" Urg." I groan as a sharp bolt of pain shoots through my head.
I try and move my head into another position but it doesn't seem to ease the pain even a little bit.
" Allison. " I hear my name being called.
Why is this person yelling my name? Last time I checked my ears were still working perfectly fine, literally but definitely not figuratively.
I lightly shake my head to warn the other person that I'm in no mood to talk. I just want to continue to sleep in my warm and comfy bed. When did I get new pillows? These feel so soft. Probably Emily who was trying to be nice.
" Allison ." I hear the same voice call my name again.
Are you kidding me? Can't they see the pain I'm going through?
" Stop talking for heaven's sake." I groan in frustration. I notice my throat is completely dry which is why my voice sounds so hoarse.
That's a side effect from having a hangover.
Wait when did I drink?
" Allison open your eyes." the same person demands.
" Damn you are pushy. " I whisper, not being able to raise my voice higher because of the dryness.
I might as well get up and fetch something to drink.
Slowly my eyes start to open. Like always it gets blinded by the sun streaming in from the window.
" God I have a bad hangover." I whine still not fully opening my eyes.
Why does the dorm smell so clean?
" It's not a hangover. It's a concussion."
My eyes fly open by the person's statement. My breath gets stuck in my throat when I see who has been trying to get me to open my eyes.
" Mom?" I whisper in total disbelief.
That explains why the person was being so pushy.
My eyes wonder around the unfamiliar room. It suddenly settles upon me that I'm in a hospital room.
What am I doing in a hospital room?
Beeping from my left catches my attention. There are a few monitors positioned next to me. I have a drip on my left arm which is connected to a plastic bag filled with see-through liquid.
" Welcome back to the land of the living." my mother greets me sarcastically.
Numerous of questions start flooding my head but I can't seem to put them in words.
" What happened?" I ask as a shiver runs down my spine.
" You were in a car accident. " my mother replies in monotone.
A few glimpses of the said accident starts going through my mind. I remeber seeing bright lights from my left side before complete darkness.
" It's a miracle that you got out with only a light concussion and a few fractured ribs. You could have died Allison" she continues.
I take in a sharp breath and feel a sting sensation coming from my ribs. The concussion also explains why I'm having a headache sent from hell.
This is just perfect.
" How long was I out for? "
My mom's eyes try to avoid mine as she focuses them on the little television that is set up against the wall.
" You've been in and out for the past 2 days. The doctors say it's because of the oxycodone that helps to relief your pain." she answers after a while.
2 days without food? How did I survive?
That's what you are worried about?
Glad to see the car accident didn't kill my conscience.
Was that sarcasm?
It's better to not dwell in other's words.
You little -
" Mind explaining to me how you ended up in South Carolina without my permission and got yourself into a hospital?" my mom questions.
Shoot.
I didn't tell her that I was going away because I knew she wouldn't have allowed me to even though we are on holiday. I'm just glad she doesn't know about the getting arrested part.
" Oh and to top that you got arrested a few days ago!" she nearly yells.
I spoke too soon.
" How do you know that?" I ask in utter confusion.
" I saw your criminal record Allison." she spits out in disgust.
That went onto my record? Damn it I thought it would've just disappear.
How does she even have acces to it?
" I have connections in the law remeber that Allison. " my mother answers before I can even ask.
" The doctors also told me they found alcohol in your system when they did a few tests on you. I can't believe you would be that irresponsible to drive around whilst being intoxicated. You can be lucky there wasn't anyone in the car with you. " she continues to freak out.
If only she knew the real reason.
" That boy was also here when I arrived yesterday. I can't believe you're still fooling around with him Allison. "
That boy.
Tyler.
I try and push back the ache that comes from just thinking of him. His name only reminds me of how much pain he has caused me. Emotionally and physically. I'm not saying that it's his fault that I got into a car accident but it could have been avoided if he just talked to me like any normal human being.
I guess what we had was too good to be true.
" Where is he now?" I ask softly.
He probably just felt bad and wanted to check up on me before going back to enjoying the rest of his vacation. Now that he doesn't have me nagging on him the whole time to communicate with me, he finally has his freedom. Was I really that bad of a not-exactly-girlfriend-but-something-like-that to go around and kiss another girl?
I'm pathetic really.
" I asked the nurses to keep him away. He'll only make things worse. The same goes for your so called 'friends' that showed up with him." my mother admits.
I don't know whether I want to be grateful or hateful towards her. I'm grateful that I don't have to face him now when I'm in such a vulnerable state but on the other hand I'm mad that my mom made that decision for me. I'm actually really pissed that she didn't allow the others to come and visit.
" I don't think things can get worse." I whisper more to myself.
" You want to bet?" my mother asks clearly hearing what I was saying to myself.
" Your dad is on his way and he is not happy." she continues.
" You called dad?!" I cry out.
Why does my dad have to be involved in this? I don't even understand why my mom is here. I would be perfectly fine on my own without my parents finding out what I have been up to. How am I supposed to be independent when they always burst into my life and start throwing out orders?
" Yes I did Allison. We're worried about you." my mom says a little more softer.
