Page 19 of Wishing for La Luna
“Sorry about that. They shouldn’t have been here. How are you feeling?”
I shake my head.
“You don’t have to worry about them coming back. Neither the police officer nor the staff will allow it. We’ll deal with the nurse that let them in.”
Except, they just got in to see me.
“Why is there a police officer outside my room?”
Her gaze darts to the floor for a second. “Because people have been trying to get in to see you.”
“Who?” I ask.
“Vultures. Gossip bloggers. Paparazzi.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. I’m not famous.”
The nurse shakes her head. “You weren’t famous yesterday, sweetie. Today, you’re the most famous person in New York City. You’re trending on social media, along with that girl that just left and her football boyfriend.”
My stomach roils as the same anxiety of earlier that morning comes back with a vengeance—my mother’s worried face, Adina’s look, her mother’s words, all a bunch of foggy memories that don’t connect.
“What the hell happened? I can’t remember anything except for this morning.”
The nurse’s eyebrows shoot up. “Your mom is on the way back. She will talk to you and tell you everything.”
I stare at her. “Why can’t you tell me? You obviously know.”
“I’m not at liberty to say, Luna.”
“But why?”
A rap on the door pulls our gazes in its direction.
A male attendant is staring right at me. His eyes search for something on my face. Then he abruptly looks away at the nurse. “The detectives are waiting outside.”
“Tell them the doctor has to see her first. Then go get Doctor Mendez.”
He walks away, closing the door softly behind him. Within seconds, fast steps grow closer, and the doctor walks through the door and beelines for my bed. "Hi, Luna. I'm Doctor Mendez. How are you feeling?"
"Confused," I whisper.
“It's normal. We did a blood test on you, and it came back positive for dangerously high levels of Vibenzine.”
I shake my head. What? I don't know what that is. "I'm not on meds."
She nods. "We know. The agent we found in your system is not a prescribed medication. It's a cross between a Benzodiazepine and a hypnotic agent. The street name is Vibes."
My heart drops, and my hand settles at my throat. Vibes is a party drug people take to have an extra good time. I’ve never needed something like that, but I’ve been around it. I’m both shaking my head and trying not to heave. "No, I wouldn't take that. I don’t do drugs..."
I trail off because Adina and her mom’s visit come to mind.Keep your mouth shut.
“Just breathe and try to remain calm. The drug is still in your system, and your body did not react well to it. You had a big allergic reaction and are lucky you were brought in right away."
Calm? How can I be calm?"But the cops are here."
"They can't talk to you if I don't say it's okay," she whispers.
“My head hurts. I can’t remember anything but the screaming this morning.”
