Make Or Break

CHAPTER 7

Parking my car outside the hospital, I rushed to the reception desk, whispering silent prayers under my breath.

"Hello, I'd like to visit Anna Brook's room please." I said almost breaking down, to the fair-skinned lady at the reception desk as I tapped my foot impatiently on the impeccably clean white-tiled floor.

"Please hold on ma'am."

"She's in room number 27. Down this way to your left."

"Thank you."

Swiftly making my way to Anna's room, It immediately dawned on me that as much as hospitals made me nauseous and I just didn't like them, no one actually liked them. Its circumstances that got you there.

Knocking softly on the door, I pushed the door lightly and cautiously entered and found a doctor and a nurse examining Anna.

"How is she doctor?" I muttered as I looked down at the seemingly lifeless form that was my best friend. I could see her chest rising and falling and it gave me some courage.

"She's still unconscious. She sustained minor injuries but we've been able to stabilize her condition. She should be fine in no time."

"Do you have an idea what happened?"

"She was rushed in here by a group of rowdy youth, some of whom seemed drunk. All they said was that she was attacked by thugs on her way home."

What really had ensued at the party or wherever she was at? Anna wasn't one to get herself into meaningless fights. Who was behind it and why?
Suddenly, I felt Anna shift and I sighed in relief as she slowly opened her eyes, as if trying out a new pair of eyes.
She'd always been full of energy and gazing at her weak form now almost felt surreal.

"Haze?"
She murmured almost in a whisper as I held her hand too cautiously cause she looked really fragile and caressed her face, feeling a pool of warm stinging fluid flooding my eyes.
"Anna... How're you feeling now?"

"Oh c'mon Hazy... If you start crying now I'll just get bored and go back to sleep. I'm fine so stop sobbing now."

I felt a small smile creep up my face. Despite everything she'd gone through, somehow she still found a way to lighten the mood. She really was a fighter.

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"You mean he did that to you?" I muttered almost disbelievingly as I paced back and forth with my arms folded across my chest, trying to calm my rage and contemplating how to pluck Brad's eyes off.
"Yes. But there's more to the story. Actually, you were his prime target. He threw the party hoping you'd show up. And I ended up shouldering the consequences for not bringing you along. Poor guy's never given up on you...
Wait... I think I've heard the doorbell."
"Please check who it is as I prepare something in the kitchen."

From the kitchen, I could hear low murmurs at the door between Anna and whoever it was. I really hoped it wasn't one of the crazy twins next door, one tryna profess their undying love for me, and the other for Lily.
I couldn't help but giggle at how mysterious and beautiful love was.

I mean, I had been in love and it was the most amazing feeling ever, but before I could relish it in its entirety it was suddenly snatched from me and I was left feeling like a child that just had their candy snatched from their grasp.

Finding love was the last thing on my mind at the moment but I knew too well deep inside that I badly wanted to love and to be loved back someday.

I never wanted to ever get to a point where I'm no longer sensitive to the beauty of the simple yet beautiful things of life.

"Hey Hazy, there's a letter for you."
By now I had already dropped the knife and didn't realize until now that I'd been thinking way too much.
As the sound of ruffling paper filled the room, I scanned the artistic handwriting and begun to take in the contents:

Hazel...
You deserve to love,
and to be loved right back.

I lifted my eyes from the letter and stared off into space.

**
The words kept on resonating in my mind later that night as I tossed and turned in my bed, inwardly begging sleep to wash over me. I often overthinked things and I hated it.

For some weird reason, I wasn't mad at the sender as I would expect to be on any normal circumstance. Surprisingly, I wanted to know who it was. But I wasn't going to go out of my way in the quest to look for someone I didn't even know.

Suddenly, my phone rang. At this time of the night? I furrowed my brows as I reached for my phone and scanned the strange digits.

I don't know why but my heart was thumping in my chest like crazy for a reason I couldn't quite wrap my head around.

"H-hello?"

"Hey could you please come out for a minute?"

By now I had sat straight on my bed, with no trace of sleep on my eyes.

"Who are you?"

"I'll tell you when you get here."

And he hung up.

I anxiously tiptoed to the window and was met by an empty and lonely street with no sign of life except for a passing car and one stray dog.
I hugged myself and sat on the floor contemplating whether to go.
**
Opening the door as carefully as I could to not wake mom and Lily, I stepped out and a cold breeze brushed against my cheeks and my light sweater did little to protect me from the elements.

What was I doing outside at this time of the night? I mean, I was doing the complete opposite of what the sane Hazel would do. But what's the worst that could happen?

I must admit my mind kind of relaxed as I walked briskly to nowhere in particular.

"You're not afraid being out here alone at this time of the night?"

I nearly jumped in fright as I turned and was met with a pair of warm yet stern eyes that were unflinchingly trained on me.

"Wh-who are you?"

He smirked as he brushed his hand against his chin. What was wrong with this guy, acting like we'd been childhood friends?

"By the way, my boss says hi."
He said ignoring my question.

"I asked wh-"

"C'mon let's drive around a bit to calm your cute lil nerves."

And he held my arm leading me to what I believed was his car.

As we got closer, the unforgettable black SUV stood graciously in front of me and I suddenly felt anxious and weak.

"I... I- I have to go." I muttered without looking at him before I turned and left.

He didn't stop me.

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Chapter 8 coming up!
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