Short Stories

Sunrise & Sunset

I could never really choose between loving the sunrise more or the sunset.

I love sunrises and how they symbolize a new day and the beauty and hope that comes with it. But sunsets prove that no matter what happens in the day, it can still end beautifully. All colors no matter how dark or light can be mixed to form a masterpiece.

I smile to myself as I sit on this hill. Every Saturday I come here to watch the sunrise and sunset. Within the day, I'd do school work, my part time job, bike around the park with my family, and just relax.

Today, was a different day. My family went on a road trip and I had to stay behind due to work and school. But of course, I know God is with me always. That doesn't make things easier. Just more bearable and worth it.

Today, school was pressuring, tasks piling up. At work, we had the grumpiest customers and it didn't help any of our moods though we tried to be happy and welcoming the whole time. And coming home to a super quiet house with no running feet and drums playing and the tv on? Definitely not something I'm used to.

I watch the orange, yellow and pink form a pastel colored sky and I take a deep breath.

"God, You're amazing. No matter how low I felt or how alone I feel, You always remind me that You're there." I whisper.

Once the sun has officially set, I get up and head to my bike left on the grassy lawn. No one else is here and I'm glad. A teenage girl sitting on a hill staring at the sky and talking to God may seem a bit crazy.

I bike home, my mind racing on how I can be productive but relax at the same time with the house all to myself.

I stop at a traffic light and wait for the last few cars probably coming from work to head home. Just as I pedal on my turn, I hear a loud honk and turn to look.

The car collides with my bike and my body and everything spins.

I blink and try to focus on something but all I see are colored spots. Orange, yellow, pink. The same colors of the sunset earlier.

***

I don't know what time I wake up or what day it is.

I sit up and look at the white walls and ceiling. Everything comes into focus as I realize I'm in a bed in the hospital.

"No, no, no." I mutter, looking around.

No one else is here. And I can't be here.

I pull the soft blanket and gasp at the state of my legs.

The door opens and a kind looking doctor walks in.

"Hello. How are you feeling?" She asks, checking my casts, bandages and legs.

"What happened?" I ask instead.

She smiles sadly. "I'm afraid the damage the car had on your body was too much for you. It's a miracle you're alive and awake, actually."

I look at the clock. "What time-"

"You were out for twelve hours. That's not as bad as we thought." She reports, sitting down on a chair next to me.

I try to remember where I've seen her before. She looks so familiar.

Probably reading my expression, she smiles. "I'm Doctor Hailey. We go to the same church. My son, Matthew, is in your youth group."

It all clicks and I nod slowly. "Right. Yes."

She smiles brightly now. "I've been praying for you. My whole family has been actually. And we called your family. They'll be here later today I believe."