Patience - By AMDelaney

05

The clock is still ticking, and I am still waiting for an answer to my questions. "They still won't tell me anything," She says, placing herself back in the seat next to mine. "It just dosent make sense. You said Alexa just fell right?" I turn to her a nod my head, trying to bring myself back to the incident only hours ago doubting what I had seen. "That's the way I remember it." I say shyly, now pointing my stare at the ground. Unless I was wrong, what if I was. I imaginged the whole thing as a normal day wishing it was, because then I wouldn't be sitting here waiting for answers to questions I was scared to ask.

***
We strolled along the rocky pathway, chatting about the day we had. It was a good day. Alexa rambled on about how amazing her day was and how she was sure she had aced her class tests. I didn't worry about those tests, I never saw the point in them. It was all just stress, trying to keep up with Alexa's perfect reputation. We reached the gate covered in glossy black paint, starting to chip where the metal came to a swirled point every few inches. It opened electronically from inside the big house. Unless you were some kind of ninja burglar the only way in was to buzz the intercom and announce your arrival. The gate was already open on one side, yet was so wide anything could pass. So despite their tallness and the strength of the metal, it was a simple stroll to the other side, which we did. The tar on the driveway was soft with the heat, our shoes sunk into it slightly as we walked.

I waited at the door for Alexa to open the door which lead into the grand hallway. Mum says it makes our family look more posh than we actually are, maybe it's how clean she always keeps it, while dad is away anyways. Mum came down the staircase, each stair was a deep oak with a matte finish. It had smooth, slightly rounded banister that guided you to the floor above. "Just finished working," She smiled, "Tea anyone?" My lips quirked upwards into a smile and I hurried into the kitchen, leaving my shoes and heavy school bag on the polished tiled floor beside the large oak door that stood perpendicular.

I climbed into a seat at the kitchen table as Mum boiled the kettle and put the pot of tea on the stove. Alexa grabbed three mugs from the cupboard and placed them on the table gently and took a seat beside me. Mum brought the pot over and asked us about our day as usual. I wish things were like that now, if only I was at home with my family, if only they weren't in pain.

***
I sit still with my eyes closed, thoughts floating about my head. It all felt so real as if I was in bed and nothing had ever happened to my family. Everything seems normal, almost too normal. Bright lights welcome me back to reality as I squint my eyes trying to see what is going on. I am alone, in a small room not where I had been sitting before. The grey door opens slowly and a man with a long white coat paces into the room, followed by Mum and Alexa.

"Guys you're okay. I was so worried about you," I beam relieved that everything is alright, "did Soph go home?" They exchange worrying looks and then turn to the man who is now taking notes on a clipboard. "Just the medecation, she'll be fine." I stare at Mum, a confused look on my now sweating face. "Are you okay Em?" She questions, I reply almost immediately. "I am fine. Can we just go home?" I sit up to get out of the lounger I was in and feel a sudden pain in my leg. Everything is not okay like I thought it was.