Forces of Attraction: Book One

Arden

I couldn't stop thinking about her all day.

Allison frantically came up to me to know what really happened, but I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't even want to go out front to smoke. I couldn't be myself without knowing if she was okay.

So the moment the bell rings for the end of the day, I'm the first one out. I ignore my friends calling out to me and strongly push open the large doors that lead out front. I jump on my motorcycle and quickly ride to the hospital nearest her neighborhood; the image of Rihannon's pained face imprinted on my mind all the way there.

I enter the emergency room and say to the security, "Rihannon Harper?"

The security checks his computer with a tired expression. I just want to run behind his counter and look for her myself. But I wait until he shakes his head. "There's no one with that name here."

"Then Harper! Is there anyone with that last name?"

"There's about four patients with that last name, sir." I sigh in frustration and I run a hand through my hair with anger.

"Arden?"

A rush of relief fills my heart at the sweet sound of her voice. I turn around and quickly walk up to her. "Hey, Rihannon. I came as fast as I could. What happened? Is your brother okay?"

"Arden?" she says with surprise. "Wh-what are you doing here? Don't you have football practice?" I notice the red in her eyes showing that she's been crying and my heart shrinks.

I shake my head at this and say, "I know, but you seemed so distressed that I had to know if you were okay. Where's your brother? Where are your parents?"

"I-I don't know. They were here and then they left to do something. I don't know what's going on. I just know that my brother's heart just had this small heart attack or something. I--"

"Hey."

Without hesitation, I put my arms around her and she falls under my hold. She's quiet, but I can tell by the way her body is moving against my chest that she's crying. She has to tip toe to put her arms around my neck and hug me tighter. Her head on my shoulder, slowly getting it wet with her tears.

"I don't want him to get it, too. It can't happen to him, too, Arden."

I let go and look at her with worry. "What do you mean?"

She shivers as someone enters with a crying little boy and I gesture towards an empty set of chairs at the far corner of the room. "Here. Let's sit down."

She quietly nods and I put a comforting arm around her shoulders. She lets me do this and warmth fills me just with the touch of her skin.

Rihannon does an exhausted sigh and says, "Do you remember when I told you that we financially fell when my mother had to that surgery for her heart condition?" I give her a nod and she sadly says, "I have that heart condition, too."

The world around me falls apart at these words and so many feelings start within me. Anger. Sadness. Surprise. How could someone so wonderful be in such a horrible life? Why am I not in her place when I deserve this torture she's living in?

"And now my brother might have it, too. When he was born, they noticed something in his palpitations. But we didn't pay much attention to it. Arden. I quit my medications as well so we wouldn't lose the house. And now my little brother has it at such an early age. How are we going to pay for any of this? My mother and I risk our lives every day to keep the family from drowning!"

Anger rises in her hazel eyes. She has eyebrows furrowed and she seems like she wants to run away. Punch something. Scream. She's standing up now and pacing in front of me. I stand up as well and stop her. I take a hold of her shoulders and bring her in for another hug.