Nerd

Chapter 7

We had to be picked up by Melanie's dad. Melanie was quite well off, but her Dad's car was a vintage Courtina that looked like it came from sometime before the 20th century.

Melanie was still crying her eyes out, and I was comforting her. She was so different to the popular version of herself- now she was reduced to the vunerable girl I used to know.

As we climbed in the car, Melanie's dad turned round, somehow managed a smile and said:

"Ah, Lavender Brennan," he grinned. "Haven't seen your face in quite sometime."

I let out a quiet laugh, but then went quiet again.

"Yeah," I said. "So, what happened?"

"As your mums are both friends, they decided to meet eachother for a cup of coffee and lunch. They got a taxi. If only they didn't get a taxi..."

"They got in. They were chatting, having a decent time. Didn't even notice that the driver was speeding. They came to one of those multi crossroads,"

"Mr Speeder tried to stop his cab. The thing is, you can't ignore a red light on one of these so called roads. He couldn't stop his car, a bus pulled out..."

He couldn't finish his sentence. We were both teary-eyed. He revved the engine, pulled out of the school parking lot.

"Your dad is already there. He was called from work. At the moment, they're in intensive care..I'll let the nurses tell you the rest."

The rest of the way we sat in silence. I did some maths in my notepad, to try and take my mind off it, but my algebra turned into doodles smudged by tears.

We pulled into the parking lot and approached the hospital. Doctors and nurses pushed patients in wheelchairs and on metal beds. There wasn't really any happy faces, except those of mothers trying to soothe their children, but even they looked forced. There seemed to be an echo of beeping around us. Melanie pulled out her phone and plugged in her earphones. It was obviously on full volume, because all I could hear was 'Amnesia' by 5seconds of Summer. I guess she found it soothing that they weren't fine at all either.
We sat down and her dad went and talked to a lady. She soon beckoned us over, and lead us down a hallway. The first thing I noticed was my dad slumped in a chair.

"Mrs Brennan's room." she said, letting me go and then continuing down the hallway.

I ran and gave Dad a hug. He looked emotionally wrecked.

"Hello, Lav-ley." I blushed at the nickname Dad gave me when I was four.

"Hi, Dad-ley," I joked, although it wasn't really the time for joking. "What's up with Mum?"
He took a deep breath, and began:

"As you know, they were in a dodgy cab and a bus smashed into them. The cabby is being currently held by the police for questioning, as well as the bus driver. Your mother was knocked into a coma, but her status is improving...well, we think.
"Soon we'll be able to see her...but when the nurses and doctors have done their things."
I gulp, and nod. As if on cue the nurses that were inside looking after mum left in a swarm, one lady staying behind and walking up to us.
"Mr and Miss Brennan?" she smiled with a nod, obviously trying to be reassuring but failing. "You may see your family member."
"Thanks." I muttered.
The nurse opened the door. Mum was there, comatose, in the hospital bed. Her wispy hair was spread out on the pillow and her face pale. There was a bandage around her head, and a trickle of blood down her cheek. It curved into her mouth. The nurse quickly grabbed a piece of wet cloth and wiped it away.
"Sorry about that," She said nervously. The spot of blood beneath the bandage became wider. "That's good, it means her heart is beating and blood is going round her body.
Dad and I stared at her in silence.
"Um..I'll leave you guys in peace." And she hurried out the room.
We sat there for around half an hour in silence, taking turns to 'talk' to her. A doctor burst in, making us jump, claiming that visiting hours were over.
"...When can she come home?" I asked.
"We don't know."
The tears came again and I cried myself to sleep that night.