Part 8
P.C.A. Academy... Six months earlier.
Zoey Brooks and Lola Martinez walked to their dorm room.
-Have you seen Nicole? - Zoey asked
-No... She didn't showed up for any of the classes we have together and
Zoey signaled her to stop as, as they got closer, sobs were coming from their room. As they slowly approached and slowly opened the door, they saw their friend sitting on her bed, sobbing, a piece of paper clutched in her hands.
-Nicole? -Zoey said
But the brunette girl kept sobbing, Lola knelt before her.
-Nicole, what happened? - She softly asked
-It's... unfair...
Zoey took the paper... Her face went pale as the words hit her like a hammer. Lola did notice.
-What... What is it Zoey? What does it say?
Nicole beat her to it.
-I... have terminal brain... cancer...
-That's... That's a joke right? You're 15... 16 in a couple of weeks... You can't have cancer...
Nicole sobbed and shook her head. Zoey did remembered something,
-Then the migraines and your headaches...
-OK but... You'll get treated and you'll get better right? -Lola asked
Nicole glared at her with her red and puffy eyes.
-no... I went to the doctor today... He said it's inoperable... I have three... more months to live...
Lola glared at her, then at Zoey, the she got up and ran out of the room.
Present Time
-So... What happened to her?
-She... Was the strongest girl I ever saw, they said three... She lived for six... until... two days ago... When she...
Tori held her hands.
-I think she knew... I came to visit her in the morning... I saw the papers in the night table...
-What papers? -Jade asked
-She... talked to her parents... told them that... she wanted to help other kids... she... met several when she wandered on the hospital... talking to a nurse she told her about donating her organs... and your friend happened to be compatible so they gave her Nicole's heart... all I wanted was to tell you that... that the girl who donated it... was the bravest girl I have ever known...
Tears were running down Zoey's cheeks as Tori held her hands.
-I'm sure Cat will be very grateful...
In the OR, Dr McNamara continues with the surgery, he's constantly checking on Cat's vital signs as he gets ready to implant the new heart in her chest.
-OK... give me the paddles... CLEAR... - he said as he sent a shock to get the new heart to work in the new body that was hosting it.
He glared... the organ remained still.
-No... come on... charge 30... CLEAR!
The organ remained motionless...
-Come on, I'm not going to lose you Catalina... come on...charge again... CLEAR!
Meanwhile Cat found herself in something that looked like subway station, everything was white and shiny, even her clothes.
-Where... am I?
She turned around when she heard steps behind her. It was a girl with brunette hair and about her age.
-Hi, I'm Cat. -she joyfully greeted the stranger.
-I'm Nicole.
-Do you know what place is this? - Cat asked
-This is like... a passage way... to eternity.
Cat glared at her... a tear ran down her cheek.
-You mean... you mean that I'm...
Nicole held her hands and smiled softly.
-No... not yet at least... but the choice is yours... you're of the few that gets to choose.
-What do you mean?
Nicole led her to a nearby bench and motioned her to sit along wit her.
-In a few minutes the train will come and I'll have to go back. I'm here because I had to explain you this... there's someone fighting for you, with all his heart and soul... but only you can decide if you want to go back to your friends and your life or if you want to take the train... once you get in the train... you won't be able to change your mind... not that I really think you would want to anyways... it's really beautiful there...
Cat was about to open her mouth when the train arrived. The door opened and Nicole walked in, she turned around and smiled at her offering her hand to help her in.
-So, did you made up your mind?
-I want to go back to my friends... how do I do it...
Nicole smiled as the door closed and the train began to move.
-WAIT! HOW DO I GET
Cat closed her eyes as a sudden shock passed through her body, then another one and she fell to her knees unable to stand up.
-STOP IT! -Cat yelled as another shock crossed her body
Then darkness again and she fell as light as a feather. In the OR Dr. McNamara sighed in relief as the heart began to pump blood on its own, his team was also relieved.
-Good work people, let's get ready to close it up. - he ordered
An hour later and eight since the operation began, he walked out, he glared at the scene before him, Tori was sleeping in a chair, Jade was cuddled with Beck in a sofa, Robbie with Rex the doll were also asleep in the remaining couch while Sikowitz read a book in a nearby chair, he walked to the medic as he saw him approaching, he lowered his voice as not to wake the teenagers.
-How did it go?
-It's too early to tell, she accepted the heart well, we induced a coma so we can monitor her progress for a couple of days.
-But she'll make it right?
-She's a strong girl. I have a lot of faith in her.- He replied.
-Can we see her?
Sikowitz turned around to see Jade standing behind him.
-I need to see her, please.
Sikowitz glared at Dr. McNamara.
-In five minutes, a nurse will come to get you.
As told, a nurse arrived later, Jade was taken to the room where Cat was, she was asleep and several monitors were connected to her.
-Only a couple of minutes, she needs to rest, OK? -the nurse said
Contrary to what many could expect, Jade didn't yelled back at her, instead, she silently sat and began caress Cat's forehead.
-You're going to be fine... when you leave this dump I'll take you to eat all the strawberry ice cream you want... I promise... Just be OK... Please...
Meanwhile Sikowitz was summoned to Dr. McNamara's office.
-Have you been able to contact Catalina's parents? - He asked
-They'll be back tomorrow night... They were in a business trip in Madrid.-the teacher replied
-Those kids really love Cat...
-More than you think. - said Sikowitz
-That's why I couldn't tell you out there that I don't know how she'll be when she wakes up... there were some complications during the operation.
Sikowitz just lowered his head. Three days later the time came, Dr. McNamara ordered that the sedation to Cat was to stop, making her return to consciousness imminent. Jade was beside her when she opened her eyes.
-Cat... Cat... How are you? - she asked
-Hi... Jade...
Tears began to run down Jade's cheeks.
-I'm fine... Don't cry...
A week later Cat was released from the hospital, Jade was about to make good on her promise, but before that, Cat wanted to visit someone.
-Tell me again why are we here in the cemetery? - Jade asked
-I have to see someone... -Cat said
Moments later they stopped before a tomb, Jade read the name and remembered the girl who paid them a visit during Cat's surgery and the name of the donor of Cat's new heart: Nicole Rose Bristow. Cat knelt and caressed the name before placing a bouquet of tulips, Nicole's favorite flowers, on top.
-Thank you... We'll meet again sometime I promise...
Jade just glared, when they got back to the car she decided to ask.
-How did you...?
-Know about Nicole? I met her... She wanted me to go to heaven with her but I wanted to be here, with all of you...
Although Jade didn't believe her, she was grateful, with all her heart and soul, that her friend was back with them.
The End.