The beeping of the heart monitor kept me up all night. It was like a constant reminder that Jaz was connected to all these wires and is unable to swim, shop or go to the movie the year and watch a movie.
The beeps were consistent and every time I had shut my eyes, there goes another one. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather listen to the annoying sound the rest of my life than to live a day knowing Jaz didn't make it, but I was so close to ripping the cord that connected her and the monitor right out.
Hopping off the plastic chair, I folded the blanket that the nurse have me and placed it on the bedside table. I've read soo many times that breakfast in bed brings so much joy and happiness to a person who's sick or injured, so what better way to surprise her than some homemade hospital food sound appetizing...kinda.
I clicked the door open and saw Mike sleeping on the chair right outside the door; he was hugging his legs so tight that his arms were a light purple. As I nudged his arm, he grumbled until his eyes shot open and he was on his feet.
"How is she? Is she okay?" He asked, rambling.
"She's fine, just sleeping. I'm headed down to the cafeteria to grab her some food, you're welcome to join, unless you want to wait until Jaz wakes up."
"I'll wait in the room," he answered, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Alright, I'll be back in a bit," I smiled and turned to leave.
"Oh, buy me a bagel and some orange juice, will you?" He called.
"I'll think about it," I replied, and threw my hand up in the hair to signal a goodbye.
Sighing, I made my way to the elevator which was another hallway down. The walls were covered in nothing but medical posters showing pins or advice on being healthy.
You're lucky if you find a plant throughout the halls because even if their walls are plastered with creative ideas, the hallway looks dull. No sign of a green thumb anywhere, even if it wasn't dramatically filled with greens, one plant won't kill anyone. It seems like their goal to make guests feel depressed.
The cafeteria was packed; people were scrambling to get food or some sort of drink. There was not one person sitting, everyone was just buzzing around trying to get where they need to be. The line for the breakfast bar was looped around the corner of the entrance, but I'm sticking with my goal, getting food for Jaz.
Thirty minutes later, I was finally by the good and slapping anything that sounded good on the styrofoam plate. I didn't want to go all out since I didn't know if Jaz would be super hungry, so her meal consisted of strawberries, blueberries, a cinnamon roll, and some bacon. The nurse always gives Jaz some sort of drink every morning, so I figured she could just drink that with her food. Since I also promised Mike I would get him something, I placed his order on another plate that was on my other hand.
Hospital food hasn't always been the best for me. I've had bad experiences with it before, and since then I passed it all together. However, I almost picked up a muffin for myself, but decided against it.
Making my way back to the elevator, I passed the lobby where a family were asking for directions for, I'm guessing, a loved ones room.
"I just need to know where Joshua Daniels's room is," a female voice stated.
"Visiting hours begin at noon, only immediate family for now," the lady behind the counter replied.
"We are immediate family," the mother argued.
"Sorry to butt in, they are with me," I interrupted, smiling.
The pain in the voices was all I needed to step in and help out.
"And who might you be?" The lady asked with a snide tone to her voice.
"And who might you be trying to stop people from seeing their family?" I shot back.
"By rules, I cannot let anyone but immediate family visit, until noon," she replied.
"Then break the rules."
"Ma'am, I can't do that," she furrowed her brows.
"For every minute you keep us here, the people they are trying to visit, might not be there when they walk into that room," I explained, earning a long pause.
"His room is on the third floor, number 357," She finally states, shaking her head.
"Thank you so much," the mother rambled to the lady.
Walking towards the elevator, I was stopped by the father of the family.
"And thank you too, you were the one who convinced her to let us see our son," he thanked, giving me a huge smile.
"No biggie, just glad I could help," I smiled, my arms growing tired from holding the two plates. "I hope he gets better soon," I walked into the elevator.
"Mind if we hop in?" The mother asked, tucking her brown hair behind her ear.
"Don't be silly," I laughed, and held the door with my foot.
"Third floor too?" She asked as she pressed the red button with the number 3 carved into it.
"Yep, my friend is in the room near yours," I answered.
"What a coincident, if you don't mind me asking, what happened?" The tall black haired man asked.
"She got into a car accident. The car flipped, caught on fire and was crushed. I'm just glad Jasmine got out safety, almost," I explained.
"Jasmine Mae?" The father gawked, with wide green eyes.
"Yes, do you know her?" I questioned, furrowing my brows.
"Our boy got in a car accident with a Jasmine Mae," he stated, the mother blinking at me like she didn't know how to take it all in.
"Joshua was the other person involved in the car crash?" I asked, trying to understand myself.
"He didn't get it as bad as your friend, just a few scratches and bruises. However, he's getting stitches in his forehead today," the father replied.
"Oh, well, tell him I said to get better soon and before he leaves to visit Jasmine. I'm sure she'd love to meet him," I assured. "Her room number is 339," I added before the elevator doors opened to the third floor.
"Of course," the mother smiled.
"Tell Jasmine we wish her all the best," the father demanded, smiling.
"Will do, nice to meet you," I nodded, and began walking down the hallway to Jasmine's room.
I was surprised with myself. Not that I would've had a major outburst and start screaming at the parents for not teaching their son the importance of road safety. First, I don't know who crashed into who; second, what has been done can't be undone;third, fighting won't solve anything, so as long as everyone is fine, I shouldn't be mad.
***
"You're a lifesaver," Jasmine mumbled, shoving the cinnamon roll into her mouth.
"I second that," Mike added, finishing his bagel.
"I know, I know," I joked, laughing and sat down in the same plastic chair that I slept in last night. "So how are you doing?"
"Like I was in a car accident a few days ago," she smiled.
"You always look on the bright side of things, it's creepy," Mike stated.
"I wish I could say the same for you," she replied, winking at him.
"Hey, hey, hey," Jake interrupted, popping his head in the doorway.
"Aye, it's a party now," Mike announced, jumping to his feet to do their handshake.
"Boys will be boys," I whispered to Jaz.
"No food for me?" Jake whimpered, sticking his lip out.
"If you were to come sooner, maybe you would've had some," I responded, getting off the chair to side hug him.
"I would, but traffic was a pain," he complained, wrapping albums arm around my torso.
"It's ten in the morning, traffic isn't a thing," Mike declared.
"It is when you get lost," I joked, knowing Jake wasn't stuck in traffic.
"Alright, enough picking on me, my feeling are starting to hurt," he sighed, his attempt to cry failing.
"You need acting classes," Jasmine laughed.
"What are you talking about? I teach acting class," he stated, stepping behind me and placing his chin on my head.
"For what? Toddlers?" I laughed.
"No, the toddlers would be teaching him," Mike smirked.
"I'm right here," Jake interrupted, spinning me around.
"Oh hey didn't see you there," I smiled, looking into his eyes.
***
Hours passed and the four of us continued to talk and talk and talk. It was like the old days, before drama was introduced into our lives. If only Mason, Luce and Caden were here, then we'd have the whole gang. But this is a start, it might have taken us the whole summer to regroup, but we still have two weeks before school and I cannot wait to see what obstacles we will face, good or bad.
"Sorry to interrupt, my name's Josh Daniels, is this the room Jasmine Mae is staying in?" A male voice asked, his figure standing in the doorway.