A journey to change Autumn

32

"Hey! That's not fair you cheated." I tell Tyler.
"It's perfectly fair. I didn't cheat." He retorts back.
"Yes you did you counted one too many." I say.
"Says the one still winning." He says in a sarcastic tone. I decide to fake cry so he will admit he cheated. I whimper. Biting my bottom lip half acting half to keep myself from laughing. I put my good hand over my eyes and pretend to sob. I automatically get a reaction from him.

"Oh Autumn, don't cry. I didn't mean it like that. Please stop. I am so sorry."

He starts rubbing my back very gently considering how bad it still hurts. I can't take it anymore and I start laughing. I look up at him and see the priceless look on his face then laugh uncontrollably. I laugh so hard I starts to hurt. And I don't mean the I am with my friends laughing until my ribs hurt, I mean with three broken ribs I am having trouble breathing and clutching my left side. Then I really see the concern on Tyler's face. I now start coughing and wheezing. Tyler pushes on my shoulders and helps me lay back down on my very uncomfortable hospital bed. After having water and laying down I feel better but the pain is undeniable. Well I think we all know who won that game.

It has been two days since I got my memory back. I am thankful that I did every day. The doctor told me that I broke my leg, severely sprained my wrist, broke three ribs, almost punctured my lung, and got some brain damage all from a fall. He said I also have nerve issues in my back and might have trouble having kids because of being bullied. Well he didn't say the bulling point but he said it was from something else other than the fall. He knows I know what it is but isn't pushing me to tell him. Tyler tells me everyday he is glad I am awake. He is being super sweet but when I am better or tell him about the bullies will he run away. I sure hope not and something tells me he won't. Luke, Emma, McKenna, and Eli, come after school everyday to bring Tyler his work. Tyler, on the other hand, has been here everyday to keep me company and play games with me. Even though he lets me win it is still really fun.

Aunt Mia is now six months pregnant and growing bigger each day. They have officially started with the nursery at the house but haven't done much because of me. Also aunt Mia and uncle Adam say they are officially adopting me and Luke. Which is beyond exciting but the pain kind of dulls it out.

After I settle down from my little laugh attack the doctor comes in to talk to me.
"Hello Autumn how are you feeling today?"
"Just like every time you ask me that. In pain and bored."
"Well I came to ask you some thing that might help you in that area." He says getting mine and Tyler's full attention.
"I need to know what happened before the fall. What did you do to your back?"

Ah yes. The very question I have been dreading to hear. But I decide enough is enough. I take a deep breath prepared to answer truthfully.

"I was bullied." I say in a really hush voice. Luke and Tyler are both staring at me. I feel like if I tell them the truth they will be overprotective body guards that follow my every move or get really mad at me. I get so dazed in my thoughts that I almost miss the doctors next question.
"What did you say?" He asks
"I said." I take as deep of a breath as I can, considering that my lung and breathing machine are both constricting me it isn't very deep.
"I get bullied." Everyone in the room is starting at me. Tyler and Luke both have two emotions across their faces: shock and pain. The doctor looks sympathetic. I remember how words like that started my time here. I was in a doctors office not a hospital and had a broken nose and a chipped arm not this. Those words started my stay here and might end it here as well. I don't know if I can even tell my adopted parents or not. I don't want to be seen as the girl who is too weak to keep bullies away. I hate this.

I suddenly get engulfed in hugs from Luke and Tyler. So they don't reject me. They don't say anything but sorry. Sorry? I should be the one who is sorry but I will leave that for another day. Another day just like this. Or like most days now filled with some sort of pain. Emotional or physical or most times both. But I guess that is what life is for right? Overcoming or being defeated by the pain. Or like me swimming just long enough to take a breath then drown until I can't take it anymore. The cycle always repeats itself but for now I will struggle. Everyday. I will fight to breath and try my best to stay above the pain. But now at least I know I have people that will hold me up. It's a constant battle that I will walk away from with scars.