TheValedictorian’sFall
1415 Words
Bella’s eyelids flutter open, greeted by the rays of a white fluorescent lighting. She squints, the sudden brightness bathing her whole. The sound of beeping monitors and distant murmurs ring loudly in her head, making her head throb.
She winces in pain, trying to lift her hand to shield her eyes from the harsh lighting. However, a wave of tiredness washes over her. Bella’s hand falls back to her side, feeling too heavy for her strength to handle.
She groans, her tongue darting out to lick her dry lips. A warm breath leaves her parted lips, as she blinks away the blur in her eyes.
As her vision begins to clear, Bella looks around in scrutiny. She scans the unfamiliar environment, taking in the sight of equipment sitting beside her. The strong smell of antiseptic hits her nostrils. Her gaze sweeps around the room, stopping on the IV drips and the beeping monitor screen beside the bed. Then it dawns on her—she’s in the hospital.
She tries to sit up but a sharp pain shoots through her head and she’s forced to lie back down. She hears the shuffling of feet from across the room.
A warm palm slips Bella’s hand as they help her lay down comfortably. Bella’s gaze shifts to the figure and she recognizes her as Emily, her classmate. As Bella’s vision clears further, Bella notices her concerned expression. A trail of questions pop up in Bella’s head as Emily grasps her hand tightly in her hold.
“Oh, Bella. Thank God you’re awake!”, Emily exclaims. A relieved smile spreads across her face.
“How do you feel?”, she asks, concerned.
Bella nods weakly, not trusting her own words. Her throat feels parched and it desperately needs soothing.
“Do you want me to get the doctor?”, she offers and Bella nods in response.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t move”
The girl springs to her feet, a bit giddy and relieved that Bella is doing better. She quickly saunters out of the room to fetch the doctor.
A young man walks into the room, after Emily. Bella’s eyes instantly shift to him and she begins to wonder who he is. However, his white coat tells her that he’s her doctor. How is he so young?
The man stands tall, his broad shoulders and physique even in his crisp white coat, suggesting a chiseled form.
His dark messy hair sits perfectly on top of his head, framing his angular face. Bella’s gaze is locked on his piercing blue eyes that seem to see through her soul. His full lips are stretched into a reassuring smile, and it puts even Bella at ease.
As he walks into the room, Bella’s attention is drawn to his confident strides. Although he exudes authority, the man appears soft hearted. And very handsome, might she add.
Bella’s gaze drifts to his name tag. It reads “Dr. Alex”. Even his name makes Bella’s heart flutter.
Emily doesn’t waste a minute and quickly makes her way to Bella’s side, gripping her hand once again. Bella swallows hard, an attempt to soothe her parched. Her lips part, and her words flow out.
"What...happened?", she inquires, her voice barely above a whisper. Emily's grip on her hand tightens, her eyes filled with worry.
“You fainted in the bathroom. You're in the hospital."
Fragments of her bitter memories begin to resurface. Tears well up in her eyes as she recalls the graduation ceremony. Kylie's venomous words echo in her head and Connor's betraying smile flashes in her mind. A stabbing pain pierces her in the heart but she’s somewhat angry that she has been the fool all along.
She quickly blinks away the tears, unwilling to show any signs of weakness. However, her eyes betray her, a mix of emotions swirling within.
“How long...have I been here?", Bella whispers, her eyes locked onto Emily’s.
Emily hesitates before responding, "A few hours. The doctor says you're stable, just dehydrated and a bit shaken."
Bella's gaze drifts to the IV drip in her arm, the saline solution trickling into her veins. She wonders what her mom is up to and if she knows that she’s in hospital. What if she’s worried sick and is even on her way to the hospital?
As she’s processing her thoughts, lost in the turmoil, the doctor slowly makes his way to her side. His warm smile remains on his face, and as he studies Bella, he writes something down on his clipboard.
"Welcome back, Bella. We're glad to see you're awake and recovering.", he states. Suddenly, his warm smile falters and a serious expression flashes on his face briefly before he continues.
“Bella, we've run some tests. There's something we need to discuss.", he says, pushing his glasses up his nose bridge.
Bella's heart skips a beat as panic sets in. She’s yet to know what this news is, however, Dr. Alex’s expressions disturb her mind. She inhales sharply, fear nestling at the back of her mind.
"What is it?" Emily asks, her grip on Bella's hand tightening.
Bella fears to know what the doctor has to reveal. What if she’s sick and doesn’t have enough time to live? How would her mother take this new information? She is her only daughter. Dr. Alex clears his throat as the tension builds.
“Bella, you're pregnant."
Bella’s heart leaps into her throat. A cold sweat trickles down her forehead as the doctor’s words sink in. She looks up at him, her eyes wide. A sudden haziness clouds her senses. Her vision blurs and every other sound muted itself. Pregnant? How?
"No," Bella whispers, shaking her head. "That's impossible."
Dr. Alex's expression turns sympathetic. "I'm afraid it's not. We'll need to discuss prenatal care and—"
“I don’t care about that! You don’t understand! I’ve never had s*x with anyone! Ever!”
Bella's hands fly to her mouth, mirroring Emily’s reaction. Emily stumbles back, her eyes wide in shock. She’s partially confused, but mainly shocked. Bella, sniffles, cupping her mouth to stifle her sobs.
How could she be pregnant when she’s never slept with anyone? She would know if she did. But she doesn’t recall ever seeing anyone in a s****l way.
Immediately, it strikes her. She had been dating Connor. She had gone to see him at his house three weeks before. He said he was sick. But after waking up somewhat disoriented, she didn’t think much of it and just went home. She remembers how he’d started avoiding her the next day. His friends will giggle whenever they crossed paths. It was strange but she thought nothing of it.
Could he? No…he wouldn’t. Or did he?
“Bella, how did this happen? Is it Connor? Is he the one?”, Emily says, gripping Bella’s arm.
Anger flashes in Bella’s eyes, partly due to her carelessness and Emily’s nosiness. She yanks her arm away from her hold.
“Stop it! I don’t know, okay!”, she yells, gripping her hair and pulling on the strands as tears stream down her cheeks. How can she face her mom now?
Especially now that Connor has shown her that he had no romantic interest in her. How would she explain all of this to her mom? To everyone? No one would believe that he’s touched her without her consent. No one would believe that she had just paid him a harmless visit. No one would care.
"Please," Bella begins, grasping Dr. Alex's arm.
“Don't tell my mom. Please. It’ll kill her!”, she begs, her eyes reddened from the tears. Dr. Alex's expression sighs, but nods anyway.
“Bella, we'll handle this discreetly, but—", in an instant, the door swings open, and in walks Bella's mom, a look of concern etched on her face. The room falls silent.
"Mom," Bella whispers, her panic rising.
"Bella, sweetie, I was so worried," the door creaks close and Ms Bale’s voice fills the room as she rushes to Bella’s side. The doctor’s eyes lock onto Bella's, an attempt at a silent apology.
"Bella, we were just discussing—", he starts.
"No, please," Bella cuts him off, her eyes desperately begging. Bella’s mouth feels dry, the metallic taste of fear, lingering on her tongue.
“Don't tell her."
Bella’s mom's gaze shifts between Bella and Dr. Alex, confused.
“Tell me what?"
- Writer
