Did you Forget?

Best Strangers

It felt like every time I closed my eyes, a nightmare began. It was always me, in my new body, crying as my mom stroked my hair. I could feel her hands on my head but when I looked up, she was never there. That was followed by dreams about me, at the age of twelve, running from the bullies and trying to find my family but they wern't there.

I eventually decided, sleep wasn't an option. I pick up the phone that has the name Darla on it and begin to scroll through the latest texts, which were all two months ago. I see names I don't know and faces that were erased from my mind. Eventually I came to a picture of me in my new body, with a blond girl who is laughing while I make a silly face. I recognize the girl as one of the one's who were here yesterday. I click on the conversation and scan it quickly.

"Where are you? Darla! Come to my place asap! I'm sorry about shopping just don't do anything stupid okay? You are still my best friend. Just come talk!"

I knew I would have cried if I had tears left. The name by the picture was Taylor. Taylor was my Best friend.

I put the phone down and threw my head back in anger. I pouted at the dark ceiling above me as the clocks ticking rang throughout the room. I was about to try to sleep again but the door creaked open and a small figure walked towards me.

"Hey" the blond girl said awkwardly.

"Hello Taylor." I stated.

"Da-Arielle? Did you remember?" She asked excitedly.

"I'm sorry. No. Your name was on this phone." I held up the small device.

She nodded.

"Can you do me a favour?" I whispered.

She nodded again.

"Could you tell me about myself? Like, what I became during half of my life?"

"Well lets go back to the day we met. I was just starting up my singing career and so were you. I was eighteen when I started becoming popular and you  were only sixteen. We had met at a music awards show and we had got seats beside each other. You had looked at me wide eyed and said, 'You are Taylor Swift right?' I had laughed because I heard TayTay swift, so that became the nickname you would call me by. We had exchanged numbers and became best friends." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"That incredible." I tried to smile. "Why did I start singing?"

"Um, you had said your Mom caught you singing in the shower and thought you had real talent. So, as far as i know, she had pushed you on stage many times to get you to sing but you refused. You said stage fright was your enemy. Anyway, when you were fourteen.....I guess they told you what happened." She said.

I nodded and hoped she would go on and not drag out my mothers death. I didn't need to know what happened there.

"Yeah, so after a year of not doing much with your life, you decided to try out for a singing contest for you mother and they said you were goo. You came in twelfths but someone liked you and took you in as their singer. I think her name is Stacy. Anyway, she led you to a famous world and you became a hit, right of the bat!" Taylor laughed a bit.

I smiled at her and she smiled back. At least now I know why I became what I am or was.

"And where is my brother?" I ask hopeful.

"Last I heard...." She thought for a moment. "Two years ago. He had texted you something and you said you were sick of him always telling you to go home. You said singing was everything and you didn't want to go back to your old life. I think you had stopped answering him." Taylor whispered the last part.

How could I have abandon my brother like that? It appears, singing had taken over my life.But at the same time, it has given me more friends. Do I have my brothers number on this phone?

I pick up the phone and scroll through the contacts. Sure enough, a Jake came up. It had no picture but I was assuming it was him. I wouldn't call him now. Maybe when I can leave this hospital, if I ever get to.

"Oh, and why did I name myself 'Darla'?" I ask as Taylor gets up to leave.

"I shouldn't be the one to tell you. Maybe your brother can." She smiled before closing the door after her.

Darla doesn't seem like a name I would pick. It seems like someone chose it for me. I have always loved Arielle and I don't see why I would change it.

I close my eyes again. This time, there was no nightmares. Just emptiness. Which is what i felt without my family. The older me might have known a life without them but not this one. Not the twelve year old girl stuck in a twenty year old body.

**********

It feels like as soon as I'm asleep, I'm awake.A nurse is pulling back the blinds, reveling sun shine.

"Big day! We are going to try your walking!" She smiles.

I didn't smile back. I was too tired.She tidied up the room a bit then brought me some mush that was considered breakfast. I put in in the garbage beside me then pulled the covers back over my head. Not even five minutes later, Dr. Gale came in.

"Good morning Arielle! How as your sleep?"

"Fine," I lied.

"Good. We are going to see if your walking okay so just let me help you up,'' he said as he lifted me up into sitting position.

After sitting on the edge of the hospital bed for a while, I slowly got onto my feet and stood steadily. Corbin watched closely as I moved one foot slowly. Good. Confidently, I took the next step.

That's when I fell.