Rushing to her fallen friend, she scooped up her head and cushioned it in her lap. “Sasha,” she whispered, shaking her gently. “Are you okay?”
Charles stooped down, checked her pulse, and then felt around her nose. “She’s not breathing.” He announced.
Tossing his phone at her unexpected hands, she caught it, staring at him confusedly.
“Call 911 he insisted. I know what to do. Years of being a field medic don’t exactly leave you.” He assured her.
Debating whether to trust him, she launched herself up, handing over her position. She seemingly had no choice. Her friend’s life was in his hands, and she needed to trust that he could do the impossible. With shaking fingers, she struck the touch screen number buttons, missing the first couple tries. She took a deep breath, exited out, and then redialed them. The dial tone commenced. When they answered, she relayed them the details while the woman on the other end urged her to calm down. When the deed was done, she hung up the phone. Waiting and praying was next on the list.
Turning around, a tinge of jealousy wickedly flashed through her. There he was in all his grandeur, caressing her head so tenderly. But that wasn’t the thing that caught her attention. It was the fact that his mouth draped so sinfully perfect over hers.
He went to work at her chest, pumping hard in bursts of three to four, one hand over the other quite professionally. “Come on, come on,” frustration seeped from his words quite audibly.
She lay hushed and tranquil, as if death were coming more peacefully. One hand lay draped over her stomach protectively. As time came near to a halt, sirens echoed in the distance. It was out of their hands.
Chapter3
The hours meshed themselves up into an intangible mess. Night swirled together with day until it all seemed the same. These halls were filled with grief, sadness, and one of the world’s greatest evils…hope. It wasn’t hoping itself that committed the awful deed. It was the tease and expectations of better times, only to come crashing down into nothingness.
At least this is how the two felt in the large waiting room, amidst the coughs and wails of many others. It had been hours into surgery and still no word. Sasha’s family had been contacted but Amber refused to leave the hospital for even an ounce of sleep until they arrived.
“Let’s go,” Charles insisted, standing up and dragging her to her feet with little effort. “You haven’t eaten all night and you’re exhausted. Her parents will be here soon. Let’s get you home.” His commanding air wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“I can’t,” she refused, sitting back down. “I live too far away. What if something happens?”
He bit his lip. “Fine, get up,” again he hauled her off the seat. “I don’t live too far from here. We’ll go to my place. I have a guest bedroom that you can rest in.”
A redhead stepped in front of them, waiting for their argument to subside. She had adorable pixie features and bright green eyes. Her voice came in squeaky tones. “I’m here, if anyone cares to know.”
Both turned their heads to see the newcomer. Amber was the first to react, a hint of joy flooding through her. “Melanie!” She almost screamed, jumping on her friend. “You came!” She beamed, tears of happiness collecting in her tired eyes.
“Duh,” her friend remarked, pushing off the heavy weight dangling around her neck. “I came as soon as I heard, but the airport was a zoo and getting a flight out here at this time took a few strings.”
Amber felt as if a huge load were taken off her back; everything was going to be okay now, she could feel it. The three girls would be together once more. Somehow things would workout. They had to.
Her big green eyes fell on Charles. Raising her brows she exclaimed, “You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend. And a good looking one at that,” she remarked attentively, winking at Amber.
“Well he’s not really my…”
Charles cut her off. “I’m Charles,” He extended her hand out to a hyper Melanie.
“I’m Melanie, which you probably already heard. Nice to meet you,” She grinned.
Melanie was always like this. She was the bubbly one of the group. All three of the girls went back to high school, their friendships bonding so strongly that even after graduation, they still kept in close contact. This was a rare occurrence indeed.
Almost instantaneously her face grew somber. “How’s Sasha. Did she come out of surgery yet? Last you sent me she was still under.” Her concern showed plainly.