Warning: This chapter is quite sad. Also, sorry for the late update, I've had exams and didn't have time to write. Neither did I have inspiration. Anywho, next chapter will be the very last chapter! I hope you enjoy this and please vote / comment / add to library. Thank you (: - Jain
Freda's POV:
“Spring break was so boring. It’s like, thanks for the three days, but, didn’t really help us with studying.” I complained.
“Freda. Can we focus on the real issue here? What are we going to do about Mila?” Nate asked.
My face fell and I sighed, “I don’t really know. I feel like such an ass. I’ve been so caught up with Jayden that I haven’t been giving her an ounce of my time. And, she’s my best friend, Nate. She’s our best friend.”
“Yeah, I’ve acknowledged that a long time ago, Freda. I’ve been so busy with Beck-“ I interrupted him before he could continue.
“No, Nate, you haven’t been busy with Becka. You aren’t even dating her, remember? So. What are you really busy with?” I questioned, raising my eyebrow.
He ran a hand through his hair and leaned on his locker, “I don’t really know. I think I’ve been too busy hiding things from Mila. I’ve been acting shady because I’ve been trying to not be shady. Does that make sense?”
“No. Not at all. Why are you hiding from her in the first place?”
“Uh…I just found something in her drawer.”
“What is it?”
“Can’t tell you. Catch up later! Oh, and text me if Mila shows up, okay? Thanks, love you!” He shouted, already across the hall.
I rolled my eyes and sent a quick text to Mila saying,
Hey munchkins…missing you </3 Hope to see you in class! – Freda <3
I really hoped she was doing fine, but something at the back of my mind gave me a feeling that she wasn’t.
Nate’s POV
Mila hadn’t answered any of my calls in the last two hours. It was the last lesson of the day and I was supposed to meet up with Becka but I had to make sure that Mila was okay before that.
For the final time, I dialed her number and put the phone to my ear whilst tapping my foot.
“Uh..hello?” I heard a man’s voice at the other end of the line.
“Um, hey. Is Mila there?”
“Who is this?”
“It’s her best friend, Nate.”
“Oh! Nate! This is Mila’s dad, I’m sure you remember me?”
“Of course, sir.”
I knew Mila was visiting her dad but why did he have her phone?
“Ah, well Mila can’t contact you right now. Sorry, son.”
“May I know why?”
“Nate, Mila’s been in an accident. She hasn’t been conscious since and the doctor says she’s not giving signs that she will be anytime soon. I suggest you focus on whatever you’re busy with now and Mila will get back to you, hopefully, as soon as possible.”
Without waiting for my answer, he hung up. How the hell did he think that I could go back to whatever I was doing, now that I know this? I felt like the most terrible person ever. I was supposed to be the guy who Mila could rely on. I was supposed to be her rock like she was mine. But, I wasn’t.
Freda, Mila’s been in an accident.
After sending the text to Freda, I crept to the back door of the school and let myself out. No way was I going to stand a full hour of Chemistry when all I could think of was if Mila’s condition was critical or not.
To my dismay, there were a few jocks outside smoking and messing around with two or three chicks that I thought could be respected. Surprisingly, Liam and his new toy, Eve were there as well.
“Anderson! Why don’t you join us?” A built looking guy who I knew was named Brandon, shouted out.
“No, thanks. I’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Really? Looking for that chick, Mila?”
“Why do you care?”
“Are you finally going to tell her that you’re fallen helplessly in love with her?” Liam asked, obviously drunk.
The group of dicks laughed and patted him on the back.
“Listen you son of a bitch, I don’t know who you think you are or who you think Mila is, but she is not a doll. And I think what hasn’t gotten through your thick head yet, is that she finally realized she’s not a doll. You think she’s going to come back for you? Oh, you better think again because Mila now knows that she deserves better than a two-faced, lying scum bag like yo-“
I couldn’t finish my sentence since what I said had earned me a punch in the jaw. A hard one, too. But it was worth it. Defending Mila was worth it.
* * *
It was a week later that I finally met up with Freda. We had decided to drive to New York to check up on Mila and this was the day.
“And you didn’t punch him back?! Jeez, Nate, we’ve been waiting this whole year for some epic fight to happen and you started it but couldn’t finish it?” Freda, complaining while driving.
“I wasn’t going to stoop as low as him and get myself in trouble. What I said satisfies me, okay?”
