The Patients Episode 5~ Green Wood is for Lovers

“Jamie…Jamie…JAMIE!” I heard someone shout through my door as they were knocking it. I opened my eyes and looked and my alarm clock. It read 6:33 a.m. in bright red numbers. I groaned and got up from my bed and made my way towards my banging door. I opened it up and it was Valerie.1

“It’s about time. Come on, we have to go,” she said.2

“Go, go where?” I asked drowsily.3

“Mr. Harrison has called for an emergency meeting and wants everyone in the auditorium now,” she answered, sounding a little annoyed.4

But, I need to get dressed…” I started to say.5

“Don’t worry about that. Just get moving,” she said. She walked away and started banging on Rose’s door across from me. I walked out of my room and saw everyone outside their doors yawning, rubbing their eyes, and asking what was going on. I looked over next door to see Bianca’s door open and her coming out. I walked over and tapped Bianca’s shoulder.6

“Bianca, what’s going on?” I asked.7

“I don’t know. But if it involves getting up this early, it’s probably serious,” she answered, half yawning. Then, Justin’s door opened and he came out, looking pretty pissed.8

“Who the hell gets up this early?” he asked. Then, Lola’s door opened and she came out in her usual wig, attire, and make-up.9

“Oh, stop it, it’s not that bad,” she said. 10

“All right everyone, line up, single file,” ordered Valerie. So, we all got on line and we walked to the auditorium. When we got there, it was filled with nurses in their uniforms and patients in their pajamas. Valerie ordered us to sit in the two rows she pointed at and we all took our seat. 11

“I wonder where Aiden is,” I asked myself.12

“Probably sleeping, like what we should be doing right now,” answered Justin.13

“Shut up, Justin,” snapped Bianca. Then, Mr. Harrison came onto the stage and we all grew silent. He walked towards the podium and tapped the microphone. It echoed throughout the auditorium and Mr. Harrison cleared his throat.14

“Hello everyone and good morning. I am sorry for the inconvenience but I have a few announcements. Due to some recent events that took place here at Green Wood, we are making a few changes. My first change is all electrical devices, which includes cell phones, walkmans, MP3 players, alarm clocks, and anything else will be put into the hands of our nurses. You will have to ask permission for them from your head nurse. My second change is all prescribed pills shall be taken in groups, in the public bathroom, with a nurse with you. My third change is all desks and chairs shall be removed from the patients’ rooms. You will now be doing your diary entries during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Due to these changes, everything is cancelled for today until all new changes all settled in. That is all,” said Mr. Harrison. He gave a nod and walked off the stage. As soon as he was gone, the auditorium grew loud with outrage.15

“Are you kidding me? He can’t do this,” I said.16

“Actually, he can. He runs the place,” said Bianca.17

“There’s no way I’m getting my Ipod taken away from me. That thing is my life,” said Justin.18

“I’m sorry. I feel like this is all my fault,” said Lola.19

“It’s not your fault, Lola,” I said.20

“She’s right. The bunny should know that he can trust us,” said Bianca. Then, we all got up and made our way out. When we got back to our rooms, there were already men lifting desks and chairs out of our room. Everyone in our wing stayed close to each other. As the men were taking the desks and chairs away, we all sat in our doors, watching them. As that was going on, Valerie came around, collecting all of our MP3s, cell phones, and everything else. Then, another nurse came around and took my pills. When everything was finally out of our wing, Valerie stood front and center. We knew she had to say something.21

“I’m noted to go the south wing of the building and help out there. No one is to leave this wing. Understood?” she said.22

“Yea,” we all responded. Then, she gave us a nod and walked out. As soon as the coast was clear, I let out a sigh.23

“This is bull,” said Rose.24

“You’re telling me,” said Cody.25

“I mean, it’s bad enough he took away our Game Boys and our MP3s, but our cell phones?” said Rose.26

“Come on Rose, you don’t need your cell that bad,” said Bianca.27

“Yes, I do. That was my only connection to all my friends at my private school,” she said.28

“That was my only connection to Aiden,” I said under my breath. Bianca looked at me and came over by my door. She took her seat against the wall and looked at me like I had four heads.29

“You talk to Aiden?” she asked me.30

“Yea, we trade text messages late at night,” I answered. Bianca was about to say something when we heard running footsteps. Everyone poked their heads outside their doors to see who it was. When we finally realized it was Aiden, they went back to their conversations as he walked towards my door.31

“Hey guys,” he said.32

“Hey,” Bianca and me said.33

“Sorry I haven’t been around lately. Ever since Parents’ Week, my dad has been watching me like a watch dog,” he said.34

“Well, I guess were now gonna know how you feel with all these new rules,” said Bianca.35

“Yea, what are we suppose to do now?” a kid shouted out. Then, outrage broke out. Kids got up and started discussing what they could do, now that they don’t have all their things. I looked over at Rose and she had a devilishly smile on her face. She got up and ran into her room. Aiden, Bianca, and me all looked at each other and got up from our seats. Rose went up to the group of kids and calmed them down.36

