Chapter 1
I wake up in a room that is all white. I try to sit up but can’t. I avert my eyes and look at myself. I am wearing a purple and blue hospital gown. There is a I.v. in the crease of my right elbow and on my hand. I can feel my hair splayed out on the pillow. I lift my left hand and feel it. I pull it back in surprise. My long silky hair is now tangled and cut short. What is happening?
That morning
I jump out of bed, get dressed and head down to the kitchen. My mom turns when I enter and smiles. “good morning honey! Do you want jam on your toast?”
“sure mom” I sit down at the kitchen table. “mia you have a doctors appointment after school, okay?” “got it.” I look at the clock “oh, mom is my toast done?” “yes” she hands me my toast and gives me a hug. I take a bite and grab my backpack. As I head out the door I see my bus pulling around the corner and make a run for it.
As soon as I get off the bus, I spot my best friend. She waves at me and I head over to her. “ hi! You wanna go to the movies tonight?”
“I wish I could.”
“but?” she smiles
“but I have a doctors appointment.”
She looks down and kicks at a rock. “oh”
“sorry”
“its okay. I’ll see if Lane wants to go.” she winks at me and I laugh. She has a huge crush on our friend Lane. It has been existent science 2nd grade. “sorry to break it to you Angie, but we are only ninth graders.”
“I know” she laughs
We enter the school and take our separate ways. We don’t have the same 1st period. I wave to some classmates but mostly just look down. “Mia Cox please come to the front office Mia Cox!” when i enter the office i see my mom standing there. “Mom? What are you doing here?” “i’m checking you out.” “but i just got to school.” “well I have to talk to you. And it’s super important so um.. Yeah…” “okay?” my mom finishes signing the paperwork to sign me out and we walk out to the car right as the bell rings. As we get into the car i remember something
“Mom i have a test today this period.” “oh I’m sure you can take it when you get back to school.” my mom pulls onto the road and heads downtown. She reaches out and
switches on the radio, and luke Bryan’s “Huntin’ Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” fills the car. “ so mia. I um got a text reminding me that your doctor’s appointment starts at 10:00 am.” I look at the clock, it reads 9:46. I laugh internally but let a giggle escape. “What’s so funny?” “oh nothing..” “ok.” we lapse into a comfortable silence, and we continue driving.