“Yeah, I know it does. It satisfies me too but that dick deserved to get kicked in the balls.” She stated, speeding up.
“Freda! You’re going to get us killed.”
“Listen, New York is not as close as McDonalds. And if you want to get there before tonight, I’m going to have to speed up.” She said annoyed.
“Fine, fine. But you got to stop at the corner shop. We need a snack. Both of us.”
Suddenly, she stopped the car.
“…Freda?”
“I think I’ve finally taken this in. Mila’s in the hospital, Nate.”
“Fred-“
“No. What kind of friends are we? Can you drive? I don’t think I can do it.” She said, her eyes shining like diamonds in a field of snow.
“Uh, sure.” I got out of the car and switched seats with her.
“It’s okay, Freda. Everybody makes mistakes, and we weren’t that very good friends, but we’ll make up for it, okay? Everything will be alright.” But deep down, I wasn’t really sure it would be.
After twenty minutes of driving in complete silence, I finally stopped at a corner shop and got Freda her favorite chocolate bar and two cans of root beer.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine, Nate. Keep driving.”
I nodded hesitantly but kept driving anyway. I had already been worried about Mila and now I was wondering if Freda could keep going or not.
I had never actually known Freda very well. All I knew was she was Mila’s best friend along with Sandra who of course, bailed on Mila. But Freda and I would have a lot of deep conversations, I guess it what keeps our friendship simple yet rich.
“Do you think she’s okay?” Freda asked after a long while.
“It’s Mila. Of course she’s okay.” I said, trying to convince not only her but myself too.
Freda didn’t say anything but gave me a nod.
* * *
It was six PM by the time we passed New York’s border and got to the hospital Mila’s mom told us she was in.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked Freda once again.
“Nate, the last thing I want to do is sit at home and wonder if Mila’s okay. I’d rather be here. Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go.”
I could hear her taking a deep breath and I took one as well before we stepped in the hospital.
It smelled so bland. The halls were as usual, painted white. It was quiet and creepy. Something I didn’t like.
Freda and I walked up to the receptionist.
“Excuse me, do you know what room Mila Sanders is in?” Freda asked her.
“One second, please,” she answered, going through some files, “she’s in BR207.” She said with a smile.
“Thank you.” Freda and I both chorused.
My heart was beating out of my chest and I prayed to God that the news we were getting was good not bad.
Mila’s parents and her step dad came into view. The three of them were sitting on a hospital couch. Her mother was sleeping on David’s shoulder; her face stained with tears and her father was holding his head in his hands.
“Freda, Nate, hi…” David whispered giving us a weak smile.
“Hello. How is she?” Freda asked, her face filled with hope.
I turned towards David, waiting for an answer.
“Doctor hasn’t got a final call yet. All we know is she hasn’t been waking up.”
She hasn’t been conscious…
The words of Mr. Sanders echoed in my head and I felt sick.
“Can we see her?” I wondered.
Her dad sighed but nodded, his head facing the room Mila was in.
Quietly, Freda and I walked inside to see her. There were hospital tubes connected to under her hospital dress and she wasn’t moving whatsoever. The closer I came, the worst I felt.
Her face was so calm and she looked as if she was sleeping but she wasn’t. Freda’s hand had covered her mouse and she stared at Mila, weeping. I pulled her over to me and hugged her tight.
A few hours or so later, the doctor checked on Mila. His face showed no signs and I was hoping whatever he had to tell us was good. Doctor Gellar walked right to us and read his notes again before facing us.
“We’ve had many, many cases likes this before,” he said, hesitantly, “and 97.5% of the time the patient wakes up after 2-3 days.”
Mila’s mother stared at the doctor, eyes wide.
“But sadly, this case is not one of that 97.5%,” I could hear Mrs. Sanders sobs while the doctor spoke, “Mila is in a coma and unfortunately, she is in need of life support. Sometimes, this treatment is only necessary for a temporary period of time, but in some cases, such as this one, it may be used for years. But, if you decide to discontinue such treatment, we will have to pull the plug. I’m really sorry.”
Both parents now were crying, Mila’s father was weeping silently but Mrs. Sanders was crying her heart out.
I was too numb to feel anything. Too shocked after what I’ve heard. All I could do was calm Freda down and listen to her heart racing against mine.