Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

JUNGLE HOSPITAL LUKE

The room was hot, the kind of humid heat that clung to your skin like a second layer. This wasn't any hospital I was used to-

there was no sterile smell of antiseptic, sharp beeping monitors, or clean, white walls. Instead, I was convinced a chicken was about to stroll in through the front door, and this place kept remedies in jars probably made in a garden they have outback. I didn't care-l was alive, and I hadn't felt this good in months. But at least there were people.

Other people.

Not just Josh and Sarah.

Now, I needed to somehow tell Jess I was alive, but looking around, I wasn't convinced this place had an international mobile network.

The realization hit me like a slap, and panic gripped my chest. "Josh. Sarah." Their names tore out of me as I pushed against the stiff sheets, my body lurching forward.

Two nurses immediately sprang into action, their hands firm but not harsh as they pressed me back onto the cot. Their voices were a rapid-fire of words I couldn't understand.

"Wait-no!" I struggled against their hold, but my limbs felt weak, every movement a reminder of how broken I was. That's when I felt the tight, pulling ache in my shoulder, the dull throb at my

0.00%

up on instinct, brushing against. thick bandages wrapped

Moving my arm sent pain down. my side, but at least I could move it. Fighting them wasn't going to help. It would just

worse.

and efficient. When one of them leaned closer

thought made my stomach churn, and I clenched my jaw

rumpled and damp with sweat, his face weathered but kind. He carried a small flashlight, which he immediately shone into my eyes. I winced, squinting against the sudden brightness. "Shit," I muttered but tried

catch, then

myself upright again, ignoring the nurses' protests. "Josh and Sarah. Are they here? Are

mind spiraled with possibilities. What if I'd been the only

out of the water? What if Josh and Sarah were still out

their

my voice rising.

could answer, a voice cut through the tension, sharp

suicidal idiot

of panic. I turned my head so fast my vision blurred, and there she was Sarah, standing in the doorway with a half-smirk and

reached for her, pulling her into a hug. She didn't hesitate, wrapping her arms around

faltered, and I hesitated, the last image of Josh flashing in my head. He'd looked so bad-the blood, the wound. Part of me didn't want to ask, didn't want to

answer.