.:Brielle:.

After a few more minutes of my dad's inescapable paranoia over my concussion, a nurse eventually enters the room, dressed in pink scrubs and uneven lipstick. She flashes a toothy smile at me, like that's supposed to make me feel better. 

"How are you holding up, Brielle? Can I get you anything?" she questions while fluffing my pillows and adding another lead-heavy quilt to the pile already on me. "Your blood sugar is a little low, so maybe some juice would be good?"

I try to shrug, although the task is deemed impossible due to the fact that I'M BURIED IN THESE STUPID BLANKETS. "I only drink coconut water."

"That can be arranged." Another grin. She bustles out of the room, yanking the curtains closed behind her. I loll my head back and sigh dramatically.

"Dad. When are they going to let me out of this freak show? I need to get back to school," I complain, daydreaming about Andy.

"Princess, it's already noon. And even if you did get to leave the hospital early, I doubt they'd allow you to go back to school today, or even tomorrow. You need to rest at home. I'm taking off work for the rest of the week."

"What about the slumber party on Saturday?" I wail. "Kat's bringing her cupcakes, and Gigi promised French manicures!"

"I'm sure you can still have your party," Dad reassures me. "Today's Monday, so you'll have plenty of time to recover before then."

The curtain is whisked open again, and the nurse from before carries a small tray over to my cot and places it gently on the side table. I crane my neck over to see what's there - a tall bottle of coconut water, two cookies, and an unexpected surprise.

"Someone sent you this bouquet of flowers," the nurse beams. "Let me know if you need anything else." I curiously snatch the accompanying note from the bouquet as soon as she leaves.

It's two single letters, in handwriting that seems to be messy but neat at the same time:

A.C. 

Andy Cressman. I fight the urge to squeak with happiness.

"Who's it from?" Dad wants to know.

"No one," is my hasty response. I tuck the note underneath my napkin and admire the gorgeous flowers. Snow-white lilies and powder pink roses. How did he know those were my favorite? 

.:Brielle:.

I clink the now-empty coconut water bottle back down on the tray and pass the dish of chocolate chip cookies to my dad. Concussion or no concussion, I'm not about to binge on junk food. Plus, chocolate gives you acne.

"What time is it now?" I gripe.

"About 12:30. Hang in there, darling," Dad encourages.

I roll my eyes.

Okay, that was a really bad idea.

"Oh my gosh, stop spinning...make it stop..." The dizziness is more than I can handle. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly, but that untethered feeling is still lingering.

"DOCTOR!" Dad screams unnecessarily. "WE NEED A DOCTOR!"

The curtain is shoved aside yet again. "What's the situation?" A concerned Dr. Foreman is next to the cot in a heartbeat, lifting my wrist and feeling for a pulse.

"I'm alive, thank you very much," I snarl, yanking my hand away. "And I'm completely fine." Not true, but I've got to get out of here somehow.

"You were dizzy two seconds ago!" Dad insists.

"I was not."

"You told me to stop spinning, and I've been sitting still in this chair for the past two hours."

"Brielle?" Dr. Foreman raises his eyebrows. "Is there anything I should know about?"

"No," I assert. "When do I get to go home?"

"Well, by the looks of it, not for a while," he observes.

"Are you serious right now?" Despite the fact that it's like I have a migraine, except the feeling is amplified a million times worse, I'm in great shape. Well...okay, everything sounds louder for some reason. And the light hurts my eyes. A lot. But other than that.

"For one thing, your blood sugar levels are dropping rapidly. Which explains the dizziness you've been experiencing," Dr. Foreman explains. "It's a common symptom for concussions, but could become worse if left untreated."

"This is ridiculous," I declare.

He ignores that. "How are you feeling now?" 

Lightheaded. Unsteady. Dysfunctional. "All better."

"Huh. You sure about that?"

"Yeah," I respond slowly, drawing out the word as if I'm speaking to a kindergartener. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Honey." Dad reaches out and strokes my hair. Suddenly all of the energy I normally would have to push him away seems to drain out. "Everything will be okay. You don't have to cry."

