The Girl Behind the Camera

2

2

I felt stiff like a stick and my whole backside was in so much pain. I willed myself to open my eyes. After trying for a few minutes, I was finally able to. I was lying on my stomach on a bed.

"Is she gonna be alright?" That sounded like my dad. But what was he doing here?

"Yeah, just a minor concussion. She'll have to stay out of P.E. for a few weeks. No sports or anything. Call me when her headaches go away." There were footsteps that lead to a door opening and closing.

"Evelyn? Sweetheart?" I tried to answer my mom but it came out as a moan. A moan of pain.

"Did you hear what the doctor said. No P.E. or soccer." My dad said. I moaned again. A moan of sadness. Soccer was my rock like football was for guys.

"But don't worry honey, you'll be back on the field in no time." I nodded my head slowly, taking care that it was tender and still in pain.

"Well...the doctor said that after he runs through a test you can be checked out." I nodded. There was a long silence after that. I was almost asleep when the door opened again.

"When is this test?" I said it slowly, trying to exaggerate the point that I wanted to leave and mope because I couldn't participate in sports. Yet, we were going to do all the fitness tests, including the mile. But still...I better get the chocolate ice cream ready...

I turned myself over so that I was on my back and waited as my parents went to get some food other than from the hospital. I didn't care what it was as long as it had better flavor and got them away from me. I wasn't mad at them, I just needed my space and my mom would be going off like a bomb wanting to know what I did to get into the hospital with a minor concussion. I didn't want to explain it to her how I didn't even know what had happened. She would morph into Sherlock Holmes and investigate my hit and run situation.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when the door opened. I blinked in confusion. My parents were already back? It felt like they left a few minutes ago.

"Mom? Pa?" I was answered with a few laughs. They were definitely not my parents' laugh.

Lance and Bryon entered the room. Lance was holding a bouquet of colorful flowers, including my favorite flowers, white roses, and Bryon was holding a box of chocolates. They were followed by Tristan and Damion. Tristan was holding a teddy bear that had 'Get Well Soon' on its t-shirt. Damion wasn't carrying anything.

"Um...what's all this?" I asked, confused at their show of affection.

"Well, this dude," Bryon nodded his head towards Lance, "is the reason y'all is in here." I looked at Lance and was surprised to see that in his eyes was sorrow and regret. He had bags under his eyes and his hair that was usually purposely tossled, now looked like he was running his hands through it continuously.

I smiled slightly at them. "Thanks." I whispered to them. An uncomfortable feeling stretched across the room until it filled every little centimeter of it; the seconds were lengthy and vehement. I was fidgeting and playing with my fingers. I only looked up when Damion coughed. I watched as Lance, Bryon and Tristan came forward. Lance put the flowers on the table by my bed and Tristan and Bryon gave me the chocolates and my teddy bear. I smiled at them in what I hoped was kind one and said thank you.

Damion was moving his weight between his two legs and crossing and uncrossing his arms impatiently. "Look," He insisted, "we've got to go back to practice." Damion, I thought, must really love football. I nodded, and I swear I saw Lance, Bryon, and Tristan's faces fall. I smiled and waved as they left the room. I sighed and turned on the TV with the black remote by the flowers. I looked at them for a second. For some reason, I couldn't help but think that Lance's gift was the sweetest of the three. I mean, what was the chance that Lance knew what my favorite flowers were?