Short Story Rough Draft

“I’m sorry, Hannah. It’s just not working out. This has been a great four years with you, but I need a break.”  I replayed this moment from the beginning of the party in my head continuously. It had come out of nowhere. I felt numb for the rest of the party. I had desired to find Ellie, my 13 year old sister, for over two hours and go home, but she was nowhere to be found. I have been looking for Ellie for over two hours. After nearly giving up and just going home, I spotted Ellie over by a few of her friends. I approach her and say, “Ellie, I know it’s early, but we need to leave.” Ellie didn’t question it when she saw that I looked as sad as the sky during a thunderstorm.

Still thinking about the breakup, I drove in silence. Did I do something wrong? Chris hadn’t shown any signs, just yesterday he was telling me how happy he was in our relationship. I would have never expected this to happen. It came out of nowhere. I must have done something wrong. Tears blurred my vision and I didn’t even notice the traffic light turn blood red.

Suddenly, I heard Ellie’s cry “HANNAH STOP THE CAR!” Before I could even process it, the shattered glass began to cover her frail body. I stared as the shards tore open her pale, delicate skin to pieces as blood came rushing out of her fragile motionless body. The only thing that I could think about was that it was all my fault. The entire passenger side of my car was being wrecked. I already felt the guilt as I began to cry “ELLIE” continuously, hoping for a response. Nothing. Her skin suddenly looked cloud white. Ellie lay silently. I watched in terror as a witness calls an ambulance. I wish it was me instead of Ellie. The other car was shattered in the front, but the driver was walking around and appeared to be fine. I have been driving since I was 16. I had never had an accident before. I had always been a careful driver.

After exiting the car, I began to overthink as I watch the paramedics take Ellie away. I begin to get questioned, and I just stare off into the distance as a single tear rolls down my cheek onto the ground. My mom shows up shortly after Ellie leaves, and we head straight to the hospital. Besides a few bruises, I felt fine. Ellie on the other hand, hadn’t responded since I heard her scream my name in terror. We waited in the waiting room as Ellie couldn’t have visitors at the time. The  A nurse came out to the waiting room just as my mom and I began to call my dad. She told us that something completely unexpected has happened just now. We patiently await her news as she flips through some papers. A few minutes later, she looks up excitedly. “Ellie has taken a turn for the better! She is breathing and has processed information we have given her. We thought within the first few minutes of her arrival that this was impossible! We are expecting to tolerate (family only) this afternoon!” I responded for my mother in awe, saying “Thank you so much! Keep us posted on her progress.”  

I went home much before our mother did. The moment that I saw her face smiling at me and acting as nothing even happened made me feel so much more guilty. She shouldn’t be so happy! I caused a car crash and with a broken arm and spine and a bloody face, she should not be smiling at me. It was all my fault and I could never forgive myself. It seemed the entire world had been calling me and checking in for Ellie and my family. With every call I got, the more guilt I had felt. Everything was always my fault and I always mess up. Ellie didn’t even remember the crash.

The next morning, I dreaded going to school. I didn’t want everyone asking me about Ellie. I just wished I hadn’t caused this whole mess. On top of that, Chris was in my first class of the day. He approached me and told me that it isn’t my fault. He acted like nothing had happened between us. I walked away.

Two years later, Ellie had fully recovered. Ellie didn’t seem to be upset with me at all at that point. Ellie had always been forgiving. I had still felt extremely guilty. Ellie seemed to notice. She had asked me about what was bothering me and I told her everything. Including how guilty I felt. She told me that everything happens for a reason, and that although it wasn’t very smart not to ask someone else to drive that it was done with and that everything turned out fine. From that conversation on, I let go of the past and forgave myself for the mistakes I made. Hurting Ellie so life-threateningly has been the worst experience of my life, yet the most life changing.