Sam P.O.V

Okay... Okay... Don't freak out... Just stay calm...

Oh, who am I kidding?! I'm already freaking out! I think being calm right now would be the last god damn thing on my mind!

Where the hell is Taylor?!

I know you may think I'm over reacting, but I just can't get that thought out my head, about what the others told me. Could it be true? Could Taylor really have depression?

It didn't help ease my thoughts at all, when I saw she was nowhere to be seen during lunchtime in the cafeteria.

You may be thinking, "why is this girl getting so worked up about a girl she hardly knows?" And if I tried to give you an answer, truth is, I don't think I'd be able to. 'Cause that's the thing, I don't know why this girl worries me so much and why I want to try so hard to get to know her for who she is.

I mean, I've probably always had a sense of wanting to be there. It's obvious that Taylor must be somewhat unhappy, having to deal with all that bullshit from Mackenzie and countless others. I just don't like the idea of just standing by and letting that happen. Not when she's given me the chance to be friends with her, when that seems to be rare for others.

I wandered down the school halls, passing by one of the teacher staff rooms, which seemed to have the door wide open, for any student passing by to just have the opportunity to listen in.

As I was passing by, my ears seemed to pick up something. So, with clear interest, I stopped in my tracks, and stood out of the way of the open door, so the teachers inside could not see me when I casually just dropped by to eavesdrop on their conversation.

What I heard, made me want to scream.

They were talking about a student, and at first, I couldn't tell who, until I heard their name fall upon my ears.

Taylor.

Why are they talking about her?

I tried to listen some more, to clearly know what they were talking about.

Hospital.

What...?

I stepped back, my eyes wide as I edged my way back across the hall and leaned on the wall. Is that why Taylor wasn't in today? Did something happen? Was she okay?

Oh god, not now.

I felt my knees shake, as the room started to slightly move around me. Now was not a time for me to start having a panic attack, right here in the damn hallway. It's no wonder why I was so calm and laid back all the time.

I tried to focus on the things around me, from the things I could feel - the wall, the lockers, the floor. To things I could see - classrooms, more lockers and students starting to leave their classes, to the things I could hear - the bell ringing, people talking, sneakers squeaking.

Letting out a calm sigh, I felt myself starting to come back to my senses, as the room had stopped whirling around me. I was so glad that I learnt of this technique, since I was little. True, sometimes it was hard to go to my happy place, but when it wasn't, I could feel myself starting to calm.

My teacher was probably going to wonder why I didn't return back to class, but right now that was the least of my worries. I couldn't be bothered, going back to explain that I freaked out in the hallway. Especially seeing as it was rare for me nowadays to even panic like that from just hearing about something - she probably wouldn't believe me.

I was more concerned about getting to the hospital to see if I could find Taylor. I needed to see her, and I needed to find out what happened. So, before the hall started to get too packed with people, I rushed out through the front double doors.

When I did, I did hear Mackenzie call after me, over my shoulder from further down the hall. But I really didn't have the energy to deal with her today. I continued walking without even looking back.

****

Alright...

Damn it... Why was I feeling so freakin' nervous, as I found myself standing outside the room that I was told she was in.

Would she even want to see me? Would she even want me there? She hardly knew me, as much as I hardly knew her.

As much as my thoughts seemed to try and fight me away, I pressed my open palm onto the door handle, before taking it into my grip and firmly pushing the door open.

I felt my heart shatter into two.

Just... The sight of seeing Taylor hooked up to a heart monitor, while lying unconscious in a dingy hospital bed. What the hell happened to her that brought her here in the first place?

Quietly stepping into the room, I closed the door behind me and steadily walked closer, hoping not to wake her, if she really was asleep. She looked so peaceful.

Just as I thought that, I noticed she started to stir a little. Almost as if she felt my presence and just started to wake up or something.

As if.

Finally, blinking her eyes open, her gaze fell on me and her eyes widened as her mouth fell slightly agape.

"H-Hey..." I murmured, the voice in my throat sounding like I was ready to burst into tears right there and then.

"S-Sam...? Y-You? What are you...? How did you...? How did you know I was here?"

"I heard teachers talking about you, as I was walking past the staff room... I mean, they just leave that door wide open..." I explained.

"So... You actually came to visit me...?"

"Well, yeah. I'm your friend, aren't I?" I responded. She stayed silent, as I pulled up a chair from the corner of the room and sat in it. "What happened?"

Silence.

"Tay?" I muttered.

"Look, Sam..." Taylor whispered, as she started to tear up. "I appreciate it but... You shouldn't be here. It's just a waste of your time."

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean...." She paused, and then shook her head, as tears started to spill down her cheeks. I frowned, staying quiet as I didn't want to upset her more than I already had.

"It's just a waste of your time... I'm a waste of your time." She finally admitted, avoiding my eye contact.

"Taylor..." I said, a general look of concern on my face, as I bit my lip in thought as to what to say next. "Listen to me, you're really not. I knew I had to come here when I heard that you were here... I know I've only known you for like... A few hours at most but... You just seem like a really nice person, and I really meant it when I said I wanted for us to be friends."

"You did...?" Sam stammered. I nodded.

"Yes. I mean it, truly and honestly. Look, whatever happened, you don't have to tell me. I'm not going to force it out of you, if it's like you don't want to talk to me. You can tell me when you want to."

"...."

"Okay, Taylor? ....Do you know how long you're going to be here for?"

"...Probably a week at most. Why?"

"Well, because I want to see you at school, of course." I admitted, with a small smile. Taylor stared back at me for a moment, before managing a little grin too.

"Well... I guess I'll look forward to coming back then..."

"And I'll look forward to seeing you."