Taiven Parmiga

Chapter 12: Break Out

The bright florescent lights block my view when I open my eyes. I blink to recover sight. Shortly, I see Evan speaking with a tall, lean doctor outside my hospital room. It takes me a while to remember what happened. Then I recall the heat, the crowd, the ball flying toward me. I feel a sharp pain above my left eyebrow. I'm tempted to touch it, but refrain, knowing I'll regret the pain it will cause. The doctor and Evan shake hands and Evan walks in. I try to sit up as he enters but I quickly become dizzy and have to lay back down again.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" He asks as he quietly moves a chair by my bed and sits down beside me.

"Superb. Except for my head feeling like it's about to explode." we both laugh a little but it only makes my head pound more, so I have to stop. Evans laughter ends quickly also. Too quickly. He looks down as a shaky breath escapes his lips. He grabs my hand and when he looks up, the laughter is gone and replaced with fear. I see it in his eyes, making me fear what he'll say next.

"Look. I know it's only a matter of time before you realize how bad being with me is for you. If you haven't already. But thanks for sticking around this long. And I'm so sorry. For everything." He slowly speaks in a lonely sad tone that only tears me up inside.

"I'm not giving up that easily." I simply say, giving his hand a slight squeeze. He looks up with a little sparkle of shock in his eyes. I continue. "I mean, imagine one of us going through that stuff alone. It would suck." He slightly nods in agreement, but stares on anxiously for my next words. "The way I see it, we were meant to go through all that stuff. Together." I smile at him, signaling my conclusion. I want to say more, but I decide to end it there. Not because that's all I have to say. But because I have so much more to say, but not a clue how. I feel so much for him. Communicating it is harder than showing it. I want to always feel the sensation being with him gives me. The sensation that reminds me how short life is, and how every minute is meant to be lived to its fullest. With absolutely no regrets. And I know I can do that with Evan. I never want that to end.
I huff a huge sigh breaking the silence and look around me in disgust.

"So what's wrong with me?" I ask Evan as he starts to move the chair back to its original place.

"That's a pretty long list. Where should I start?" He rubs his chin jokingly and I smack his arm and laugh. His big dimples smile down at me and it almost makes the horrid setting around us disappear. "The doctor had to run some scans to be sure there wasn't any internal bleeding. And you're all clear. He said you just have a minor concussion that can easily be fixed with antibiotics and lots of rest for the next couple of days." He slides his hands in his pockets and looks out the window.

"So when can I get out if here?" I ask looking at the IV injected into my wrist.

"Eager to leave so soon?" He asks laughing, noticing how much I hate this place.

"I don't plan on staying here a moment longer than I have to." I reply, anxious to know how long I'm stuck here.

"Doctor says you have about half an hour before the meds wear off. Then we can head home." Evan looks down at his shoes, trying, and failing, to hide disappointment.

"Why do we have to head home so soon?" I ask with a slight smirk playing on my lips.

"You really want to break the rules after the kind of day we've already had?" He asks shocked.

"I don't think sticking around here just a little longer will kill me." I point out. "Besides, I think it'll turn out to be worth it."