Matchablossom

Forty Days

Trigger Warning: Hospital setting, car accident, just 2232 words of angst 

Joes PoV

I checked my phone for the hundredth time. Still no reply from Kaoru. Nothing. It was close to 12am and I was starting to get worried. 

Reki was going up against Adam tonight and Kaoru promised he wouldn't miss it for the world, we both know that Adam wouldn't hold back while racing and Reki being Reki will not stand down. Not even Langa can talk him out of it. I texted Kaoru a while ago asking where he was but I haven't got a reply back from him, he hadn't even opened it. This was unlike him, even when he's busy, he always finds time to message me saying so. 

"Joe, where's Cherry? The race is about to start." I looked away from my phone to see Miya standing next to me on his skateboard. I checked my phone again, but my screen was still the same. Blank. 

"I don't know, he's probably coming now.." I replied making my way over the the starting line where Reki was stood talking to Langa. The clock was ticking towards 12am, and the crowd was starting to get more excited, more so that Adam was arriving. 

Adam joined Reki at the start line, glancing over at the crowd. I felt my phone start buzzing in my pocket which I immediately took out to see an unknown number calling me. Even though I didn't recognize the number a feeling at the back of my mind was telling me that it was something to do with Kaoru, and nothing good for that matter. 

Removing myself from the crowd, I managed to find a relatively quiet place to answer the call. I was leaning against some of the rocks close enough the the track where I'd be able to see Reki and Adam come down if I missed their start, but far enough away from the crowds screaming. 

"Hello?" I asked. hesitant at first, I didn't need to wait long for an answer from the other side of the line. 

"Is this Kojiro Nanjo?" I answered yes, again hesitant, unsure of why someone would be calling me this late at night. "We regret to inform you but Kaoru Sakurayashiki has been involved in a car accident earlier this night, you were the only person we could contact at this moment.." 

I couldn't hear the rest of the conversation. I barely remember anything, I don't remember dropping my phone, falling or even starting to cry. Why Kaoru? 

 This cannot be happening. This can't be real. He can't be hurt. Surely I'm overreacting, maybe he was hurt but not as bad as I thought. But if it was minor he would've called or texted me, he would've told me, or anyone. But he hadn't been in contact with anyone. This can't be good. 

I held myself trying to calm down but my mind throwing all sorts of outcomes and situations, all the things I could've done to make sure he was okay earlier, I could've even prevented this by doing something with him today. I could've picked him up to take him to S, I could've asked to meet up earlier, I could've done anything. 

"Joe..?" I felt a hand on my shoulder bringing me away from my thoughts. I looked up to see Langa crouching down beside my, Shadow and Miya behind him, they all had concerned expressions. "What happened?" Langa asked, he looked the most concerned. 

"Koaru- he, Shadow I need you to drive me to the hospital. Right now." I somehow managed to say, this didn't help to ease the others but at that point I didn't care. All I could think about was getting to Kaoru and being with him, regardless of the severity of his injuries. 

Ignoring the protests and questions from both Langa and Miya, we all made our way over to Shadows car and I was the first in. Langa opted to stay at S, to meet Reki at the end but promised to check up on us later if we hadn't already told them what had happened, and to be honest I was grateful. The last thing I needed was all of them asking me what had happened. Not even I knew, I can't remember half of the conversation I had over the phone.