Freyja's Secret

Chapter Two

    Fog completely surrounded me, and for just a moment, I thought I saw the effigy of a startlingly beautiful woman. A soft click pulled me out of my delirium as I was jostled onto a rock-solid surface, igniting my back in fire. A startled groan sprang from my lips and my eyes clenched tight in an effort to fight off the wave of dizziness and nausea. “What happened?” A sweet, feminine voice chirped near my head.

            I opened my mouth to speak, but pain tore at me from the inside out and all I could manage was a hoarse cry. Am I dying? “I’m not sure. I was on my way to class and saw her collapse, so I brought her here right away.” This voice was deep and had a nice soothing timber to it. It reminded me a lot of a Morgan Freeman knock off that a show like American Dad would get because they couldn’t afford The Man himself. Get it together! You might be dying and you’re thinking about Morgan Freeman? What the hell is wrong with you?

            “Okay, you did good, hon. I need you to get back to class now.” There was a grunt of protest and then a haggard sigh. “I need to examine her, and you can’t be in here for it.” 

            After a moment, the Freeman impersonator whispered close to my ear, “I’ll be just outside the door.” The soft click of the door signaled that I was alone with the nurse. I really hope I’m not dying. That would just suck, huh? Sixteen in a coffin? No, thank you.

            “Freyja, hon? Can you hear me?” I forced my head to nod in response, since all my vocal cords wanted to produce were moans and groans. To my great relief, the pain was subsiding enough that I could actually concentrate on what was happening in the world around me, but not so much that I could form words. “Alright, I need to know what’s going on. So, I’m going to give you something to help with the pain. It’s very important that you take it. You understand?” I forced another nod and though I might vomit from the effort.

            Her hands slid under my shoulders and her long, hay colored hair fell into my face as she lifted me into a sitting position. As soon as her hands no longer supported me, I let my back rest against the wall behind me, hoping it was enough support. She quickly rummaged around in the cabinets above a small, stainless steel sink before producing a white pill and a paper cup full of water. After what felt like an eternity, my head actually felt clear enough to focus on her without seeing double or feeling like I was about to topple off of the bed. “Alright, can you tell me what happened?” She whispered as her concerned blue eyes peered at me quizzically from behind thick-rimmed glasses.

            “I was walking to class…” I felt my stomach roll and swallowed hard as I remembered the overwhelming pain and dizziness. “My back started to hurt, and I couldn’t walk anymore. I collapsed. I’m not really sure what happened after. I think, maybe, I blacked out.” I shuddered slightly, and the movement sent a fresh wave of pain from my shoulders down my spine. I must have gasped because the nurses’ gentle hands were then steadying me.

            “I would like to take a look at your back and see if I can feel or see anything that may be obviously causing you pain. Is that alright?” She asked me softly.

            I nodded my head weakly and forced myself into a semi-sitting position without the wall for help. My stomach threatened to revolt as she pushed the rolling hospital bed forward and moved between the wall and me. Through the mirror, I watched her expert hands lift my shirt and begin prodding at my lower back. I wanted to tell her that the pain was in my shoulders, but I was too scared of what she may see when she got there to say anything. What does cancer do? Flitted through my mind unexpectedly. Could this be cancer? I almost gasped the thought. My grandfather had cancer and it can be hereditary…

            Her gentle hands worked their way up my back, almost soothing, as she pushed my shirt farther and farther up with her examination. Finally, once she had reached the source of my pain, her eyes went completely round, and her face drained of all color. I’m dying. Weirdly, I was calm. I should be freaking out, right? I mean, death is pretty final and more than a little terrifying. But my brain switched from ‘full gear’ to ‘autopilot’, and at that very moment, I couldn’t care. Through her reflection in the mirror, I saw her shake her head, back and forth, as she quickly dropped my shirt and took a jerky step backwards. Like a puppet with an inexperienced puppeteer. Slowly, she lifted her head and finally met my gaze. All I saw in her face was horror and fear before she bolted from the room, leaving me completely alone.

            Pain shot down my spine like a lightning strike, and I groaned again. Whatever she gave me wasn’t strong enough, and tragically, it’s wearing off now.

            The waves of searing pain were washing over me again as the door opened, making my head snap around. Whatever she has to say about what she saw; I can handle it. Instead of her kind but terrified eyes, golden eyes completely shadowed over with concern locked on mine. I was immediately reminded of clouds passing over the sun, and almost smiled at the image. Before I could react, my shoulders lit up, jerking back at an odd angle and I screamed.

            The boy the golden eyes belonged to rushed over to me as I began to pitch forward, just barely catching me before I went over the side of the bed. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.” He chuckled darkly as he righted me and let me go.

            “Trust me, it’s not ideal for me either, dude.” I gritted my teeth in a misguided attempt to fortify myself against the ever-present waves that rippled down my back. “Where did the nurse go?” I panted.

