Me, Me, Me and Tara

Chapter Seven

The sterile, cold feeling of the emergency department is only made more uncomfortable by my parents' wariness. I continue avoiding their gazes and pick at the edge of my shirt. We've been here for hours and I am more than ready to be done with this whole ordeal. My parents already agreed to take my license away until further notice - which only made Tara rage inside of me, bringing on a wave of panic. A very kind nurse and a pill later, I am laying back on the thin bed with a warm blanket, feeling more in control than I have in days.

"Alright, mom dad, looks like Kennedy has a concussion and a little whiplash, but nothing that shouldn't clear up on its own in a few days. I am going to prescribe some tylenol for any discomfort." The doctor drones as he enters the small room holding a tablet with a nurse in tow, who is typing away on a roll-away computer stand, before turning to me, "Kennedy, how did that medicine do to help calm you?"

"It worked really well a-actually." I mumble.

"Speak up, Kennedy." My mom scolds me softly and I sigh heavily, looking up.

"I said it worked really well." I repeat louder and the doctor nods.

"Alright, I'll send you home with a prescription for those as well. Just be sure to follow up with your primary care doctor as well in the next few days." He is scribbling something on his tablet and gives my parents a tight nod before leaving.

"We will get you your discharge papers soon." The nurse comments, trailing after him with her rolling cart. I pull out my phone and check my texts again. Tapping out a quick reply to let Harper to let her know I am actually going to be okay, I consider sending one to Clint too. Since Harper showed up at the scene with Wendy I'm sure the whole school knows about my accident by now. God, I hope it was an accident. I'd played stupid teen distracted by her phone but Harper knows the truth. Either Tara was trying to hurt us or it really was an accident but the latter feels less and less likely the more I think about it.

"Kennedy?" My dad's tone is almost scared and I look up at him.

"Yeah, dad?" Concern laces my voice.

"It...it was an accident, right sweetie?" He asks cautiously and I swallow thickly.

"Of course it was," I lie through my teeth. He stares intently at me, his worry shining clearly in his eyes but he nods as my mom puts her hand on his bicep with a little squeeze. "I promise, I didn't do it on purpose."

"Alright, sweetheart, I just worry about you. I know it's been hard on you lately with everything. I can start driving you to school, if you want?" He offers, trying to soften the blow to my freedom.

"No, I'd rather catch a ride with Harper or something." I shrink in on myself just a little bit and fiddle with my phone.

"Are you sure thats a smart idea?" My mom chimes in and I look up at her confused.

"Why wouldn't it be a good idea? Harper's my best friend." My face scrunches up at whatever she is implying.

"Of course she is. But have you considered that maybe she won't want to..." She trails off, eyeing me like I might snap at her. Which is fair because I can feel Tara's hurt at the implication. I take a deep breath and really think about it, turning my gaze to the ceiling.

"Then I can ask Clint." I finally nod. "He knows Tara and they get along. Hell, it might even be good for me." i say with a confident nod but she still doesn't look convinced.

"Language." She chides.

"Who is Clint?" My dad skips right to the point and I can't help but laugh at him a little.

"He is another patient at Dr. Stringer's but he also attends my school. He has been really nice to me." I explain lightly, talking about Clint makes me smile and a light blush color my cheeks. My dad's eyes bulge but my mom sets a hand ophis chest silencing him.

"Well, he sounds wonderful. Yes, why don't you talk to him about giving you a ride to school and we can work out giving him gas money or something. And you two could spend more time together after school as well if you wanted." My mom's happiness is infectious and I whip out my phone. Taking a steadying breath I text Clint. His response is immediate.

CLINT : OF COURSE I'LL GIVE YOU RIDES. I HEARD WHAT HAPPENED ARE YOU OKAY?

KENNEDY : THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M OKAY. MY MOM SAID SHE COULD GIVE YOU GAS MONEY TOO?

CLINT : f**k YEAH BABY! WE ARE GOING TO BE BALLIN'

"I take it he said yes?" My mom prompts to me smiling stupidly at my phone.

"Yeah, he said he'd be happy to help out." I give her a half shrug trying to play it cool - but I am anything but cool. f*****g pathetic. Tara's tone is lethal in my mind and my smile fades as I start fidgeting with my phone again. Why must she be so negative and angry all the time? Frustration rolls through me and I can't tell if it's mine or hers anymore. I mentally lock her in the truck of our wrecked car where she can't hurt anyone but I feel her just at the back of my mind anyway.

I hate her.

"Okay guys, here is your paperwork. Don't forget to follow up with her primary care doctor and come back if she suddenly gets worse or anything." The nurse cheerfully states as she darts into the room, obviously in a rush.

"Thank you." My parents' chime in sync and the nurse gives us a small wave before disappearing out of the room again.

"Come on, lets go home so you can rest." My mom directs and I stand, following them out.