So, the 15 year old sat quietly in the waiting room. Her father, who had been at her side since arriving, had excused himself to grab something to eat from the cafeteria since he’d just gotten off of work before bringing Chailee in and was hungry. So, now Chailee sat alone in the waiting room.
With a sigh she leaned against the armrest watching and people came and went. Some were obviously ill or injured. Others looked well enough but who knew what was actually wrong with them or if they were just visiting someone? Several nurses and doctors swooped into the room before departing just as quickly. Eventually a bright red-head walked into the room and the vibrancy of her hair pulled the teens attention. Chailee watched curiously trying to decide if the older girl was there visiting someone or possibly sick? She didn’t look physically injured in anyway.
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- Kristen was near exhausted at this point; she had been to classes, edited some videos and then come straight to the hospital to visit Gwen. Once more she was in her uniform and once more Gwen had scolded her for rushing straight here. She had promised to stay at home over the weekend; but she was not too sure she was going to. She hated feeling powerless and whilst she was here she at least felt she was doing something.
Graduation was in sight and the teen could not wait to say goodbye to high school once and for all. Crystal Academy had been a wild ride but she was glad to see the back of it. Kristen had told her friend that she was going to see her Grandparents in Japan over the summer told her to think about what gifts she wanted bringing back, she was sure Isaiah would have a hole shopping list, he seemed to be very into the fashion.
Then when she got back she was going to be moving onto campus. Life was changing, life was changing a lot. The redhead stopped by a vending machine to grab a soda before the drive home and with any luck the sugar would give her enough of the buzz to stop her from dozing off. As she cracked the seal a hissing noise could be heard and on turning around she realised there was someone looking her way.
She blinked for a moment, and then wandered over. “Hospitals, it’s a pretty grim way to spend your friday night, huh?”
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Chailee blinked at the girl as she wandered over before nodding in agreement, blue and pink curls bouncing on her shoulders. “Yea. I would much rather be at home reading or something.” It wasn’t a lie. At this point Chailee had not powered up since arriving back home. She was too afraid yet to hop back into the fray and really wasn’t sure when she’d be able to again.
As she looked at the girl in front of her, Chailee had a moment where she began to wonder if this was another face she should remember? The older teen had walked right up to her unphased. Maybe….Maybe she knew her? I hate this! She cursed quietly to herself as anxiety began to set in.
Maybe Camelot was right. Maybe I should go to Harmonia and see if that helps? It was the only thing she had left to try, but she’d only been there once so far. There was a lot she could explore but she wasn’t sure how exploring her home planet could be useful? Then again, Camelot had mentioned it might heal her starseed.
Chailee studied the girl in front of her. She looked tired. Really tired. Like, ready to hit the bed and pass out at any second tired and Chailee felt for her. There was nothing worse than being exhausted and also worrying about yourself or even loved ones. Not to mention, if she was suppose to know this girl, maybe whomever was in the hospital was someone Chailee knew too? Assuming the red-head was visiting someone and not here for herself. “So, what are you here for?” She questioned carefully. She wasn’t sure what sort of answer she’d get and Chailee didn’t want to upset the girl if it was something serious. “I...I mean...you don’t need to answer if you don’t want to.” She back peddled a bit as she went a bit rigid in her seat. It was obvious that the younger of the two girls was nervous.
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- Kristen brought the soda to her lips and thought about how to answer that question. It also reminded her that her and Gwen had to come up with a story about how they met, her boyfriend had asked her and Kristen had purposely avoided answering him. Surely he had noticed that evasion, he seemed smart like that. - He was sure going to cause Gwen some trouble.
“No I do not mind; basically...” She began, taking a quick sip and then shrugging her shoulders. “My friend is really dumb and ended up here.” Though there was no detail in the answer it certainly was not a lie. A small part of her was mad with Gwen for getting herself into so much trouble, especially since there seemed to be no rhyme or rhythm behind the circumstances. Though that frustration, for now, was being overpowered by her worry.
Just wait until she was back on the streets, Hy-Basil was going to get an earful as well as an escort on her patrols. Coming back into the swing of things after such a huge injury was going to be hard, Kristen did not want her out on her own.
She tilted her head and looked at the girl and her strange locks of hair, she seemed rather confused? Had she been given some medication? Kristen decided not to think too much into it. Besides, Malcolm was a very shy and awkward person and it was good to remind herself that most people were not as confident as she was, just because someone was quiet did not mean something was wrong.
Still, wanting to keep the conversation going now it had started, the redhead reflected the girls question back at her. “I am Kristen by the way, what are you in for?”
