not an addict."

"We found a bag of marijuana in his hoodie when he came in the ambulance."

"So, you're the Gardaí now?"

"It fell out."

I sigh. "So, rehab. For how long?"

"Considering an overdose has taken place, 6 weeks. I recommend this place in Kilkenny for 15-22 year olds. Its up to him though."

"So, if he doesn't decide to go, this could happen again?"

"With drugs, its likely."

I sigh. "Can I go out for a second? I'll send in my friends sister, the girl who called."

"OK, sure. He'll be fine, by the way."

I purse my lips and I head out the door.

"Can you go in?", I ask Alison.

"Is everything OK?"

I sigh. "You'll see."

I sit down beside Anne as Alison goes in the door. Neither of us speak. I put my head on her shoulder and she puts her arm around me, and shortly after, we fall asleep.

Anne does anyway. I'm wide awake the entire time. I cant sleep at all.