Catching You Read Free Page A

Elisabeth; she’d moved further
into the room, but was still keeping her distance.
     “That’s better,” I said. She smiled sadly.
     “So, what’s going on?”I asked.
     “Nothing. I heard about the accident and wanted to come
visit you. I had to make sure you were all right. After hearing that Ryan died,
I was scared. They told me that you were okay, but I had to see for myself.”
    “Thanks. Physically I’m all right, except the ribs, but
mentally may take a while. I can tell that something else is wrong, now spill
it,” I joked.
    “Um, Ryan told me he broke up with you. Is it true?”
    “Yeah, he did.” I frowned. “How did you know that? It just
happened yesterday after graduation.”
    Elisabeth was quiet for a moment. “That’s what we were
talking about afterwards. I saw you looking over at us. I’m the reason, Lauren”
    I stuttered, “Wha…What do you mean you’re the reason?”
    “I’m the reason you two broke up. Ryan and I were seeing
each other. We have been for a while now.. I told him I wasn’t going to
continue sneaking around behind your back.” She paused. “It was either you or
me. He couldn’t have both anymore.”
    She continued talking, but I stopped listening. I couldn’t
take this right now. I felt sick to my stomach. I leaned down, grabbed the
basin the nurse left earlier and took a deep
breath waiting for the nausea to pass. It didn’t.
    A few minutes later, I threw up everything that I’d eaten
the day before and my chest felt like it was on fire. Elisabeth came over, “Are
you okay? Do you want me to get the doctor?” she asked quietly.
    I shook my head. “ No. I just want you to leave.”
    “Lauren, about what I said…” Her words trail off.
    “Get out!”I yelled. Elisabeth just stood there. “I said get
out!” I repeated.
    “I’m sorry,” she said.
    “Yeah, I am, too,” I said voice muffled into my pillow. I
turned away hoping she’d get the hint. I waited until I heard retreating
footsteps to look and see if she was gone.
    I couldn’t believe I heard her right… she and Ryan had been
“seeing” each other behind my back. My best friend, my boyfriend. I thought
he loved me.

Chapter 3
     
     
    Elisabeth had been sleeping with Ryan behind my back. A lump
formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down. I wasn’t going to cry. Not over
him. My stomach let out a big growl, and that’s when I realized that I hadn’t
eaten yet. I reached over and tried to pull the cart towards me and failed. A few
minutes later, the doctor came in.
    “You’re looking a little pale. Are you feeling all right?”
He asked walking over to the bed.
    “Not really. My stomach hurts from just throwing up. Do you
think you can push that cart closer so I can see if there is some juice to wash
out this taste. It’s disgusting!” He pushed the cart over to me and took off
the lid. “Here you go.”
    “Thanks.” I replied glancing down at the grape juice and
clear broth that they’d given me. The broth will probably settle my stomach.
    “When they say liquid diet they mean it, don’t they?”
    “Yes. We just want to make sure that you can keep liquids
down before giving you solid foods. It’s just a precaution. And since you just said
you threw up, it’s probably a good thing you’re not on solid foods just yet. I
do want you to tell me if it happens again because it may be something more
serious though.”
    “Okay, I will. So, how long do you think they’ll keep me
here?” I said, quickly changing the subject.
    “I’m not sure. We’ll have to see how everything goes before
determining a breakout plan.”
    How lame. Was he trying to be hip or something? What in
the hell is a breakout plan?
    “What day is it?” I asked. The last thing I remember is
graduation. Everything else is hazy.
    “It’s Sunday. You’ve been here for two days now.” I frowned. That can’t be right. I talked to Elisabeth this morning, didn’t I?
    “Are you sure?” I asked,