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“Oh.” She responded to the dumb comment before a small smile broke out on her face. “I hope your friend is alright. Or will be anyway.” If the old girl had to visit a friend her obviously whatever it was was bad enough to keep said friend stuck in the hospital. That was one thing Chailee did not want to have to deal with again. She didn’t much care for doctors, especially hospitals. Things here were just so cold, smelt weird, and made her uncomfortable as a whole.
When Kristen offered her name a wave of relief washed over Chailee which was enunciated by the fact her body practically melted back into the chair. If Kristen needed to introduce herself then they certainly didn’t know each other! Perfect! Chailee had been wondering how to broach getting the girls name without letting on that she may not remember her. “I am Chailee.” She smiled warmly. “I also go by Chay though so you can call me either. And, my parents have been a bit worried about some memory issues I’ve been having so they brought me in for tests.”
She wrinkled her nose slightly. “I am hoping this won’t take too long though. I really just want to go back home.” There were times, such as this moment, that Chailee sounded much younger than a 15 year old. Being an only child meant her parents indulged her childish nature and Chailee was a bit slow on the growing up part because of it. She didn’t mind though. The longer she could indulge herself in fantasy novels and read away days the better off.
Wanting to try and change subjects, afraid that Kristen may want to delve deeper into the subject at Hand, Chailee continued on. “So you go to Crystal?” She noted the uniform. “What grade are you in? I am a freshman at Meadowview.”
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- “She will be fine.” Kristen did not want to say it was not serious, it was, but at the same time the worst of it seemed to be over. She might or might not have asked her twin to go snooping around some files and since then her peace of mind had improved quite a lot. “This time.” She added.
“Do not worry about it too much Chay, if there is a problem it’s best to know what it is so you can work on getting better. This place might suck; but it is the best place for you right now. I hope they do not keep you too long.” Kristen smiled and took another drink out of the can. Kristen was the kind of person who never got sick, she was not too sure if her immune system was just super awesome or she willed illness away. She really did not have any time to be working any less than at 100% functional capability, not with work and school and magical shenanigans.
Any issue with the brain was serious and should be investigated; but with any luck maybe Chay was just becoming a forgetful teenager. The redhead could not even remember her freshman year and sometimes parents let their imaginations run away with them. They were meant to worry.
“Yea, not for much longer though. I start at DCU later in the year, I am so done with highschool.” She smiled, glad as hell she was not in Chay’s shoes. There was a lot of teenage drama, gossip, drinks, embarrassment, boys and drama coming her way. Add onto that hormones, random mood swings and your body suddenly deciding to do its own thing - and it all added together into a whirlpool of nope.
“I should get back to my car before I get ticketed, keep your chin up though.”
It took all her strength not to say: it could all just be in your head.
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This time? That was a strange thing to say. Was her friend prone to ending up in the hospital? If so maybe her friend needed to stop doing that then. Chailee highly doubted there could be anyone who actually didn’t mind being stuck in the hospital. They were so strict about things. Bleh.
Thankfully Kristen didn’t hoover on the topic of Chailee’s memory lapses for long. A quick remark or two and the older teen was glad to go onto the next subject it seemed. Good. Cause it’s not like I can really go into much detail with her about stuff either. Chailee sighed. It was such a struggle to keep things hidden from others. She hated having to constantly worry that she may slip up and say something that could possibly give herself away to someone who may be on the opposite side of the war.
At the mention of DCU Chailee perked up a bit. “Oh! College! I bet you’re excited. I know I’d be. I can’t wait to finally have a reason to move out of the house. I mean...wait...don’t take that wrong. I love my parents, but sometimes I think things would be easier if I wasn’t under their eye all the time.” Like if she ever got back into senshi business she wouldn’t have to literally crawl out of her bedroom window each night and shimmy down the side of her house.
At the mention of having to go back to her car Chailee deflated a bit. She was enjoying the company but knowing her dad, he’d be back soon anyway. “Alright. It was nice meeting you!” She graced the girl with a full smile, something she rarely did anymore. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime.”
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- “Haha, it must be nice having someone to take care of you though!”
Kristen had not lived with her parents in a long time, well she guessed she did, but they were never home. She had started living the college life when she was fourteen and it meant she grew up faster than other kids in her class. “Do not worry about it, you will be sneaking out your window to hang out with friends and getting into all sorts of trouble. That is what highschool is about!” It was about discovering what you wanted to do, working out who you were and having a lot of fun.
Being an adult sucked.
People should be as carefree as possible for as long as possible.
The redhead shouted at the freshman and then bowed her head. “Sure, good luck with your tests. Catch you later!” She called with a wave, throwing her can in a bin as she made her way to the exit.
