You thought you really knew me

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Oh my gosh you guys!!!” Emma came running to us after lunch. “Did you see Laura?”

Rachel looked down at the ground.

“Did you see Annabel?” Sarah blurted out.

“Yeah she is in the hospital.” Emma looked like it was old news.

“What?”

“No way! Emma! What happened?” Rachel yelled.

“Shh! You guys don’t know?” Emma asked.

“And you do?” I replied.

“No,” Emma looked down, sadly.

The bell rang and a crowd of people rushed passed us.

“Orange juice?”

I looked up at Sarah’s smiling face. Her smile dropped.

“Why are we here?” Rachel whined.

“Where’s Emma? Did she ask?” I looked around the room.

Rachel pointed to Emma running from the lobby.

“Room 473,” Emma said out of breath. “Sixth floor.”

“Let’s go,” Rachel put down her ice tea and stood up from the table.

We slowly stood up and made our way to the elevator.

“Six?” Sarah asked, ready to push the button.

Emma nodded.

We waited silently in the elevator until it stopped.

I had never seen Emma so anxious to go somewhere. She pushed passed us when the elevator doors opened.

Rachel stayed back scared to see her friend.

We got to the door, Emma raised her arm to knock.

“No,” Rachel said.

Emma looked at her, irritated. She knocked.

A nurse opened the door. “You may not be in here.”

“We have permission,” Emma argued.

“Are you with and adult?”

“No,” Emma said quietly. “But we-“

“No, I don’t care. You were not invited. You don’t have adult supervision. And there is nothing to see here.” The nurse was about to close the door.

“Why not!” Emma shouted.

“Emma,” Sarah pulled her back.

“Oh hi, Rachel, M.J, Sarah and Emma.” We turned around to see Laura smiling right at us. “You guys come on, what are you doing here?”

We were silent frozen, the nurse too. I wonder why? The nurse?

“Wh-wh-what happened to-to-to Annabel?” Rachel asked, she stuttered when she spoke.

“I told you, she’s fine just at home. Sick. Will be better tomorrow.” Laura’s smile slipped away like she was trying too hard. She was lying.