Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
I'm scared, but it's not because of the hospital. It's because I'm about to get my brain operated on, and I'm not sure I'm ready.
I look to Alarick. "I don't think I can do this."
Panic fills my voice, and I start to cry. Alarick leans down, taking my face in his hands. "You're the strongest woman I know, Briella. You're going to get through this. I promise you. You're going to be okay."
"I'm not ready. What if that's all the time we had? What if something goes wrong?"
"Then it'll be the best fuckin' time on earth, do you hear me?"
I clench my eyes shut, and the nurse takes my hand. "We have some incredible doctors here that will be assisting, I promise you you're in the best hands. I'll give you something to help calm you down and keep you comfortable. Is that okay?"
I nod, and she goes over a checklist with me before going to get the doctor's approval. Then she administers something into my drip, which immediately makes me feel a lot calmer, almost sleepy, warm even. I don't mind; it helps because the way I'm feeling right now cannot be described. It's the kind of panic that grips onto your soul and makes you want to lose your mind so that you don't have to think about it anymore.
I don't like it, not at all.
"I'm goin' to go and get some stuff so that I can stay here as long as you need me. I'll pay whatever it takes for you to have the best room, the best care, and nobody is takin' me from your side. Do you hear me?"
I nod, feeling that panic rising again.
"There's something else," I say, grabbing his hand.
"What is it? What do you need?"
"They're going to shave some of my head."
He stares at me and then grins. "Well, you know I always did like a bad girl. I think you'll rock the half-shaved look."
My bottom lip trembles, and he grabs my chin, leaning down close. "You could have no fuckin' hair, and I'd think you were the most beautiful girl in this universe. Do you hear me?"
I nod, swallowing.
"But they're going to do it all messy...it'll look so bad..."
"Nothin’ could make you look bad," Alarick says, kissing my lips. "Everything is going to be okay. You fuckin’ hear me?”
He stays with me until I calm down again, and then he goes to get a heap of things we're both going to need. My stay here could be quite extended, depending on how the operation goes, or if it goes well, it'll be shorter. It could still be over a week.
I lean back into the pillow, close my eyes, and do something I haven't done for quite some time.
I pray.
21
NOW – BRIELLA
"Hey," Karen smiles, walking into the room I'm now set up in.
Alarick told them he'd be paying for the best of the best, and no cost would bother him, so I got put into a lovely room on my own. It's still a hospital room, of course, but it has a private shower, toilet, television and a spare bed for Alarick to sleep on when he wants to stay the night. It also has big comfy chairs by the small window.
It's nice, and it makes me feel safe.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, sitting up, my head aching.
"Well, your handsome guy told me that you're freaking out about them shaving your head, which I get, so he asked me to help. It just so happens," she leans down into her bag and pulls out some scissors and clippers, "that I did a hairdressing course once. I never decided to make a career out of it, but I can do a heaps better job than they can."
I swallow the tight lump in my throat, completely humbled by her kindness.
"Besides, I think you're going to look sexy with this style. I've seen girls with faces like yours rock it. It's the new thing, you know?"
I laugh softly. "If you say so."
"I promise this is going to look amazing. I asked the good nurse out there which side they're operating on, and I even got permission from your doctor to shave for you. So, are you ready for this?"
I climb out of bed slowly, and then walk over and stare at myself in the small round mirror hanging on the wall. I don't know if I'm ready, but I know I also have no choice. I run my fingers through my thick locks. I know it'll grow back quickly, I know that, but it doesn't make this any easier. Karen slides a comfy chair over, and I exhale, taking one last look before sitting on it.
"They've told me how far over I need to go, and luckily for you, it's not so bad. The doctors would have just shaved a patch, but nobody and I mean nobody, is leaving my girl with a patch of shaved hair on her head."