Chapter 16
(Brian's Point Of View)
"You will not go! You will stay here and follow us there!" Kevin was yelling at me as we waited for the paramedics to get there for Nick. I wanted to ride with Nick and hi in the ambulance and for some reason, he wanted me to stay behind with Howie and AJ.
"No, Kevin! I'm coming and that's final, you can't tell me what to do!" Kev looked as if he was either going to hit me or argue further as the ambulance pulled up. Two paramedics, one male and one female came rushing onto the bus with a stretcher.
"Where is he?" Asked the female.
"Over here!" Answered Howie from the bunks. Kevin had carried Nick back to his bed so he didn't have to lay on the bathroom floor, after he had passed out. The paramedics ran over to where Nick was laying and began to load him onto the stretcher. He was beginning to come to and when he woke up and looked into a face he didn't recognize, he began to panic.
"AHHHH NO! BRIAN!?" I ran to his side.
"Shh Nick, I'm right here, don't worry I'm coming with you in the ambulance, it's gonna be okay, just calm down." As soon as he heard my voice, he stopped thrashing about and looked into my eyes.
"Br-Bri?"
"Yup buddy, me and Kev are coming with you, you're not going to be by yourself so don't worry and let the nice people take care of you." I was talking to him as if he was a child, but I knew he was confused and terrified. I also knew he needed me there with him, no matter what Kevin said. As The paramedics carried Nick onto the ambulance, I looked in his bunk and pulled out his Care Bear. I would give it to him so he could feel safe and not worry about whatever the hell was wrong with him. I jumped off the bus and into the ambulance where the female paramedic was taking Nick's vitals and asking him questions to try and keep him alert. Kevin was getting ready to ride up front with the driver, he turned to Howie and AJ.
"Guys, you follow behind us and call his parents all right?" Howie nodded as AJ stood there looking terrified. I saw Howie put his arm around AJ and together they climbed back on the bus. The female paramedic looked at me as the ambulance sped away. No lights and sirens, but plenty of speed.
"What's his name?"
"Nick Carter." I answered. "He's 18."
"And how long has he been sick like this?" She asked, taking Nick's temperature. Nick had calmed down by now, knowing I was with him.
"The vomiting has been bad for about 2 days, but he's been sick for about 4 or 5 days, that I've noticed. He hasn't had any appetite and he's had a high fever." I told her.
"Well, it could very well be his appendix, he has all the symptoms, but they will need to do a blood test on him once he gets to the hospital to determine that." She said as she looked at Nick's ears and throat. "He's badly dehydrated though, so lets start an IV."
"He told me it hurts everywhere and he hasn't been making much sense when he talks." I said looking down at Nick, who had his eyes closed.
"Well, that's from the fever and probably the dehydration." She replied rubbing Nick's arm with alcohol for the IV. As soon as she held up the needle, Nick began to scream again.
"NOOO! NO NEEDLES! I DON'T WANT IT BRIAN, NO!" He yelled as he tried to sit up. I grabbed his shoulders, forcing him back down.
"Nick! Calm down, you need an IV, it's gonna make you all better. I'm right here, I promise I won't let them hurt you, I promise." I tried to soothe him as he suddenly started gagging again. The paramedic quickly put the IV in and grabbed a basin for him to throw up in. I couldn't take this anymore, I thought as Nick began to cry from the pain. This was Kevin's job, I couldn't watch him go through this pain. I fell back against the wall sobbing and hugging Nick's bear. The paramedic settled Nick back down and looked over at me.
"Are you okay, Hon?" I tried to take a deep breath.
"Ye-Yeah, I'm fine." I sobbed. "I just want Nick to get better." She smiled at me.
"Well, I'm sure he will be better once we get to the hospital." I hoped so. I finally realized something. This was how Kevin felt. This was why he was so worried about me all the time. He didn't want to see me in pain just as I didn't want to see Nick in pain. That's why he was being such a pest and always looking out for me lately. Kevin did a better job, I thought. He didn't lose it completely like I just did. I looked down at Nick. His face had a greenish tinge and for the most part he was pale as anything, except for his cheeks which were flushed pink from his fever. His eyes had dark circles under them and he was sweating horribly despite the fact that he was shivering. I had never seen anyone this violently ill before and I wished on anything that it was me instead of him. The poor kid. I was interrupted out of my thoughts as the ambulance came to a sudden stop.
"We're here, follow us into the emergency room all right?" She asked as I looked up at her with tear streaked cheeks, clutching the teddy bear. I set it on the stretcher in Nick's arms and watched as they carried him through the doors. Kevin came around to get me and was shocked to see how upset I was. He put his arm around my shoulder as I collapsed against his chest sobbing, my breath coming out in gasps.
"Shh Bri, calm down, take deep breaths okay? You are going to hyperventilate!"
"Nick!" I cried. The one word that was the only thing on my mind at the moment. Kevin began to lead me inside.
"C'mon Brian, lets get you inside where you can sit down, Nick's gonna be fine, he's gonna be fine." I sincerely hoped he was right.