Headache

Chapter one: Choice

Keep in mind: This whole series will be a complete draft. Once I've completed it I will go over it and make it even better :D 
Enjoy !

Chapter one: Choice 

The sudden sound from the speakers made me flinch as the throbbing pain on my temples felt like a double edged sword through my skin and nerves. My vision became blurry, and the sounds around me became louder and louder. It was like a train in full speed wanted to catch up to me, and when it did a blinding pain, so utterly fierce, would struck my eyes and I would close them instantly. For what felt like hours I just sat there, on the bedside, with Rain beside me, and just closed my eyes as I massaged my temples. 

The sound from the television screamed at me. I threw myself onto the bed gripping hard around my head. 

"What the hell dude, are you alright ?" Ron exclaimed worried as he stood up from the floor, now facing me. 

"The sound..." I stuttered and he nod towards Amber who quickly turned off the movie we were watching. 

Slowly, the pain began to subside and I let out a sigh of relief. Sitting up again it felt like the whole room was spinning. I tried to ignore it, telling everyone that I was fine, when I in reality wanted to run to the bathroom. 

"You haven't been looking good lately," Rain said while laying a hand supportingly on my shoulder. 

At her statement I frowned, trying to look offended. 

"Do you mean my health or my appearance ?" I gave a big grin. 

"Bastard," was all she replied followed by a hard glare. 

I laughed, which only made me clutch at my forehead again. 

Ron grab Amber's hand while they look worried at me. 

"Mark... We're getting concerned here... If the slightest movements make you dizzy, you should see a doctor." 

"No, I'm fine, Ron. There is no need..." 

There was, but I didn't want to admit it. He continued. 

"I know you hate hospitals after what happened last year, but this doesn't seem like a normal flu-" 

"Shut the fuck up about last year !" I yelled, stopping him in his action. 

There was no way. There was no fucking way that I would place a foot in that hospital again. 

____

The waiting room was cold now that it were close to winter. Because of that, every chair was taken so I willingly seated myself at the floor, leaning my head against the wall. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. I was shivering like a coward. 

Closing my eyes I felt myself getting calmer. If it wasn't for the loud talking, crying or whatever that were surrounding me that made my head scream like someone was tortured in hell, I would've fallen asleep. 

Of course I didn't. 

Hours passed by. The crowded waiting room became even more crowded and I felt myself almost going crazy, when someone suddenly called out my name. 

"Mark Stanford, you're up." 

Wobbly I got on my feet and followed the nurse through the door and down the white and sterilized hallway. The smell of chemicals burned its way into my nose. On reflex I coughed. My heart beat fierce in my throat in the same rhythm as my head. 

God, how I wished for Rain to be there with me. 

I entered the room the nurse gestured towards and I found myself seated in there for eternity it seemed. Why the hell did they run so many tests? I was completely fine. It was just a regular flu, nothing to worry about. 

The doctor entered the room while looking at a clipping board, his face saddened and his eyes fixed on whatever the words were on the paper. Seated, he look at his computer before finally looking at me. 

The clock on the wall goes louder and louder. 

He sighed. 

"We had to do your blood tests again to make sure that what we saw was positive. A final test is necessary to confirm my suspicion." 

I swallowed. 

"... And your suspicion is ?" I asked, feeling my heart drop to my feet. 

"I can't tell you yet. You have to take the brain scan first, and if that shows to be negative we have to run more tests." 

I wanted to scream and demand an answer, but I just nodded, clenching my fists. 

Like a robot I followed the nurse, and when I was done with the brain scan I found myself in the waiting room again. 

Ron, you stupid jerk. I missed every class today because of you. Do you know how much my grades will fall if you keep doing this ? 

While I scolded my friend in my thoughts the doctor walked up to me, gestured me to follow him. 

Seated in his office again everything went into a blur. I could only hear his voice at the that time. 

"Mr. Stanford, you suffer from a condition in your brain which causes your nerve systems to gradually fail," he takes a deep breath, "which in a few months will be extremely deadly to you." 

Hearing that I felt every muscle in my body go numb. For a few seconds I couldn't breathe. I shivered, not knowing if it was because of the blinding pain or because of fear. 

"However, there is a chance of survival." 

"You should've said that in the beginning," I muttered, feeling more frustrated than relieved. 

Completely ignoring me, he continued with a slight sadden face. It made me even sicker. 

"There is a rather expensive surgery that can increase your chances of survival by 70 %. However, there is complications to consider with precaution. This is an extremely tricky procedure and it can result in coma and in worst cases death. That is why we need your permission to perform it," he said before handing me a form. 

In that moment, when I held my life in my own hands, I thought: 

This is my first real choice. Will I be a lifeguard or will I drown in the bottomless ocean ?