The Story of Us

Chapter 19- Road to Recovery

TW: Self-endangerment, Talk of abuse, Withdrawl, and drug use.

When Amanda opened her eyes, the first thing she registered was the bright light. She closed her eyes quickly before opening them again only to realize that the light was actually dim, it just seemed bright because she was sensitive. I must have a concussion, she thinks before something else registers. The snoring of her twin brother. She turns her head to the side and sees both of her brothers sleeping and she smiles slightly.

Then, she sits up slowly and carefully, and as soon as the stitches move slightly, all the memories come flooding back. She remembers getting shot, killing Tobias, and watching Spencer as her life slowly fled from her body. She remembered what happened when she died. People say that they see their life flash before their eyes when they're about to die but Amanda didn't experience that. All she saw was Spencer. She saw the fear, the confusion, and the worry in his eyes as he tries to save her life. And then, as she faded away, all she saw was a bright light, although, Amanda being Amanda and now aware of her condition, attributes that to the concussion she is suffering from.

Once her body stops hurting from sitting up, she reaches down the bed and picks up her medical chart. After studying it, she determines that the reason for her extended pain is that Kristen and Harrison had done their part in ensuring she was given no pain medication. She reads through the rest of her chart and finds that so long as she sticks to bed rest, has a babysitter, and takes her meds she'll be fine with leaving the hospital against medical advice. 

This is what leads her to take a deep breath before turning off the machines in her room and removing her IV. Then she quickly, yet carefully, makes her way to the nurses' station and requests to leave. She has to argue with the nurse for a moment before agreeing to sign the form saying that she's leaving against medical advice and then she pulls out her phone to call the one person who she knows will be willing to help.

"I was wondering when you'd call," she says, as soon as the line connects.

"Well, I just checked myself out of the hospital and collected my belongings, changed, etc. Not to mention I had to wake up," Amanda answers with a grin.

"Lucky for you, I had hoped you would wake up tonight which is why I am currently sitting in my car awaiting your call," Kristen laughs. 

"Be out soon. It kind of hurts to walk though and we need to stop at a pharmacy to get my meds."

"See you soon, Babe." With that, she hangs up and Amanda begins her trek out to the parking lot. It takes her about 30 minutes and makes her wonder if she should've made Kristen come and get her. She finally makes it to the car and Kristen drives her to a pharmacy to pick up her meds before taking her to a hotel where Amanda is quick to check them into a suite. 

As soon as they make it up to the room with Amanda's go-bag and Kristen's suitcases, Amanda spins on her friend. "I'm okay right now but I'm going to go through withdrawal soon. I need you to be prepared," she informs her before digging to the bottom of her go-bag, happy that she was thinking of Evan when she packed it and pulls out the guide she had made for Evan to carry with him when he visited his parents.

"When did you have time to write a book about what to do if you have to go through withdrawal?" Kristen asks in distaste, not wanting to read the book.

Amanda rolls her eyes. "It's not about me. It's a general guide and it's not that long, mostly just bullet points. I just can't do this on my own. I'll get the shakes and start to hallucinate. I need a babysitter, as much as I hate to admit it, so will you just stay with me, please."

"Ugh, not the sad Amanda eyes. You know that I can't say no to those," she fake cries, and Amanda giggles.

"That was the point, dork." Kristen giggles before tears fill her eyes.