Change for Me?

Stripping on Tables

Happy to finally be leaving the hospital a week after I first woke up, they had to keep an eye on me, I pack up all of the presents that people have dropped off for me and get my Mom to sign me out as quickly as possible; sneezing in the passenger seat, with a bouquet of red roses in my lap, I chat my Moms ear off about how excited I am to finally be able to go back to school tomorrow.

“You might not want to go to school tomorrow, it depends on how you are feeling tomorrow morning,” she tells me, not happy that I want to go back to school so soon after my accident.

“Mom, I have to go to school; I have already fallen behind in my classes and I need to pass these classes with an A or else I won’t get in to any good colleges,” I tell her, though I really just want to see all of my friends.

“Honey, you and I both know that you have not fallen behind in any classes; you just want to go see all of your friends.”

“Fine, it’s true; I just miss them all so much, you know I haven’t been able to seem them since I have been out of school because they are all studying for Finals,” I whine, mad about the fact that I have practically been forced into solitude.

“Wah, your life is so hard,” she says mockingly, pulling up to our house. Helping me out of the car and handing me my crutch, I maneuver my way up the front steps and into the front door.

“Why is it so dark?” I ask my Mom, reaching over to flick the light switch on. Just as the light goes on, all of my friends and family pop out of hiding spaces.

“SURPRISE!” they all shout, in sync.

“How long did it take y’all to finally get that perfect?” I ask jokingly, the biggest grin ever covering my entire face.

“Whatever,” Thea says, coming towards me with her arms stretched out. Enveloping me in a hug, I hear her let out a little sniffle.

“Don’t even think about crying; if you cry, I will end up crying,” I tell her.

“I have just missed you, so much,” she says with a grin.

“I have missed you, too,” I tell her, grabbing her hand and walking with her over towards the rest of our friends.

 “Ashlyn, how are you?” Monica asks.

“I am feeling much better,” I tell her truthfully.

“Thea, told us that you fell while running at the high school,” Conner says, though it seems like a statement. I nod, instead of answering.

“You need to get a running buddy, it is obviously too dangerous for you to run by yourself,” Lillian says, trying to be helpful.

“Are you offering?” I ask her; noticing her sheepish smile, I say, “Didn’t think so.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to be your running, it’s just that you are in such better shape when compared to me and I wouldn’t want to hold you back.”

“Well, you have to start somewhere,” I tell her, hoping that she will consider being my running partner.

“I can be your running partner,” I look over towards Kolby and see him giving me a nonchalant look.

“You don’t have to,” I say to him, “I mean, we hardly know each other; I wouldn’t want you to offer to run with me just because you feel obligated to.”

“Why would I feel obligated to run with you? I offered, because I like to run and I enjoy company while running,” he says, making me feel stupid.

“Okay, if you want to run with me, I am going to be running everyday starting Tuesday,” I tell him, ready for him to change his mind because it is such a big commitment.