I almost laugh, but somehow I can't. I lie there numbly with no words to say. I'm Brielle Fawn. I don't cry. But when Dad lightly dabs a tissue at my eyes, the tear splotches that soak through tell me I am.

It's weird, really, since there's nothing to be crying about.

I hadn't even realized that I was.  

*****

We now see a softer side of Brielle! Sorry that wasn't particularly exciting. I'll do more later. 

Katie~

School is almost out. I watch the clock nervously, something unusual for me. The bell finally rings, i grab my books and rush out of class.

I sit down on the bus next to Willow. Paige sits in front of us, Andy and Christoff behind on the other side, and Johnston and Jason right next to us on the other side. The first question is asked by Willow, "Katie, what happened? Were you really that mad?"

I shake my head and sigh, "I was mad, thats why i kicked the door, but i had no idea Brielle was on the other side." Everyone lets out a sigh of relief.

Andy asks, "So you didn't mean to?"

"No. Will you tell her i'm sorry?"

He seems suprised by this, "O-okay?"

Me and Willow usally get off at the same spot, but i have flute lessons today, so i get off at the first stop. "Bye!" I say to my friends, then i get off the bus and walk to my teachers house.

Johnston~

I knew it was an accident...well...maybe. I get off at the third stop instead of the sixth, due to piano lessons. I walk to my teachers house and begin my hour lesson. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gtg, I would post more, but i have a drawing with a deadline!! 

.:Brielle:.

Since my mascara has migrated so far down my cheeks that I look like I just stepped out of a horror movie, Dr. Foreman gives me permission to get up and wash my face in the adjoining bathroom.

"Careful," he reminds me as I begin to break myself free from the layer of blankets. "Slow and steady wins the race." He holds his arms out just in case, like I'm a four-year-old jumping into the pool for the first time.

"I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of a bed." The floor is cold against my bare feet when I hop down.

"Brielle, don't - !" Dr. Foreman warns, but it's already too late. My head whirls, and I start to stagger around woozily like a rotting zombie. Which is probably appropriate for the situation, considering the fact that my face is dripping in black.

" - move so fast," he falters. "Your body isn't used to so much motion yet. We have to take baby steps."

"No kidding," I murmur, unable to figure out where I'm going. All that's in front of me is a mess of multicolored blobs. But I smile at Dr. Foreman anyway. "Nope. I feel great, actually."

"Brielle, I'm over here." The voice originates from the side opposite of the one I'm talking to. Mental face-palm.

"Totally knew that." I force a laugh and spin around. "So, uh, where's that bathroom?"

"Next to you." Right. I wave casually, as if to say, "Toodeloo," and open the door closest to me.

"There you go. Call if you need any help!" Dr. Foreman's voice fades as I slip into the bathroom...well, okay, it's not as graceful as that sounds. It's more like I stumble blindly. Yeah, more like that.

The icy cold water splashing onto my face is by far the most refreshing thing I've encountered all day. I massage around my eyes, removing the stray makeup, and dry off with a fluffy white towel hanging from a silver rack. Nice bathroom, for a hospital.

Finally, I can sort of see again. I know the girl in the mirror is me, but I don't want to believe it. Her face is teary, reddened, and broken. That girl isn't Brielle Fawn.

So I walk away from the mirror, telling myself I have the power to walk away. I can do whatever I want. I'm Brielle Fawn. Me.

"Any better?" Dr. Foreman prompts as I stomp out in a huff. "I'll take that as a no?"

"Where's my dad?" I drill my eyes into the deserted chair.

He hesitates, and then continues to speak from where he left off. "Do you want any more coconut water? We have plenty in the - "

"Where's my dad?" I repeat.

He doesn't answer. 

*****

So very suspenseful! More is coming soon. 

Mellie~

I nod, ignoring the Starbucks comment.

"We could steal their makeup supply!" I reply.

"And how could we do that?" Booksy asks. I chuckle.

"We barge into their locker, backpack, house, etc., etc.!" I laugh.

"Do you realize we'll probably get in trouble?" Vi asks.

"Yup. Isn't that the whole point of it?" 