“Hey! Chill, I have an idea,” said Rose.37

“What?” One kid shouted.38

“Whose up for a game of spin the bottle?” asked Rose. She took her hands from behind a revealed a plastic empty water bottle. Some kids gasped while some whispered and looked at it.39

“Won’t we get caught?” asked a girl next to Rose who had a black boy cut hair.40

“Don’t worry, Kerry. All the nurses are at the other end of the building and won’t be back here for a half an hour,” answered Rose.41

“Even better, I’ll keep watch,” said Lola. She ran down to the end of our wing.42

“So, wanna play?” asked Rose. That’s when it began. We all got in a big circle with Rose in the middle. I sat in between Aiden and Bianca while Justin sat on the other side of Bianca.43

“Okay, there are no rules in this game anything goes. Got it?” asked Rose. We all nodded and she put the bottle down in the center of our circle. The room grew silent as if we were waiting for the bottle to spin by itself.44

“Fine, I’ll go first,” said Rose, sounding annoyed. She got up on her knees and reached out her hand and spun the bottle. It spun around a few times until it landed on Kerry. The two looked at each other. Everyone held their breath as the two got up and walked towards each other. They looked at each other and went in for it. We all gasped as they kissed. They let go and Rose ran back to her seat. She put her head down as Kerry walked back to her seat. 45

“Okay, I’ll go next,” said a boy with a pierced lip. That’s when the game really got going. He spun the bottle and it landed on a black girl with corn-rose hair. After that, more people began to spin the bottle and it landed on the most unlikely people. People gasped, laughed, joked, and to make it more interesting, Dylan, Benny’s next door neighbor, managed not only to sneak his video camera away from Valerie, but he brought it and started filming the game. Then, Bianca was up to spin the bottle. She spun it really hard and it kept going for a minute. Finally, it landed on someone that no one saw coming: Justin.46

“No way,” Bianca blurted out.47

“Oh come on Bianca, one kiss,” said Rose.48

“I can’t kiss her,” said Justin sounding almost insulted. There were a few gasps and “oohs” from the circle. Bianca turned and gave Justin an insulted look. 49

“Oh, yes you can,” said Bianca. Then, Bianca grabbed Justin and pulled him in. People gasped as they kissed. Justin pulled away and looked down.50

“Okay, Jamie, your next,” Rose said sounding a little nervous. I gasped and looked at the bottle. I took my hand and extended it towards the bottle. I finally touched it and I turned it. It was spinning so fast, I couldn’t predict who it was going to land on. Than, it stopped right in front of Aiden. I gasped and covered my mouth and almost fell on Bianca. Me, having to kiss Aiden? Sure, I liked him but did he like me back?51

“Weird. Okay, come on you two,” said Rose. I looked over at Aiden and he was looking at me with those beautiful light brown eyes. Oh man, I just wanted to look into those things until the end of time. We both moved closer in unison and our lips finally met. It started out as a peck and than, it got bigger. I put my hands around his neck as I felt his hands coming around my waist. I didn’t know how long we made out for but than again, I didn’t really care. We finally let go and we both looked into each other’s eyes. I took my hands away and looked over at Bianca and Justin. Their jaws (along with everyone’s else’s) were to the floor. Bianca was about to say something when we heard loud footsteps. Everyone turned around and saw Lola coming. She finally made it and hovered over and gasped for breath.52

“Valerie…she’s coming…now,” she said between breaths. Everyone gasped as some people started getting up. 53

“Wait! Everyone, listen up before we head back. We don’t speak of this, okay? We don’t write it down, we don’t tell anyone, we shouldn’t even think it. Got it?” said Rose. We all nodded and everyone headed back to their rooms. Through the crowd, I tried to find Aiden, but I couldn’t. I ended up getting pulled out of the crowd by Bianca. When I finally made it to my room, I closed the door and I sat against it. My head was completely buzzing with incoherent thoughts, words, and images. But, the image that stood out most was my kiss with Aiden. I got up and walked towards my bed and fell into it. After trying to get my head together, I ended up falling asleep. I was awoken by someone shaking my shoulder. I opened my eyes and looked up to see who it was. It was Bianca, Lola, and Justin in different outfits then they had on the last time I saw them.54

“Girl, you gotta get up,” said Bianca.55

“Why, what time is it?” I asked.56

“Honey, it’s 9:30 in the morning. You slept the entire time after the spin the bottle game,” answered Lola.57

“I did?” I asked.58

“Yea, and we’re gonna be late for breakfast if we don’t move,” said Justin.59

“Justin, is that all you think about, yourself and food?” snapped Bianca.60

“No, I care about a lot of other things,” he answered. Bianca rolled her eyes and walked out.61

