Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 25

Emily's POV:

Kelley and I again spent the night in the hospital with Meghan. Her condition has not changed since we arrived but Kelley won't leave her side. I tried desperately to get her to go back to the hotel and sleep but she wasn't having it and I didn't want to leave her by herself so I slept with her. We were able to get a reclining chair added to the room so I slept on that and Kelley slept on the small couch.

She and I are both awake now and just sitting passing the time. Ali and Ash's plane has already landed and they should be here in half an hour. They rented a car so that they could drive themselves over to the hospital.

Soon enough they make their way into the room.

"Hey, guys!" We greet each other. We all hug and then all sit around and chat for a bit.

"So has there been any change?" This is Ash. Even at camp, she was super protective over Meghan and I can see based on the bags around her eyes she is having a hard time with this.

"No, Unfortunately. Um. The doctor said that it's just a waiting game. Apparently her other injuries are healing well but that her brain can take a long time to heal. They are hopeful that she will wake up but there are no guarantees." I looked over at Kelley as I saw this. She is a shell of her regular self. She has barely eaten or slept over the past two days. I am trying my best with her but I am really glad Ali and Ash are here to help.

We talk for a while until it's about lunchtime. Ali and I go down to the cafeteria to get some things and bring them back to the room for the girls.

"Are you ok?" Ali asks as we step into the elevator.

I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it. I've been so busy worrying about Meghan and Kelley I haven't really processed any of this myself. I don't even realize I'm crying until she pulls me into a hug.

"Hey, it's ok. You're allowed to not be ok. It's scary and you're taking care of everybody else. She's gonna be ok."

"But what if she is not?" I sob out. "I can't lose her Ali." She hugs me tighter and comforts me.

"I know. I know. You gotta believe that she is gonna be ok though. She needs you to be strong even if you don't realize it."

The elevator soon beeps and we pull away from each other.

"Thank you. And for you guys coming."

"Of course. There nowhere else we would be."

We step out and make our way down the hallway, the scent of food evident now. We get some food and head back up to the room. We each dig in being hungry except for Kelley.

"Kel you got to eat at least a little. I know it's hard but you haven't eaten anything since last night." I say softly hoping she doesn't put up a fight this time.

"I'm not hungry," she says and I can hear her frustration at my constant words for her to eat.

"Kelley you look like shit. Your no help to anybody like this. Meghan wouldn't want you doing this. Please just eat." Now Ash is pleading with her. It feels good to have a break from this job. Kelley looks over at her. They stare at each other for a moment clearly having a silent argument. Apparently Ash won because Kelley grabs her sandwich and takes a couple of bites.

After a while, I decide it's time for our next battle with Kelley. She hasn't left Meghan's side since we got here. She needs a shower and she needs some sleep but I have not been able to convince her of this. I'm hoping by having Ali and Ash here it will help.

"Kelley." She looks at me and I brace myself for what her reaction is going to be. "I think you should go back to the hotel. You need to shower and sleep."

"No. I'm not leaving." She says this without even looking at me. I can hear the pain in her voice.

"Kel, I know that you don't want to but you need to take care of yourself. I promise we will sit here with her. It will be ok if you go for a few hours." Ali says in a kind voice.

Kelley turns towards her with tears in her eyes. I know she doesn't want to go but she needs a break.

"You promise you will call if anything changes?" Wow. This is way further than I had made it in any of my conversations with her.

"Yes of course we will. Go get some rest Kel."

"I will drive you. It's only a couple of hours, ok?" I can hear the desperation in my voice. She looks around the room at all of our faces.

"Ok." She says softly. I lead her out of the room and down the hall. I can't believe that she actually agreed.

We make our way to the car and she climbs in. She looks exhausted. I reach over and hold her hand as I drive us the few minutes to the hotel.

"Em, I'm sorry." I look over to her and she looks so sad and broken.

"Oh hey, there's nothing to be sorry about."

"No there is. I've been horrible to you for the last few days. I know you're just helping but I keep snapping at you. I'm sorry. Also thank you for taking care of everything. I know I've been a mess."

"No. It's ok Kelley. I know you're just stressed and sad. I am too. And don't worry about taking care of everything. You took care of me for so long when I was struggling now I can return the favor"

"Mmm, thanks... Are you ok Em?"

"Ya... I just can't lose her, ya know. I miss her."

"Ya me too," she says with sadness.

We made it to the hotel and I lead her up to the room. As soon as we get there she makes a beeline for the bed and flops down on it.

"I didn't realize how tired I was," she says. Her voice muffled through the pillow her face is in.

"Ya... Do you want to sleep first or shower." I don't get a response. "Kel?" I move closer to her and can hear little snores coming from her. So I guess sleep first. I pull the blanket up over her and let her sleep. I use the opportunity to take a shower myself and then curl up next to her. I set an alarm for a few hours from now knowing Kelley will be upset if I let her sleep all night. I know she will want to go back to the hospital. Soon I too am asleep.