They honestly have nothing to worry about. I stay out of trouble, well I try to and I'm not failing any of my classes. What more do they want from me?
" I'm fine mom." I sigh in frustration.
" No you're not fine. You're already acting out just like Maddie did before her incident. I don't want to see you going down that same road."
Again with this bullshit. When will they stop and realize that I won't do anything to harm myself? They are so focused on every little move I make to reassure I'm not losing my mind that they forget I'm my own person and that I can make different life decisions than what Maddie did. We might have been twins but we were complete opposites.
" I'm not Maddie. Stop comparing me to her." I spit out while looking my mom straight in the eye.
My mom looks taken back by what I said but it had to be heard.
" I'm not taking any chances." my mother states as she gets up from her chair and heads over to the door.
" I'm going to go pick up your dad. I'll be back in 20 minutes." she announces before disappearing out of the room.
As soon as she is out of sight I finally get the ability to breath properly. My mind also drifts back to what happened at the bonfire. I still can't believe that this is how I'm starting my new year. Broken and in a hospital room. Literally as in I have a few fractured ribs and figuratively as in I have, what most girls like to call it, a broken heart.
I hope I can get out of here as soon as possible. I just want to go back to campus and start preparing for when classes start again. I'm assuming I'm still in South Carolina but as soon as I'm discharged I'll just go back to campus. There is no point in going back to the beach house. I'll just ask Emily to gather my things before returning back to campus.
Another thought pops up into my head while I start planning on my next steps after being discharged.
My car.
It's probably going to be written off after the accident.
Fuck.
I'm pretty sure the damage done to my car is going to cost more than what the value of the car is so the insurance won't pay for the damage. The money the insurance will pay out will probably just end up in my parent's pockets seeing as they paid for the car and are paying for the insurance. I don't think my parents are going to buy me another car.
" Sweetheart." I hear my dad's voice as he steps through the door with a few balloons and a large teddy bear.
My eyes start to water as I take in his image. I really wish things were easier between us. I could really use a shoulder to cry on. It's been so long since I felt homesick and now seeing him there with a crushed look on his face makes me think back to all the memories we have together. We were so happy once. Look at us now. Broken.
I don't say anything as he and mom steps into the room. My body betrays me as I feel a tear slip down my cheek. I harshly wipe it away and pray that my parents didn't see it.
" I'm sorry for only getting here now." my dad apologizes.
I can hear the pain in his voice. I nod my head in response. I really don't feel like talking. Especially with how vulnerable I'm feeling right now.
" Sweetheart talk to me. Please. I-I just need to know that you are okay. " my dad begs me.
I shake my head lightly. " I have a headache." I reply.
It's not a lie. I do have a really bad headache.
" Then allow me to do the talking." mom chirps in and stands up from her sitting position.
I watch as she walks until she is in front of the bed. My dad is watching her with curious eyes while sitting in the chair beside the bed.
" Allison." my mother clears her throat.
Oh no.
I can see where this one is going.
" In these last few days you have gotten yourself into a heap of trouble. From getting arrested for having illegal drugs with you and a gun to getting yourself in a car accident due to being intoxicated." she announces what I'm already well aware of.
" I wasn't wasted mom. "I try and argue.
" Then what? Are you going to put the blame on the other person who was driving the car? "
I can't really put the blame on the other person because I'm not fully aware of how it happened. All I can remeber is seeing a bright light. That's all.
" The point is there was alcohol in your system and you got into a car accident which could have been avoided if you were more responsible. " my mother continues.
I decide on leaving it there because it won't help if I continue to defend myself. She already made up her mind that I was drinking irresponsibly.
" You're father and I have been talking and seeing as you got yourself into trouble, in multiple occasions, we have made a decision." she continues.
I look over at my dad with wide eyes.
" Dad p-please don't -"
" I'm sorry sweetheart." my dad says while looking down at the floor.
I look back at my mom in horror.
Is she really going to do this to me?
" Mom-" I whisper.
She lifts her hand to silence me and takes in a deep breath before opening her mouth and saying the words that I have been trying to avoid since I started college.
" Allison, you're cut off."
For the second time in a few days it feels as if time has slowed down again.
You're cut off.
My mother's words keep repeating in my head. She can't be serious? It's my mother we're talking about. She doesn't joke around. I'm really cut off. She finally had enough.
" Mom please don't do this to me. I won't get into trouble again I swear. Just give me one more chance -"
The shaking of my mom's head keeps me from finishing my sentance. She already made up her mind and there isn't a person on this earth that is going to change that now.
" You're cut off and that's final. " she states before leaving the room.
My dad gets up short after she left. He tries to reach over for my hand but I quickly pull it away. I hear him sigh before he walks over to the door.
" I'll see you later sweetheart. "he announces before he too leaves the room.
I close my eyes as I try and figure out what the hell I'm going to do. My parents aren't going to support me financially and I don't have a job which means I don't have any money besides the little amount in my account. I'm still in college and I won't be able to afford my tuition or living expenses. All hope for getting through this chapter in my life fades away.
I'm royally screwed.
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