"So you're back for the rest of the year?" Danny asked.
"Technically yes. But I'm not taking classes. Just cheer. I'll be cheering you and Michael on!" I jumped up and did a toe touch and raised my arms in the air "GO DANNY! GO MICHAEL! You know the drill."
Danny threw his head back and laughed. Because it annoyed me every time he did that, I put my hand behind his head and pushed it up so he was looking straight again. Odd child, he is.
I turned to Keri, "So when is the next game?"
"Um....I think it's next Tuesday. Don't worry, I'll show you what we've been working on this weekend and tomorrow," she replied. It was a little muffled because she was hugging Lucas when she was telling me all this.
"Got that sis?" Leigh asked.
"Oh yeah. I got it. Knowing Keri for so long...I got it," I giggled.
"It's SO good to have you back Annie! I've missed you so much. Oh and uh... nice tumble before," Leigh said.
"Thanks. I improvised. You know me. Where is Andrew? I've been hearing a little about him from mom. She says you go on and on about him at dinner." This made Leigh blush.
"He's sick today but we can go see him after school."
I blinked at her. "It is after school, Hun."
"Right," she said slowly. Love struck much?
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Andrew's house.
Leigh knocked on Andrew's door. It took a moment but Andrew's (I'm guessing) brother opened the door. "Hey Leigh, he's in his room."
"Thanks!"
We walked to Andrew's door and knocked. "Hey Andrew?" Leigh said quietly. She opened the door. We walked into his room. It was fairly simple. A few posters here and there, plain white walls, his bed, dresser and bookshelf.
"Hey Leigh," Andrew said in a hushed voice.
"Feel okay now?" Leigh sat on his bed.
"Can't talk much," he whispered.
"Well don't strain it. We'll see you tomorrow okay?"
Andrew nodded. I waved at him," Hey Andrew, hope you feel better."
"Hey Annie. Thanks," he replied.
"Stop talking." Leigh commanded. Andrew chuckled.
We walked out of his house and got on our bikes and headed home. "I swear he was about to say, 'yes mom' you were so demanding," I laughed
"Yeah, well if I don't tell him to stop talking, no one will," she laughed.
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I learned the cheer that over the course of 3 or 4 days. It was Tuesday before I knew it. I spent every waking moment practicing the cheer. Double back tuck, side toe touch, twist, back handspring, round off, double front tuck and land with a front split. Harder than it sounds. The day went fast. It was five minutes before the game started. I was pumped. We did our stretches on the track while the guys were pep talking themselves in the locker room. Within minutes we heard cheering and the band started. The cheerleaders took a seat on the track and watched. I watched Michael tackle as many players as he could. My eyes shot to Danny as he caught the ball one handed and ran for a touchdown. He ran fast and he dodged other players ready to tackle him. He was only 10 yards away from getting a touchdown when #67 came up and hit him. He hit him hard. Knocked him out of bounds. As Danny hit the ground his helmet flew off his head. His head hit the ground. He didn't move. Keri and I looked at each other and stood up. Leigh came running down the stands to us with Kayla at her heals. Danny still wasn't moving. I ran to him as fast as I could. I had tears welling up in my eyes. I was at his side in a matter of seconds.
"Danny? Danny wake up. Danny listen to me! Wake up," I cried. He didn't move. Kayla ran up to him on the other side. Crying.
"We're going to take him to the hospital," his coach said.
"Can I go? Please?" I asked.
"After half time. I wi-"
"I'll run there if I have to," I cut his coach off.
"Okay. After half time, run to the hospital."
I cried into Keri's shoulder until it was half time. We ran out and started our routine. We did it twice. We ended with 3 pyramids. I got Rachel (a flyer) down and looked at Danny's coach. He nodded and I ran out of the field. I ran with tears in my eyes. I turned left onto the main road that leads to the hospital. I stopped to look if there were any cars coming. When there weren't any I ran across the street. I quickened my pace as I got closer to the hospital. I finally saw the hospital doors to the ER. I ran in.
"Hi miss. Can I help you?" A lady with big glasses and curly yellow hair looked up at me.
"Did a Daniel Gonzalez come in? I think he got a concussion," I panted.
"You ran here I take it. Um yes he's in room 113 right over there. He's in a coma for now. It should last a few days," she said leading me to Danny's room.
"A coma? Oh my God. Why did it have to be Danny? Thank you ma'am," I said.
"No problem. If you need anything just call for me okay?"
"Yeah," I said half-heartedly smiling.
I looked at Danny. He has tubes and wires all over him. Why him? I pulled up a chair and sat next to him. I took his hand and held it tight. Close to me. After an hour I heard footsteps running in.
"Oh my God, Danny. Is he okay?" Keri asked me.
"Coma," I whispered. "A few days at the most."
"It's okay Hun. He'll be fine," Leigh came up to me and hugged me.
I heard a scream and crying. I turned to see Kayla on her knees crying. That brought tears to my eyes. Everyone was crying. Leigh went up to her and held her. I just sat there and held Danny's hand.
"Kayla? Come here. You're Danny's girlfriend. You can hold his hand," I said.
I tried to let go, but Danny didn't. I looked at his hand. It was clenched over mine. I looked at Danny. His eyes were moving behind his lids. Then they stopped. And it looked like he was looking at me. Behind closed eyes, he was looking at me. I let got of his hand and gave it to Kayla.
"Thank you," she said.
I nodded. I turned to Leigh.
"I'm going to go home. It's late," I said.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. See you when you get home. Can I take your bike?
"Yeah sure, I'll walk home. It's not long," she said smiling.
"Thanks."
I ran out of the room and down the hall. I smiled at the nurse. "Have a good night ma'am."
"You too Hun."
I walked out the doors and got on Leigh's bike. I rode slowly along the sidewalk towards home.
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I'm splitting this into 2 parts cuz this is really long...and sad. Danny is my best friend and I don't like thinking of him getting hurt so I cried while reading this.
