Surviving the Life of College (Smythe #3)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Isadora

       He wasn't reply. I was really hoping he would open the door, but that hope faded when I heard two thuds.

       "No!" Seb said once he heard the thud. I, on the other hand, felt paralyzed. I already went through this once with Dax and he was only my best friend then. This time, he was my boyfriend. 

       Seb tried opening the door, but it wouldn't budge since Dax locked it. I could already see the tears stinging in his eyes as he tried in vain to open the door.

       "Seb? What's going on?" Artemis asked as she walked into the room.

       "Call the ambulance," Seb said, still trying to open the door. "Dax overdosed."

       Artemis went to call the ambulance without even hesitating. Seb still tried opening the door before he began ramming his shoulder into the door. Nothing he tried was working.

       "Dammit!" Seb said. 

       "Wait," I said. "Dax is always unable to unlock the door."

       "What?" Seb asked. "How? Why?"

       "Long story short, he always unlocks it when I'm in the shower," I said. "I just....I can't remember how...." Come on, think. How did he always open the door? "I think he uses a cotton swab."

       Seb gave me a weird look, but he still hurried to his and Artemis's washroom to get one. He returned and handed it over to me. I took the cotton off one of the ends before placing it in the hole of the door knob. Once I felt the cotton swab push on something, I turned the doorknob and the door opened.

       I hurried to Dax, who was laying on the floor. Not only that, but there was a huge gash in his forehead. I looked around before my eyes landed on the corner of the counter where some blood was.

       "Dax...." I said, kneeling beside him as tears were stinging my eyes. "Please be okay...."

       Skittle came into the washroom, a cloth held between his teeth. He placed it on Dax's forehead before laying down beside him, letting out a small whine. I pressed the cloth on Dax's forehead to stop more blood from flowing out.

       I didn't know how long it took for the ambulance to arrive. I stayed by Dax while Seb went to go wait in the lobby for them since we were in an apartment.

       After they took Dax into the ambulance, Seb and I were going to leave to meet him there. Artemis had to stay since it was two in the morning and Evelyn was still asleep.

       Right as Seb and I were about to leave, Skittles ran to the door and nudged on my leg. "I think he wants to come," I said.

       Seb sighed. "I don't think dogs are allowed in hospitals."

       "He's a service dog," I reminded.

       "Yeah, true," Seb said. "Okay, he'll take him."

       We went out of the apartment and to the car. I got in the backseat with Skittles because he was constantly whining and needed a companion for now. 

       When we got to the hospital, Seb told them we were here for Dax. We had to wait for a bit before seeing him since he was still in the ER. Thankfully though, they didn't tell us that Skittles wasn't allowed inside. 

       We sat down at the waiting room until we heard news from Dax. I didn't think it would take too long because it wasn't like he had to go through surgery. However, waiting to hear news about the boy I was in love with felt like hours.

       A doctor approached us, asking if we were here for Dax. When we nodded, he said, "I have some bad news and good news," he said. "I'm afraid due to the overdose and the wound on his forehead, Dax is in a coma."

       No. Dax was....in a coma?

       "How....how long?" Seb asked.

       "I'm afraid I don't know how long," the doctor said. "However, the good news is that he is expected to recover. Even though visiting hours are over, you can go visit since this was all of a sudden."

       "Thank you," Seb said before we both stood up and with Skittles, we went to Dax's hospital room.

       As soon as I saw him, I felt the tears stinging my eyes. Dax was laying on the bed, his eyes closed with a breathing mask over his mouth. I slowly walked over before sitting on the chair beside him. 

       Sitting here was bringing back too many memories. Memories of my sister passing away from a drug overdose. Memories of the last time Dax was in here because of an overdose. I wiped the tears away before holding Dax's hand. "Please wake up soon," I said in a quiet voice. "Please be okay."

       "I have to leave," Seb said.

       "Why?" I asked. "You don't want to stay?"

       "I-I can't," he said. "Dax is....Hospitals are....I can't stay."

       "Okay," I said, standing up from the chair. I kissed Dax's forehead before walking to the door to leave.

       However, Skittles was refusing to leave. Jumped up on the bed near Dax's legs and laid down, whining softly. There was no way Skittles was going to leave.

       I looked over at Seb. "Is there any chance I'll be able stay the rest of the night. Skittles won't leave."

       "I'll go ask a doctor," he said before walking out. He shortly came back, telling me that it was fine for me to stay the night. He then quickly left, probably because hospitals must have really freaked him out when it came to someone he loved being hurt.

       I sat back down on the chair, holding Dax's hand again. I squeezed it tightly, just wishing for him to wake up. However, I knew it wasn't going to be for a while. 

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I'm awing right now because of Skittles. :( Just imagining Skittles while I right this makes me wanna cry....

I'll try to write the next chapter tomorrow (Saturday). Or on Sunday since I'm helping my mom with work tomorrow. 

I also have to work on a short narrative for school, which is due Tuesday. cx I didn't start it yet. I'm one of the biggest procrastinators ever, but I still do well in school at least. :D