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“Can you show us the way to Emergency?” Scott asked, with a charming grin.

“Um, sure.” I frowned and turned around with Scott now walking next to me. His friend was walking slowly behind me.

“So, what you in here for?” Scott’s steps were normal now and his injury was clearly faked.

“Just sick.” I quietly answered and looked at the ground. I didn’t like telling people I was a dead person walking.

“Emergency is just around the corner. I suggest you start limping again.” I smiled and Scott stopped suddenly.

“Thanks for the heads up.” Scott leaned on Dan and started limping again. I kept walking with them. It wasn’t like I had anything else to do. Though I was starting to feel the energy leaving me.

“I hope you find a hot nurse.” I grinned and crossed my arms.

“Thanks.” Scott suddenly knocked up his limping another notch and leaned most of his weight onto Dan.

“You must owe him something,” I said to Dan.

“What?” His voice was short and snappy. I noticed even Scott frowned at him.

“I…just…well…you would have to owe him. For him to get you to agree to this,” I stuttered, unable to look at Dan’s hard face as he continued to glare at me.

“Hey, Maddison. What are you doing down here?” The reception lady, Mai, greeted me as I walked to the intake desk with the guys.

“Just giving directions.” I smiled shyly.

“Sorry, I heard you got your results today.” Mai smiled sadly at me. That smile I knew too well. It was the ‘sorry-to-hear-you’re-dying smile.’

“Another test, another result.” I shrugged, and then brought her attention onto Scott. “This is Scott. He needs to be admitted or looked at.”

“MADDISON!”

I quickly turned around. Oh, that voice scared me.

“You’re in trouble.” Mai whispered at my back. I noticed both the boys had turned around to see the crazy woman taking long strides towards us.

“Do you not understand BED REST!” My mom’s face was turning redder by the second. “I understand that being in bed may be boring, but you have to stay there. You know that. Wandering to the vending machine is one thing, but walking around the hospital is another!”

“Yeah, because lying in bed all day is going to help me.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“Maddison, do not use that tone with me! You heard what the doctor said this morning!”

“Yeah, Mom, I did hear what he said. The question is, did you?” I snapped and shook my head at the same time. “Because last time I checked, lying in bed isn’t going to help me.”

We had now scored the attention of all the bored people in the waiting room.

“Maddison, he said resting could help.” My mom’s voice waved in emotions as she spoke. I knew my condition was hard for her to come to terms with.

“No, Mom. He said that was all my body will be soon able to do.”

“You’re starting the new course of medicine tomorrow.” My mom stood a tad taller. “And in the meantime you will continue on bed rest.”

“I’m not starting the medicine, Mom.” I looked her square in the eye. “And you can’t make me anymore.”

“You are damned well taking it!” she snapped and the venom in her voice even made Scott flinch. “You will take this new trial medication, just like before.”

“I’m eighteen now. You can’t tell me what to take.” I crossed my arms. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m not starting a new trial.”

Was this how I wanted to tell her? No. But she was pushing me, like she always did when it came to my medication and treatment. The thing was there was no treatment for me, and Mom had yet to accept this.