OPEN SECRETS (INVISIBILITY)

As the rays of sunlight from the window shone brightly into the room, my eyes tried to adjust to the light. I've been asleep all morning and didn't realise it was afternoon already. I struggled to get up from the bed but I couldn't move my left leg, groaning in pains and wishing in my heart that a miracle could happen to make it all go away.

It was past 2:00pm, I was in the hospital ward, luckily for me I didn't have to share the room with anyone. I've been in the hospital for three days now and I'm still trying to adjust to laying down doing nothing all day.

As I laid on the bed, I looked at the room, it wasn't much of a sight to behold. My Mum couldn't afford a luxurious room as those were for VIP but she managed to pay for the one I'm in. There is a table next to my bedside, on the table are books written by my favourite author "Annie Micho", the constant ticking of the wall clock that was hung above the door post reminded me that time is crucial.

The rays of light kept penetrating through the flimsy material of the sky blue curtain covering the window. I tried sitting up again, this time it was a successful attempt, the ache in my left leg was a reminder of the unfortunate incident. I limped to the window to draw the curtain, that was when I saw HIM , we kept staring at each other then he moved his gaze towards another direction, so I sneered.

Afterwards, mom came in and asked if I was hungry. I replied without hesitating "I'm soooo famished!".

She laughed and brought out a take out she bought from a restaurant downtown. Few minutes later, a nurse entered and informed me about my upcoming surgery.

Immediately, I felt cold and frightened then I said a silent prayer for the success of the surgery. The Doctor gave me some instructions I needed to follow and I did as I was told to avoid complications during the course of the surgery.

It was five in the morning of the D-day, yes, you guessed right, it's the day of my surgery.

I had my bath and as I was being rolled into the Operating room, my mom came around and said to me "Cassie baby, it's gonna be alright, okay? Just close your eyes and by the time you wake up, It'll all be over. Nothing bad is gonna happen to you" she said as tears welled up her eyes. I took her hands and gave her a weak smile. I felt relieved and frightened at the same moment.

I was given an anaesthetic injection, suddenly I felt drowsy and the last thing I heard was the voice of the Doctor mumbling some words. I could hear voices which were inaudible as I regained my consciousness and my vision was still blurry. Few minutes later, I could see more clearly.

"Baby, Can you see me? It's mommy". She held my hand so tight that I thought it'd break.

I looked at her and smiled.

Uh oh! I was feeling drowsy...again and poof! I became unconscious.

I woke up and tried to sit up but I couldn't. What the heck?! My left leg was stiff.

I checked my hand and saw that I was put on drip. I wanted to know why my leg was stiff. I touched my leg and felt a rough surface. Before I could check what it was, I already knew what it was. My leg was wrapped with P.O.P(PLASTER OF PARIS) .

Oh great!

I'm sure you're curious to know why I had to undergo surgery. Well, here's the story.

I was in high school, when it happened, 11th grade, precisely.

In school, the kids made fun of me all the time. I'd get bullied by the older kids in school but there was nothing I could do about that 'cause I wasn't as strong as they were.

It was during lunch time, I decided to visit the school library to lend some books. As I walked down the stairs I felt like I was being stalked.

Stalked? Well, yeah, when you're seen as a prey by bullies, such could happen.

As I took a step, someone pushed me and I fell of the stairs tumbling over and over till I passed out.

When I woke up, I found myself laying on a hospital bed with weird faces staring down at me.

I was confused and scared. The doctor broke the news to me that as a result of what happened at school, my left leg was broken and as they tried to operate on it, some complications occurred.

So, yeah....I was deformed. I cried my eyes out. I felt like my whole world was crumbling. My mom and my siblings, (Johanna who's the oldest, Mason's the second child, and Anita the last child, my little sister) came around and tried their best to console me. After crying my eyes out till I could cry no more, I dozed off.

Weeks went by and I got discharged after I'd healed up. I resumed school and I became the center of attraction. Everyone stared at me as I limped my way into the classroom.

God....what are these morons looking at?

Dickheads!

You know what hurts? Not being able to fish out the culprit behind the incident that occurred but I knew that I'd find out who did it sooner or later.

Months went by and my parents decided that it would be best I did another surgery after the incident.

I wasn't against this actually. I felt good and gave my consent.

The doctor I saw back then in the theater room came in and introduced himself.

"Hey, how're you holding up? I'm Doctor Hamster Cage".

Hamster cage? Interesting name you've there.

What a name!

God! I need to do something about the thoughts in my head.