Katie~

Mom and dad pick me and Johnston from our lessons. They are all dressed up, my dad in a nice shirt, my mom with a nice hairdo. They never get dressed up..unless.. "Are we going out to eat?"

"Yes dear."

"Why? We never go out to eat unless you are going to tell us something important like.." I pause. Last time we went out mom and dad told us grandma died. We left the resturant in tears. "Last time..."

Mom sighs, "Lets eat, then we wil break the news."

I gulp, break is never good. Me and Johnston share a look and we ride the rest of the way to the resturant in silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our food arrives and we eat, i explain to mom and dad the events of the day.

"Well, I hope Erin gets better soon," my mom says.

"Amen," my father says. 

I take a bite of my burger. "So whats the news?" Johnston asks.

"Well," my mom and dad share a look,"We are moving."

"Thats not so bad...to a new house?" I ask.

"To Hawaii," my dad says.

Suddenly I don't feel hungry anymore, my jaw drops. "W-when..?" Johnston asks, putting down his sandwhich.

"Well," mom starts, "your father and I are going to leave this friday. You kids will join us at the end of the school year."

"Mom....can Erin, Paige, and Willow still spend the night with me at Grandpa's?"

She nods, "In fact, we have already planned it."

"OKay..."

Johnston~

So it's settled..we are moving... I feel mad, sad, lost...all at the same time. We arrive at home, Katie asks to go for a walk with Willow. Mom and dad say yes, she leaves the house and walks toward Willlow's house. I go up to my room and change into bed clothes. I wash my face and brush my teeth, then sit down at my desk to do homework.

I finish with a sigh, turn my light off, and get under my covers. I turn my music on, Bach tonight, and close my eyes. I think through the events of the day. Rianna, Brielle, Erin, and now this!  

Katie~

I knock on Willow's door. Her dad answers after a few moments, "Yes? Oh, hello Katie."

"Hi. Can Willow come with me for a walk?"

He looks at his watch, "I guess...let me get her." He disappears in the house and i hear him call Willow's name. She shows up at the door, ready to go.

"Where we going?"

"Hmm..just walking I guess."

"Huh."

She closes the door behind her and we set out, talking about the events of school. After we finish what happened with Erin and what we think about it we stop talking all together. 'Willow?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm moving..." She stares at me, then I add, "to Hawaii." 

She stops and turns to face me, "What?!? When!?!"

"Mom and dad are leaving this Friday; Johnston and I will join at the end of this school year."

"Oh Katie..." Willow pulls me into a tight hug. I hug her back. "What will you tell Paige and Erin?"

"I'll tell them at the sleepover, which is still happening by the way."

"Ah.." She steps back and turns around, heading back to her house. "What...why?"

"Well..Mom got a new job. She needs to start soon so that's why she is leaving now. Dad is going with her to start building a house. Johnston and I will stay at Gramps.

"That's a long time to live on a ranch..."

"A long time away from my parents," I point out.

"Yeah." She sighs and sticks her hands in her pockets. "I'll miss you."

I put my arm around her shoulder. "And I you. For all we know maybe Mom will lose the job...or she won't like it..or...I don't know."

"Well, maybe you will come back."

"Maybe." We spend the rest of the walk in silence. When we arrive at Willow's house we hug and she goes inside. I walk to my house, not far away, and look up at the stars. I have been fascinated with stars as long as I can remember. The stars don't show up so much in the city as they do on Grampa's farm. I enter my house and lock the door behind me. The lights are off and Mom and Dad are in bed. I hang my coat up and head upstairs, as quietly as possible. I change into my pajamas then wash my face in my bathroom. I sit on my bed and read my devotions. After finishing I lie down and stare at my ceiling. It's a pretty realistic painting of the stars. Not the view of the stars from the earth. But from space, with all the different galaxies and stars, colors too. I sigh, Lord, help me through this time of hardship. Help me to be able to get through this without any problems. Oh, and bless Erin. I close my eyes, the picture on my ceiling still in my head. Why? Is the repeating question in my head. Repeating untill I fall asleep.