Camila
Three weeks have passed by since I woke up from the comma and I'm finally going home and I honestly couldn't be more happier. I started growing tired of the countless visitors I was getting every two hours and this hospital gown is getting on my nerves. Carlos and Nate came mostly every day which were the only highlights of my days here. I even got to meet Vivian and we instantly hit it off.
Although there was no sign of the brown haired boy Ive been desperately awaiting I finally drilled it in my head that he doesn't want to see me anytime soon. Pushing those thoughts out of my head I changed into the clothes my mom had bought me the night before which were a pair of black leggings a grey hoodie and a pair of old school vans.
Pulling my over grown hair into a messy high pony I stood up from hospital bed and grabbed the duffle bag that contained the clothes I wore the night of the fire. Every time I think back to the night I get this sick feeling in my stomach and when people ask me about it I can bring my self to speak about that night. It's a big blur I remember it and all but there's just some parts that are missing. Sighing I made my way out of the room I've been caged in for about two months.
My mom and Josh were standing near the reception desk talking to the doctor. Once they heard my footsteps their attention turned towards me and a smile stretched across all of their faces.
" Ready to go ? " asked Josh
" Yea " I nodded
" Well then Camila since your lungs are no longer getting support from the oxygen mask it'll be a little hard for them to adjust for the first couple of days. Nowthis is an inhaler patients with asthma use this to get air into their lungs. You must carry this everywhere you go. Now incase of an asthma attack you use this and if it runs out go to the nearest pharmacy to get it replaced. Got it ? " the doctor said
" Yea " I nodded again
" Well then your good to go I'll see you again in two weeks " he said giving my mom and Josh a small nod he disappeared into the hallway.
" Let's get the hell out of here " Said Josh breaking the silence
We walked out of the hospital into the cold night. Josh went to go fetch the car leaving me and my mom in utter silence.
" How are you feeling ? " she asked
Tearing my gaze from the parking lot my eyes landed on my moms face and the look on her face broke my heart. She looks like she hasn't slept in days making her look 10 years older. Knowing that I'm the cause of this makes me sick to my stomach.
" Okay " I assured her easing her worry
" I'm so glad your okay " she sniffed cradling my cheek in her palm. Her touch sent a comforting feeling through my body as I leaned in to it closing my eyes.
" I'm so sorry " I whispered opening my eyes to meet hers.
" Don't apologize for something you had no control of. What matters is that your alive. Okay ? " she asked using her slender fingers to push a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
I nodded as I fought back unshed tears. Just as Josh's car pulled up I heard my name being called. My mom and I both turned to see a girl running towards us. Her wild hair flying behind her. A slight smile spread across my lips at the sight of my crazy best friend.
" Oh I'm so glad I caught you before you left " she panted throwing her arms around me. My mom chuckled in amusement as I stumbled back in surprise but then wrapped my arms loosely around her.
" I'm so glad your okay " she breathed taking a step back.
" Don't you ever scare me like that again ! " she scolded lightly punching my arm
" Ow " I muttered rubbing the spot she hit
" Hi Ms. Cabello " Rikki greeted
" Rikki it's good to see you " my mom smiled
" You too " Rikki replied politely
" Your heading home already ? " she asked
" Erm yea I got discharged a few minutes ago " I answered rubbing my arm
" Oh good wanna head over to my house for a bit ? " she asked
" I mean if it's okay with you " she added looking at my mom
" Uh I don't know I'm feeling pretty tired " I instantly shot down. I'm not ready to go to her house yet or more specifically I'm not ready to confront her brother but I obviously couldn't tell her that since she's the only one still in the dark about my feelings.
" Oh come on Camila what are you tired of ? You've spent two months on a hospital bed " my mom scolded
" Mom " I warned giving her a look
" She can go " my mom answered and Rikki squealed
" I'll pick you up in the morning " she added getting into the car with me following behind her.
" I literally just got out of a hospital and your letting me stay over a friends house ? " I whispered to her
" You need some distraction honey, You've been cooped up in that hospital for a while you need to take your mind of things. " she waved dismissively
" Mom " I groaned
" Bye " she said closing the door and I watched as Josh drove off.
" Great. " I muttered to my self
I walked back to Rikki and nodded when she asked if everything was okay. I lazily followed her to her car and slid into the passenger seat. The drive to her house was quiet neither of us uttered a single word and I was okay with that. I didn't want her to ask about that nigh or my experience at the hospital.
A boring car ride later we finally pull up at the house I've been dreading to come the whole car ride. I'm not ready to face Cameron yet, mentally or emotionally. I want to cower back into the car and call my mom to pick me up. But instead I push the unsettling feeling in my stomach to the back of my mind all of a sudden I feel my lungs tighten as my breathing starts to come out short.
" Are you not getting out ? " Rikki asked once she noticed me still sitting.
" Give me a minute " I said tightly gripping the door handle.
Desperately taking deep breaths I scrummaged through my duffle bag hoping that my mom didn't take the inhaler. I let out a breath of relief when I found it and with quivering hands I brought it up to my lips and pumped air into my lungs. I felt my lungs expand and my breathing finally evened. Huffing I tucked the inhaler back into the bag and finally stepped out of the car and followed Rikki into her house.
It's now or never I thought to my self and with out another thought I stepped into the house.
" Are your parents home ? " I asked looking around the empty living room.
" I think so, they were pretty eager to see you so they should be home " she answered wandering around the house.
" Mom ? Dad ? I'm home " she said dropping her keys into a bowl.
A minute later we heard a pounding of footsteps coming down the stairs. Then her parents came into view with large smiles on both of their faces. I mentally prepared my self for what's about to come.
" Camila ! " her mom screeched pulling me into a tight hug.
" Oh dear god you had us worried sick" she breathed pulling away
" How are you kid ? " asked her husband
" I'm okay " I said for the second time this night.
" You must be hungry I hear the hospital food taste like plastic " she joked
" Yea it isn't so great " I said
Rikki's mom scurried off to the kitchen to go warm up diner she had made an hour ago for Rikki and I leaving her husband with us.
" Has Cameron came home yet ? I'm sure he'd be happy to see Cams " asked Rikki giving me a suggestive smile
I highly doubt that I thought to my self
"No not yet " He answered
" It's really great to see your okay Camila " he turned to me giving me a flash of his pearly whites
" Hey by any chance did Cameron stop by to visit you at the hospital ? " he asked
" Not that I'm aware of " I answered scrunching up my eyebrows
" Really ? " He asked clearly confused
" Richard ! Can you come here for a second " Rikki's mom called out from the kitchen
" Coming ! " he shouted
" Well I'll leave you two ladies " he smiled and walked into the kitchen
" Finally " muttered Rikki and I let out a small chuckle and followed her up to her room
It's been a while since I've last been here I took a seat on herbed and lightly ran my fingers over her comforter.
" I've forgotten how an actual bed feels like " I muttered more to my self focusing my eyes on the pastel blue blanket.
" So how was your Christmas ?" I asked Rikki
She huffed and sat across from her tucking her legs underneath her body
" It was alright I guess, the whole family came over " she told me
" What about you ?" she asked
" Probably the worst Christmas of my life " I admitted
" It sucked y'know Christmas is supposed to be a day of joy where you spend time with your loved ones doing what ever it is you do on Christmas but instead I was on a hospital bed with my mom and Josh watching over me. Not only did I ruin my Christmas I ruined theirs too " I frowned my eyes watering at the memory
Rikki didn't say anything she just pulled me into a tight hug and for the first time in two months I broke down into tears.
