TISH AGE, 20:

"Happy birthday, Tish! Make a wish!" Chloe's voice squeals over all others in the room. I look around at all of the faces, and I honestly don't know who half of these people are or why they are even here. I thought this was going to be Chloe and me... but of course, she had to bring her posse with her.

I smile, leaning forward, closing my eyes.

I wish for death; let me die from this miserable existence.  

I blow out the candles, putting on that same fake smile I worked years on perfecting. I watch as people crowd around, hugging me one by one. I feel sick with all the people touching me. If Chloe really knew me, she'd know that people touching me... feels like bugs crawling under my skin. I stand up, pushing everyone away, rushing to the bathroom, and I notice my breathing getting heavy, that tight grip in my chest again. Slamming the door open, I make way for the stall. Locking the door behind me, I sit there, the room enclosing on me. Everything starts to spin out of control. My vision fades to black, and I can feel my body go limp... not again.

I awaken to find myself in the hospital, monitors strapped to my chest, head, and arms. I look around for the call button. Pressing the nurse's button, I wait.

I hear a knock at the door when it opens, a young nurse is standing there in shock. Her eyes widen when she sees me try to speak. Rushing over, she gestures for me not to speak.

"Ms.Crom, I am Emma. Please don't try to speak for the moment. I need to get a doctor to take the tube out of your throat." I watch as she presses a button. Moments later, doctors and nurses come rushing in. Small lights flash in my eyes, blinding me. I can't hear much of what they're saying... it all sounds quiet, almost muffled. I watch for a few more moments before another doctor comes over to me.

"Ms.Crom, I am Dr.Richard. Can you hear me? Please nod yes or no." He says, but I barely make it all out.

I nod both yes and no, hoping he would understand. Thankfully, he does, telling a nurse to take notes.

"Ms.Crom, I am sorry to inform you that you have been in a coma for almost seven months. You came in on October 15th; today is May 15th." He says loud enough and slow enough for me to catch everything. 

"I am going to be removing the tube from your throat now. Please relax." I watch as he grabs the tube, feeling it come from my throat, I automatically go to puke, a nurse is ready with a barf bin. After being sick, I steady myself, trying to make sense of it.

I try to speak, but I strain, my throat burning. The nurse pours me a glass of water, smiling at me. I nod politely, taking a few sips. Dr. Richard leaves for a few moments with two of the nurses, while the other, I believe her name was Emma, sits with me. 

Taking it in, I realize, seven months have passed...yet when I look around the room... not a single balloon, bear, card, vase of flowers. Tears built in my eyes; the realization that no one cared, no one cared enough if I lived or died in this bed, hit me. Emma's eyes swelled, and she realized I figured it out. I sat in silence, tears silently trickling down my cheeks. The door opens, and Dr.Richard comes back in with a file.

"Ms.Crom, tests show that while in your comatose state, you tested positive for Susac Syndrome. We did several tests to rule out any other diseases or causes for your sudden coma, but with a spinal tap showing the markers for Susac Syndrome and an MRI showing lesions on your brain that indicate Susac Syndrome, we have gathered that this is what you have and what caused your sudden coma seven months ago. Now some treatments can be started, now that you are awake. I will let you take some time to sort it out with our staff and make a decision. Again, I am truly sorry, Ms.Crom." Dr.Richard says, standing to his feet and leaving me again with Emma.

I am at a loss... I sit there confused, scared, and frustrated. All I can think about is the wish I made seven months ago... why couldn't I just die that night?