One Step At A Time

Chapter 1

"You'll be back tomorrow, right Kristy?" The little girl asked hopefully. Kristy Jacobson looked over at the balding child and smiled warmly.

"Of course Bethany, I wouldn't miss your birthday for the world." The little girl beamed and lay down further in her hospital bed. She had leukemia; in fact, many of the children on her hall were battling her same illness. Kristy had started volunteering at her local hospital's children's ward her freshman year in college. Her sophomore year was now coming to an end and Kristy had liked the children so much, she kept coming back. She leaned over and tucked Bethany in, running her hand lightly over her head before leaving the room. It was already nine p.m. and visitation hours were over.

"See you tomorrow Kristy," Eileen Jones, the head nurse said with a smile.

"You know it," Kristy replied. Kristy Ann Jacobson was your picture perfect young woman of nineteen. She was an all A student, she had been since high school, and she had made the Dean's list both years in college. She volunteered at numerous locations around the campus in her spare time. She was smart, well rounded, and strikingly beautiful. She stood at an average height of 5'6'', was thin with exaggerated curves in what the males her age viewed as the appropriate places and had silky chestnut hair that tumbled down her back halfway. What stood out the most about her was her bright blue eyes against her naturally olive skin. She was an athlete, having run track and played softball since she was a kid. Kristy was an All-American girl with a heart of gold. Some admired her, some were annoyed by her. Either way, she didn't care.

When she finally reached her car she pulled out her small cell phone and dialed her mother's number. It was Friday night, the night of their weekly phone call. Kristy and her mother had always been close, and her move to college had been hard on the both of them. Kristy never liked to drive while talking on her phone, so she locked her doors, cranked her car and made herself comfortable.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom!"

"Kristy, how are you?" Kristy proceeded to tell her mother about her day, her classes, and her time at the hospital.

"Mom, I just don't know what to do. Her doctors told me she doesn't have much time left. I've grown so close to Bethany. I don't know if I can handle that."

"Kristy, you're a strong woman. I fell terrible that this is happening but at least she won't be in pain anymore. She should have a chance at life, I'll admit, but no little girl should have to endure what she has." Kristy nodded even though she couldn't see her and wiped her eyes.

"Thanks Mom." She looked at the clock on her dashboard and laughed. "Well Mom, we've reached a new record, it's almost eleven o'clock."

"Oh my, I'll let you go. I know you need to get back to the dorms."

"Yeah I do. It was nice talking to you Mom."

"You too Kris, be careful, I love you honey."

"I will. I love you too Mom. Bye." Her mom replied before hanging up. Kristy turned on her radio to the local country station and began to sing along to the newest song by Rascal Flatts. Kristy grew up in Austin, Texas making her a true southern girl. She stood out amongst the city girls at UCLA's campus especially when she spoke. Even though she didn't have a thick accent it was recognizable amongst the California natives. She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she made her way back to the campus. She couldn't wait until the surprise party they had set up for Bethany the next day. The child never even knew it was in the works. It would certainly make her day after all she's been through. Kristy smiled to herself, life couldn't get any better.

"Go, go, go, go, go," the crowd chanted as Jack Wilson chugged beer out of a homemade beer funnel. It was the night of the biggest fraternity party of the year. At nineteen Jack was the All-American college boy. He played football, soccer, and participated in UCLA's most popular fraternity. Add wealth and good looks to the equation and Jack was the perfect male. He swallowed the last of the liquid and stood up, pumping his fists in the air in triumph. The crowd cheered and he beamed, many of his friends slapping him on the back as they passed him. Jack looked around him and grinned, his life was perfect. He was the quarterback of the football team, had decent grades, had a perfect home life, and his second year in school was almost over. He turned when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Hey Jack, we're kind of low on beer. You're apparently the most sober one out of all of us, will you go?" He looked at his fellow classmate Brent Fox and nodded.

"Sure man," he replied even though the room was slightly spinning. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it.

"You rock man," Brent said happily. Jack belched as he walked out to his car running his hands through his shaggy brown hair. Even in his drunken state, he was still undeniably good looking. His emerald eyes were framed by thick, dark lashes. A strong, square jaw framed his face, giving him an almost model-like appearance. He was built and tan thanks to hours on the football and soccer fields. To anyone that was watching him now, Jack looked completely sober. He'd done this so many times he knew just how to act in order to not draw attention to himself. He hoisted himself up into his new Dodge RAM courtesy of his parents and shook his head as he cranked the car. He sloppily buckled his seat belt before throwing the truck in reverse and peeling out of the parking lot.

Kristy grinned as she pulled off the highway and onto the long road that led back to campus. She felt like taking a shower and curling up in bed with a good book. Tonight felt like one of those nights where she didn't feel like socializing with the population of her school. In fact, Kristy didn't really like to go to parties. It was an excuse for people her age to get drunk and act foolish. She shook her head and adjusted herself in her seat, racking her brain for gift ideas. Bethany was one of the most important people in her life right now, and she wanted to make what could possibly be her last birthday one to remember. She just couldn't seem to think of what to get her. Tears formed in Kristy's eyes as she thought about the sweet little girl. Bethany had been battling leukemia since she was three years old. Five years later, it was evident that the disease was determined to take her life. Moments like this are what Kristy hated the most about volunteer work. She got so attached to the children she came into contact with. She always grew so close to them, only for their lives to be taken so harshly so soon. She cursed as she reached into the console for a tissue. She didn't even have a chance to look up before the blaring lights came crashing down onto her.

Jack squinted at the window trying to get the three roads in front of him to merge into one. Usually when he went out after drinking, he could at least figure out which one to drive on. Tonight though was a different story. His head started to spin and he squeezed his eyes shut. The truck swerved and he corrected himself.

"Shit," he mumbled as he leaned forward in his seat. He noticed the small Jetta a second too late. He had swerved into the other lane without noticing and his large truck smashed into the tiny car with such force that it hit the guard rail and flipped down the embankment. Jack's truck spun uncontrollably as he slipped around behind the wheel. His drunken state made him practically a wet noodle. His truck flipped once and remained on its side just off the road.

Kristy screamed as glass and metal crunched all around her. She felt a warm liquid pour down her face and land on her shoulder. She couldn't make out what was happening. Her body kept slamming down onto something hard. She looked out the window and realized that she was sliding down something. No, she was flipping. Fear washed through her as she remembered the lights, then the accident. She was going to die. When the car came to a final earth shattering stop against a tree Kristy cried out as a sharp pain shot down her back. That was the last thing she felt before slipping into darkness.

A/N: So what do you guys think? Are you interested in it at all? Any feedback is welcome, I just ask that you don't leave flames. :)