I’m going, I’m going.
I pull into the hospital parking lot and cut the ignition, but my mind is still running a hundred miles an hour. Mostly because I am so confused. I was so mad at Hanna for having feelings for someone else, but is that what I have for Karly? Feelings?
I shake my head at the thought. It didn’t matter because I couldn’t and wouldn’t act on those feelings. Hanna is Karly’s best friend. Even before I came along and I know how close they are. I know the tremendous void it would leave in Karly’s life if she lost Hanna.
So, a moment of weakness or not, those feelings had to stop now, and I wouldn’t give in to them. Not ever.
I take the steps in the parking garage two at a time, but a dark-haired girl standing outside of the Emergency Room lures my attention and brings it all back. The memories I try really hard to forget.
5 Years Ago
“Surprise!” The echo of hundreds of voices fills the beach house my best friend, Zack, rented for this surprise birthday party. We’ve been friends since undergrad and are still pretty close, but don’t let this party fool you. He cares less that it’s my birthday and more about the fact there’s a chance to party.
I smile nervously and cringe as I walk past people. Thanking everyone who says happy birthday along the way. I’ve never liked things like this. Tons of people showing up and pretending to give a shit about the fact that you are another year older. Not exactly my cup of tea.
I wouldn’t say I’m a loner, but I also prefer a smaller setting than this, and this is a fucking rager. I search the room for faces of people I recognize and come up with one guy that may or may not have been in my Chemistry class when I was a freshman in college. Keep in mind I’ve been out of school for a while. Hell, I’m nearly done with Med school.
My sister stands across the room, chatting with some girls that look like they are her age, and I wonder if she invited some of these people.
“Hey, Em.”
“Happy Birthday, big brotherrrrr,” She slurs, her red solo cup swinging in my direction.
I yank it out of her hand, “Are you drunk?”
“No,” she smiles, biting her lip and answering my question.
Jesus Christ.
“Do mom and dad know that you’re here?”
She rolls her eyes, “They think I’m at Brianna’s house, but Zack invited us. So we snuck out.”
Great, my seventeen-year-old sister is drunk. Mom will kill me when she finds out she’s here. I’m hoping that she doesn’t.
“Just… stay here, and don’t get into any trouble for a minute, okay?”
She sighs, “Jesus, would you loosen up? You act like you’re sixty, not twenty-six.”
Her friends giggle, and I walk back across the room to Zack.
“Are you insane? You invited my sister?”
He winks, “Her friends are eighteen.”
I feel sick, “There is something wrong with you. You know that, right?”
“Nah, age is just a number.”
I growl, “Well, we need to get Emma home. She doesn’t need to be here, and neither do her friends.”
He stares at me, “What’s the harm in letting them have some fun. You are here. It’s not like she’s unprotected. She’s safer drinking here than at some frat party at that new school they’re at.”
He’s right, and I could keep an eye on Emma because I wasn’t going to get wasted. I didn’t even want to.
“Okay. Just help me keep an eye on her.”
“Dude. I got you. Just enjoy your party.”