Chapter 10

(edited)

When I regained consciousness, I realized I was in hospital bed. I opened my eyes a bit to see Karder, sitting in the chair next to me praying.

"Karder?" I said in a raspy voice

He looked up. "Ayrika! Oh my gosh!Thank the Lord you are okay!"

He came up to me and held my hand. "Yeah, I'm okay, I guess." I coughed.

He got up to get me a drink of water. He handed it to me. I smiled and drank it.

Once I finished I asked, "How long have I been out?"

"A couple of weeks. The doctors thought you were dead, but you ended up just being in a coma."

"A coma? How? I was only running to your house?"

"The doctors said it was because of the sweat and loss of water content. You passed out. And then somehow ended up in a coma."

"Yikes. But who found me. I was on the side of the road?"

"I did. I was on my way actually to where you were, and saw someone on the side of the road. I stopped to help and found out it was you. You were breathing, but unconscious. I'm glad I found you, because not too much later would have been bad."

I chuckled softly. Then I realized I have missed school. "What about schooling?"

"Oh, don't worry about it. The principal said you would have to catch up when you got back, but right now you don't have to do much."

"Okay. Has Mya been here at all?"

"Not that I've seen. I've been here pretty much all of my free time, praying, doing homework, eating, waiting. Unless she came during a school time, I don't think so."

I felt disappointed. Knowing Mya, she probably would have come. I sighed.

"What's the matter?"

"I was just thinking. Why didn't Mya come? She's my friend, wouldn't she be worried?"

"I'm not sure. But if she's not going to be your friend, I will."

Then the doctor came in. "Ayrika! You are awake. Well good. How are you feeling?" The doctor said. "I'm Dr. Nelson." She said.

"Hi, Dr. Nelson." I said a bit confused "I'm doing okay, I suppose."

I looked at Karder. He smiled at me which made me feel better.

"Good, good." She said as she sat in her chair putting down some notes.

She asked me a few questions, and I answered them. I grabbed Karder's hand as the doctors questions got harder, and harder to answer. Most about my past, most about my childhood. Each question harder to answer, until she left.

I sighed, relieved that was over.

"Karder," I said

"Hm?"

"Thank you. For being here for me."

He smiled. "I would rather be here with you, than be without you at home."

"Aw."

He leaned in. I did too. He kissed me. I wanted to stop, but I didn't. This kiss wasn't like any other. It was. . . perfect. I know everyone says that, and it's so cliché, but I meant it.

He let go, and smiled at me, but then stopped. "I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from."

I laughed. "Don't worry about it. For my first kiss, it was kinda amazing."

"I was your first kiss?"

I ducked my face as it turned red. "Yeah, and I don't think I'd want it any other way."