“What did I do? Bianca?” said Justin and he ran out after her.62

“What’s up with those two?” I asked Lola.63

“I don’t know. But, they’re not the only ones. Everyone’s been acting weird ever since that game,” answered Lola. Then, I got dressed and I met Lola outside and we both walked towards the cafeteria. We went to our usual table where Bianca and Justin were sitting away from each other. Lola and me sat between them and we looked at each other. I looked around and noticed that Lola was right. All of the kids from our wing weren’t talking to people and were either looking down at the table or looking around like they were trying to find something. 64

“Jamie, can I talk to you? Alone?” asked Bianca.65

“Sure,” I answered. Then, we both got up and she pulled me towards the bathroom. When we walked passed the nurses, we simply told them we were going to the bathroom. When we got in, we both took a place on the wall by the sinks. 66

“What’s up?” I asked.67

“I actually don’t know. I’m just so mixed up. Ever since I kissed Justin, things just got weird between us,” she answered.68

“What? Do you like him now or something?” I asked.69

“That’s the problem, I don’t know. I mean, if he does like me, than, yea I’d go out with him…” Bianca started to say.70

“Wait a minute, I thought relationships were forbidden,” I pointed out.71

“Oh please. I can probably name every person that has either had a relationship or is in a relationship. Trust me, everyone breaks that rule,” said Bianca.72

“Oh,” I said.73

“So, what do you think I should do?”  asked Bianca.74

“I think the best thing to do is talk to him. You two should sit down and discuss your feelings,” I said, almost sounding like some therapist.75

“You know what, your right. Thanks Jaime, you’re the best,” said Bianca. She picked herself off the wall and pulled me into a hug. Then, we heard the bathroom door open and we both let go of each other to see who it was. It was Lola, who looked liked she was about to cry.76

“Lola, what’s wrong?” Bianca asked.77

“Guys, we’ve got a serious problem,” she answered. Next thing we knew, we were heading out of the bathroom. Lola took us back to our wing where Rose, Justin, Benny, Dylan, and Aiden were standing around, looking just as scared. 78

“What’s going on?” I demanded.79

“Valerie has my camera. She found it and took it. I can’t believe she has the goddamn…” answered Dylan as he broke down in tears.80

“Even worse, the game is still on there,” said Rose.81

“Oh my God,” said Bianca. She almost fell but was caught by Justin. Bianca got up and held onto him for dear life. 82

“Do you know if she’s seen it yet?” I asked.83

“No, I don’t think so. If she did, I probably wouldn’t be here right now,” answered Aiden.84

“How much of a chance do you think we have that she won’t see it?” Lola asked.85

“I’d… say fifty-fifty. I’m gonna… have to wait a little while until…I…can ask for it. If I… ask for it… now, she’ll know I’m up to… something,” answered Dylan, choking on his tears. 86

“Until then, we have to act as normal as possible,” said Benny. We all nodded in agreement. I was about to walk away when I felt someone grab my elbow. I turned around and it was Aiden, who still looked like he was about to cry.87

“I need to talk to you,” he said. He pulled me away farther into our wing until he stopped. I leaned against the wall but he stayed right in front of me.88

“Look, I don’t want to do this but with all that’s happening, it’s necessary. We need to agree that our kiss never happened,” he said.89

“What?” I blurted out. He shooed me and then took my hand like a gentleman would take a lady’s hand. Then, he started moving his thumb back and forth across my fingers.90

“Trust me, I don’t want to do this. But, like Dylan said, there’s a chance that Valerie might look into that camera. If she does, my trust will be gone forever. If I start a relationship with you, it’ll make things worse. Aren’t I right?” he said.91

“Yea…you’re right,” I said choking back on tears. At that moment, I felt so hurt and stupid, crying over a boy. I took my hand away and put my head down.92

“So, will be friends, okay?” he asked me. He took his finger and lifted my head up from my chin.93

“Okay. The kiss never happened,” I said as hard as I could through my tears. I got up and walked away from the only guy I would ever truly like. I walked over to Lola where she was talking to Benny. Benny nodded and walked away. Lola turned around and I collapsed into her arms. She looked away for a minute to watch Aiden walk out of our wing and then put her head on top of mine. 94

“Don’t worry, Jamie, everything’s gonna be all right. I promise,” she said. We both pulled away and we started walking back to my room. As we walking, I noticed some other changes beside my own. I saw Kerry being taken to Rose’s room and the boy with the pierced lip had his arm around the girl with the corn-rose hair’s waist. But then, I saw the biggest changed of them all. I looked inside Bianca’s room and saw her and Justin, making out against her wall. I stopped walking and I stood there, looking like a deer in headlights. 95

“Yea, Bianca took your advice and apparently, he felt the same way,” said Lola. She grabbed my shoulder and then pulled away and went into her room. At that moment, I guess you could say that I had an epiphany of some kind. I knew that many things were about to change.96