A million thoughts run through my head and adrenaline courses through my veins. I stand in the hospital reception, panting and sweaty from running all the way from Dr Chris' office. I remember ditching my crutches, I don't need them anymore. I need to find her.
I don't need to stop. I just keep running until I reach Isla's ward. I've been there enough to know where it is now. I feel the receptionist's gaze on my back.
Down the screaming corridors, past the patients in stretchers, through the heavy metal door.
The bed is empty. The sheets are folded, ironed and crisp. There's no sign of Isla ever being here. They've erased her. The heart monitor is off and the room is empty. Completely empty. The wires, which I often found myself hiding in, have gone. She's gone.
I stand in the cold room, gasping and panting. Where is she? Why am I even here? That's a question I've been asking myself a lot recently. Will she hate me? I should go home. Just away from here. I've just been the guilt-stricken schoolboy that's been sitting by her side, watching her like a creepy pervert.
A cleaner enters the room. She hold a mop and bucket of soapy water. She looks at me and puts down her stuff.
"Do you know where she is?" I pant, pointing at the empty bed.
The cleaner just stands there staring at me.
"Isla Woodley?" I add, after regaining some oxygen.
The cleaner smiles and says: "She's in the car park with her brother."
Immediately, I run back out of the room and down the flights of stairs. My foot aches and it feels like I'm treading on needles. Every step hurts me. But, I have to see her. Just one last time.
Outside is cold. Snow flurries through the air. It's unusual for snow in February, but today has been a very unpredictable day. I wear nothing but an old T-shirt and some ripped jeans. I forgot my coat at Dr Chris'.
Goosebumps appear on my pale skin. Maybe they're from the anticipation of seeing Isla awake for the first time. Maybe, they're just from the cold.
Then, I catch sight of it. A small red car, parked in the corner of the lot. Smoke coming from it's ignition. Then, I run.
And, I've never run faster. Ever in my life.
"Isla!" I scream, across the car park, still running. My legs feel like jelly.
"Isla!" The car turns out of its rectangular spot.
"Isla!" It feels like someone keeps plunging a knife into my legs.
Suddenly, my legs give way and I feel the gravel of the carpark under my feet.
And, I sob my heart out. I don't know why. Or why I've been chasing after a girl I barely know. Or why it makes me so sad to not be able to see her face ever again. I don't know anything. All, I know is that I'm sitting in the middle of a hospital car park bawling my eyes out.
"Are you okay?" A sweet voice asks. It's rich and melodic. Exactly, how I imagined her's.
The voice puts and arm on my shoulder. A warm hand. Like I imagined. Now, I'll never feel it.
The hands of the person cup my cheeks and slowly lift my face out of my hands.
And, it's her. She's smiling. Dimpled as hell.
Her brown hair flies in the wind, freckled with snow. Her eyes light up mine. Her cheeks are flushed red.
And suddenly, it feels like the sun has come out in the middle of the snow. Although, it's only snowing harder.
Isla begins to wrap her woollen scarf around me, but I just stare at her in awe.
She kneels down, until she's eye level with me. I look into those entrancing blue-green eyes and get lost in them.
"Who are you?" She asks.
Should I tell her? Will she even know? I can't. I can't ruin this.
"Nobody." I mutter, breaking eye-contact and looking at the ground.
"Well, nobody," She says and her eyelashes flutter. "Let's get you inside."
●●●
According to the creepy doctor, my leg is just heavily bruised and I'll be fine.
He hands me some medication that help ease the pain. It's kind of ironic. The roles have changed.
Isla sits on the small chair beside me and avidly listens to the doctor's diagnosis. So, far I'm just a random boy who screamed her name in the car park. Yet, she's still here.
I intend on telling her the truth. Just not, now. I can't face her. After all, I crushed and ripped her dreams to shreds as if they were a paper ball. I snatched everything from her.
Once the doctor has left us, me underneath the stiff yet warm sheets and Isla trying to figure out who the hell I am, we are alone.
"So, who are you?" She asks again.
"I'm..." My voice trails off.
Just tell her, Bradley. You're going to have to at some point.
I decide to ask a question of my own in an attempt to evade her question.
"Why are you here?" I look at her.
She pauses to think for a second, contemplate why she's actually comforting a random boy in a hospital.
"Because, I don't want you to be alone."
She gulps.
"I've spent two months alone. In a coma, apparently." She takes my hand in hers. "And I hate being alone."
I squeeze her hand and she squeezes back. She makes me feel like it's all going to be okay.
"Will you be okay?" She whispers.
I nod, even though I'm in tremendous pain.
"Well, nobody," She chuckles softly. "I've got to go. But, I'll leave you my number. Call me when you're home."
And then she leaves me in the hospital room, her scarf wrapped around my neck, her smell lingering on my hand, a bright smile on my face.
I miss the bright soul of Isla Woodley already.
YOU ARE READING
After the Crash ✓
Teen Fiction"It's day 10, Isla. I wish you would wake up. I've lost everything and you're the only person who understands." Bradley Monse used to have everything. He was the star basketball player. He dated the most popular girl. He had good grades and friends...