Seeing that I never responded, he continued. "And you're Cassandra Manchester. Any body pains or weird feelings? I need...".

"I just feel tired" I cut in before he could finish his sentence.

"Okay, that's fair. I'll be back to close the stitches so, be prepared".

loose the stitches?! Oh! This doesn't sound good. Cassandra Manchester sounds like you're about to experience hell.

"Stitches? Will I be given sedatives or tranquilizers just to induce the pain?". I asked staring directly at him.

JSYK, If there was a staring competition, I'd surely come first.

"Well, due to what we found out..." He paused for a while and I swear I couldn't figure out what that look meant when he stared at me. It was so plain.

He continued "We can't give you tranquilizers or sedatives because it might cause some complications to your body and that's because you have a weak immune system------" Of course, I couldn't let him finish his sentence just when I interrupted him.

Oh great! Nice way to cut in Cassie.

Let the man finish his speech damn!

"Complications? Weak immune system?! Am I going to die? No! Am I dying already? What's---" the doctor cut in.

"No dear, you're not dying and you're not going to die. You're okay, just relax and breathe".

"Please get her some water", he said to one of the nurses who's a male who kept staring at me like he's been staring at poop for the past six minutes he's been here.

"Miss Cassandra, don't worry. I spoke to your mom already when she came by this morning. Everything's under control".

What?! Mom came and she never bothered to check up on me.

Well, I'm not surprised though.

"Okay". I said sheepishly in a sad tone. The male nurse handed me a bottle of water with a smirk on his face.

Good timing. Just when I needed the water.

WTF?! Is this asshole trying to mock me or what? What's with the look?

The doctor and the nurses left my room and just when I was about to turn my head to the right, I saw the same boy who kept staring at me the first day I got here like we were having a staring competition. He stood by the door with his arms folded.

He's got a cute smile and his eyes...my gosh! So mesmerizing. His eyes were as blue as the ocean and it made him look like he wasn't from this world.

How come I never saw this right from day one? Well, I couldn't get a proper view of him because he was far away.

Our eyes met. I was about to talk and that's when I noticed his pink lips.

Cassie, you're a pervert!

"Why are you in my room? You're lost or what?". I said with a frown.

Seriously? A few seconds ago, you were crushing on him. What's with the attitude?

He laughed and said "I see you've got an attitude there little lady. I'm---"

"I'm not little. Mind your words". I interrupted him and said to him with a frown.

"Okay ma'am. I was about to tell you that I wasn't in your room yet. I was by the door not in your room. Get it right".

"Are you seriously trying to piss me off right now? Coz if you are, then it's working". I said in a low tone but it's obvious I was getting pissed.

"I'm sorry, I never meant it that way. My apologies"

"I'm sorry, I never meant it that way. My apologies".

"Sure...whatever" I rolled my eyes and gave him a smirk.

"Well, my name's Justin," He said, moving closer to my bedside.

He continued "Uhmm...Justin Lancaster. And you are....?" He waited for an answer but I just kept Staring at him.

Jeez! Cassie stop staring!

"Cassandra Manchester right?"

Hold up! Wait a minute...

How does he know my name?

"Woah! How'd you know my name?!" I said with my eyes popping out of their sockets.

"Well, baby girl I've got my ways of getting information," he said with the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. So dreamy and cute.

What the heck Cassie?! Seriously?

He's an asshole. Stop tripping.

"You're so full of shits, aren't you? Since you already know my name, you can please buzz off" I said with irritation in my voice but deep within my heart, I'm grateful someone cared to check up on me.

"Wo..ah...take it slow babe" he said and laughed. "You don't have to be hard on me. I come in peace".

"Just get out!" I yelled. Immediately I felt remorseful after yelling at him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I'm just...stressed out I guess" I gave him an apologetic look and I'm sure he wasn't offended because he kept on smiling at me.

"It's okay. I should be the sorry one for disturbing you" he said and sat on the little space on my bed.

"Yeah...thanks for understanding," I said with a smile.

"It's no biggie," he said and winked at me which made me chuckle.

"Justin right?" I asked while adjusting the tip of my bed sheet.

"Yup!" He replied.

"Okay, Justin. Tell me, why are you here? I mean here, in the hospital. You're a patient or what?" I asked with curiosity written all over my face. Justin must've noticed.

"I'm a patient" he smiled.

"What's your condition if I may ask? You can wave it off if you think I'm being nosy. Pardon me". I said with a wry smile.

And look who's remembered to pick up her manners.

Way to go Cassie.