Pretty Boy

Chaoter 21

"You two weren't in there for long." The man stood up once we entered the waiting room and Adam went to the front desk to sign out.

"He'll be fine. He has a concussion but he's talking just fine. He didn't need stitches or anything."

"I'm glad." He bowed down a bit. "I apologize again. I'll be careful next time."

"I don't hold a grudge and he doesn't either. I think he's just exited he can tell everyone he got hit by a car."

"I am!" Adam trotted over to us, still holding a smile on his face. For someone who just got hit by a car nearly going full speed, he sure was talkative. "Thanks for the cool experience!"

"Don't thank someone for almost killing you."

"Yeah please don't." The man gently scratched the back of his neck, nervous as he stood back up. "I feel really bad. Does it hurt a lot?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry!"

"Don't apologize anymore. You're fine."

"You have a British accent." He muttered. The man was actually pretty timid but I suppose that's a given. He did just commit a crime and get off with a slap on the wrist for nearly killing a young boy. "Are you from here?"

"Not at all. I'm from Brighton!"

"Which is where?"

"The UK."

"That's pretty far. I hope you've gotten settled in well."

"Everyone's been really nice. Even you!"

"I...I hit you with my car..."

"Nicely!"

"Right...I'll drive you two back to the university."

"No! I wanna skate more so we can just walk back."

"It's like two miles."

"Great!" Adam grabbed my hand and all but dragged me toward the door. "I hope you have a nice drive though, good luck with your job and everything!"

"Thank you?"

We left but I was hesitant to watch him skate again. I held his board under my arm, Adam reaching for it occasionally. "You're not even gonna let me?"

"The nurse said you shouldn't. You're actually supposed to be resting so you're lucky I'm even letting you walk."

"I feel fine."

"For the thousandth time, you got hit by a car. That's not fine."

"But I feel fine."

"Yeah I don't care. You're not riding this thing until tomorrow."

"What am I? Twelve? You can't just ground me from my skateboard."

"I can."

The walk was quiet apart from others walking around and having their own conversations. Adam fidgeted beside me, still annoyed that I wouldn't let him ride his skateboard. By the time we made it back to the dorms, Elise was waiting on my bed. "What's wrong with you?! I tried to call like five times!"

"My phone died." I lied. Truth is, I wasn't in the mood to explain everything. "How did you get in here?"

"Adam gave me a key. Told the front desk lady that he lost his."

"Go away." I made Adam lay down on the bed and pulled her to her feet. "You can be here after curfew."

"I was worried! You can't just tell me Adam went to the hospital and not explain what happened."

Adam sat up. "I got hit by a car!"

"Why do you sound exited about it?"

"I am. Are you not? It was awesome!"

"Is he okay?" She turned to me, confused.

"I wish he had died." I scoffed. "He's been annoying me since he woke up."

"What happened?"

"His skateboard ran away and he tried to catch it."

"You didn't stop him?"

"Who am I to play god?"

"You're mean." Adam glared at me. "Jokes on you, I lived and I'm happy about it. You still have to live with me."

"I really don't. I can go home whenever I want."

"You can't."

"Okay." I sat down beside him. "Elise, go."

"I'm not leaving. You've been ignoring my calls and now that I'm worried you're trying to kick me out."

"I'm trying to save your ass. You're going to get in trouble being here this late."

"I can make tea. Adam says you like it."

"Hurry up." I laid down and stared at the bottom of Adam's bed. "Why can't you lay in your own bed."

"You told me to lay here."

"I told you to lay down."

"I broke my legs in the accident. Can't climb up there."

"You walked the whole way here."

"No, you carried me."

"I carried your board."

"No I carried my board."

"Adam. Go to your bed."

"Nah."

It's a weird feeling to spent your entire life without friends and suddenly have a romantic relationship. With a boy of all things. But I like Adam. It's like having another dog. One that doesn't know how to behave.

Elise invited me to go to a party with her that weekend. Before she left, she gave me the details and told me that a lot of people would be there. I was mostly just worried about Adam and if he's be able to go.

And he decided that he would.