Where Do We Go From Here?

The next morning I skipped going to school even though my parents were under the impression that I was going. For the first ten minutes I drove without knowing where I was going. However, I guess subconsciously I knew where I wanted to go because I ended up in the parking lot of St. Mary’s Hospital. Jumping out of my car, I made my through the halls of the hospital. I weaved through the crying people, through the rejoiced people, through the silent people whose faces were drenched with concern. Coming across the information desk, I asked the kind woman where I could find Veronica Abraham. With a smile on her face, she pointed me to the bank of elevators that would take me to the third floor.

“Room 306.” She told me before I headed off to follow her directions.

Every step I took towards the elevators felt heavy with concern. I couldn’t help but think of how my parents broke the news to Jason—who incidentally was already back in LA. I could faintly hear him saying that he’d be on his way, but my parents told him not to worry. They knew that he needed to get back to work. Reluctantly, Jason agreed and said that once the weekend came, he’d be heading back over to San Diego.

Coming upon Veronica’s room, I slowed my pace. I peaked in and saw the current state she was in. Her body looked nearly non-existent beneath the hospital gown and blanket. I was aware of how thin she was, but right now she looked scary thin. Her eyes looked even more sunken in with even more darker bags weighing down beneath her eyes. She looked so frail, so fragile that I feared that she would break beneath the weight of her blankets.

There were very few moments when I no longer felt like the younger sister. This was one of them as I gazed at her body which had a tube in her mouth. I remember once when Veronica had her first real boyfriend, she was fifteen, making me twelve. She had been crying again over Ben Louis, one of the guys that Veronica claimed to love. I remember walking into her room as she played The End of the World on repeat.

Why does the sun go shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world,
Cause you don’t love me anymore?

I remember seeing Veronica crying and rushing to her side, pulling her into a hug even though I hated hugging people. She gripped onto me; her tears drenching my Twisted Sister shirt. It was odd because Veronica was usually a happy person who cried rarely. While I, on the other hand, was an unpleasant person who rarely showed any emotions whatsoever. But that day I spent it in Veronica’s room, consoling her as she sputtered out how Ben Louis no longer loved her. I sat next to her, nodding along as if I understood what she meant when I didn’t. It was the first time Ronnie looked vulnerable while I seemed to hold strong. Now that I look at Veronica in her hospital bed, I felt that familiar urge to wrap her in a hug, to have her confess her secrets.

Veronica’s head turned slightly towards me; her eyes dull and apologetic. My feet moved closer to her in hesitant steps. “Hey Ronnie.” I said softly while going to the empty chair next to her bed.

As I sat in it, I felt how the leather felt stiff against my back and how cold it was against my jeans. Veronica looked away from me. It wasn’t like she could speak since the tube in her mouth presented an obstacle for her.

“I just wanted to see you.” I explained as the room remained quiet. “I wanted to see if you were okay.”

Ronnie sighed as a tear rolled down her hollowed cheeks. “I’m fine.” She mumbled out.
My phone ringing kept me from saying something else to Ronnie. Glancing at it, I saw Tony’s name flashing on the screen. I sighed before answering it.

“Hey Tony.”

“Hey.” I could hear him smiling on the other side. “When are you coming to school?”

“I don’t think I am.” I answered honestly.

“Are you sick again?” He asked with concern.

“No, I’m at the hospital with my sister.”

There was silence that followed my statement.

“Is she alright?” Tony asked.

I didn’t know what to say, so I replied with “She’s doing okay under her given circumstances.”

“Are you doing okay?” Tony asked after a few moments of silence passed through the phone.

“I’m not too sure.” I answered honestly. My eyes glanced at Veronica who seemed to be staring out the window that overlooked the crowded parking lot.

“How’s about we both play hookie today.” Tony offered.

“That doesn’t really sound like a smart decision for either of us.” I replied.

“You should know that I never claimed to be smart.” Tony remarked before adding “So, what do you say? I can make this entire day all about cheering you up.”

I smiled because it never ceased to surprise me that Tony had such a sweet side. “Okay, you got yourself a deal.”

I could only imagine the wide smile spreading across his face as he said “Great. I’ll come over to pick you up. St. Mary’s, right?”

“Yeah, call me when you get here.” I confirmed.

We hung up after stumbling over our goodbyes. Taking a seat next to Veronica, I said “You remember that guy that ate dinner over our house?”

She nodded with a faint smile on her face.

“Well, he’s gonna come pick me up.” I said with a prominent blush on my face.

Veronica’s smile was cut short by the tube, but I knew that if it wasn’t there she’d be grinning broadly.

“I wish my big sis could give me some advice because I really like this guy.” I bit back my own smile.

Mumbling out a response, Ronnie said “Just be yourself. I can tell her really likes you.”

I smiled. “When you get better, you wanna spend a day together?”

I hoped that Veronica would take my offer with enthusiasm. However, at my suggestion her smile slipped. She remained quiet which made me wonder what was going through her mind.

I twiddled my thumbs before saying “So, I guess I’ll see you later.”

Veronica nodded a stern nod; her face expressionless as I got up and walked to the door of her room. “I love you.” She mumbled out.

With my back turned, I softly said “I love you too, Ronnie.”

Notes

Sorry guys just one update for the night.

I have this other story in the works, and I might just upload the first few chapters...I'll keep you posted :)

Let me know what you think and thnx for reading!! <3