Paper Planes

Chapter 20

I just want everyone to know that you're doing great and I'm proud of you:) keep doing what your doing!

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My eyes open slowly as I groan awake, my body aching in soreness. Bright white lights shine from the ceiling and cause me to wince from the strength of it.

"Hey", someone whispers, grabbing onto my hand tightly. It felt nice. "Hey! Hey, he's awake!"

The door opens, showing all of my friends walking in trampling steps, a bit too loud for my liking. Specs and Davey were the first at my side, on the hand that wasn't currently occupied. I smile at them. "Hey, guys."

"Screw you, Nick", Davey laughs, making me smile. "Had me crying over your dumbass."

"I love you too, dear."

The room laughs, and I look around to find everyone—Mrs. Willis, Boots, Jack, Race, Elmer, Albert, Henry, Finch, and Spot—crowded in the room, watching me. I squeeze Davey's hand.

"Hey, Mush." I turn to look at the person holding my right hand, finding Blink with a happy smile and tears in his eyes. He places a hand on my cheek, caressing it softly. "I thought..."

I hold onto his hand to ground myself. Something about his tears makes my hand beat faster and my head scream, although it's not directly because of him. I don't know. Maybe I'm just tired. "I'm here, baby. I'm okay."

"The doctor said you were lucky", Elmer adds, his arms crossed loosely and his cheeks stained from tears. "They said you were lucky because you didn't have any bad damage to your organs. Just a concussion."

I frown as he wipes at his eyes, Albert wrapping an arm around him. "I don't think you were lucky", he continues, his voice hoarse from trying to hold back tears. "I don't."

I look around at my friends, seeing tears running down their cheeks, at least the ones that could cry. I hate it. I hate when people cry. "Stop crying guys. Please."

They all laugh at the faux desperation in my voice, making me smile. "I don't want you guys crying. It's not like I died, or something."

"We're all very happy to have you here, Nicholas", Mrs. Willis assures, a small smile on her face as she places a hand on Boots' shoulder. "We're glad to see your eyes again."

I hum, a small smile on my face. I look over to where Davey stood, seeing Specs standing behind him. My smile falls as I remember the foot we left on. I don't really want to think about this.

"Hey, uh", Blink clears his throat, grabbing the presence of everyone. "We should leave. I think Mush has something he wants to say to Specs."

Everyone leaves the room, Blink planting a kiss on my hand before he walks out. It's just Specs and I, and that feels more awkward than when everyone started crying.

And I can't stand when things are awkward. "I'm sorry."

They look up at me, surprise on their face. "For?"

"For taking things out of proportion instead of talking them out with you", I sigh, looking into their eyes. "While I do think you being bullied is a big deal, I shouldn't have exploded and barged in like that."

Specs nods, looking into the bed sheets. It was hard for them to apologize, not that I felt they needed to. They hadn't done anything wrong in my book. Yet, they still uttered the words, "I'm sorry, too."

"There's no reason for you—"

"I should've heard you out", they sigh, grabbing my hand. "Or told you. I just...I didn't want to worry you, or Nana. And I guess Jack found out somehow and went to beat up Oscar and this is what happens—"