            “She bolted past me and into the principal’s office. I think she might be calling your mom.” At the thought of my mom, slight relief rushed through me like a cooling breeze. Thank god. I tried to smile then, but it must have been more of a grimace, because the boy’s already concerned eyes seemed to cloud over even more. “I’m going to stay here with you until Jackie comes back. I don’t think you’re in any condition to be left alone.” He placed one hand against the small of my back, and my foggy mind was just present enough to be started. No one has been nice to me since Alice blacklisted me. Why is he being so kind? My brain began running through ulterior motives he could have as he gave a timid smile. “I also think it may be good if you try to talk to me? Maybe that will help you stay conscious.” I looked at him intently for a moment, thinking through what he could gain from this before nodding shortly.

            “What’s your name?” I asked him.

            “Ashton. My friends call me Ash.” He chuckled lightly, but even to my pain addled brain, it sounded forced. “I’m surprised you don’t recognize me.”

            “Ashton? You’re Ashton Petty?” I knew the shock was obvious in my voice, and quickly clamped my lips shut. I didn’t need him thinking I was one of his dumbass groupies.

            For a second, it seemed like he was blushing; but if he were, he was quick to compose himself. “So, you do know who I am.” He grinned seductively for a moment before composing himself. “Yeah, that’s me. Have you been to my shows?”

            “No, but I’ve seen videos of you posted on Insta.” A flash of what looked like hurt colored his features before he smiled again. The logical part of me decided it wasn’t hurt, more like annoyance. He doesn’t care whether you’ve personally been to his shows or not, he’s just pissy that his fan base is smaller than he originally thought.

            “I play at the Deli every Saturday night if you want to come by when you’re feeling better.” The smile didn’t leave his face, but it did soften ever so slightly.

            “That wou-“ A cry of pain pushed its way out of my mouth and I fought another wave of dizziness. “That would be a miracle because I don’t go out.” I said, trying to hide the shame in my voice. Please, don’t vomit on him. Please, don’t vomit on him. Please, Burnouf, for the love of god… Don’t vomit on the cute guy. My mind repeated it like it was gospel, like if at any point I stopped, God Himself would smite me for my insolence.

            “You… You don’t go out? Like at all?” I knew it would shock him, and he didn’t disappoint me. I didn’t care, though. I couldn’t care, not right now.

            Lucky for me, the nurse chose that moment to burst back into the room like a little tornado of worry. “Ashton, I need you to leave. Her mother will be here any minute, and we need to talk privately.”

            He looked me over for a second before pulling a pen out of his jeans pocket. Do all musicians just keep pens on them on the off chance someone may want their autograph? Quick as lightning, he ripped off a corner of the paper bed mat and scribbled across it. “Here.” He slid the ripped paper into my hand. “In case you need anything. Just text me, and I’ll come running.” With a concerned smile, he left, leaving me alone with the nurse again. She seemed worried, more than a little unsure of herself. She won’t come within five feet of me. I’m definitely not long for this world.

                                                                                            *   *   *

            After about twenty minutes of agitation and the nurse avoiding even eye contact with me, my mom calmly walked through the door, looking every bit as regal as the queen of England. Just not so old. “Mom!’ I may die, but damn, do I love my mom, and it thrilled me to see her.

            She smiled softly at me before turning her gaze, which had suddenly turned hard and unreadable, to the nurse. “May I take her?”

            “Ma’am… I truly believe she needs to go to the hospital. I think an ambulance would be best.” My heart stuttered in my chest over the word ambulance. Because I’m not a big enough walking disaster as it is. Exactly what I need is to be hauled out of here in an ambulance.

            The poor nurse had opened her mouth to say more, but my mom silenced her with an upraised hand. “If she needs a hospital, I will take her. We are going home for now.” She didn’t raise her voice once, but the control and power her voice carried was enough to stop even the scariest mob boss. This tiny woman most accustomed to dealing with teenagers never stood a chance. “Darling, do you have a friend that can retrieve your things while I get you checked out for the day?”

            I almost shook my head when I remembered Ashton’s parting words. As I nodded, my mom gave me a radiant smile, looking like a runway model rather than a criminal prosecutor. She turned on her heel and sauntered confidently out of the room. I wish I was more like her… Sighing, I pulled my phone from my back pocket and copied the number from the piece of paper.

            ‘Hey, I’m so sorry. Could you grab my things and meet me back at the nurses’ office? -F’

            My phone chimed seconds later. ‘Already dropped them at reception :) -A’

            A small smile broke across my face, thinking that Ashton Petty may not be as stuck up as he seemed. After another five minutes of fighting pain and dizziness, my mom had successfully gotten me excused from my final hour. All the while, somehow convincing the principal and nurse that I was “Absolutely fine and not going anywhere near a hospital without seeing our physician first.” Mom thinks that I’m fine, so I must be. Right?

            She finally came back and motioned for me to follow her. My feet were unsteady beneath me as I slid from the bed and onto the still spinning floor. On shaky legs, I trailed behind my mom’s confident stride, out to the car. Before I could open the door of her dark blue sedan, she paused and turned to me, an odd look crossing her beautiful features. “We have much to discuss, and none of it will be pleasant.” With that, she got into the car and we rode in uncomfortable silence back home. What the hell is going on?