How I Met You

Chapter Thirty Eight

Cover to the sideeee! You like it?

-Chapter Thirty Eight-

          My palms began to get clammy as I walked into the hospital. The automatic sliding glass doors opened as I approached them. I walked straight to the front desk.

          "Hello," the man behind the desk said with a warm smile. He looked to be about in his early-twenties. "How may I help you, miss?"

            "Hi," I replied. "I'm here to pick up my friend. He should be visiting a girl named Audrey Burns."

           He scanned through a computer, clicked a few times, scrolled a bit, and clicked one more time. "Ah, here it is. Audrey Burns. Second floor, room 234."

          "Thank you. Where is the elevator?"

           The man, whose name was Anthony—at least that's what his name on his nametag read—told me the way to the elevator. "You know what," he finally said, "it might be easier if I show you myself." He handed me a visitor's pass and stood up.

          I gave him a half-hearted smile, nodding. We rounded two corners and walked a bit down a long hallway. We stopped in front of four elevators, and Anthony pressed the 'up' button for me.

          "Here you go, m'lady." Anthony gestured to the elevator, doing a little bow.

          "Thank you, kind sir." I copied him, giggling and doing a curtsey in thanks.

          Anthony laughed. "I gotta get back to work. See you. Oh, and I'm Anthony, by the way."

          I smiled. "Alright, thanks for the escort. And I'm Alex."

          "Bye, Alex." With one last smile, Anthony walked down the hall and disappeared around a corner.

          I smiled and walked into the elevator, pressing the button for the second floor. Once the elevator doors opened again, I walked down the hall in search of room 234. I found it and not wanting to intrude, pulled out my cell phone to text Jake.

          "Hey, I'm here outside of Audrey's room. Are you ready to go?"

          I sighed and leaned against the wall next to the wooden door of Audrey's room. A few minutes later, the door opened, and I turned my head to see Jake. I knew he didn't want to admit it, but I could see that he had been crying some more.

          "Hey," he greeted.

          "Hi. Are you ready, or do you want to stay a little while longer?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows. "I wouldn't mind..."

          "Can you come in for a minute?"

          "I don't know if that would be the greatest idea, Jake." Really, I'm not sure if I wanted to see Audrey just yet. She was on a whole other level, and I was surprised that Jake wanted me to go in to see her.

          "Just for a second. Please?" he pressed.

          I looked into his sad eyes. "Fine." I followed Jake back into the room, and slightly gasped when I -saw her unconscious body lying on the white hospital bed.

          Audrey was beautiful. Her golden blonde hair framed her pale face, and her arms lay numbly to her sides. I bet it killed Jake to see her in this state.