365 Days

250

250

Spring is the season of life, of fresh beginnings and of warmer weather. Fresh flowers bloom and animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life once again.

My Spring feels like the season of death, spending the very first day of September being rushed to Emergency with even-worse-than-usual pains throughout my abdomen. There had been a large build up of pressure around that area so it had to be released, which happened about an hour ago.

It's now 9:32pm and I'm lying in a hospital bed in a room on the third floor. Mum and Dad are at home because a) there is nowhere to sleep here and b) I told them to. Olive was going to come up but I texted her saying I didn't want to see anyone.

Truth be told I don't want anyone to see me. I haven't showered all day, I have tubes sticking out of me everywhere and my stomach is only just returning to normal. It was swollen grossly. My hair is a mess, I'm groggy from the drugs and I don't want people to see me like this.

There is only one problem and I mull it over as I watch the 90s sitcom Will and Grace. I'm starving. My stomach is empty of all food but I'm not allowed to eat yet. I have never been this hungry in my life.

My door pushes open and Doctor Patrick walks in, a permanent smile on his face. "Back here again?" He asks, his clipboard attached to his hand. He moves towards my bed and does his doctor thing, checking tubes and what not.

"I basically live here," I try to joke but my voice is flat. Damn drugs.

He laughs regardless before assuming position at the end of my bed. "That you do. Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Food," I groan, even though I know what his answer will be.

"Sorry Dakota. You know you can't eat until morning." He truly is sorry which is why I'm glad he is my doctor. He's straightforward and honest but also wants to do whatever he can to help.

"I know," I say, wanting to cry. Another reason I don't want visitors; I'm very highly strung. "I'm still hungry though."

He nods in understanding, writing something on his clipboard. "I'll make you a deal. I'm coming in early tomorrow and always get breakfast on the way. If you ignore your hunger for ten hours I might be able to get you something better than hospital food. How does that sound?"

That is the best news I've heard all day. A grin works its way onto my face but I know it's a dopey grin. "Now that I think about it, I'm not hungry."

"Smart girl," he smiles, before walking to the door. "I'll be in around seven thirty. If you're not awake, I'll wake you."

"Great. Thanks Dr. Patrick," I say. He won't have to wake me because I'm not going to be able to sleep. I'm 110% sure of that, so I maneuver my way around the tubes to reach my phone on the table beside my bed.

Ah shit.

7 missed calls, 24 texts, 2 emails and 9 Facebook messages from only 4 people; Olive, Beckett, Lacey and Alex. Beckett and I had been talking and he has convinced me that it's a good idea to tell people. I went to Lacey first and she took it relatively well. She acted differently for the first few days but now she is back to normal. I was going to tell Ryan or Joshua at school today but then this happened.

I send a group text to Beckett, Olive and Lacey reassuring them that I'm okay. I give brief details on what was wrong and what fixed it and that I am in hospital now. I tell them I won't be at school tomorrow either but I'll be back on Wednesday if I'm allowed to. I ask them to say that I'm 'sick' so I'm staying at home.

I press send and move onto Alex's messages. He only sent two texts and called once, but that's because he doesn't know. I can't bring myself to tell him. We are great friends now and even though he is still trying to sleep with me, it's more of a joke than a serious game. I'm starting to hate myself for becoming close with him as my days get even fewer, but I like being around him. I should distance myself from him but I know I won't be able to. I open his text and it reads: